Alex Etches
Custom fitter, gear deep-dives
“it feels fantastic”
The metal-injection-molded Platinum feels fantastic and looks premium, but it carries a higher price than the standard Opus.
+ the facts · 2 pros · 1 cons− the facts
- +Metal injected molding process gives a fantastic, lovely feel
- +Premium platinum chrome finish, plus an ultra-premium platinum blue option he thinks they pulled off
- −More expensive at $229.99 vs $179.99 for the standard Opus
For: Players willing to pay extra for premium components and feel
Golfalot
Independent UK equipment reviews
“I can't really justify that increase”
The premium model with MIM construction and high-toe tungsten for flight control, but he saw no real performance benefit to justify the extra £50.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Metal injection molded construction for a more premium feel
- +Tungsten high on the face keeps ball flight down while preserving spin
- +Same high-spin groove-in-groove face technology as the standard Opus
- −£50 more expensive than the standard Opus with no visible performance benefit in his testing
- −Extra ribbed detailing made him prefer the cleaner standard model's look
For: Better players who want a lower, controlled wedge flight and don't mind paying extra
Peter Finch Golf
Long-term on-course testing
“Have I really seen much of a difference? Not really. In fact, no.”
A more expensive, slightly more forgiving version of the Opus that he could not actually tell apart from the standard model in testing.
+ the facts · 3 pros · 3 cons− the facts
- +Machine injection moulding, new for Callaway, creates a nice dampening feel at impact
- +17g tungsten weight high in the head raises CG for lower launch and added forgiveness on high-face strikes, useful from rough
- +No expense spared in the build, and it shows
- −He saw no real difference versus the standard Opus at all
- −Much more expensive than the standard Opus
- −Only available in sand wedge and lob wedge lofts
For: Players who want a touch more forgiveness than the Opus in their scoring wedges and do not mind paying for it.
Club Champion (TXG)
Tour-level fitting studio
“you really would need to change the CG a heck of a lot”
Not yet in store, but Callaway's tungsten-loaded top rail promises up to five degrees lower launch, a claim the fitters find staggering and want to verify head-to-head.
+ the facts · 2 pros · 2 cons− the facts
- +Tungsten added to the top rail raises the CG to drive launch angle down
- +Carries the technology story the standard Opus deliberately lacks
- −Fitters are skeptical of the five-degree launch claim; a couple of degrees would already be a big result
- −Not tested in this video
For: Players chasing a lower wedge flight, pending testing
