Callaway PM-Grind wedge review

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Phil Mickelson: "It looks different, because it is different."

If Tiger Woods supposedly made golf “cool”, Phil Mickelson did the same with the short game. 

Lefty is like a Harlem Globetrotter around the greens, and his basketball is a 60 degree wedge. Not only can he play every shot imaginable with the club, but he can hit it backwards, over a person from a foot away, and can impart 100 foot of backspin on the ball. If you don’t believe it, just look on YouTube.

It requires a sickening amount of talent to pull off these stunts, and it helps to have the right tool. Feast your eyes on the Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind wedge, the brainchild of Mickelson and esteemed wedge designer Roger Cleveland. It's like Quincy Jones teaming up with Michael Jackson. This wedge is a Thriller in every sense.

When you first lay the club behind the ball, you will notice that the profile is like nothing you have seen before. A huge, elongated face with grooves up its entirety stares back at you from address. 

Expect your first few strikes to be on the squiffy side, but it doesn’t take long to get accustomed to the new design. Even if the shape of the club is insulting to your eye, it’s worth spending time to see if you can overcome the issue – it’s worth the effort.

Many players often hit their 60 degree wedge from high up the club face, especially when coming out of thick rough, according to Mickelson. 

Hence the 39% extra grooves and the unique shape which means players can enjoy better purchase on these shots. Four weight ports shift mass higher in the club face, and towards the toe, resulting in a wedge that works from rough, sand and the fairway.

It produces a satisfying crisp sound, and there's a load of spin on offer, especially when used from the fairway. When not struck from the centre, the extra grooves allow players to maintain control on their ball. 

Crucially, when you manipulate the loft of this club it still performs excellently, especially when opening the face. You will be hard pressed to find a better 60 degree wedge at playing flop shots, and it's just as easy to close the club face when a more penetrating chip is required.

Verdict

Callaway took a risk on this one, and it has paid off handsomely. The collaboration between Cleveland and Mickelson has produced a versatile 60 degree wedge that does its job, and more. 

It may take a while to get used to the club's profile, but when accustomed to it, players reap the rewards.

It works superbly from every lie, imparts buckets of spin on the ball and performs admirably when the loft is manipulated. 

Specs

Degrees: 56, 58, 60 and 64
Shaft: KBS Tour V wedge shaft
Price: £99

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