Review: Callaway Mack Daddy 3 Wedges

Design Changes to the Mack Daddy Make for Tighter Results

The Callaway Mack Daddy wedges have gone through an evolution over the last couple seasons. The originals are still some of golfers favorite wedges. Then came the MD2 wedges and my favorite the MD2 Tour version. Each one changed the head shape a little, changed the grooves slightly and added some variety for even better fitting options. The MD3 wedges take a number of cues from the PM-Grind wedges, yet soften the look and make much more functional for every loft in the bag. The big difference that most golfers will notice is the 4 ports on the muscle part of the wedge. They look cool, change the sound and feel, but also shift some weight for better control and spin. These design changes are what make the results better with these wedges. At the end of the day, isn’t that what every golfer wants; closer to the hole.

I’ve actually had these in the bag for much of the 2016 golf season. Sometimes clubs just blend so well into my set and my hands, that I actually forget to write the review up. That is what happened with these wedges. They were so easy to adjust to, play and looked like they just belonged in my bag. I had to remember that they were new wedges and not a set of old trusty wedges that I had used for a long time.

I went with a Callaway Mack Daddy 3 in a 54* and 58* set finished in matte black finish with mid to high bounce for the soft conditions in MN. The finish has been amazingly durable for so many shots hit with them this season. The shafts are grips along with the lime green paintfill make for a really attractive package.

The 58* has the C-grind for maximum versatility and the 54* is the S-grind for more stability on fairway and rough shots. I really like these grinds because they interact with the turf just they way I need to. They also have a fairly nice transition from hosel to leading edge which for me is also an important part of good turf interaction. They both take small to medium divots on the softer turf which is just about ideal for what I’m looking for.

The headshape takes some cues from the Callaway PM-grind with the slightly taller toe. It isn’t the extreme shape of those wedges, but still a taller toe than the MD2 wedges. The muscle ports certainly change the feel of a wedge, but also allows for weight to be moved for a better CG. While the feel is slightly more hollow, the ability to lift the ball out of every lie was more consistent. The feel is still solid, just different.

One of the biggest factors that made these wedges more consistent and closer to the hole is the grooves. Callaway calls them progressive grooves for the different wedges. The lower lofted wedges have different grooves than the higher lofted wedges. It makes sense based on the different kind of shots I hit with my wedges. The 54* is designed to have consistent spin on every shot and the 58* is designed to have maximum spin no matter the shot or lie.

FlightScope Xi Tour Launch Monitor

Callaway MD3 58* Wedge

Spin: 9986 rpms
Launch Angle: 54.2*
Dispersion: 2.5 yds
Club Head Speed: 77.8 mph
Ball Speed: 79.0 mph
Total Distance: 88.3 yds
Carry Distance: 82.5 yds

These made the gamer bag for most of 2016 because of their great results. If you haven’t upgraded your wedges recently, check out the Callaway Mack Daddy 3 wedges and see which options are best for you. The various finishes, grooves, grinds and lofts are sure to help get your closer to the pin. They might be subtle changes from some of the previous Mack Daddy wedges, but they make for closer shots.

For more information: www.callawaygolf.com

Quick Hits:
+Great looks
+Multiple grind options
+Tight results
+Different finishes
+Different grooves for different shots

–Slightly hollow feel