Callaway CB12 wedges: What you need to know

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Callaway updates its “game-improvement wedge” lineup with the new CB12, a wide-soled cavity-back design that redistributes 12 grams to the perimeter for increased forgiveness not just on full swings but on short-shot mis-hits, too. Targeting all-over forgiveness for those who already are committed to game-improvement in their irons, as well, the CB12 makes for a cleaner transition from their full-swing clubs to their short game. A single “tri-level sole” grind through all six lofts aims to mitigate fat shots, while the groove pattern matches that of the tour-built Opus wedges to optimize spin.

PRICE: $180. Six lofts, 50-60 degrees. Available July 18.

3 Cool Things

1. Baby got back. Following Cleveland’s successful launch of the CBX line of “game- improvement wedges,” Callaway embarked on its CB lineup, a similar commitment to slightly oversized, cavity back wedges. These gently non-traditional wedge shapes were designed to provide a more consistent feel, look and forgiveness for players whose sets a made up of game-improvement irons. The new CB12 pushes the forgiveness quotient farther than in past generations with more discretionary weight to push to the perimeter. As the name suggests, the “12” refers to the grams saved in the cavity back shape. While the available mass helps add stability but also one more aspect that is crucial in wedge design, said Callaway’s Brian Herr, wedge research and development manager. “Moving the weight around in the topline helps where the CG position is to create spin,” he said. The thickened top line raises the CG slightly to help this level of player launch his or her wedge shots lower so their slower ball speed and spin rate aren’t adversely affected by a shot that launches too high.

Like past models, the CB12 wedges also feature urethane microspheres concentrated in a pad low behind the face directly in line with the impact area to improve sound and feel.

2. Groove thing. The CB12 wedges also attack spin through a groove design that’s already proven successful with the company’s tour-favored Opus lineup. “What we've done is essentially put more [grooves] on the face,” Herr said. “To do this, we had to narrow the pitch or lessen the distance between each groove. And what this does is put more groove edges on the golf ball. And what we've seen in testing is that it's lowering the launch and creating more spin.” The tighter pitch with a 37-degree angled sidewall aims to engage more groove edges with the ball for better grab.

3. Sole brother. The CB12 features a new sole design for Callaway’s lineup of cavity back wedges. While it’s again a wider sole width than standard wedges, the "tri-level" sole is made more playable through heel and backside relief and extra bounce. “Our Tri-Sole is really forgiving for players who typically hit behind the ball a little bit,” Herr said. “The sole glides through the turf, and you lose less ball speed on your shots when your sole glides through the turf.”