PLAYING WITH … CALLAWAY MACK DADDY CB WEDGES

Cost: $219.99. Tested by: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy Editor (GA Handicap 9.4)

Our equipment guru believes these clubs are an absolute standout when it comes to forgiving wedges.

MODELS PLAYED: Mack Daddy CB 52°-12°, 56°-14° and 60°-12°, fitted with KBS Hi-Rev G 80 shafts. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The Mack Daddy CB wedges certainly look like they should for the target market. A noticeable amount of offset, larger head and wider sole, confidence inspiring at address for even the most nervy wedge player.

Off the face the feel is solid if not quite that of Tour wedge, and in line with a cavity back iron. The flight consistently straight and high and the mis-hit forgiveness from short chips to full shots the real standout. HOW THEY PERFORMED: Taking the Mack Daddy CBs to the range, I worked my way through the wedge shots I hit throughout the course of a round and was immediately impressed by the level of forgiveness.

Well-struck shots produced a perfect flight, while shots intentionally hit from the toe and heel, as well as slightly heavy and thin, were minimally penalised for distance and direction.

Beyond the forgiveness, the spin of the Mack Daddy CBs was one of the more impressive aspects. Past “forgiving” wedge models have often meant players who need help in this area, sacrifice spin and control. However, the grooves of the Mack Daddy CB provided plenty of zip from a variety of lies with great consistency.

Once out on the course and putting the wedges through their paces, it was the key areas of performance of the target golfer that continued to standout.

Forgiveness for those slightly jittery chippers is one of the best features of the Mack Daddy CB, so too the carry distance and spin consistency across the face.

The playability of the wedges is really enhanced by the higher lofts’ grooves running all the way to the toe, which is perfect for bunker shots and from thick rough, while the longer grip is great for distance control and variety around the greens.

The sole width is certainly wider than I would typically opt for, but again serves a purpose for the player Callaway had in mind during design, and the grind and bounce is about as automatic out of bunkers as you could hope for.

Testing the wedges in graphite added another element that is a positive for higher handicap players. The additional weight felt towards the head encourages a positive strike, creating spin and minimising the duffed chip or short approach.

Although personally not fitting the mould of player the Mack Daddy CB is aimed at, I could definitely see the benefits of the design in every area of wedge play and the continuation from a cavity back irons set is a major plus for those golfers.

Having experience both selling and testing forgiving wedge models, I believe the Mack Daddy CB is the standout alongside PING’s Eye2, which set the standard many decades ago.