As much as driving the ball long and straight on every hole may look impressive, I’m of the opinion that having a strong and reliable short game is the real key to unlocking better scores and lowering your handicap. The Callaway CB 12 wedge looks to offer the ultimate in assistance on greenside shots, but does it deliver this performance in practice to a level that can compete with the best wedges on the marker? I took it to the golf course to find out.
(Image credit: Future)
The Callaway CB 12 inspires confidence as soon as you put it down behind the ball. Its large footprint, thick topline, and cavity back design give it an inviting look at address. The leading edge sits squarely behind the ball and doesn’t have the excessive offset that can sometimes put golfers off from using one of the most forgiving wedges.
(Image credit: Future)
When I started clipping a few chips and pitches on the course, the forgiveness of this wedge was immediately apparent. The 12g perimeter weighting adds an enormous amount of stability to the head, particularly on off-center hits and especially full shots. While the margin for error is minimal with a traditional bladed wedge, I found there to be far more lenience with the Callaway CB 12 wedge. The chamfered leading edge is a clever design feature, stopping the club from digging into the ground and allowing you to ground out a touch early without being severely penalized.
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The high bounce and wide tri-sole design aids with forgiveness
(Image credit: Future)
As someone who likes being creative around the greens, I’m always a little skeptical when taking a larger, cavity-back wedge on the course, as I often find they lack versatility. However, the new wide tri-sole on the CB 12 wedge is a game-changer in the forgiving wedge space. I found I could open the face up to hit flop shots without the bounce interfering too much, as well as close the toe in to hit a lower shot without the club digging. It offers the best of both worlds – forgiveness when you need it and creativity as your confidence grows.
Sam De’Ath testing the Callaway CB 12 wedge
(Image credit: Future)
The urethane microspheres behind the face in the cavity offer a soft feeling through impact, minimizing vibrations while still providing plenty of feedback on the strike. This was something I loved about the previous Callaway CB wedge, and I’m glad to see this feature continue into this latest model.
(Image credit: Future)
And what about spin? The new OPUS groove platform provides plenty of it. I was impressed with the control I had on both full shots and delicate chips. The ball checked up nicely on the greens, giving me the confidence to attack the pin, even on shots where I was slightly short-sided.
The CB 12 wedge boasts the same groove pattern as the Callaway Opus wedge
(Image credit: Future)
The Callaway CB 12 is the ultimate wedge option for the mid-to-higher handicap golfer who is searching for some confidence and help from their wedges. It offers a fantastic blend of looks, feel, and spin while offering the forgiveness to those who require it.
The Callaway CB 12 wedge comes to retail at $179/£134 and is also available in graphite for those who require a slightly lighter or softer shaft option.