Equipment
Callaway launches new MD3 Milled wedges
What was Callaway’s Mack Daddy 2 line of wedges missing? A wide-sole wedge option.
On Monday, Callaway announced the release of a new milled-wedge line — MD3 Milled — which includes a new W-grind, a new 46-degree wedge option, different shaping and a progressive groove design.
With three wedge-grind options (C, S and W), Callaway wedge-designer Roger Cleveland says this is the biggest line ever from the company.
[quote_center]”There was one grind that we were missing, and that’s the wide sole grind,” Cleveland says.[/quote_center]
Wide-sole wedges are one of golf equipment’s new trends, but there’s a reason they have become so popular — a wider grind helps golfers in soft conditions from digging too much into the turf.
Cleveland says the W-grind adds effective bounce, which is a golfer’s friend in soft conditions, both from the grass and in the sand. Bounce is also great for golfers with steep angles of attack, or shots that require a greater descending blow.
Callaway still offers the familiar C-grind — made slightly wider, or what Cleveland calls “more generous,” than previous lines — and the S-grind (standard grind), which is the most versatile option made for both firm and soft conditions.
MD3 also added a 46-degree wedge option to its lineup, which offers eight lofts ranging from 46-to-60 degrees, and a progressive-groove system for spin control throughout the extensive line.
In the Mack Daddy 2 wedges, Cleveland used very aggressive grooves for maximum spin, great for shots around the green. But based on feedback from Tour players, high-spin grooves aren’t ideal in the lower-lofted wedges, because the ball “rips back” too much on full shots or into back pin positions.
To combat that issue, Callaway uses what it’s calling “progressive groove optimization” to reduce spin as wedge lofts decrease.
Now, the lob wedge has what’s called 5V grooves — a U-shaped groove that’s the widest and sharpest — the sand wedges use slightly narrower 20V grooves and the pitching/gap wedges use 30V grooves — a full V-shaped groove. According to Cleveland, the groove-system is said to better smooth the transition from the wedges into the irons.
The MD3 wedges also have a different head profile, using what Cleveland calls the best of Callaway’s previous X-Tour and Tour Grind wedge lines. The profiles have a higher toe shape and a straighter leading edge, a look that golfers enjoy based on player-feedback.
The new wedges, cast from 8620 stainless steel, undergo a milling process on their faces, which will create more friction for ball control. Also, green weight ports in the back of the wedges — a look similar to Callaway’s PM grind offering — help reposition weight behind the face for shot-making benefits, according to Callaway.
MD3 Milled wedges are set to release on Sept. 4, and will be available for $129.99 each in two different finishes — matte black and satin chrome. Custom shafts and grips will be available, as well.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Callaway MD3 Milled wedges in the forums.
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- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4...
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Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
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Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees...
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Pingback: CALLAWAY adds to MD3 wedge line... - Bernard Daily
Moody_D
Jul 9, 2015 at 8:49 am
Also, not sure why you’re all angry about the cast/milled. That’s a much better process for wedges. Forged wedges wear down too quickly.
Gary
Jul 11, 2015 at 9:52 am
Forged wedges don’t necessarily wear down as fast as cast wedges, sometimes the opposite is true, depending on the steel used and etc. Some forged wedge face and grooves will outlast cast wedges. This is one reason why Vokey has hardened the face on the SM4 and SM5 wedges. Cleveland did the same on the Rotex wedges, first version at least. One of the most durable wedges I can remember in fairly recent times was the Callaway X Tour which came out in 2006, was still going strong long after my Vokey Spin Milled lost most of it’s spin.
Moody_D
Jul 9, 2015 at 8:47 am
Love the looks, and think I’ll love the S grind. Extremely disappointed that they’re not making an option that’s fully grooved on the face like the PM wedges. Guess they need to save something for their next product cycle!! So in Callaway cycles, I should be able to order the wedge I want by October! 🙂
BirdieBaron
Jul 9, 2015 at 3:27 am
Even scratch and + Hcps cannot reliably tell the difference between forged, cast, milled stainless etc.
Do not judge a club by its material. At today’s tolerances and manufacturing expertise they are almost indistinguishable in real terms and testing.
If you don’t earn a living playing golf it it really not an area of concern. Don’t let it get into your head or buy into the hype that one is inheirintly better than another. The Pro’s make millions and play what works for them, some play cast, some forged. No worries.
Dave R
Jul 8, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Callaway makes great wedges…I play MD2, picked up a PM 60, fantastic, a little biased as I am a lefty too! Not sure how the MD3 will compare in “feel” , but will definitely give them a look!
Ken
Jul 8, 2015 at 6:39 pm
Not one picture of the face and grooves?
other paul
Jul 7, 2015 at 9:35 pm
Love the Mack daddy 2. Maybe the PM grind will go on sale and I will grab a 56*.
SB
Jul 7, 2015 at 3:39 pm
They look sick but I hope the grooves are not all over the face as the Phil’s one…
ADL
Jul 7, 2015 at 7:37 am
I’ll stick with my FORGED MD2s. Seems like a step back going from forged to milled…
Michael F
Jul 6, 2015 at 9:52 pm
Maybe they will offer these in more than 3 lofts left handed. Can’t take Callaway seriously in the wedge game until they offer the majority of their products left handed. They may want to look at how Vokey and Cleveland properly serve the market.
KK
Jul 6, 2015 at 9:21 pm
Glad Callaway shortened the model name to MD3. Mack Daddy was almost as ridiculous as Rocketballz.
Christosterone
Jul 6, 2015 at 8:47 pm
Does Ping get a commission or a flat fee for use of trademarked clubs?
-Christosterone
txaggieman85
Jul 6, 2015 at 10:42 pm
Does Vokey pay a commission? Does Cameron pay a commission…what goes around comes around.
Arguably Roger Cleveland is one of the best wedge designers ever.
jeff ward
Jul 6, 2015 at 1:47 pm
Are they forged?
Matt
Jul 6, 2015 at 8:19 pm
Nope
James
Jul 7, 2015 at 1:07 am
BOOOOOO!!!
MHendon
Jul 6, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Nice looking wedges, definitely like the wide sole option for the 60.