Callaway Opus SP+ Wedge Review: Softer and Spinnier But At A Cost
Is the Opus SP+ a genuine upgrade or just a pricier tweak to an already good wedge? Dave Usher put it to the test to find out...
The Callaway Opus SP+ delivers a slightly lower, more controlled flight, softer feel and marginally improved spin consistency over the standard Opus SP. For elite ball strikers those refinements will be noticeable but for most golfers, the gains are subtle and may not justify the higher price.
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Slightly lower, more controlled trajectory
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Refined grooves for extra spin consistency
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Premium feel
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Marginal gains over the standard SP for the extra cost
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The Callaway Opus SP wedges were launched last year and earned a glowing review from our tester, Sam De’Ath, who described them as some of the best wedges on the market. The SP+ hit the market in the spring of this year and although not drastically different, it has a more advanced construction, a more aggressive center of gravity and a loftier price tag (£229).
Does it offer an upgrade on the Opus SP though, and where does it stand in comparison to the best wedges we’ve tested? I put it through its paces to find out, but before we go any further, if you are looking to upgrade your wedges you should check out some of our various wedge guides, such as the best wedges for mid-handicappers, the best wedges for chipping as well as the best wedges for beginners.
Much of the same technology remains from the standard Opus SP but the SP+ has some subtle differences, such as tungsten weighting and a tighter groove spacing with an updated face texture. The SP+ also has a higher, more precisely positioned CG which aids with a lower, more controlled flight.
The "SP" stands for Spin Pocket. It’s a hollow cavity behind the lower face that removes mass low in the head, allowing weight to be redistributed higher, raising the center of gravity and promoting a lower, more penetrating flight with added spin. In the SP+, the pocket has been increased by about 25% compared to the standard SP, pushing even more weight upward.
Another upgrade from the standard model is that the SP+ has moved to a three-piece construction: a soft 8620 steel body, a metal-injection-moulded (MIM) face as well as tungsten weighting high in the head. That tungsten weighting works with the larger Spin Pocket to elevate CG further. It’s designed to produce tighter launch windows, more consistent carry and a flatter, spin-driven flight.
Finally, the SP+ uses Spin Gen 2.0 face technology with refined groove geometry, steeper angles and a laser-textured surface for added friction to deliver reliable, repeatable spin and a more controlled, tour-style ball flight.
Testing the Bettinardi HLX 6.0 wedge at Berrington Hall Golf Club
In terms of the aesthetic, it’s a pleasing, albeit somewhat understated look. The branding is not too 'in your face' and overall it should appeal to most golfers. It isn’t as striking as some wedges I’ve tested recently, like the Bettinardi HLX 6.0, but it’s a premium looking wedge that looks great in the bag.
The standard Opus SP already delivers a lower flight window and excellent spin consistency, but the SP+ takes that up a notch and the lower, tour style trajectory should really appeal to the elite ball strikers.
Most average golfers won't have the game to benefit from the little extras the SP+ brings to the table and in terms of performance I’d get just as much out of the standard Opus SP. Better players than me though? Sure, I can definitely see how elite ball strikers might appreciate that lower flight window and softer feel and it will be interesting to see if any of Callaway's staff players put it into play.
I have to say the performance on full shots was top drawer. My carry number for a 54° wedge is around 90 yards, and it was a lot of fun just setting up in the fairway and firing a bag of balls at the flag for half an hour. It’s something I enjoy doing when my local course is quiet in the evenings, and testing wedges gives me the perfect excuse to do it.
The SP+ delivered exceptional performance on all manner of shots from varying distances. Around the green I played high pitches, low pitches, flop shots and several bunker shots and the versatility of the SP+ is the thing that impressed me most. That being said, the standard SP can pull off all of those shots too, so why pay the extra for the SP+ model?
The softer feel is probably the biggest selling point for me. A soft feel is something I like in a wedge as I find it helps on ‘feel shots’ when you are looking to get creative. That said I’m not convinced the improved feel alone justifies the extra $50/£50, as ultimately you’re paying for fairly marginal gains in flight control and feel rather than a wholesale jump in performance.
Testing the Callaway Opus SP+ wedge at Berrington Hall Golf Club
Given the quality and popularity of the standard Opus SP wedges, I’m not sure there’s going to be a huge of a market for the SP+ but that isn’t a criticism of the product itself and it will be interesting to see how popular it becomes. It’s a tour quality product with limited visible tour adoption so far. Opus wedges have been widely used on tour but while the SP+ has been engineered for that level of player, it hasn’t had time to earn its place in bags.
Perhaps if some Callaway players such as Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and others put the SP+ into play it will raise the profile of the product, but I can’t shake the feeling that most golfers will just go with the standard model due to the significant price difference. That said, if you do opt for the premium offering you certainly won’t be disappointed.
