new wedge choices - Mizuno

[pendlebg]

Hello all, I have just acquired a new set of Mizuno Mx-23 irons and am very happy w. them. Have a question about Mizuno wedge experiences out there.

Will set the stage. Play infrequently for past several years (6 rounds a year) but plan to increase back to 40 rounds a year, where I used to be (Canadian golfer, limited season). Best guess at Handicap would be 15 - 16 right now, but will improve with more play, likely down to 12 or so @ rate of 40 rounds / year. Have athletic swing, passable short game that could use some (ahem) work.

Current wedge assortment is a grab bag of acuired freebies and want to replace 2 of them, Cheapo Sand Wedge, Wilson Gap Wedge, Cleveland 588 Lob Wedge. Thought being to get Mizuno wedges to have a similiar feel to the irons (except the Cleveland, will keep it, would only replace after replacing the sand and gap if and only if I felt the need).

Am asking for those with similiar scenario's (athletic swing, don't play enough for something like Mizuno MP's, but game improvement MX's are bang on for me and will be good enough no matter how much better I will get as I if I ever make single digit h/c (wishful thinking), would be a high single digit at best, to comment on the different Mizuno Wedges, T Series and R Series I believe, what the differences are and if you have a model recommednation. From there I will figure out the lots , bounce, etc..

I also have heard tell of an MX line of wedges that is Europe only. Any comments on those would be hlpefuk, though I am not about to pay for shipping from Europe (I like golf, but not that much).

Am really looking for a consistent set of clubs that, on full swings anyway, plays like an extension to the aforementioned MX irons. Want to reduce (at least mentally) any thought that I need to tinker with my swing (or more appopriately, the "feel" of the club in my swing as I move up from PW to other wedges (again, on full swings).

Thanks for your input. I wil be trying them out (indoors though ,remember the Canada part) but would like to hear from those with a few seasons of the combos under your belt.

[wachesawgolfer]

Gee, I don't worry over wedges too much. Its a short club with a shorter swing for the most part. Buy one that looks and feels good. Chip a few in the store. Wedges are more about technique than equipment.

[pendlebg]

Thanks and yes I am likely overthinking this. I guess I could rephrase my question to be as follows.

If you assume I will buy mizuno wedges and have Mizuno MX23 irons, does anyone have any suggestions as to which model makes the most sense?

I completely understand if the best answer is try them for yourself, which I will likely do anyway. But, if I were to consider good shape used club option and stab a guess, then was looking for anyone who has tried this combo and has input, good, bad or otherwise.

Choice seems to be the T Series vs. R Series or some older models. Other than Mizuno's web site description, cannot find any comparison on them.

Thanks

[SuaSponteMn]

Wedges, like pretty much all golf equipment, is personal preference so yeah, try before ya buy....

I love Cleveland wedges, I'm playing 588 gunmetals currently in 54 and 60 degree loft. Along with my pitching wedge, there isn't a shot I'm terrible uncomfortable with. I've owned 900 series and CG's as well, IMO they just plain don't make a bad wedge.

A lot of folks here are big fans of the Titleist Vokey wedges, excellent equipment as well. I've never played a Mizuno wedge, or the new Callaway varieties, but I can't imagine either company making a poor product.

One other thing:
If I was buing new wedges, I'd be focused primarily on ensuring that I buy the proper lofts to keep the gaps consistent from club to club. There's plenty of different options, P 52 56 60 - P 54 58 - P 64 60. Just make sure you get the most shots out of your wedges by selecting the right clubs :)

[DBake]

You are starting to thinking like many of the other Mizuno iron players do. People who usually play Mizuno irons do so because of the feel they offer. You start to play often enough you begin to feel a difference between the 7 iron you missed the green with and the SW you hitting a green side pitch or chip with. I would be willing to say that close to 75% of commettied rec. players that play Mizuno irons play Mizuno wedges so they can have the same feel.

[golfnut_rlv]

I think the Mizuno wedges are a great fit for any player. They are forged, high quality, and just as good if not better than Titleist Vokey's and Clevelands. They are very underrated. I play a combination of the MP T and R Series. Here is the skinny:

MP T Series: Classic looking wedge. Very popular look. Comes in a wide array of lofts and bounces.

MP R Series: This wedge is a more round version of the T Series. They are a little bit heavier than the T's, better for chipping high, and the have a special beveled sole.

Both series are also available in custom shafts, grips, and lie angles through a Mizuno Fitting Center.

A good choice, is to go with a T series gap wedge, and an R series sand or lob wedge for around the green.

As to what lofts, well that depends on what's in your bag now. Most professional clubmakers recommend 4 degree gaps between wedges, ie 48, 52, 56. 60.

Here are my gaps: 47 PW, 51 GW, 56 SW, 60 LW. See my signature for the models.

I agree that short game has a lot to do with technique, and touch, but good equipment can greatly improve your chances of getting up and down.

Hope this helps.

PS. visit this link to find an authorized Mizuno fitting center in your area!!
Mizuno Custom Fitting

[pendlebg]

Thank you. That helps considerably. My current thinking has refined to the following. as my PW is 46, and I am keeping my Cleveland 588 60 degree (for now, anyway), was looking at the T Series 51-6 and the 56-13 to have my gaps at 5, 5, and 4.

Any thoughts on the different models (Chrome, Black Nickel, Raw Haze). Is the difference mainly a visual one? Or are there playing characteristics worth noting. I suspect for me that any difference in playing characteristics between them would fall well behind improving my technique in order of importance for improved wedge play, but I might as well ask before I buy instead of after.

Thanks

[golfnut_rlv]

There is really no playability of feel difference between the chrome style and black nickel style. Appearance is the main difference. Some better players like wedges like the black nickel for lack of glare. This is merely your preference. The Raw Haze is a wedge like a Cleveland 588 RTG, it will rust with use. This is okay, as some players say that the rust helps with spinning the ball, or with feel. There is no real playability difference between the three models.

Good Luck

[scooterguitar]

Let's bring this way back from the past!
I think I am leaning towards these as well.
The R is the one with the beveled or ground heal, correct?
ANyone playing the T or R series these days on here?

[golfunit]

I'm playing MP-T Model wedges, 51° and 56°. The PW is 47°, so it was a nice progression. I finally decided on them because I love the feel of my MP-60 irons, and the wedges look and feel so similar. I tried out Cleveland and Vokey wedges, but they didn't feel any better than the Mizunos.

I chose the T, or Teardrop shape, because it's a more traditional wedge look. I got the chrome finish just as a mental thing so all my irons would look the same. The last two sets of wedges have been "rusties". I liked them, but decided on something different this time. I'll probably add a 60° as an option, and occasionally drop my 3 or 4 TM Rescue mid to make room.

[scooterguitar]

Good info, thanks.
Looks aside, I am thinking the R series, but would the T series possibly be more consistent as the gap ya think?
I am thinking 52/53 and a 58 would get me there for wedges actually.

[golfunit]

The T and R series look VERY similar to me. I had to really inspect them to see the difference between the "teardrop" shape and the "round" shape. The T series just has more of a matching look to my irons and was more visually appealing to ME.

It sounds like golfnut has some deeper info on the difference of the two wedges. They definitely have that same "buttery" Mizuno feel when you hit them well. They are both beautifully made golf clubs, and definitely a great deal for the money.

Best of luck Scooter. I really doubt if you would notice much difference between the clubs if you took them out to the range side-by-side. Try the Mizuno website if you like reading up on specs (I know I spent some time there before deciding). Now, truthfully, at first glance, can you see a difference between the two models? I had a hard time with one of each in my hand!!

Here's the Mizuno link:

http://www.mizunousa.com/equipment.n...olf&cat;=wedges

John

PS: NICE collection of guitars!! I have two Strats and a Tele amongst others...

[ks8829]

I play the mizuno mp series in 52-11, 56-12 and 60-6 the different degrees and bounces for about 3 years now and I like them very much. I play the mp33 irons and they match the set. The other wedges that I would consider are the vokeys and cleveland.

Why not try hitting all three different companies and confirm the fact that you will end up with the Mizuno line to match your set.

Don't forget the bounce you need for your different wedges.

[scooterguitar]

Yes, yes :>)
Thing is, I actually like the least amount of bounce I can get.