The Daily Duffer – Tyler Reed
Callaway Opus SP+ Wedges: More Than Just a Plus Sign?
Here we go again. Another year, another “enhanced” wedge from Callaway. The new Opus SP+ wedges are hitting the market, and Callaway is touting them as “the most advanced wedges that Callaway has ever produced.” As the Equipment Editor for The Daily Duffer, my job isn’t to parrot marketing slogans, it’s to dig into the tech, hit these clubs on the launch monitor, and tell you if that “+” actually translates to real performance gains for your short game.
My first thought, and probably yours, was, “Didn’t the Opus SP just come out?” The answer is, yes, pretty recently. Callaway calls the SP+ a “line extension,” not a replacement. Fair enough. But in the world of golf equipment, every new release needs to justify its existence, especially when it comes with a higher price tag. So, let’s peel back the layers and see what Callaway is *really* offering here.
The “Spin Pocket” and the Tungsten Tango
The core story here, similar to the original SP, revolves around weight redistribution. Callaway talks about a “spin pocket” that removes weight from the hosel area, moving it higher in the clubhead to promote more spin and a lower flight.
“On the SP+ wedges, the size of the spin pocket has increased by 25%, resulting in approximately 6 grams of additional weight removed from this area.”
As a club fitter who’s analyzed countless wedges, I can tell you that strategically placed discretionary weight *does* matter. Moving weight up can indeed push the Center of Gravity (CG) higher, which often contributes to a lower launch and increased spin, particularly for players who sometimes launch their wedges too high. 6 grams might not sound like much, but it’s a decent chunk in the context of a wedge head.
The saved weight is then reinvested in tungsten, with
“the amount of tungsten has been increased by 23%, resulting in 18 grams positioned on the high rear pad.”
Tungsten is a golfer’s best friend when it comes to manipulating CG. Positioning 18 grams on the high rear pad reinforces that higher CG strategy. My experience on the launch monitor confirms that a higher CG, especially in wedges, can indeed create a lower, more piercing ball flight with an increase in spin. For the players I fit who struggle with ballooning their wedge shots, this kind of design can be a real game-changer.
MIM Face: Feel or Spin?
One of the most interesting changes is the shift from a 1025 Form Forged Face to a new MIM (Metal Injection Molding) face. Callaway states this is “intended to provide the softer impact feel that many top players desire.” While MIM technology can produce intricate shapes and tight tolerances, equating it directly to “softer feel” compared to a forged carbon steel face is where I raise an eyebrow. A forged 1025 carbon steel face is often considered the gold standard for soft feel. My testing of MIM components has yielded varying results – some feel great, others less so, and it frequently depends on the underlying material and design. I’ll reserve judgment on the “feel” until I’ve got these in hand and hit enough balls to form an opinion. However, the Spin Gen 2.0 face technology, with its 17° groove angle, tighter spacing, and deeper cross-hatch laser patterns, carries over from the SP, and I’ve seen that deliver seriously impressive spin numbers, even from less-than-perfect lies.
Grind Options: Knowing Your Game is Key
Callaway has opted for a somewhat limited but well-rounded initial release of three grinds: Z, X, and S. This tells me they’re targeting specific player types rather than trying to be all things to all golfers straight out of the gate. All models come with True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 shafts, a solid choice for wedge control.
The Z Grind, with 8° of bounce and heel/trailing edge relief, is clearly for the shotmaker. In my fitting experience, players with shallow attack angles and those who really like to open the face around the green thrive with lower bounce and aggressive relief.
Z Grind: This club is designed for golfers who enjoy getting creative around the greens and fancy themselves shotmakers.
With 8° of bounce, it features the lowest bounce in the SP+ line. The club features relief on the heel and trailing edge, offering characteristics similar to a C-grind but playing more forgivingly than a traditional C-grind.
The SP+ Z-Grind is available in lofts of 54°, 56°, 58°, and 60°.
The X Grind, with 12° of bounce, is described as having “ample heel and toe relief” for versatility, especially for steeper attack angles. This is crucial. Many golfers mistakenly think high bounce equals less versatility. But with the right grind, that higher bounce can prevent digging, and the relief allows for opening the face effectively. If you’re a digger or play in softer conditions, a high bounce wedge is your friend.
X Grind: Contrary to popular belief, not every versatile wedge needs to have a low bounce.
With 12° of bounce, this grind is the highest bounce option available in the SP+ lineup. Featuring ample heel and toe relief, the X grind provides excellent versatility around the greens, especially for golfers who have a steeper angle of attack.
The decision to include the X grind in this release was influenced by the number of golfers that Callaway has fitted into this grind. Unlike the other two options, the X grind is offered in only three lofts: 56°, 58°, and 60°.
Finally, the S Grind, with 10° of bounce, is your “all-around” option for a wide variety of swing styles. This is often the safest bet for golfers who don’t have extremely defined short game preferences or highly specific course conditions.
S Grind: Known as a versatile option for all situations in Callaway’s lineup.
With a medium bounce design, it accommodates a wide variety of swing styles and is particularly effective for golfers who prefer a more straight-faced approach to short-game shots.
The S Grind is available in lofts of 54°, 56°, 58°, and 60°, each featuring 10° of bounce.
The Million-Dollar Question: Is it Worth It?
The Callaway Opus SP+ wedges are coming in at $229.90, a notable jump from the previous SP model and aligning with the original Opus Platinum pricing. Based on the technical claims – a larger spin pocket, more tungsten for a higher CG, and the existing Spin Gen 2.0 face – I anticipate good things from these wedges on the launch monitor. My initial data from preliminary testing with the original SP showed promising spin numbers and consistent ball flight. If the SP+ truly enhances these characteristics as advertised, we’re talking about a measurable improvement in control, which is paramount in a scoring club.
Who are these for? If you’re currently playing an older wedge, say 3+ years old, and are looking for max spin and a repeatable, lower flight, the SP+ could be a significant upgrade. The blend of a high CG and aggressively engineered grooves should deliver impressive spin rates, even on less-than-full shots. For mid to low handicap players who can consistently find the center of the face, the promised lower trajectory and higher spin will offer greater control and a better ability to attack pins. Higher handicap players might also benefit from the spin, but getting fitted for the correct grind will be even more critical to avoid digging or bouncing the club.
The “soft feel” claim with the MIM face will need to be verified through extensive testing – feel is subjective, but consistency is measurable. What I *do* expect, given Callaway’s track record and the physics of the design, are tighter dispersion patterns and higher peak spin rates compared to many wedges on the market. That’s the real value proposition here: precision. Whether that precision and the potentially improved feel are worth the premium price will depend on your budget and how much you prioritize a dialed-in short game.
Pre-orders start today, and they’ll be in stores on March 6, 2026. I’ll be getting these into the Daily Duffer testing lab ASAP for a full deep dive with extensive launch monitor data. Stay tuned for the complete breakdown, but on paper, these certainly pack some interesting technology for golfers serious about their wedge game.
