After only a one-year run (quick by wedge class requirements), Callaway is changing—or I suppose constructing on—the original Opus with the brand new Opus SP wedge lineup. It’s honest to say that whereas the unique Opus marked an enormous (and essential) step ahead within the class, the short turnaround suggests Callaway felt it may do higher … and quick.
Conceptually, consider Opus SP as mixing the spin-enhancing concepts behind Opus Platinum with the tour-validated shaping of Opus—particularly Form 6, the prototype form that turned the blueprint for the ultimate model.
However right here’s the factor: Callaway isn’t simply tweaking across the edges this time. They’re basically rethinking how wedges create spin and, if this method works, it may change how we take into consideration short-game efficiency.
Rethinking spin
On the coronary heart of the Opus SP design is a recent method to the standard wedge story. With the brand new wedges, Callaway is championing the idea of “Efficient Spin“—or spin per diploma of launch. In the end, the target is to generate the bottom launch with the best spin potential. On the course, this provides you the flexibility to fly the ball low with the arrogance that it’ll cease shortly.
Spin Pocket: The star of the present
On the coronary heart of this method is the brand new Spin Pocket design (the “SP” in Opus SP). Whereas most wedge spin tales middle on groove design and face remedies (and, to make certain, there’s a few of that right here), Callaway is leaning into a brand new technique of elevating facilities of gravity as the muse of Opus SP’s elevated spin charges.
The Spin Pocket idea was built-in into some Opus Platinum prototypes however didn’t make the minimize final time round. With Opus SP, it’s the core know-how—and for good motive.
So what precisely is a Spin Pocket? Merely put, it’s a hollowed-out space behind the mid to low part of the face. Whereas most CG tales contain eradicating mass excessive and putting it low for increased launch, the alternative is extra fascinating in wedge design. To that finish, Callaway’s Spin Pocket works to take away mass decrease within the face so it may be reallocated nearer to the topline the place it promotes that ideal combination of low launch and high spin.
To place some numbers on it, the Spin Pocket frees up 16.8 to 23.6 grams relying on loft. Callaway removes extra weight in higher-lofted golf equipment to drive launch even decrease and spin even increased.
Eyeballing the Callaway charts, it seems the Opus SP middle of gravity is roughly two millimeters increased than equal Vokey wedges and three millimeters increased than the unique Opus.
You may consider Opus SP as a partial hollow-body wedge. With that, will probably be fascinating to see what golfers understand as the texture implications, given that almost all wedges depend on a lot easier constructions with fewer variables to navigate.
Up to date grooves and face
Whereas grooves aren’t the headline this time round, Callaway has made some notable modifications. In what the corporate is looking SPIN GEN 2.0, they’ve modified the sting radii and groove pitch to create extra constant launch and spin on longer photographs from the tough with out altering efficiency in any notable means from different situations.
Opus SP wedges additionally characteristic a deeper face sample. In what quantities to the evolution of Callaway’s etched groove-on-groove design, the brand new face sample is etched extra deeply after which plated. The result’s one thing nearer to a conventional groove that ought to final considerably longer than earlier variations.
All of that comes with an specific acknowledgment that, regardless of all of the speak of spin-enhancing options between grooves, earlier iterations sometimes wore away in lower than two rounds.
That’s to say that these options may be nice for promoting wedges (plenty of spin within the bay) however, most of the time, they don’t final lengthy sufficient to be of any precise profit to golfers.
This time round, Callaway says it’s different. We’ll see about that.
Opus SP development
Callaway Opus SP wedges pair an 8620 solid physique with a 1025 form-forged face. Theoretically, that’s going to provide you a barely softer really feel and will assist offset any really feel implications of the pocket.
That’s admittedly speculative at this level.
Notable is that Callaway machines the ultimate Form 6 profile for tighter part-to-part consistency.
I didn’t get the calipers out on this one however to my eye, at related loft and grinds, the Opus SP seems a bit smaller than a Vokey SM10 with a sharper, less-rounded transition from the toe to the topline and into the hosel space.
I’ll reiterate what I stated final yr: on form alone, Opus and now Opus SP symbolize a significant improvement over previous Callaway wedge shapes and are not any small a part of the rationale why Callaway staffers have shortly made the swap.
A preferred grind returns
Probably the most notable little bit of the grind story is that Callaway has introduced the X Grind again to the lineup. Consider X as a greater participant’s high-bounce choice. For these accustomed to the Vokey lineup, Callaway’s X is D-Grind adjoining. You’re getting increased bounce (12 levels) together with sufficient heel, toe and trailing-edge aid to offer some versatility across the greens.
Different grinds (as a result of alternative is nice)
T Grind: Rating one for business standardization. Callaway’s T Grind is a low-bounce (5 or 6 levels relying on loft) lob wedge choice. It’s your prototypical shallow swing, tight lie, get-out-of-jail-free (with danger of an extended sentence) grind. Price particularly mentioning: a 64-degree choice for these of you with questionable decision-making expertise.
S and C Grinds are frequent to almost each wedge lineup. S is the “once you don’t know what grind” grind. It’s accessible in essentially the most intensive variety of lofts—46 to 60 levels in two-degree increments.
The C grind is just like the S grind in that it’s a protected, middle-of-the-road choice. The C grind has rather less bounce (eight levels as a substitute of 10) however presents some extra aid. Relative to S, you’re buying and selling away a bit forgiveness from the grind for a bit extra versatility.
W Grind is Callaway’s broad, full-sole providing. It comes with 12 or 14 levels of bounce relying on loft and is obtainable in hole by means of lob wedge lofts. Whereas much less versatile than Callaway’s different grinds, it ought to present essentially the most forgiveness transferring by means of the turf and must be an incredible choice from delicate bunkers.
The remainder of the specs
Notable with the Opus SP lineup is that Callaway has elevated inventory swing weights. Pitching wedge and hole wedge swing weights at the moment are D3, whereas sand and lob wedge lofts have been elevated to D5.
Callaway Opus SP wedges can be found in Satin Chrome and QPQ Black. As you’ll anticipate, left-handed choices are restricted.
Inventory shafts embrace the Dynamic Gold S200 (metal) and Recoil Dart (graphite).
The inventory grip is a Golf Pleasure Tour Velvet that includes a block script Callaway emblem which originated within the Asian attire market (that’s enjoyable).
Retail value is $199.99 for metal and $209.99 for graphite. That’s seemingly the results of a wide range of components: tariffs, manufacturing prices and the unlucky actuality that stuff nearly invariably will get dearer.
Current/orginal Callaway Opus wedges, for now, stay at $179.99.
Regardless, it appears like $200 is the brand new flooring for a wedge from a serious producer. Welcome to 2025, the place even your quick sport is pricey.
The underside line
The Opus SP represents Callaway’s dedication to not simply competing within the wedge class however truly innovating inside it. The Spin Pocket know-how is genuinely totally different from what everybody else is doing, and if it delivers on the promise of environment friendly spin, it may very well be a game-changer for golfers who need most stopping energy with out the excessive, floaty ball flight that may get dicey within the wind.
After all, the actual check might be how these carry out on the course and whether or not that Spin Pocket know-how truly interprets to higher scores. However credit score to Callaway for taking a unique method reasonably than regurgitating the well-chewed pulp of the usual playbook.
Pre-sale for Callaway Opus SP wedges begins Aug. 8 with full retail availability on Sept. 12.
For extra data, go to Callawaygolf.com.
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