“Grain Flow Forged with a copper-underlay hydro-flow micro-groove face and four grinds (S, D, C, X). Steel-dominant players' wedge; a soft-feel identity club, teased at The Open in July 2021 and released that October.”
The T22 was Mizuno's 2022 tour wedge, developed hand-in-hand with former world No. 1 and Mizuno stalwart Luke Donald. It carried a genuine copper underlay beneath the nickel-chrome plating (the same trick that makes a copper finish feel soft) on a one-piece Grain Flow Forged, Boron-infused head, so the softness is structural rather than a coating. Grooves were loft-specific Quad Cut milled directly into the boron steel, backed by laser-etched HydroFlow micro-grooves that channel water away to hold spin in the wet. It came in four grinds -- S (minimal relief, full shots), D (moderate heel/toe relief for face manipulation), C (heavy heel/toe relief for firm turf and open faces) and X (extreme relief for short-game specialists) -- letting a fitter match sole to delivery.
Genuinely respected: it took a Golf Monthly Editor's Choice in 2023 and was tagged a 'sleeper wedge of the year' by reviewers for feel-per-dollar, and Luke Donald gamed it on tour. But respect for a tour wedge is not cult status -- it sold in normal volume, was replaced by the T24 a year later, and is not scarce or hunted. Its standing is 'a very good tour wedge people liked,' which is exactly notable.
For better ball-strikers (roughly single-digit to mid handicaps) who want premium soft feel and want to shape and open the face around greens, and who will get properly fit into the right grind. The copper-underlay feel is a real draw for feel-focused players. A high-handicapper wanting maximum forgiveness or one simple wedge is over-served here and pays for feel they may not sense.
Competed directly with Titleist Vokey SM8/SM9, Cleveland RTX ZipCore and TaylorMade MG3 in 2022-23. In Mizuno's line it was the tour-premium tier above the value S-series, and it was the direct predecessor to the T24, which refined its look and raised CG. The Luke Donald co-development and copper-underlay feel are the throughline of Mizuno's modern T-series identity.
Low-mid, as a compact tour blade should be. This is a shot-maker's tool with a thin top-line and traditional profile; the reward is feel and versatility, not mis-hit rescue. The four grinds are the real forgiveness lever -- matching the C or D grind to firm turf or the S grind to soft/steep delivery does more for a golfer's turf interaction than any face tech -- but a fat or thin strike is still punished. Not a wedge to hide a strike behind.
Calibrated across the whole catalog — a tour blade scores low here on purpose; it means control, not ease.
In 2026 a T22 typically sells private-party around $70-110 per wedge; 2nd Swing has shown used Satin Chrome examples near $100 (down from ~$160 retail), and SidelineSwap runs lower for worn or high-loft pieces. Copper/Denim finishes and clean grooves hold a small premium; the 56/60 lofts show the most groove wear. Solid value retention for a tour wedge but no appreciation.
Reading is one thing — hitting is another. Book a bay and see the numbers for yourself before you buy anywhere.
