50 Words or Less
The Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge is a larger, more forgiving short game tool for players who want to make the game a little easier. Good spin. Excellent sole.
Introduction
Few equipment categories have seen as much growth in the last couple years as game improvement wedges. Wedges used to come in one flavor: blades. Now, cavity back wedges such as the Callaway Mack Daddy CB are not only easy to find, they may soon be the norm for recreational golfers. Should you be gaming the more forgiving Mack Daddy? I tested a set to find out.
Looks
The Mack Daddy CB wedge is slightly larger than average. That size boost is enhanced visually by a rounded toe and leading edge and a thicker top line. There’s enough club face here to make even the yippiest chipper feel confident.
As you can see, the grooves vary depending on the loft. In the 46 to 52 degree wedges, you get the traditional grooves, as shown on the right. From 54 to 60 degrees, Callaway gives you the full face grooves (above, left).
In the bag, the Mack Daddy CB looks great. The overall design is traditional without being dull, and two small splashes of red give it a little visual pop.
Sound & Feel
I know that this is a snobby, elitist thought, but it’s also the truth: I didn’t expect a lot from the Mack Daddy CB in terms of feel. I know that’s stupid because I would never expect worse feel from a cavity back iron, but the cavity back wedge is still new enough that it throws me off a bit. Thankfully, I didn’t let dumb preconceptions keep me from trying it.
The very first I shot I hit with the Mack Daddy CB, a little open-faced pitch, made me do a double take. The feeling was very soft with just a touch of crispness. In other words, it was everything I want in a wedge. Subsequent shots gave me the same sensation, which made hitting this wedge addictive.
Callaway has also given the Mack Daddy CB a surprising amount of feedback. When you miss the sweet spot, the ball feels heavier, almost a little dead on the face. The results are still good, but it’s a distinctly different feel that lets you know you missed one.
Performance
The raison d’etre for the Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedges is creating a “seamless transition” from your irons to your short game. You get forgiveness from your irons, why not get it from your wedges, too? But that doesn’t mean that these wedges aren’t tailored to specific uses. In the 46 through 52 degree wedges – typically used for full shots – the Mack Daddy CB has traditional grooves and a full sole. In the 54 through 60 degree wedges, you get full face grooves and a wider sole meant to handle bunkers and the rough.
I started my testing of these wedges on the course. Two things stood out immediately. First, these wedges are great at handling thin shots. Thanks to their full soles and low CGs, you can hit any type of shot a groove or two thin and still get a great results. This showed up most around the green where it was difficult to hit that dreaded ankle-high, rocket chip.
The other thing that got my attention was the performance of the sole. I’ve been through some short game struggles lately, but the sole on the Mack Daddy CB, particularly the W sole on the 56 and 60, refused to dig. While no club is going to turn a 30 handicapper into Seve, these soles can turn embarrassing chunk shots into chips that get on the putting surface.
The last part of my testing was checking the spin on a launch monitor. On paper, the Mack Daddy CB should be a high spinner thanks to Callaway’s JAWS grooves and the KBS Hi-Rev shaft options. I found that to be true: from pitches to full swings, the Mack Daddy CB had above average spin and was very consistent.
Conclusion
There have always been blade wedges and there have always been short game clubs for those that have given up hope. The Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedges provide a middle path – clubs that will give your short game some help without giving up feel, good looks, or versatility. Kudos to Callaway for adding a great option to this exploding category.
Visit Callaway Golf HERE
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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How would you compare this to the CBX/CBX2?
It’s been over three years since I hit the CBX, and I didn’t review the CBX 2, so I can’t offer a meaningful comparison.
Best,
Matt
I just got the 48 this weekend and play it on Sunday…..going back to get the 52* 56* I used to play the CBX2 The Callaway Blows them away. Just go try them
Why did you prefer Callaway Mack Daddy CB over CBX2? I have old full face Mack daddy PM in 56 and 60 and have been considering CBX2 for a while, and now have another option with the Callaway Mack Daddy CB. Would love your thoughts.
I have the 50 and 54 degree wedges with graphite shafts. They are fantastic. Callaway CB wedges are so good I took my titlest wedges out of my bag.
Thanks for your reviews….I am in the process of restocking my bag…I have an old set of ping eye 2 irons and wedges….because of my age(70) I have replaces longer irons with callaway rogue hybrids(24,27,30) and my old golfsmith driver with a Callaway Rogue driver and 4wood….I have on order for two Odessey putters(the 330M Mallet and the Black #2w blade…..my old putter a Ping anser2 really let me down this yr…anyway I need to look at replacing my three eye2 wedges….w,s and l…..with something…I am fairly good and reliable with these three…they feel alittel clunky. I don’t want something that feels lightweight either…I hit my pw about 100…sand 80 and lob 50…I played 45 rounds this yr with a range of 72-85….would these callaway CB wedges be a possibility or would you have another brand I should look at….thanks again for your reviews…Craig…I live in a rural area so getting to a real golf shop ain’t easy….
Craig,
If you’re looking to get into clubs that are going to make the game a bit easier, than yes, I think these wedges are a fine choice. If you want something that feels heavier, make sure to opt for the steel shaft – the graphite is quite light.
-Matt
Thanks for your prompt response……I was looking at your pages of reviews the the Ping Gluide 3.0 wedges stood out to me….probably because I have been using pings for 30yrs…..I was thinking maybe a 46,52,58,60 would work nicely for me….I get alot of 100 yard shots on my course , thats why I thru in the 46….think the pings would be a good fit for a boomer?
Craig,
The Glide 3.0 is a great wedge, I had them in my bag for a long time. Get the right sole and shaft and there’s no reason they won’t perform well.
-Matt
Hmmm…another possible wedge experiment. It seems the wedges have taken over my obsession. Is it my imagination, or have the club makers taken a much greater interest in wedges too? It had been pretty much a Vokey world with an occasional Cleveland and/or Ping release, but now it appears all the manufacturers are all doing wedge makeovers from where they were just a couple years ago. Would you agree Matt?
With this wedge renaissance, my practice around the green has increased over what it had been already, and my game has certainly benefited from experimenting with different wedges (which I owe a lot to your column Matt – Thank you).
I can create some real magic with these short wands, when I’m feeling solid and my confidence is brimming, but every now and then the dreaded edge catch/dig, or the bounce and blade across the green can turn this most illustrious short game wizard into just another ordinary weekend hack. It’s minimizing these shots to less than one per round that has me obsessed – and I’ll do anything to increase my odds of it – and from your review, it sounds like Callaway has found a formula.
I had felt pretty solid with the Cleveland Full Face, which were new to the bag this year, but I found their limits. I am really enjoying the most recent purchases of Edison wedges (still in the honeymoon phase), but if these wedges don’t turn out to be the dragon slayers, then I’m giving these Mack Daddy CBs a go.
Thanks again Matt.
Jay,
Yes, I think the wedge category has blown up in the last 12-18 months because a lot of tech has trickled down from drivers to irons to wedges, and also the OEMs are looking for new areas to build their business.
Best,
Matt
Well Matt, you did it again, I just had to try this MackDaddy CB out, and it took just took one round to convince me that this is one of the all time best wedges I have ever played. I was so hooked on the Cleveland CBX 2 for a full season, then I went to the CBX Full Face as soon as they were released which I found phenomenal, then the Edison that cerrtainly worked well for me the last few months, but I can now say this is MD CB is fabulous – and it’s now in the starting line up. I love the short game, nothing is more satisfying than a solid shot that checks up, backs up or rolls out on command. So often though on wet, tight lies, or into the grain on Bermuda grass, the room for error is small. Using the bounce can work to some degree, but on certain shots hands forward is a better type of shot, which exposes the leading edge and that’s when the dreaded dig and dump occurs. I tried a number of shots on a spongy soggy course today, especially in the low drainage areas around the greens, and into the grain on the front green skirt. Those shots that could easily have grabbed my club just never happened. I was happily surprised to watch my ball leap of the club face checking up succinctly, off the dodgy tight lies and even very well out of the rough. Whatever they did to configure this sole is mystifying, and I’m sold – I can’t imagine a better wedge (but I’ve said that before too). I’ve only played the lob wedge, now I’m going to go out and get the gap/sand. And by the way, it’s a nice looking club too. Thank you Matt.
Jay,
I’m glad you enjoyed the review, and, more importantly, the new wedge.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt. Noticed that the CB 54 degree has 14 degrees of bounce. Did that take much getting used to? Seems like a lot of bounce for that club. Thanks.
Mark,
It’s always about fit. I don’t mind some extra bounce, others hate bounce, some can’t live without it. 14 degrees isn’t particularly unusual in the sand wedge loft range.
-Matt
Matt…Regarding the 14 degrees of bounce on the 56 degree sand wedge..I find that this works great in the rough or in the sand but I have skulled some on Tight Lies..Any thoughts about this ?
John,
That’s not uncommon, especially if you’re used to lower bounce wedges. You can make some small adjustments to your set up or technique, or, as I would advise, you can avoid that club on tight lies.
Best,
Matt
Well Matt .. I just bought the 52 degree and the 60 degree Callaway Mac Daddy CB. This is to complement the 56 degree I already have and already mentioned in a previous post .. Since the 14 degrees of bounce in the 56 degree SW is a little inconsistent on tight lies due to the aggressive bounce…Is it your opinion that the 12 degrees of bounce will have a noticeable difference if I switch to the 52 degree or the 60 degree Mac Daddy CB in that specific situation ?
John,
I don’t think 2 degrees of bounce will make a significant difference, but what is significant to you may be different than what it is to me.
Best,
Matt
Nice review. I have a sure out 64 degree in a steel pro stiff shaft which I really like. It produces a ton of back spin on the ball. I have done heroic, phil Mickelson, type things green side with this wedge. From tight lies i have to move the ball back in my stance a little. I am considering a sure out 56 or the cb mack daddy 56. Would a sure out 56 be more forgiving and spinny than a cb mack daddy 56? I plan to use it from sand box and on full swing approach shots. Does the sure out 56 have the same bounce as the cb mack daddy 56?
Joshua,
I haven’t hit the Sure Out, so I can’t say for certain, and Callaway doesn’t provide bounce specs on the Sure Out. If you’re happy with the way the Mack Daddy CB works for you, I’d lean toward adding another one of those.
-Matt
Picked up the 52 as I really needed a Gap Wedge. Best feeling club in my bag. Even “bad” shots aren’t all that bad. Just ran back out and got the 56 and 60. Great set.
I was an OK wedge player with traditional blades but the Mack Daddy CB’s make me look great. Very forgiving. Just working on the correct technique in the sand. (Hcp 13)