50 Words or Less
The PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges offer elite performance, stunning looks, and extraordinary feel. Additional grind option and lower price add to the appeal.
Introduction
Entering the PXG R&D center to learn about the new Sugar Daddy III wedges was akin to Elf arriving in NYC during the holidays – it was magical. The engineer me loved the CAD stations and testing equipment. The golfer me was captivated by talk of groove volume and cover penetration. And don’t get me started about watching a wedge being milled from a solid piece of metal in front of my eyes. Much like that visit, hitting the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges was also special.
Looks
The PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges are simply beautiful. In the bag, the milling communicates a high level of craftsmanship. Whether the undercut windows on each side of the weight port, the radiating lines on the back flange, or the ultra-fine lines on the sole, the precision of the milling is mesmerizing. PXG modestly states “MILLED” on the head, but it’s important to note that they are 100% milled – no stamping or hand grinding.
At address the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges shown in this review have classic shaping and compact size. For golfers that prefer a high toe look, PXG offers the BP (Bob Parsons) – Grind which also features full face grooves. I like the contrasting matte finish of the grooved face area, and the satin chrome body looks top shelf. The Sugar Daddy III wedges are also available in an Xtreme Dark finish.
Sound & Feel
My field notes were an odd mix of words trying to capture the feel of the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges, so I pulled up Dylan’s review of the previous generation [read it HERE] to see what he encountered. Dylan captured my thoughts perfectly: “a feel that mixes soft and solid in an extraordinary way.” Soft and solid seem counterintuitive, but trust me, the intersection is a very satisfying feel. Firm enough to feel in complete control, yet soft enough to provide a delicate touch.
Sound was also challenging to pin down as it varied between types of shots and the wedges themselves. In general the sound was a moderate “clique.” My spelling here is purposeful as the sound had more roundness than the common “ck” version. I found the sound louder and more “clique-y” in the 50° Sugar Daddy III. Both sound and feel provided subtle yet precise feedback on contact location.
Performance
The PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges have elite spin and noteworthy consistency. For my first handful of swings in Scottsdale, my fitter, Ty Munneke, had me hit 20 yard shots to an elevated green – over a bunker. I felt confident on the required swing, but it was a rather intimidating situation. I was blown away seeing each ball hit and stop instantly. From a few additional locations – including sand – it was wonderful to see the ball perform precisely as I envisioned it. As I told Ty at the end of the session, the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges make the short game exciting.
After further observing my swing and discussing the turf and conditions I typically play in, Ty recommended the new S-Grind in 50° and 54° wedges, and C-Grind in a 58°. While three sole options (S, C, and BP) may seem limiting, the versatility of the designs makes the simplicity of the offerings a positive in my book. If you’re into details or plan to skip the fitting process, PXG does a nice job at describing the bounce, bevels, swing styles, etc. of the Sugar Daddy III wedge options on their website. That weight disc on the back center of the wedges can also be adjusted by 2 gram increments to optimize personal performance and feel.
Taking advantage of the enormous short game practice area at Scottsdale National, I put the Sugar Daddy III wedges through a rigorous testing session of varying yardages, lies, and shot selections. Again the consistency stood out. Remember those window cutouts I mentioned under Looks, they were created by PXG designers to redistribute 8 grams of mass for increased MOI. For an 11 handicap player like myself, more forgiveness is always appreciated.
A point of emphasis during my visit with the PXG designers was the grooves – they’re now wider with tighter spacing. The wider grooves of the Sugar Daddy III wedges provide for more ball cover penetration resulting in “more control and consistency with regards to trajectory and spin.” The wider grooves also increase the volume by around 25%, providing better spin retention in wet or thick grass conditions. To further improve consistency, especially in those aforementioned conditions, PXG was able to add an additional groove with tighter spacing. I don’t have any method to verify PXG’s empirical data, but in my testing the Sugar Daddy III wedges certainly demonstrated excellent overall performance – on par or better than any wedge I’ve gamed or tested.
Conclusion
Before reading any further, go ahead and glance at the price below. $300 is not a typo – the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges are $200 less than their predecessors. That’s not to say they are now affordable to everyone, but they are much more approachable. And as PXG points out, the triple forged 8620 carbon steel impacts more than just feel, it extends the life of the grooves. This was my first experience with PXG wedges, and I was thoroughly impressed with the Sugar Daddy III. From their captivating look to their exceptional performance, the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges offer an elite choice for your short game.
Visit PXG HERE
PXG Sugar Daddy III Wedge Price & Specs
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8 Comments
Nice review. Having had SD III in the bag for about a month now coming off of SD2 I think it’s safe to say that these are the best wedges in golf in terms of fee and performance. One can no longer say PXG is priced out of the marketplace. They’re beautiful.
Kyle, I am interested in knowing what lofts, grinds and bounce you went with. Thank you, Rich
PS – I am struggling to place my order over the bounce, loft, and grind dilemma but hope to soon. :)
Since you went to their R&D this is a question you can answer. When they start milling the wedges, did they receive the wedge head already roughly shaped from a steel mill supplier? I would be surprised if they forge from a billet in house.
Secondly since these are forged from 8620 a type of steel that is also cast from a well known club maker, how would you discern the “feel” and “soft” difference of these and vokeys? I am going to say not much. I think shaping has more to do with it. Forging does make the steel a bit softer from the mill but casting and then heat treating can achieve the same grain structure.
The heads I watched in the CNC machine were in process, so I don’t know for sure how they started. I did see blocks of steel and no ‘rough shapes’ on surrounding shelving. It’s been a year+ since I hit a Vokey, but the SDIIIs feel softer/better from my memory. I highly recommend you hit them yourself – and chime back in with your thoughts.
– Meeks
Nice review, Meeks. Well…..hmm. Between your glowing review of the PXG SD’s and Matt’s of the JPs we have a dilemma and a decision to make. They are at similar price points with, of course, different design profiles that seem to garner great results and comments from the two of you. Of course, PXG has the advantage of select “green grass” testing opportunities where, by all appearances, JP does not, at least beyond the indoor and simulated confines of Club Champion.
Thanks for the review. The PXG Sugar Daddy wedge line has become my favorite wedges through testing the past couple years. I actually have Edison wedges in 47 and 51, then Sugar Daddy’s in 54 and 58. I use 47, 51, and 54 for full shots. I use 54 the most around the green, and use 51 and 58 every now and then if I want to go lower or higher, but 54 is my go-to. I have the 54 in a 10* C-Grind and the 58 in a 7* C-Grind (I use it almost exclusively for a flop). I tried the SD II, and it was good, but I actually found SD I to be my favorite. I do think the SD II, with the full face grooves, have a benefit for the open-face-flop shots I tend to use in my 58*.
I’m looking forward to hitting these at my fitting this coming Tuesday!!!
Thank you for the great review !!!
When reading your reviews, I always check to see if you put the items in your bag. After reading your review of the Edison wedges, I also put them in my bag. I have four: 45, 49, 56, and 59 degrees. They cost $200 apiece. Because my home course has hard clay under the grass, the Edisons help me not dig dirt.