Equipment
Mizuno’s New S18 Wedges: Different Lofts, Different Designs
When deciding on your wedge setup, it’s important to not only think about yardage gapping, but to find wedges that achieve the necessary performance for that specific wedge. For example, you want a 46-degree wedge to perform more like an iron that will be used on full shots, while your 60-degree wedge should have a more versatile grind for not only shots from the fairway, but also open-faced shots from various lies around the greens.
Since the launch of its MP-T10 wedges, which introduced loft-specific grooves, Mizuno has sought to build wedges for golfers that satisfy the needs of each specific loft. With its T5 wedges, Mizuno made loft-specific grinds, and with its T7 wedges, it designed loft-specific head shapes.
Now, Mizuno’s new S18 wedges combine all of those loft-specific concepts from recent wedge lines — with specific groove, grinds and head shapes — and have made other improvements, as well.
The center of gravity for each wedge now flows upward through the set to achieve the proper flight for those lofts; lower-lofted S18 wedges have a lower center of gravity (CG) for a higher flight and lower spin rates, while higher-lofted wedges have a higher CG for a lower, more-controlled flight and more spin.
Mizuno is using also its familiar “quad-cut grooves” on the S18 wedges, but with some changes compared to older models to make the S18 set more progressive. Now, the lower-lofted wedges have narrower and deeper grooves for better performance on full shots, while the higher-lofted wedges have wider and shallower grooves for better performance on shorter shots. Mizuno has also given the higher-lofted wedges more sole grind for versatility, and lower-lofted wedges less sole grind for iron-like performance.
With the goal to increase durability and spin throughout the line, Mizuno also tested older wedges — using Luke Donald’s old S5 wedge head design as a benchmark, according to Mizuno — with newer materials and designs. Mizuno found that adding boron to its 1025 mild carbon steel made it 30 percent stronger, which will help it perform better for a longer duration. Therefore, the S18 wedges are made with 1025 Boron.
Graphic courtesy of Mizuno
You’ll also notice head shapes that blend the aggressive design — or more contours and sharper lines — of the S5 wedges, and the more conservative design of the T7. The S18 wedges satisfy the middle ground, which is likely to appeal to a greater amount of golfers.
Mizuno’s S18 wedges will be available in Chrome, and a “Gunmetal” black IP (Ion Plated) finish. They will sell at retail for $149 per wedge starting September 15, and will come stock with a True Temper Dynamic Gold wedge-flex shaft and a Golf Pride MCC Black/White 60Round grip. Check out the full spec options below.
Stock SKU’s
Custom Offerings (Click to Enlarge)
Related
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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DrRob1963
Aug 17, 2017 at 7:28 pm
These new Mizuno wedges look fabulous. I love my old MP-T7 64* lobbie with 7* bounce, but the grooves are starting to wear. Is there a 64* wedge available? If not, is the most lofted wedge bendable to give 64* loft, and then, what would the clubs bounce become?
TG
Aug 17, 2017 at 8:40 pm
For every degree of loft you add it adds a degree of bounce is also added.
DrRob1963
Aug 18, 2017 at 6:51 am
Sure, but what wedge do I get and is it bendable? Is there a 64* loft option???