Equipment

Callaway launches new MD3 Milled wedges

Published

11 years ago

Jul 6, 2015

What was Callaway’s Mack Daddy 2 line of wedges missing? A wide-sole wedge option.

On Monday, Callaway announced the release of a new milled-wedge line — MD3 Milled — which includes a new W-grind, a new 46-degree wedge option, different shaping and a progressive groove design.

With three wedge-grind options (C, S and W), Callaway wedge-designer Roger Cleveland says this is the biggest line ever from the company.

[quote_center]”There was one grind that we were missing, and that’s the wide sole grind,” Cleveland says.[/quote_center]

Wide-sole wedges are one of golf equipment’s new trends, but there’s a reason they have become so popular — a wider grind helps golfers in soft conditions from digging too much into the turf.

Cleveland says the W-grind adds effective bounce, which is a golfer’s friend in soft conditions, both from the grass and in the sand. Bounce is also great for golfers with steep angles of attack, or shots that require a greater descending blow.

Callaway still offers the familiar C-grind — made slightly wider, or what Cleveland calls “more generous,” than previous lines — and the S-grind (standard grind), which is the most versatile option made for both firm and soft conditions.

MD3 also added a 46-degree wedge option to its lineup, which offers eight lofts ranging from 46-to-60 degrees, and a progressive-groove system for spin control throughout the extensive line.

In the Mack Daddy 2 wedges, Cleveland used very aggressive grooves for maximum spin, great for shots around the green. But based on feedback from Tour players, high-spin grooves aren’t ideal in the lower-lofted wedges, because the ball “rips back” too much on full shots or into back pin positions.

To combat that issue, Callaway uses what it’s calling “progressive groove optimization” to reduce spin as wedge lofts decrease.

Now, the lob wedge has what’s called 5V grooves — a U-shaped groove that’s the widest and sharpest — the sand wedges use slightly narrower 20V grooves and the pitching/gap wedges use 30V grooves — a full V-shaped groove. According to Cleveland, the groove-system is said to better smooth the transition from the wedges into the irons.

The MD3 wedges also have a different head profile, using what Cleveland calls the best of Callaway’s previous X-Tour and Tour Grind wedge lines. The profiles have a higher toe shape and a straighter leading edge, a look that golfers enjoy based on player-feedback.

The new wedges, cast from 8620 stainless steel, undergo a milling process on their faces, which will create more friction for ball control. Also, green weight ports in the back of the wedges — a look similar to Callaway’s PM grind offering — help reposition weight behind the face for shot-making benefits, according to Callaway.

MD3 Milled wedges are set to release on Sept. 4, and will be available for $129.99 each in two different finishes — matte black and satin chrome. Custom shafts and grips will be available, as well.

See what GolfWRX members are saying about the Callaway MD3 Milled wedges in the forums.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

18 Comments

Pingback: CALLAWAY adds to MD3 wedge line... - Bernard Daily
Moody_D

Jul 9, 2015 at 8:49 am

Also, not sure why you’re all angry about the cast/milled. That’s a much better process for wedges. Forged wedges wear down too quickly.

Reply Report comment
- Gary
  
  Jul 11, 2015 at 9:52 am
  
  Forged wedges don’t necessarily wear down as fast as cast wedges, sometimes the opposite is true, depending on the steel used and etc. Some forged wedge face and grooves will outlast cast wedges. This is one reason why Vokey has hardened the face on the SM4 and SM5 wedges. Cleveland did the same on the Rotex wedges, first version at least. One of the most durable wedges I can remember in fairly recent times was the Callaway X Tour which came out in 2006, was still going strong long after my Vokey Spin Milled lost most of it’s spin.
  
  Reply Report comment
Moody_D

Jul 9, 2015 at 8:47 am

Love the looks, and think I’ll love the S grind. Extremely disappointed that they’re not making an option that’s fully grooved on the face like the PM wedges. Guess they need to save something for their next product cycle!! So in Callaway cycles, I should be able to order the wedge I want by October! 🙂

Reply Report comment
BirdieBaron

Jul 9, 2015 at 3:27 am

Even scratch and + Hcps cannot reliably tell the difference between forged, cast, milled stainless etc.
Do not judge a club by its material. At today’s tolerances and manufacturing expertise they are almost indistinguishable in real terms and testing.

If you don’t earn a living playing golf it it really not an area of concern. Don’t let it get into your head or buy into the hype that one is inheirintly better than another. The Pro’s make millions and play what works for them, some play cast, some forged. No worries.

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Dave R

Jul 8, 2015 at 8:33 pm

Callaway makes great wedges…I play MD2, picked up a PM 60, fantastic, a little biased as I am a lefty too! Not sure how the MD3 will compare in “feel” , but will definitely give them a look!

Reply Report comment
Ken

Jul 8, 2015 at 6:39 pm

Not one picture of the face and grooves?

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other paul

Jul 7, 2015 at 9:35 pm

Love the Mack daddy 2. Maybe the PM grind will go on sale and I will grab a 56*.

Reply Report comment
SB

Jul 7, 2015 at 3:39 pm

They look sick but I hope the grooves are not all over the face as the Phil’s one…

Reply Report comment
ADL

Jul 7, 2015 at 7:37 am

I’ll stick with my FORGED MD2s. Seems like a step back going from forged to milled…

Reply Report comment
Michael F

Jul 6, 2015 at 9:52 pm

Maybe they will offer these in more than 3 lofts left handed. Can’t take Callaway seriously in the wedge game until they offer the majority of their products left handed. They may want to look at how Vokey and Cleveland properly serve the market.

Reply Report comment
KK

Jul 6, 2015 at 9:21 pm

Glad Callaway shortened the model name to MD3. Mack Daddy was almost as ridiculous as Rocketballz.

Reply Report comment
Christosterone

Jul 6, 2015 at 8:47 pm

Does Ping get a commission or a flat fee for use of trademarked clubs?
-Christosterone

Reply Report comment
- txaggieman85
  
  Jul 6, 2015 at 10:42 pm
  
  Does Vokey pay a commission? Does Cameron pay a commission…what goes around comes around.
  Arguably Roger Cleveland is one of the best wedge designers ever.
  
  Reply Report comment
jeff ward

Jul 6, 2015 at 1:47 pm

Are they forged?

Reply Report comment
- Matt
  
  Jul 6, 2015 at 8:19 pm
  
  Nope
  
  Reply Report comment
  - James
    
    Jul 7, 2015 at 1:07 am
    
    BOOOOOO!!!
    
    Reply Report comment
MHendon

Jul 6, 2015 at 12:08 pm

Nice looking wedges, definitely like the wide sole option for the 60.

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

Slab city on the Korn Ferry Tour — Lead Tape Report

Published

14 hours ago

Jun 10, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.

Joel Thelen

Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.

First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.

Mitchell Meissner

Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.

Whats in the Bag

Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)

Published

14 hours ago

Jun 10, 2026

Will Schube

Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X

3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX

7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX

Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align

Ball: Titleist Pro V1

See more in-hand photos of Bud Cauley’s clubs here.

Equipment

Name every set of irons you’ve owned – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

14 hours ago

Jun 10, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.

@Lamosteve began:

Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine

Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”

Entire Thread: “Name every set of irons you’ve owned.”