TEST: Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedges

Our testers loved the look of these wedges, and here’s what they had to say about their performance.

MODEL AND LOFT PLAYED: Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind 60° lob wedge with 10° of bounce.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: It’s a different design, but I can see the idea behind the size and shape of the clubhead. My only concern is the leading edge appears to not sit flush to the ground, so we’ll see how that performs.

VERDICT: I ended up using the Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedge a lot, both out of bunkers and for general chipping and pitching. The leading edge didn’t bounce uncontrollably like I thought it might as instead I found the sole design performed well. It actually sits beautifully; flop shots felt easier because of the head shape so there is merit in the design. For me, the Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedge performed better from grass than sand. I did hit the ball close to the flag several times on greenside bunker shots, although mostly on short blasts – from further away I couldn’t judge the distance. When I tried to hit with distance I had a problem with it, but you shouldn’t be trying to generate distance with any lob wedge, really.

WHAT I LIKED: The wedge’s ability to get through thick grass on pitch shots.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: The appearance of the leading edge. Not that it failed me, but the unconventional shape was hard to come to terms with.

MODEL AND LOFT PLAYED: Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind 60° lob wedge with 10° of bounce.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: It’s a good looking wedge – that large face has to make you feel more at ease with tough pitch shots and the grooves running all the way across creates the impression that you could get away with striking the ball anywhere on the clubface. The grind on the bottom makes it sit really well when you open the face.

VERDICT: I generated far more spin from the Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedge than I thought I could. I was guilty of using it in the wrong places a couple of times for the purpose of the exercise, but it is a versatile, multi-purpose wedge. The clubhead glides through or across the turf very well and bounces when you need it to, and I didn’t fear the dreaded ‘chunk’ off tight lies. The Mack Daddy PM-Grind popped the ball up neatly from bunkers and long rough when I tried an explosion-style shot. Hit behind the ball and the clubhead design does the work for you.

WHAT I LIKED: The big thing was the spin. I don’t get a lot of spin normally but with this wedge I did.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: Hitting straight, full shots was a challenge but how often do you do that with a lob wedge?

FACTS & FIGURES

SUITABILITY: Golfers looking for more versatility in their wedges.

SHAFT: The KBS Tour V Wedge Steel is the standard offering.

LOFTS: Available in four lofts, 56°, 58°, 60° and 64°, with 13° of bounce in the 56° and 10° of bounce in the rest.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes, except for the 58° model.

HOW MUCH?: $200 per wedge.

CALLAWAY SAYS: “If you’re looking to build the perfect wedge, pairing the game’s best wedge player with a legendary wedge designer is a good place to start. That’s what Callaway did to build the new PM-Grind wedge, teaming Phil Mickelson with Roger Cleveland, the company’s long-time chief club designer.

“Working closely with the five-time major champion on every detail, Mr Cleveland precisely crafted a wedge with the look and performance that met Mickelson’s wishes after endless rounds of testing.

“The PM-Grind wedge features a unique shape with more surface area, 39 percent more groove area covering the entire face, and a high toe that moves weight higher in the clubface, making it easier to hit shots out of deep rough. The versatile design lets golfers accelerate through the ball and go confidently after every shot – even on flop shots, bunker shots and out of thick rough.”

Contact Callaway Golf on 1800 217 777 or visit www.callawaygolf.com