Expert Comparison: Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge vs Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

Published on 02/12/2024 · 6 min readCompare Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge and Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge. Get expert insight below!
Jon W., Golf Expert
Ari T, Golf Expert
Michael V, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert Jon W., Ari T, Michael V, Jackson Newsum, Nick Warren and others

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Side by side comparison

Top pick!
Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge
Out of stock
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge
Price
from:$74.99
50% off
$109.99
15% off
User rating
4.86(229)
5(1)
The Curated Take

Best for mid to high handicap players seeking forgiveness and spin control around the greens.

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Gender
Men's
Men's
Used (Y/N)
No
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Club Type
Wedges
Wedges

In the world of golf, wedges are the unsung heroes that can make or break your game. Today, we're comparing two top-notch wedges: the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge and the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge. Both wedges are designed with the mid to high handicap golfer in mind, offering a blend of forgiveness, control, and spin. However, they each have their unique strengths and weaknesses. The Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge shines with its hollow cavity design, Ultzip grooves, and innovative Zipcore technology, providing a great balance of control and forgiveness. On the other hand, the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge stands out with its cavity back design, JAWS groove technology, and player-friendly sole grinds. While both wedges are excellent choices, the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge might be the better option for golfers seeking serious forgiveness, while the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge could be the go-to for those desiring a seamless transition from cavity back irons.

The Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge is a game-changer for golfers who need extra forgiveness around the green. This wedge is designed with a hollow cavity design that allows for great shots, even when the hit is a little thin. The wedge's launch is impressive, providing height and stopping power on the greens.

One of the standout features of the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge is the Ultzip grooves, which provide incredible spin. This feature gives instant feedback when the ball hits the green and stops exactly where you want it to without rolling off the back of the green. The added bounce and sole on the CBX really help to glide through the turf, even when you hit a little behind the ball.

Around the green is where these wedges truly shine. Whether in a bunker or short-sided, the forgiveness of the CBX allows for great shots for those of us who are not the best ball strikers. The aesthetic appeal of the cavity-back design and gell back also gives a lot of confidence when looking down at the ball.

Cleveland has put a lot of R&D into this wedge line, and it shows. The cavity-back design, along with the Zipcore technology, which puts a “core” in the bottom of the wedge that runs in the hosel and provides a great center of gravity, gives the best of both worlds in control and forgiveness.

The Cleveland CBX wedges have changed the way I look at my short game. They are designed for someone who needs some extra forgiveness around the green, and boy do they provide it! Long gone are my days of chunking it short, or flying it over the green.

Jon W.
Golf Expert

The Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge is a fantastic option for golfers looking for a soft feeling forged wedge with a bit of forgiveness. This wedge offers a great feel and spin, with the cavity back design adding a nice measure of forgiveness. The slightly higher top line gives that added bit of confidence while you stand over the shot.

The Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge is designed to be a more forgiving wedge for golfers who struggle using their wedges. It excels on full shots but isn’t the best when trying to be creative around the greens. The feel is pretty good, and it has plenty of spin to keep the ball on the green and close to the pin.

The sole of this wedge is fairly wide, so it might not be ideal for golfers playing in firmer conditions. However, these wedges are a perfect step up from the wedges that are included in an iron set, so if you’re not yet comfortable playing a more traditional wedge, these are a nice middle ground.

This is the best wedge on the market for someone who wants a soft feeling forged wedge with a little bit of forgiveness. Great feel and spin. The cavity back design adds a nice little measure of forgiveness.

Ari T
Golf Expert

Similarities

Both the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge and the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge are designed with the mid to high handicap golfer in mind. They both offer a blend of forgiveness, control, and spin, making them excellent choices for golfers who need a little extra help around the greens.

Both wedges feature a cavity back design, which provides a measure of forgiveness that can be a game-changer for golfers who struggle with their short game. They also both have a slightly larger head and thicker topline, which can give golfers more confidence when standing over the ball.

In terms of spin, both wedges have proprietary groove technologies (Ultzip grooves for the Cleveland CBX and JAWS grooves for the Callaway Mack Daddy) that deliver precise edge sharpness on every groove, for maximum grip and spin from all types of lies.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both wedges are designed for forgiveness, they each have their unique strengths. The Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge stands out with its innovative Zipcore technology, which puts a “core” in the bottom of the wedge that runs in the hosel and provides a great center of gravity. This feature gives the best of both worlds in control and forgiveness. This wedge is ideal for golfers who struggle with their short game and need a wedge that introduces another level of forgiveness that their blade-style wedges cannot offer.

On the other hand, the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge is designed to be a more forgiving wedge for golfers who struggle using their wedges. It excels on full shots but isn’t the best when trying to be creative around the greens. This wedge is perfect for golfers who are not yet comfortable playing a more traditional wedge and need a step up from the wedges that are included in an iron set.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to forgiveness, both wedges offer a high level of forgiveness thanks to their cavity back designs. However, the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge might have a slight edge due to its innovative Zipcore technology, which provides a great center of gravity and enhances forgiveness.

In terms of spin, both wedges deliver impressive spin thanks to their proprietary groove technologies. However, the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge's Ultzip grooves might provide a bit more spin, giving it the edge in this category.

For full shots, the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge excels, making it the winner in this category. Its design is optimized for full shots, providing excellent control and consistency.

Finally, when it comes to versatility, the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge takes the cake. Its design allows for great shots in a variety of situations, whether you're in a bunker or short-sided.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge and the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge are excellent choices for golfers who need a bit of extra forgiveness around the greens. They both offer a blend of forgiveness, control, and spin, making them great additions to any golfer's bag. However, they each have their unique strengths. The Cleveland CBX Zipcore Wedge shines with its innovative Zipcore technology and Ultzip grooves, making it a great choice for golfers seeking serious forgiveness and spin. On the other hand, the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge stands out with its performance on full shots, making it a great option for golfers who need a wedge that can seamlessly transition from cavity back irons. Ultimately, the choice between these two wedges will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Happy golfing!

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