Spin This: Callaway’s Mack Daddy 2 Wedges Rock

Roger Cleveland’s New Design Works Wonders Around the Green

One of the most exasperating mis-hits in golf, probably second only to the shank, is the chili-dipped chip—that bumbling, too-fat chunk where the turf flies further than your ball.

Playing partners might tell you the problem lies in your lethargic small muscles, or that you’re simply intimidated by first-cut tight lies. Maybe so, but could the answer be more basic? Could your too-fat shots be lessened with something as simple as an equipment change?

Callaway’s new Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind wedges might be the key.

Crafted by esteemed club designer Roger Cleveland, the Mack Daddy 2 offers enhanced performance that swing guru Dave Pelz says belies the most important shots in golf: Those that must be precisely executed from short yardage—from tight lies, medium grass, high rough and sand.

I recently tested the Mack Daddy 52- and 56-degree wedges, and I came away a believer. Here’s why:

1. The grinded-down bottom edge offers a distinct advantage on tight lies. Compared to my older Wilson Staff sand and Titleist Vokey gap wedges, the Mack Daddy models sport an aggressive 10-degree sole grind that provides consistent bounce, even when playing on soggy turf.

2. The compact, smaller-than-normal forged clubhead slashed through grass and delivered as promised from sticky, clubhead-snaring rough.

3. With a little practice, ball-control backspin became more the rule than the exception, especially from tight lies. Credit Cleveland’s new 5V grooves— which are 39 percent larger than Callaway’s 2011 line of forged wedges—as well as the sandblasted milling between the grooves. Callaway says the club also offers 25 percent more spin out of grassy rough than previous lines. I was ecstatic for the extra spin, especially on approaches to our municipal course’s 14-stimp, push-up greensites.

4. Playing from the sand, the 56-degree wedge produced prodigious, smile-inducing backspin. There’s something special about watching a playing partner’s jaw drop when a bunker shot checks up for yet another par save.

5. I adore the no-glare finish. The heads come either in milky chrome or slate, which on sunny days are easy on the eyes.

Callaway’s Mack Daddy 2 Tour Grind wedges ($120 suggested retail) come in 47-, 50-, 52-, 54-, 56-, 58- and 60-degree models, all equipped with True Temper’s Dynamic Gold S300 shaft. The line is available with a 10- or 14-degree sole grind. For more information, go online to www.callawaygolf.com.

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Chris Duthie is a contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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