Equipment
Callaway Mack Daddy Forged Wedges: What you need to know
Callaway’s new Mack Daddy Forged wedges are quite different than the company’s current MD3 Milled wedges, and that’s by design. They’re not meant to replace the MD3 Milled or any other Callaway wedge model, but rather expand the company’s wedge offerings to meet the needs of different golfers.
As their name suggest, the biggest change to the Mack Daddy Forged wedges is that they’re forged from a soft 1025 carbon steel. Here’s what else you need to know about the new Mack Daddy Forged wedges, which will sell for $149.99 each when they hit stores on January 20.
What You Need To Know
Lofts Available: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 degrees
Stock Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 Tour Issue (Blue Label)
Stock Grip: Lamkin UTX
Finishes: Satin Chrome (silver) and Brushed Slate (black)
- The Mack Daddy Forged wedges have a unique shape that resonated instantly with Callaway Staffers Henrik Stenson and Thomas Pieters, who both used the new wedges at the 2016 Ryder Cup. New Callaway signing Daniel Berger is also using the new wedges.
- Compared to other Callaway wedges, the Mack Daddy Forged have less offset, squarer toes and straighter leading edges. Callaway wedge designer Roger Cleveland says that a straighter leading edge makes a wedge easier to align.
- The Mack Daddy Forged have what Callaway calls an •R• Grind. It’s similar to the C Grind used on Callaway’s MD3 Milled wedges, Cleveland says, but it is more relieved in the heel and toe areas to offer more versatility around the greens. Cleveland calls it a “mid-bounce” grind, suitable for everything from open-faced lobs to square-faced bump and runs.
- Expect more spin from the Mack Daddy Forged’s new 16-groove design, which adds a groove near the bottom of the wedge face to promote increased stopping power, especially on shots of 10-20 yards.
- Like Callaway’s MD3 Milled wedges, the Mack Daddy Forged use Callaway’s Progressive CG Position. As loft goes higher, so does each wedge’s center of gravity to create maximum spin.
- The wedges are offered in two finishes: Satin Chrome and Brushed Slate. The Satin Chrome wedges have a layer of copper beneath their Satin Chrome plating, which creates a unique feel and improves durability. In the high-wear areas of a wedge, such as the face and sole, the copper layer will become visible with use. Brushed Slate wedges will wear to a raw finish.
Related: See what GolfWRXers are saying about Callaway’s Mack Daddy Forged wedges in our forum.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
View this post on Instagram
‘Why would anybody want to change that swing?’ – Brandel Chamblee says PGA Tour star was wrong to change his swing
‘The stupidest freaking thing I’ve ever heard’ – Billy Horschel slams Open idea suggested by Padraig Harrington
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Golfer proudly posts photo of ball mark on iron, receives immediate roasting
WITB Time Machine: Matthew Wolff’s winning WITB, 2019 3M Open
Oakmont Country Club bans Wyndham Clark over locker incident; Reveals specific conditions to earn reinstatement
Adam Scott puts Callaway blades in the bag at Wyndham Championship
Report: LIV star fires caddie and coach in shock shake up
Rickie Fowler makes equipment change to ‘something that’s a little easier on the body’
The championship formula: How 3 key stats separate winners from the field
Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
edge of lean
Jan 20, 2017 at 9:55 pm
Any offerings for us lefties? Y’know, being peddled by Mickelson and all.
Troy Sheaffer
Jan 11, 2017 at 1:28 pm
Used the MD3 Wedges for a bit over a year and they have been great. Looking forward to seeing and testing these wedges to determine if a change would be beneficial.
Rich
Jan 11, 2017 at 2:09 am
Can’t wait to see/try these, they look great!
MT
Jan 10, 2017 at 5:32 pm
why Rory Mcilroy doesn’t play them and uses Titlest instead?
MT
Jan 10, 2017 at 5:29 pm
what you need to know is that their highest ranked player Rory McIlroy is playing Titlest wedges instead of that Callaway wedges and that are the only clubs in his bag that are not Callaway.
booya cornflakes
Jan 13, 2017 at 12:40 pm
Correct. But how does Rory’s preference in wedges relate to whether these will fit my game?
FWIW, I currently play MD3’s, and they kicked my SM6’s out of the bag. I just like the feel better, they’re both good wedges. Stop being such a fanboy.
Scott
Jan 25, 2017 at 4:30 am
What Rory plays with doesn’t mean squat to me or my game.
jgpl001
Jan 10, 2017 at 4:37 pm
These look good, very good
I am not a TM fan, but have been playing the TM EF wedges for the past 6 months and they are excellent, perfect head shape and loads of bit, just wish they were a touch softer
Tempted….
S Hitty
Jan 10, 2017 at 2:40 pm
He copied the TM EF wedges. Sharper leading edge, squarer toe, 1025 soft carbon. Because the MD3 was so crappy
Mark
Jan 10, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Well that is my birthday present sorted. 54 and 58 in slate finish. Marvellous.
Joshuaplaysgolf
Jan 10, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Could something pull these Vokeys out of my cold dead hands?? And my wife and I just did our 2017 golf budget last night….I’m highly intrigued to demo these.
Woop
Jan 10, 2017 at 4:30 pm
Should’ve been using the TM EF wedges.
Charlie
Jan 10, 2017 at 9:34 am
Dammit Callaway – We need more lofts!!! Was hoping to grab a 46 or 48 from this new lineup and possibly a 64!
Cornwall1888
Jan 10, 2017 at 9:12 am
I’d like to use forged wedges but I like to get a few seasons out of a wedge I think forged wedges would wear to fast
The dude
Jan 10, 2017 at 3:21 pm
Jeez….how many rounds you play?…live in FL?
Woop
Jan 10, 2017 at 4:31 pm
Get the TM EF wedges. Those grooves will last you 18 months easily
Mike
Jan 11, 2017 at 12:42 am
yep my TM EF 60 is still going two years and no difference in performance.. playing all year round
C
Jan 10, 2017 at 7:43 am
I like that lowest groove. Sure it is great for chips around the green. But it’s also useful to try and back up my skulled shots that bound across the green.