Callaway Opus Wedges

Had a pretty solid day with the Opus wedges, but also had a few forgettable shots. The main area of surprise for me were the 3/4 shots with my 60* Platinum from the fairway. I hit 3-4 60-65 yard shots inside of 10 feet. In the past, I always had issues controlling the distance in that range, so it was a promising first round. I also had some nice bunker shots with the 60*, which was nice to see.

Chipping with a 52* around the greens will still be a big adjustment for me, more mentally than anything else since I am used to working with a 54* or 56* a bit more.
 
@Muchmore is pretty money with his new wedges.
Money with two out of three of them currently...

But since I got my first two full rounds with them in, let's talk about them a bit! Ended up playing the one up tees, instead of the tips, since I wasn't sure how much distance I was going to lose with my hand. Didn't lose a ton, so I actually ended up having a lot more wedge shots than normal. Which was just fine with me since I was very much hoping to give these a proper workout!

Let's start with the 52S (actually 51*). This spot in the bag has been a bit of a problem the past two years or so. I went from a Jaws Raw 52S to a Apex CB 11i (50*) back to the 52. Just could never find any consistency with that 115-125 distance with either club. Now I can't tell you exactly what the cause of the issue was, but it just wasn't a spot in the bag that saw regular results. Having the Opus in hand though, I think my worries about that spot in the bag are over. I put this club in the bag for full swings and full swings only. I don't go 1/2 or 3/4 swings with it. I don't bump and run with it. It's a club specifically for a full swing from 115-125. And my god did it perform. Five shots with it in the two rounds I played and four of them were absolute darts. I'm talking less than 10 feet from the pin. One of them I pulled a little but it was essentially pin high. Ended up like 30-40 feet away, but that was on me. The ball went the exact distance I wanted it to. The feel on full swings is perfect. I prefer soft feeling wedges. My strikes with these went through the turf effortlessly and felt like butter (using a Chrome Tour ball for reference). The sound/feel I experienced here, *chefs kiss*. Haven't played in two months and had a two footer for birdie on my first full swing with it. I'm sold

On to the 54W (actually 55*). This is the one that struggled a bit. I went with this club specifically for the ease of use out of bunkers, but I still take full swings with it as well as 3/4 swings when I think a full 60* is too dangerous. With the W grind, you're getting 14* of bounce, but with me going a degree weak, I essentially added another degree to bring it to 15* (+/- some nominal number if it's not a full degree of added bounce). I'm going to need to play with it a bit more to see if this is going to be something I need to look at changing, but I struggled on dialing this one in as easily as I did the 52. I had one shot that was dropped exactly where I wanted it, but about five or six others that I either duffed or caught lower than I would have liked giving me one GIR in seven-ish tries. And our bunkers are close to concrete at this point in the year, so even my two bunker shots didn't tell me anything I wanted to know. I'm far from being worried about it, and it's hard to compete with how stunningly well it went with the 52 and 60, but it will be a spot in the bag to keep an eye on moving forward as I get my hands back to normal with my swings.

Lastly, the 60Z. This club for me is essentially anything within 70 yards as long as it's not in a bunker (that's the 54W job). I can push it to 90ish if I want but that's what I was talking about with the 54 and the 3/4 swings there, if that shot would be too penalizing if I miss with the 60. The first post I had in here from using this wedge on chips and pitches, I talked about the spin I was able to put on the ball. I mention that because, as I said in that post, I don't put a ton of spin on those shots in general and usually play a shot based on a bit of rollout. I had one specific shot that I was very happy with the amount of spin I got. @Bus asks if I was happy with the shot, and I said yes. It was about 8-10 feet from my landing spot (about a 45-50 yard pitch). New grooves could very well be the answer here, but even when I've had new wedges before, that's not a shot I've ever seen a ton of spin from. Seeing that with this shot, I'm plenty happy at the moment. Now, this is a Platinum wedge, and I didn't see an overall lower flight than what I'd normally expect, so that will need to be watched as well, but first impression is I'm seeing the same flight as I did with my Jaws Raw. With the two month break though, I might be off there. I did also dig the wedge in a couple times and come up much shorter than I would have liked. Two instances in particular. I'm chalking that up to getting those touch shots back as well, so not worried about the grind or the bounce since the Jaws Raw 60Z was spectacular Last thing to talk about is the feel. These are definitely more dense, especially on fuller swings. But it's not harsh. Just fuller. But with that fuller feeling, I know exactly where the ball is coming off from and I am happy with that feedback.

Overall, things went as well as, or better, than I could have expected with the new wedges after a two month forced layoff. Wedges are the strongest part of my game so seeing these early positive results, has me excited for the last couple months of the season!
 
This is where we differ, your need part tends to be an any chance I get part. 😆
I have to say the added mass the platinum saved my bacon yesterday. Got cute with a flop shot and hit it high towards the toe. I immediately say bummer that’s in the trap and it carried the bunker and came up just short. Left me a good look at par but alas I burned more lips than a spicy sauce.

To @Jman post, this spin is pretty insane on these. I hit the platinum out of the rough on a 40 yard shot to a down hill green, it hit and stopped maybe a foot from the mark. The playing partners commented “man you have great hands”. I don’t, I have some really well engineered equipment.
 
Money with two out of three of them currently...

But since I got my first two full rounds with them in, let's talk about them a bit! Ended up playing the one up tees, instead of the tips, since I wasn't sure how much distance I was going to lose with my hand. Didn't lose a ton, so I actually ended up having a lot more wedge shots than normal. Which was just fine with me since I was very much hoping to give these a proper workout!

Let's start with the 52S (actually 51*). This spot in the bag has been a bit of a problem the past two years or so. I went from a Jaws Raw 52S to a Apex CB 11i (50*) back to the 52. Just could never find any consistency with that 115-125 distance with either club. Now I can't tell you exactly what the cause of the issue was, but it just wasn't a spot in the bag that saw regular results. Having the Opus in hand though, I think my worries about that spot in the bag are over. I put this club in the bag for full swings and full swings only. I don't go 1/2 or 3/4 swings with it. I don't bump and run with it. It's a club specifically for a full swing from 115-125. And my god did it perform. Five shots with it in the two rounds I played and four of them were absolute darts. I'm talking less than 10 feet from the pin. One of them I pulled a little but it was essentially pin high. Ended up like 30-40 feet away, but that was on me. The ball went the exact distance I wanted it to. The feel on full swings is perfect. I prefer soft feeling wedges. My strikes with these went through the turf effortlessly and felt like butter (using a Chrome Tour ball for reference). The sound/feel I experienced here, *chefs kiss*. Haven't played in two months and had a two footer for birdie on my first full swing with it. I'm sold

On to the 54W (actually 55*). This is the one that struggled a bit. I went with this club specifically for the ease of use out of bunkers, but I still take full swings with it as well as 3/4 swings when I think a full 60* is too dangerous. With the W grind, you're getting 14* of bounce, but with me going a degree weak, I essentially added another degree to bring it to 15* (+/- some nominal number if it's not a full degree of added bounce). I'm going to need to play with it a bit more to see if this is going to be something I need to look at changing, but I struggled on dialing this one in as easily as I did the 52. I had one shot that was dropped exactly where I wanted it, but about five or six others that I either duffed or caught lower than I would have liked giving me one GIR in seven-ish tries. And our bunkers are close to concrete at this point in the year, so even my two bunker shots didn't tell me anything I wanted to know. I'm far from being worried about it, and it's hard to compete with how stunningly well it went with the 52 and 60, but it will be a spot in the bag to keep an eye on moving forward as I get my hands back to normal with my swings.

Lastly, the 60Z. This club for me is essentially anything within 70 yards as long as it's not in a bunker (that's the 54W job). I can push it to 90ish if I want but that's what I was talking about with the 54 and the 3/4 swings there, if that shot would be too penalizing if I miss with the 60. The first post I had in here from using this wedge on chips and pitches, I talked about the spin I was able to put on the ball. I mention that because, as I said in that post, I don't put a ton of spin on those shots in general and usually play a shot based on a bit of rollout. I had one specific shot that I was very happy with the amount of spin I got. @Bus asks if I was happy with the shot, and I said yes. It was about 8-10 feet from my landing spot (about a 45-50 yard pitch). New grooves could very well be the answer here, but even when I've had new wedges before, that's not a shot I've ever seen a ton of spin from. Seeing that with this shot, I'm plenty happy at the moment. Now, this is a Platinum wedge, and I didn't see an overall lower flight than what I'd normally expect, so that will need to be watched as well, but first impression is I'm seeing the same flight as I did with my Jaws Raw. With the two month break though, I might be off there. I did also dig the wedge in a couple times and come up much shorter than I would have liked. Two instances in particular. I'm chalking that up to getting those touch shots back as well, so not worried about the grind or the bounce since the Jaws Raw 60Z was spectacular Last thing to talk about is the feel. These are definitely more dense, especially on fuller swings. But it's not harsh. Just fuller. But with that fuller feeling, I know exactly where the ball is coming off from and I am happy with that feedback.

Overall, things went as well as, or better, than I could have expected with the new wedges after a two month forced layoff. Wedges are the strongest part of my game so seeing these early positive results, has me excited for the last couple months of the season!
Did you go with the same shaft in the Platinum as the Jaws Raw? Eye test for me says the Platinum is lower flight and it feels easier to control that the trajectory. I need to get them on the monitor to see the numbers though.
 
Did you go with the same shaft in the Platinum as the Jaws Raw? Eye test for me says the Platinum is lower flight and it feels easier to control that the trajectory. I need to get them on the monitor to see the numbers though.
No, I actually had a lower launching shaft for the Jaws Raw (Recoil Wedge Proto), so that could very well be why I'm seeing what I'm seeing. Or at least think I'm seeing. I will try them side by side on the range eventually, I was just so jacked up to actually be out on the course this weekend
 
How you coming with these @jfrigo1003 ? Curious to hear your thoughts.
 
No, I actually had a lower launching shaft for the Jaws Raw (Recoil Wedge Proto), so that could very well be why I'm seeing what I'm seeing. Or at least think I'm seeing. I will try them side by side on the range eventually, I was just so jacked up to actually be out on the course this weekend
That could be it for sure. I have the same shaft in mine. I've been wanting to get on the monitor, but life has been busy lately.
 
I played around with @MSEASU Opus 58Z and Platinum 54 at the chipping area on sunday. I really liked the feel of these wedges. I didn't take any fuller swings. The weighting and balance felt great. Impact was noticeably denser even on the very short chips i was taking. He has the stock steel shafts. And for whatever reason, I really liked how I could feel the face closure.
 
How you coming with these @jfrigo1003 ? Curious to hear your thoughts.
2 rounds and some range time so far. They feel great. The Z grind has been versatile from every situation i've come across so far. I have not noticed the lower flight yet but to be fair I attribute that to the DG Mid shaft currently in there. I'm actually putting a KBS 610 in the 50 and KBS Tour V in the 54/60 today

As much as I like the MG4's I think I prefer the look at address of the Opus

Although i knew it was going to wear away, I'm very disappointed in the blue finish of the opus platinum. The finish on the sole is completely worn away after about 15 chip/pitch shots. It does not change how I feel about them in any way but I wish it would have lasted longer
 
That could be it for sure. I have the same shaft in mine. I've been wanting to get on the monitor, but life has been busy lately.
If I had access to a monitor, I would never leave the range at this point now that I can swing again lol
 
Still really enjoying the new Opus wedges. The 54W has been great for greenside traps and longer shots & soft lies. Starting to become more confident in it and left one to 4' today from about 45 yards out after chunking my approach shot. Fuller shots with the 54 are still putting me in the 90-100 range depending on the lie and how high I hit it, but having something I'm more confident in at that range has been great the last week or two. The 58Z has taken me little time to get reacquainted with and I've almost chipped in a handful of shots with it. Actually lipped one out this morning. Also put a number of short sided shots in spots where a better putter would make the down portion of up and down. They are showing a bit of wear already, which was expected with the darker finishes. They both look excellent still though and I'm really happy with the performance so far. I'll try to grab a pic of them when I head out for league later.
 
I'm thinking these may end up in my bag before the start of next season. More and more I read on them , keeps that statement more and more true.
 
I'm thinking these may end up in my bag before the start of next season. More and more I read on them , keeps that statement more and more true.
Definitely get fit the grinds are very impactful for play. Otherwise I don’t think there’s a wedge that matches the performance I’m seeing. Maybe the new rtx but they lack that silky-solid feel these have.
 
Definitely get fit the grinds are very impactful for play. Otherwise I don’t think there’s a wedge that matches the performance I’m seeing. Maybe the new rtx but they lack that silky-solid feel these have.
I will do that,yet to have a "proper" fitting yet but know for sure I could benefit more from one.
 
I will do that,yet to have a "proper" fitting yet but know for sure I could benefit more from one.
It’s probably 1b to getting a good coach. I am not the best striker of the ball however that w grind in the 50 has really been a game changer.
 
2 rounds and some range time so far. They feel great. The Z grind has been versatile from every situation i've come across so far. I have not noticed the lower flight yet but to be fair I attribute that to the DG Mid shaft currently in there. I'm actually putting a KBS 610 in the 50 and KBS Tour V in the 54/60 today

As much as I like the MG4's I think I prefer the look at address of the Opus

Although i knew it was going to wear away, I'm very disappointed in the blue finish of the opus platinum. The finish on the sole is completely worn away after about 15 chip/pitch shots. It does not change how I feel about them in any way but I wish it would have lasted longer
That's why I moved away from them so quickly. I can sheer finishes right off.

If it makes you feel any better the flight effect for me is minimal.
 
That's why I moved away from them so quickly. I can sheer finishes right off.

If it makes you feel any better the flight effect for me is minimal.
When you say flight effect, do you mean the difference in launch/flight between the Opus and the Opus Platinum?
 
When you say flight effect, do you mean the difference in launch/flight between the Opus and the Opus Platinum?
Yes. I flight the ball lower than some to begin with, so that could be part of it.
 
Opus Shaping.

I for one really never look at a wedge or iron and really give any thought to the shape of it unless it is a complete outlier (Ping Eye 2). The only thing that really puts me off in terms of iron appearance is offset. I will get off my little rant there for a little bit now. The most obvious change that I can see when looking at the Jaws Raw and Opus 58* wedges is that the leading edge of the Opus does have more curve to it which to my eye actually makes the wedge look a little smaller. The extra grooves on the Opus versus the Jaws Raw also contributes to the smaller looking face. To me this isn't a bad thing as it frames the ball a lot nicer and allows me to focus more on what I am doing with the wedge. The slight teardrop shape appears to be more of a classic look of wedges but what it really presents to me is a less "harsh" visual. The Jaws Raw transition from the straight leading edge to the curvature was very abrupt and sometimes I had to do a double take when I opened up the wedge as I wasn't sure where I was aimed. The very subtle curved leading edge of the Opus hasn't made me do a double take yet so it appears that my eye prefers that shape which is a good thing to learn.
 
i was playing around on the Callaway site and noticed that some shafts are an upcharge on the regular Opus and not on the platinum version. When that is factored in they are very similar in price.
 
Callaway Opus Shape:

The wedges (Platinum & Opus) are definitely a tour shape. I compare these to the last wedges I tested (Wingman) and the shape is traditional and definitely more compact. The top line is a smooth curve to the slightly higher toe but when comparing to the TEE wedges, it's a gradual flow and very subdued in comparison.

Looking down you notice the face is compact, the grooves are noticeably smaller and help to keep that smaller head shape visual well even though the face has more grooves.

I think the finish on my two contribute to a more compact look, especially the Black Shadow and it complements the line of the head from the leading edge to the top line. Even the Platinum Blue finish with the high contrast face doesn't impact that smaller look and feel.

The top line flows nicely into the hosel unlike the TEE which almost looks like they're two different parts of the face.
 
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