When we saw Callaway take the Great Big Bertha name to an all new place by making it their ultra-premium option, it did have many curious about what that meant for Big Bertha. Wonder no more, because Big Bertha is not being absorbed into any other lines, instead it is back and more focused than ever on the game improvement to super game improvement portion of golf.
Callaway Big Bertha 23
She’s back, and this is most definitely a release which is in the same vein of the BB21 lineup which was an absolute success for Callaway as they innovated not only the first low spin slice killing driver, but also the #1 selling irons in golf. That said, Callaway is being very vocal that they have taken the time to not only implement new technology to the next generation of Big Bertha, but that they have also considered all feedback received on the BB21’s be it good, bad, or indifferent.
Big Bertha is all about improving one’s game and making sure it is fun in the process. With a heavy focus on easy to swing and launch options that have the distance potential Bertha has always been known for, there is a lot to take in with this lineup.
2023 Callaway Big Bertha Irons
As already mentioned, the BB21 irons were in fact the #1 selling irons in golf for Callaway, so, what was there for them to change? A lot, actually.
The BB23 irons remain the most forgiving irons that Callaway produces with a full focus on easy launch and the same Big Bertha shaping which the name is known for. However, there has been some focus on refining things. Starting with a new triple PVD “Black Smoke” dark finish to give a more balanced appearance, the newest Bertha irons do have that thicker topline and enhanced offset that you would expect.
Internally, the irons use a 450 Face Cup which is A.I. designed for each club in the set and offers high speed and spin consistency in a high strength castable material. Major attention was paid to the effectiveness of the face vertically and laterally across the hitting area. If you are worried about sound (feel), fear not as the magical Urethane Microspheres are present to function in cooperation with internal (43g) and external (11g) tungsten to ensure the feedback won’t leave golfers wanting even with the cast face material.
The Big Bertha irons play off a 42-degree PW and 27-degree 7i for those who are curious, but Callaway wants it made clear that the dual effect of the tungsten placement with the internal pulling the CG down and the external taking it back has made it so that the stronger lofts hit the necessary windows. This means fast with lower spin, but still hitting an effective peak height and descent angle. The irons are offered with True Temper Elevate 85 MPH steel shafts or the specially designed Callaway RCH65 graphite shafts in 5-PW with A, G, and S also available for $999.99/6 piece set (steel) and $1,099.99/6 piece set (graphite).
2023 Big Betha Hybrids
On the hybrid front, Callaway believes this is where the biggest jump has happened from the BB21 release. While these remain a footprint intended to be much more complimentary as an iron replacement with the square toe look, it is also longer heel to toe this time around. Not only that, the massive offset the BB21 had is gone and Callaway has implemented their Opti-Fit adapter system into the hybrids for even more iron replacement fine tuning potential.
Internally, Triaxial Carbon is in play with the crown of the hybrids to help keep weight lower in the head for higher MOI. Also, Jailbreak Batwing tech has made its way to the Big Bertha hybrids to allow more flex for more speed a-la the Paradym hybrids. Throw in 455 Face Cup which is A.I. designed for each loft 3 through 9 (19, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36) and the BB23’s with their Callaway RCH65 shaft are certainly intriguing. The 3-6 hybrids will also be available in LH, with each hybrid priced to $259.99.
2023 Callaway Big Bertha Fairways
Like the hybrids, Callaway also listened to feedback with the new Big Bertha fairways and gone is the huge offset. Instead, we are left with a clubhead that is very shallow faced with a shape that has some elongated angularity to it but inspires exactly what Callaway wants it to, ease off the deck.
While yes, there are the impressive technologies like Triaxial Carbon crowns as well as Jailbreak with Batwing and an A.I. Face design for each head, there is another simple yet ingenious aspect to the BB23 fairways. As it is well known, fairways are the hardest to hit clubs for most amateurs, Callaway has added progressive lengths and lofts which make the clubs shorter but with more loft. For example, the 3W plays at 43-inches and 16-degrees of loft. Why? More consistency in a shorter club and more lofts to improve the launch and carry.
The Big Bertha fairways are available in 3W (16), 5W (19), HVN (21), 7W (22), and 9W (25) with the 3 and 5 offering Opti-Fit adjustability and all options other than the HVN and 9W available in LH. The fairways are paired with the Callaway RCH in 45, 55, 65, or 75 and priced at $299.99.
2023 Callaway Big Bertha Drivers
Finally, the driver. Not only that, finally the next iteration of the most unique draw biased driver ever made in the BB21. If you have followed THP then you know the 2021 Big Bertha driver was an absolute unicorn, and the 2023 version looks to build on that. This is a slice killing driver that while it does have internal draw weighting, it is a low spin driver, 400-500 RPM lower than other “draw” models out there in fact.
This is done through the movement of the CG lower and more forward in the head instead of back like other draw drivers. That creates notable speed potential while keeping the spin low, and that is what helps tame the big miss for most golfers and keep it in play. Not only that, the low spin design with internal draw bias means that fitters can now loft up golfers to maximize their numbers instead of being forced to stay low to mitigate the big miss.
Shaping is similar to its predecessor in that it is triangular overall but also features an absolutely massive A.I. Designed XL face leading that Triaxial Carbon crown. Add in the Wishbone Jailbreak used in the Paradym, but lighter, and this is a driver designed with optimizing strikes across the face to an extent not in any other Callaway driver.
The 2023 Big Betha drivers are being offered in 9.0, 10.5, and 12.5 (RH only) degree lofts utilizing their Opti-Fit adapters and featuring the Callaway RCH in 45, 55, and 65. Price of the drivers will be $499.99.
The Details
Release Date: 5/26/2023
Driver: $499.99
Fairways: $299.99
Hybrids: $259.99
Irons: $999.99 (steel) and $1,099.99 (Graphite)
