Callaway Opus SP Wedges

[LeftyGolferWI]

I'm pretty set in my ways with wedges and wedge grinds. Or so I thought. In the last year, I've adjusted lofts a bit when it came to the Opus but I stuck with what grinds I knew (S, W, Z).

This year, I adjusted lofts again, though only on one wedge going all the way down to 50*, and I went with a grind I'd never used before (from Z to X in the 60* slot). Being honest, with how well I knew and loved the Z grind, I almost didn't upgrade to the SP because the Z wasn't offered. I knew what it did, I knew what I could do with it, and I loved it. I had read all the love for the X though and because I trust the people here, I dove in and grabbed an X to replace my Z.

So far...so good. I just made another post in a different thread about how I'm done giving up forgiveness when it's presented to me. The X, still allows me to do almost everything I did with the Z, but adds a bit of forgiveness in touchy lies with the increased bounce.

Having three brand new wedges to attack greens and pins this year (I keep saying next year lol), is something I'm very much looking forward to. I do have a question though. Has anyone changed up their grinds they "know" for something new this year, or have you kept with what's worked?

For me, the S and W grinds are both brand new as I am coming from Vokeys. I was in D and F grinds in those wedges, and the F grind in my 52 worked very well. The D grind in the 56 I didn't get along with as well off the turf. Was very inconsistent, but it was solid out of bunkers.

I think the W grind, based on what I saw at the Hideaway, will really allow me to change how often, and out of what lies, I can trust the 56 and I am very excited about that.

 

[amarkabove]

I'm pretty set in my ways with wedges and wedge grinds. Or so I thought. In the last year, I've adjusted lofts a bit when it came to the Opus but I stuck with what grinds I knew (S, W, Z).

This year, I adjusted lofts again, though only on one wedge going all the way down to 50*, and I went with a grind I'd never used before (from Z to X in the 60* slot). Being honest, with how well I knew and loved the Z grind, I almost didn't upgrade to the SP because the Z wasn't offered. I knew what it did, I knew what I could do with it, and I loved it. I had read all the love for the X though and because I trust the people here, I dove in and grabbed an X to replace my Z.

So far...so good. I just made another post in a different thread about how I'm done giving up forgiveness when it's presented to me. The X, still allows me to do almost everything I did with the Z, but adds a bit of forgiveness in touchy lies with the increased bounce.

Having three brand new wedges to attack greens and pins this year (I keep saying next year lol), is something I'm very much looking forward to. I do have a question though. Has anyone changed up their grinds they "know" for something new this year, or have you kept with what's worked?

I went from 54° S to 54° X and 60° Z to 60° C (with a W to play with as well)

The X is better for me in every way. The C I am not fully sold on but I use the 54° way more than the 60° anyways.

 

[Muchmore]

For me, the S and W grinds are both brand new as I am coming from Vokeys. I was in D and F grinds in those wedges, and the F grind in my 52 worked very well. The D grind in the 56 I didn't get along with as well off the turf. Was very inconsistent, but it was solid out of bunkers.

I think the W grind, based on what I saw at the Hideaway, will really allow me to change how often, and out of what lies, I can trust the 56 and I am very excited about that.

So S you're going laterally in a sense which should be super easy. D to W will be a fun one to see moving forward. I love my W, but I do specifically have it for it's play out of bunkers. If I was the type of player to use my 60 out of bunkers, I MAY have gone a different direction with my 56. But the W really is great on almost any lie (except super tight or deadpan lies). Otherwise, I love having the variety in my grinds to do different things when needed

 

[Muchmore]

I went from 54° S to 54° X and 60° Z to 60° C (with a W to play with as well)

The X is better for me in every way. The C I am not fully sold on but I use the 54° way more than the 60° anyways.

IF you want a 60 in the bag and don't fully gel with the C, I can tell you going from Z to X is SUPER easy and quite beneficial so far!

 

[amarkabove]

IF you want a 60 in the bag and don't fully gel with the C, I can tell you going from Z to X is SUPER easy and quite beneficial so far!

I have no doubts!

 

[LeftyGolferWI]

So S you're going laterally in a sense which should be super easy. D to W will be a fun one to see moving forward. I love my W, but I do specifically have it for its play out of bunkers. If I was the type of player to use my 60 out of bunkers, I MAY have gone a different direction with my 56. But the W really is great on almost any lie (except super tight or deadpan lies). Otherwise, I love having the variety in my grinds to do different things when needed

Yeah S is basically lateral. But I love the 52 F SM10, so that was an easy choice.

As soon as I hit the W, I had to have it. Haha

 

[Coulter]

I'm pretty set in my ways with wedges and wedge grinds. Or so I thought. In the last year, I've adjusted lofts a bit when it came to the Opus but I stuck with what grinds I knew (S, W, Z).

This year, I adjusted lofts again, though only on one wedge going all the way down to 50*, and I went with a grind I'd never used before (from Z to X in the 60* slot). Being honest, with how well I knew and loved the Z grind, I almost didn't upgrade to the SP because the Z wasn't offered. I knew what it did, I knew what I could do with it, and I loved it. I had read all the love for the X though and because I trust the people here, I dove in and grabbed an X to replace my Z.

So far...so good. I just made another post in a different thread about how I'm done giving up forgiveness when it's presented to me. The X, still allows me to do almost everything I did with the Z, but adds a bit of forgiveness in touchy lies with the increased bounce.

Having three brand new wedges to attack greens and pins this year (I keep saying next year lol), is something I'm very much looking forward to. I do have a question though. Has anyone changed up their grinds they "know" for something new this year, or have you kept with what's worked?

I’m sort of wishing I had gone with the x in my 60 but so far I do really like the W just think it may not be quite as good in tight lies for me.

 

[Muchmore]

I’m sort of wishing I had gone with the x in my 60 but so far I do really like the W just think it may not be quite as good in tight lies for me.

I think that's the ONLY thing the W struggles at. Which isn't really the kind of lies the grind/bounce combo it's for so it makes sense

 

[CSILKEY7]

Not specifically SP, but I had the Black Opus last year and it had slight wear, but it held up incredibly well. I used the Black SP for the last few weeks of the season and it still looks close to brand new. It's a black wedge, it's going to wear. But the lack of glare (and the looks) very much outweigh any wear issues there might be.

I will say though, I've only had the black on wedges that I don't use in the sand, so I can't help specifically on that part. I'm a lefty and the club I'd use in the sand isn't offered in a black finish ever or else I would though.

Awesome to hear this! I love the look of the black wedge, but I'll probably stick with the chrome. Now I just need to figure out the loft progression and grinds. Been thinking about 54s grind bent one degree week to play 55. or 56X grind bent 1 degree strong. Those are my two ideas in the sand wedge department. For the Lob wedge I am leaning towards the 58 C went 2 degrees week to add some extra bounce

 

[CSILKEY7]

I think that's the ONLY thing the W struggles at. Which isn't really the kind of lies the grind/bounce combo it's for so it makes sense

That's what is making me lean towards the X grind or the C grind.

 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Played another solid round with the Opus SPs today. Can't wait to plug in the shot scopes when all of the New-New is playable. Didn't have a terrible shot the whole 9 holes but had a couple of memorable shots.

First was on the 5th hole, I was hitting my 3rd shot from 40 yards out. I pulled out the 55X, hit a mid-launched shot that landed pin high and for an easy putt. The ball left tire tread marks on the green with all of the spin.

Second was a 3/4 58X from 65 yards out and uphill. Caught it smooth for a high launching shot that I thought was going to dunk in the way it was going. Ended up landing a few feet long, but in for another easy putt. Just so solid. So good when you hit them right.

 

[Muchmore]

That's what is making me lean towards the X grind or the C grind.

X is spectacular

 

[TrapGodEvan]

How does the black shadow finish hold up over time? Any one have any comments on how it is after bunker play, rain, anything like that?

I think it holds up pretty well. Its a black wedge so it is going to wear, especially in the sand. I have not played with it in rain yet though. Honestly it is just a preference thing, if you prefer a more pristine looking wedge, go chrome. If you prefer a reduction in glare and dont mind a little wedge wear, then black is a good option.

 

[Muchmore]

I think it holds up pretty well. Its a black wedge so it is going to wear, especially in the sand. I have not played with it in rain yet though. Honestly it is just a preference thing, if you prefer a more pristine looking wedge, go chrome. If you prefer a reduction in glare and dont mind a little wedge wear, then black is a good option.

The glare reduction is everything

 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

I think it holds up pretty well. Its a black wedge so it is going to wear, especially in the sand. I have not played with it in rain yet though. Honestly it is just a preference thing, if you prefer a more pristine looking wedge, go chrome. If you prefer a reduction in glare and dont mind a little wedge wear, then black is a good option.

Do you guys really see glare off of the Chrome? I swear I have never had that issue, but my eyesight is pretty dogged.

 

[Muchmore]

Do you guys really see glare off of the Chrome? I swear I have never had that issue, but my eyesight is pretty dogged.

Playing early mornings with the chrome is killer. It's a guaranteed at least once or twice a round for me with the direction a few of our holes face depending on time of day

 

[amarkabove]

I think that's the ONLY thing the W struggles at. Which isn't really the kind of lies the grind/bounce combo it's for so it makes sense

This is why I decided to go with C initially. But I also picked up the W for soft days or courses with lots of bunkers. My normal track has exactly one punker so the C will see the most play, but the W is too good to not have also.

 

[amarkabove]

Do you guys really see glare off of the Chrome? I swear I have never had that issue, but my eyesight is pretty dogged.

I don;t have an issue. But I also prefer a gloss driver crown. And typically have sunglasses on anyways.

 

[WIB081]

Was warm enough for me to get out in the backyard and work on some 25-30 yard pitch shot and the 58° didn’t disappoint! Still working on the technique but it’s coming and I’m really liking the X grind.

 

[WIB081]

Do you guys really see glare off of the Chrome? I swear I have never had that issue, but my eyesight is pretty dogged.

I didn’t have a problem with the Chrome on the 150s and the wedges would have been okay for me to, but I wanted a little contrast in the bag and went with the black finish.

 

[1860VS]

I've become wiser with age with how I use my high lofted wedges. I used to take a 60* and try to flop everything on the green but after a few lessons and really concentrating on course management, I've become a smarter player. One of the things I've been working on is 40-60 yard pitch shots and I struggled with my previous wedges with digging. My 57* (bent from 58*) X grind is a fabulous club that allows me to execute this distance perfectly.

This shows a 40 yard pitch shot at about half swing, half effort, and I was able to put myself in position to sink an 8 foot putt for par.

View attachment 9398136

Thats for real? 8' from 40 yards is exemplary on tour? Damn, I am not real happy with 10' from 40 yards.

But on the other hand the greens I am playing to are a LOT more receptive than the ones they are on tour.

 

[K.P.]

Thats for real? 8' from 40 yards is exemplary on tour? Damn, I am not real happy with 10' from 40 yards.

But on the other hand the greens I am playing to are a LOT more receptive than the ones they are on tour.

No, my arccos isn’t accurate because I currently manually input my putts. I lost my sensor.

 

[amarkabove]

No, my arccos isn’t accurate because I currently manually input my putts. I lost my sensor.

That just means your shot is inaccurate. 8' from 40 yards being good is still correct.

 

[1860VS]

No, my arccos isn’t accurate because I currently manually input my putts. I lost my sensor.

I was referring to the picture that said 8' is better than 92% of tour approaches from 40 yards. That is just kind of odd till i rememb et red they are usually trying to stop a ball pn my driveway

 

[TrapGodEvan]

Do you guys really see glare off of the Chrome? I swear I have never had that issue, but my eyesight is pretty dogged.

Yes. To me it’s more of a distraction and just a preference of not wanting it vs a real issue.