Equipment
Tech Talk: Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Wedges
“Nothing feels better than forged,” says Callaway wedge designer Roger Cleveland, which is why the company’s new Mack Daddy 2 wedges are forged from 1020 carbon steel.
But modern wedge design has become about much more than just the way the ball feels coming off the club face. Today’s wedges have to be able to provide golfers with the spin they need to control the ball from a variety of different lies, and their sole designs have to be adaptable to a range of golfer types and course conditions.
Callaway’s Mack Daddy 2 wedges derive their name from Callaway’s “Mack Daddy Grooves,” which were unveiled on Callaway’s X-Tour wedges in 2006 to allow golfers to put as much spin on their wedge shots as legally possible. The Mack Daddy 2 wedges carry on that tradition — Cleveland says that the new grooves are so good that they restore 85 to 90 percent of the spin golfers received from wedges created before the USGA’s 2010 groove rule, which shrunk the width and depth of the grooves that equipment manufacturers could put on their wedges.
[youtube id=”wptUpDYvg94″ width=”620″ height=”360″]
Click here to see the long-running discussion about the Mack Daddy 2 wedges in the forms.
According to Cleveland, the 56-, 58-, 60- and 64-degree wedges have grooves that are “right up to the legal limit of the USGA.” They have 5-degree sidewalls, and edge radiuses that are manufactured to extremely tight tolerances to ensure that they are conforming. But the lower-loft wedges (47-, 50-, 52- and 54-degree models) were purposely designed to create less spin than the higher-loft models. They have less aggressive 20-degree sidewalls, which Cleveland says gives the lower-lofted wedges more consistent spin rates on full swings.
The Mack Daddy 2 wedges are shaped much like the company’s “X Forged” wedges, which are still Callaway’s most popular wedge model on the PGA Tour several years after their release date. Cleveland says that many tour players held on to their X Forged wedges despite the release of new models because of their slightly larger size, which was larger than Callaway’s newer “Forged” and “Jaws” lines of wedges.
The Mack Daddy 2 wedges also aim to be more like the X Forged in the wide amount of grind options available. They’re being released in three different grinds, an S Grind, C Grind and U Grind, which are described below.
The “S Grind”
This “standard” grind has the straightest leading edge, making it a good fit for golfers who play most of their wedge shots with a square face. It also has some heel relief, and the lowest amount of bounce, 10 degrees, which means it works well in firm conditions. The S Grind is available on all of Callaway’s Mack Daddy 2 wedge models.
Translation: Try the S grind if you have a shallow angle of attack or play firm golf courses.
The “C Grind”
A “C Grind” creates a sole shape the resembles the letter C because of the ample relief on the heel and toe sections of the wedge. It also has a more curved leading edge as well, which keeps it sitting lower to the ground to make opened-face shots easier to execute. It has 14 degrees of bounce, which means it works well in soft conditions and for soft sand. The C Grind is available on the 58- and 60-degree models.
Translation: Try the C Grind if you’re a digger, a golfer who takes big divots, or play golf courses with soft terrain.
The “U Grind”
The U Grind, which is the same grind used by Phil Mickelson, has a concave sole that allows golfers the ultimate in versatility. It’s the most relieved wedge, with the roundest leading edge to help golfers like Mickelson get the club under the ball to hit high, soft shots from almost anywhere. It has 10 degrees of bounce in the square position, but like the C Grind, it’s playable when opened or closed because of its unique sole shape. The U grind is available on the 58- and 60-degree models.
Translation: Try the U Grind if you play a lot of specialty shots with your lob wedge — opened, closed, toe down, etc. Its 10 degrees of bounce and wider sole in the square position also makes it a good choice for golfers with moderate-to-steep angles of attack.
One of the most notable features of the new wedges is a lazered pattern on the face that gives the wedge a unique look at address. Cleveland says that the pattern will wear extremely fast with use, so it shouldn’t be counted on to provide extra spin.
“But it looks cool,” Cleveland says. “And it highlights our new grooves.”
The Mack Daddy 2 wedges come stock with True Temper’s Dynamic Gold S300 shafts and Lamkin Crossline grips. The will be available in two finishes, a milky chrome and a “slate,” which was buffed with a Scotch Brite to give it a raw, custom shop look.
The wedges will cost $119, and will be available in retail stores July 12.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition. $325 shipped.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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chris
Jul 3, 2013 at 10:13 pm
I like how it says the face will wear down quick. So don’t count on being able to spin the ball??!! Lol Ill stick with the mizuno’s
Gary
Jul 5, 2013 at 12:35 am
Funny how that works. Not sure why they design the face that way when it will where down very quickly anyway, same probably goes for the Cleveland and Rotex design as well as the Nike VR wedge design. Looks cool but doesn’t add to the performance much evidently anyway. Other than that I like the Mack Daddy wedges though and anticipate trying 3 of them at some point.
B
Jul 17, 2013 at 8:16 am
Wow your reading comprehension is terrible.
The article simply states that the face pattern wears down quick, and isn’t meant for spin in the first place. The grooves accomplish that on their own.
Gary Lewis
Aug 3, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Right. The face pattern will wear down fairly quickly but that isn’t a big deal. The grooves are the most important thing and they should hold up relatively quite well.
Nm
May 16, 2016 at 10:41 pm
It’s so one you test them at a course or shop they hit like monsters them slowly wear down and become regular clubs. 😉
Max2850
Jun 30, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Hi, I am confused. On the Callaway site Roger Cleveland and Randy . Peterson discuss these wedges. They stated that the C grind is made for more versatility in shot making.
The U grind is what Phil M. uses, as it stated here. It is described as having a wider sole and is for steeper swings.
That is the opposite of what is stated here.
Gary
Jul 5, 2013 at 12:37 am
That is the same message I got from the Cally website. Even though the C grind has more bounce it is still considered the most versatile of the 3 sole designs.
TigerEarl
Jun 29, 2013 at 11:25 am
Might be worth a try, as long as they feel better than the current line up. Although they are forged, and I liked the shape and versatility of the current wedges, they felt like concrete.
Hope they got it right this time, thus I can play Callaway from 4-LW 😉
Jgolf215
Jul 20, 2013 at 9:28 pm
I replaced my Vokey non conforming with 2012 forged recently and loved them. I thought they felt very soft coming from the Vokeys. But with all the hype, I’m going to have to try the MD2 in a 58, just for the new grooves. Also to have a higher bounce option.
cjb
Jun 28, 2013 at 11:57 am
BTW
According to callaway.com the C grind is available in -52 to -64 wedges.
cjb
Jun 28, 2013 at 11:47 am
Why limit the C grind to -58 and -60 wedges?
Would be better to have C grind in all high spin wedeges, I would like to have a -56 with C grind and a -52 with S grind..
Blanco
Jun 27, 2013 at 7:04 pm
Will Callaway step up behind this product and give lefties a choice in each loft? Or are we destined for a 52/56/60 standard grind? Hope its the former as these really look good to me. I hope I can buy a 60/U.
Adam
Jun 30, 2013 at 12:43 am
You can get the U and C grind in 60* for LH. Check the Cally website.