Callaway undertook two years of painstaking R&D to perfect the design, shaping and technology of their new OPUS wedge range and early indications suggest it’s a job well done.
Callaway’s tour staff were front and centre throughout the exhaustive process to create the new wedge. In fact, Callaway triumphantly call the OPUS the most tour-validated wedge in history. Over 50 of Callaway’s leading staffers across the PGA, LIV and LPGA tours provided input into the design of the OPUS . And most of those players also tested various prototypes of the OPUS wedge out on tour over the past year.
So, it figures that OPUS wedges have already been used to win a couple of majors: Xander Schauffele and Yuka Saso had them in their bags for their recent victories. You’re probably wondering what Callaway’s tour staff requested in the new OPUS wedge.
The answer should please anyone who plays the game: better shaping, extra spin, greater control and a lower launch.
Australian Release Date: 06/09/2024
SPIN GEN FACE TECHNOLOGY
Callaway’s designers and engineers developed a new technology for the OPUS wedge to achieve the lower-launching, higher-spinning ball flight requested by their tour staff. Callaway’s JAWS groove was a tough act to follow but the OPUS’ new Spin Gen Face Technology outperforms it in three key areas.
Firstly, Spin Gen features more grooves on the face and tighter spacing, leading to more opportunities for the grooves to interact with the ball and impart extra spin.
Secondly, the tiny grooves-between-the-grooves have been upgraded. They have been angled so moisture is channelled off the face more efficiently when the face is open. If you guessed it creates more spin, you’d be right — especially when it’s wet.
And finally, a new quartz face blast has been introduced to create additional friction at impact. The face will grip and perform better in moist conditions, especially out of the rough or on those damp and dewy early morning conditions when the ball tends to slide up the face.
Add all three together and it’s easy to see how the OPUS is a more consistent and greatly improved wedge compared to its JAWS predecessor.
TOUR-VALIDATED SHAPING
The shape of the OPUS wedge was developed following two years of prototype testing out on tour.
OPUS wedges feature less offset than the previous JAWS wedges and look noticeably smoother where the hosel and face merge. A similar scenario plays out at the top of the OPUS wedge, with the toe-to-topline area much softer, creating a tear-drop shape in contrast to the angularity and rigidity of Callaway’s previous wedges.
CALLAWAY OPUS WEDGE GRINDS
Callaway have limited the initial OPUS wedge launch to just four grinds: T, C, S and W.
- T - Grind: A low-bounce grind, the T features aggressive relief out of the heel and toe and sits snug to the ground whether the face is straight, open or closed. Will suit a shallow angle of attack or firm course conditions.
- C - Grind: Offering a mid-bounce grind, the C is more forgiving than the T grind and is more versatile than the S grind. Players with a neutral angle of attack will benefit playing the C grind and it’s effective in firm and soft conditions.
- S - Grind: The mainstay of the OPUS line-up, the S grind functions well in any course condition. It will suit most players and offers the most loft/bounce combinations.
- W - Grind: Featuring a wide, high-bounce sole, the W is perfect for players with a steep angle of attack. It is very effective in soft course conditions and out of the sand.
CALLAWAY OPUS WOMEN’S WEDGE
Callaway offer the OPUS wedge in a women’s model, which features a UST Recoil Dart 50 graphite shaft and an undersized Lamkin ST Soft grip. The OPUS Women’s wedge is available in two grinds: the S and W.
CALLAWAY OPUS PLATINUM WEDGE
Callaway have also created a premium model of the OPUS wedge called the OPUS Platinum. The Platinum features additional technology to upgrade performance and feel, particularly for players who need to keep their spin rates up and ball flight down.
The OPUS Platinum wedge retains the same tour-validated shaping as the regular OPUS wedge but features a 17g piece of MIMd tungsten slotted into its topline, which raises the centre of gravity to create a lower and more penetrating ball flight and higher spin. The Platinum comes in two grinds - the versatile S grind and mid-bounce Z grind that is designed for bunker play - and features a CNC milled back to distinguish it from a regular OPUS wedge.
The Callaway OPUS latinum wedge is finished in Platinum Blue.
PRE-ORDER PLATINUM OPUS WEDGES
CALLAWAY OPUS WEDGE SPECIFICATIONS
Hand: Right/Left
Shafts:
- Callaway OPUS Wedge: Dynamic Gold 115 (steel); UST Recoil Dart 50/65 (graphite)
- Callaway OPUS Platinum Wedge: Dynamic Gold 115 (steel)
- Callaway OPUS Women’s Wedge: UST Recoil Dart 50 (graphite)
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 (OPUS); Golf Pride MCC (Platinum); Lamkin ST Soft Undersized (Opus Women’s)
Finishes: Brushed Chrome, Black Shadow (OPUS, OPUS Women’s); Blue Platinum (OPUS Platinum)
Callaway OPUS Wedge Loft/Bounce Combinations:
- S Grind: 48°/10°, 50°/10°, 52°/10°, 54°/12°, 56°/12°, 58°/10°, 60°/10°
- T Grind: 58°/6°, 60°/6°
- C Grind: 58°/8°, 60°/8°
- W Grind: 50°/12°, 52°/12°, 54°/14°, 56°/14°, 58°/12°, 60°/12°
Callaway OPUS Platinum Wedge Loft/Bounce Combinations:
- S Grind: 54°/12°, 56°/12°, 58°/10°, 60°/10°
- Z Grind: 54°/10°, 56°/10°, 58°/8°, 60°/8°
Callaway OPUS Women’s Wedge Loft/Bounce Combinations:
- S Grind: 52°/10°, 56°/12°, 60°/10°
- W Grind: 52°/12°, 56°/14°, 60°/12°