Bertha is back, and yes, she’s Great, not to mention Big. Introducing the Callaway Great Big Bertha Driver and Fairway Woods.
However, that is the only thing you will recognize about Callaway’s legendary Great Big Bertha in this new lineup of releases. On the surface, it is easy to consider this the replacement for what was the Epic STAR line, but I wouldn’t try to paint GBB into that corner. You see, though the goals are similar in that this is all about going lighter, faster, higher, and ultra-premium, this is a new animal. A full lineup where each club had its own design team and each also boasts what Callaway calls “A material difference in performance” unlike anything they have produced before.
All that said, this is a very specifically targeted niche release. Great Big Bertha has earned her keep over the years and even put Callaway on the map, so now she gets to shine as a line which isn’t for the feint of heart as every aspect of the line is premium, including the price.
While this is a complete lineup, there is so much to take in, it felt right to break it up a bit so be sure to check out our other article on the Great Big Bertha irons and hybrids. Here though, we take a closer look at the metalwoods.
Callaway Great Big Bertha Drivers
Why not start where it all began? The new Great Big Bertha driver is 460cc of Callaway throwing every single tech they have into the melting pot and then adding all new proprietary patented tech on top of it for good measure.
This is, of course, a lightweight driver design which is focused on all out speed, in both the swing and ball variety. Immediately what will stand out to some is the looks, this is definitely an elongated shape, but it is without the angular looks which turn some off. From address, the big surprise on the Triaxial Carbon crown is the application of what Callaway calls “Sage Green” which is a deep greyish green with metal flake imbued into the paint. Love it or not, the goal was a super-premium look and combined with the gold and black accents, they nailed it.
Design wise, there is a lot to digest. Yes, Jailbreak Speed Frame and the A.I. designed Flash Face are both present and totally unique to this specific clubhead thanks to what Callaway’s continued investment into A.I. affords them. The name of the game here is adding horizontal and torsional stability with a Flash Face design that creates as much speed as possible and allows it to be efficiently transferred to the ball at impact.
As mentioned, Triaxial Carbon is used for the crown, but on the sole Callaway is debuting yet another patented proprietary material they call “Forged Carbon”. From what they have discussed, where other carbon materials have to be applied in certain directions, this can be used in any direction which has opened up infinite application possibilities. Here on the sole of the driver it means a massive toe pad section and it is saving 30g compared to what Triaxial would have. Not to mention there is a cool factor as the almost marbled look it has will be unique in every single club it is put into.
What does it all mean? According to Callaway, maximum MOI stability through being the only company to use two different carbon types which also allowed for weight savings to build a driver which is all about maximizing swing speed potential. It does have a slight draw bias according to the company, but it is not intended to be a slice-killer amount.
The Great Big Bertha Driver will be available in three lofts (9.0, 10.5, 12.0) and utilize their OptiFit adapter making for 8-14 degree possibilities across the line. The UST Mamiya Helium Nanocore (40, 50) is the premium stock shaft and is paired with the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 to keep things light. What will stand out most? The price at release will be a staggering $699.99, remember though, Callaway is adamant this is a very targeted release with emphasis on every aspect being as premium as possible.
Callaway Big Bertha Fairways
When Callaway released the Super Hybrid, a titanium heavy hybrid with absurd power, many asked why they didn’t bring a Super Fairway. The answer was, it wasn’t that easy, but it didn’t mean they weren’t working on it. Here is the first taste of that, a titanium-based design entirely bent on taking the company’s already powerful fairways to a new level.
The fairway features the same Sage Green crown as the driver and features a new shape for Callaway as it is bigger than that of the recent Rogue line. It is the Titanium body which has allowed them to take it that way. It still features a shallower face to be easier to hit from the turf, but the added size should inspire more confidence as well as forgiveness through perimeter weighting.
This is also a multi-material clubhead that boasts 50g of tungsten placed internally as well as a 15g steel sole plate, Triaxial Carbon crown, and the previously discussed Forged Carbon Sole. All of this is part of the prioritization of weight in the Great Big Betha lineup, after all, that is the ultimate goal of this new lineup. Additionally, each club also featured the Jailbreak Batwing which was utilized in Rogue as well as an A.I. Face Cup made of Titanium which is unique for each of the four lofts available (15.0 3W, 18.0 5W, 21.0 7W, 24.0 9W).
Add in that the weight savings through the new carbon applications have allowed these to also feature the OptiFit adapter and you have a range of options from 14.0 to 26.0 degrees all told. For those wondering about size, the 3W comes in at 186cc and the lofty 9W is 140cc. The fairways are paired with the UST Mamiya Helium Nanocore (40, 50, 60) and Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 to keep everything as lightweight and speed focused as possible. The GBB fairways will come in priced at a head turning $499.99.
The Details
As you can see, Callaway is adamant that this is Great Big Bertha in a way we have never seen her before, and with the metalwoods coming in at $699.99 and $499.99, they also expect there to be a hefty amount of conversation to surround the line. That being what it is, there is also no denying that this might just be the most focused lineup we have seen from Callaway, sure, it is aimed at a nuanced segment, but they have thrown everything at it which is definitely going to make it fun to watch things play out.
What do you think? Are you curious? Does the target demographic fall in your wheelhouse? Jump into the conversation on the THP Community or in the comments below and let your voice be heard!
that is borderline insanity. I’d think that this kind of release scares the buh-jeeezus out of the competition…….
Maybe? Maybe not? It’s not exactly a crowded segment here in the states.
fair. But, I guess my point there is that if they. An do it in this segment, they’re probably going to try and do it in various others.
im sure Tour Edge Orr other similar target audiences and like, wtf. ???
Is TE similar to this? HL is aimed at an entirely different financial demographic.
Most who end up with this aren’t likely to upgrade to something else I’d venture, the Helium Nanocore is premium and especially picked for the needs of these golfers if that makes sense. Stronger players aren’t the target here.
Sounds a lot like PXG’s spiel, doesn’t it?
When PXG first came out maybe, now, they’re a mishmash of chaos.
Seems a similar shaft to what Honma puts in the Beres line, coming in at $50 less than the Honma comparable irons.
Being that the whole release is all about lightweight speed, the Helium Nano was imo great pairing
definitely not financially
The more I think about it, the price for the driver is not that unreasonable given the tech and the shaft.
Think they want to separate Epic the main line from Epic Star the ultralight ultra premium ultra price tag.
GBB makes sense as that line since Big Bertha 21 was a GI to SGI option.
And as much of a sticker shock as the Irons were, $699 for the driver is not crazy considering $599 is about baseline for what I think "standard segment" drivers will be.
I definitely want to take these for a spin and see what the results are. I am likely not the target audience… but you never know until you hit it.
Not absurd to the target market… probably absurd for some, and slightly out of reach for many. But right in line for the target.
For your Driver/Shaft combo you aren’t that far off from the $699 if you were to buy it all brand new today – and this line does bring new tech to the table.
Nailed it.
I can get on board with that. I guess it’s just an initial shock for a one time blow vs purchasing separately if that makes sense. I understand the target market aspect of it and how that works. I mean most I know outside of this forum would not pay anything close to this price for a one and done or components separately. I think this community is unique in the fact that they are open to the aspect of tech and price. A lot here are willing to drop a lot more on clubs that majority of the average golfer community.
Ill go the other way and honestly believe while there are THPers very interested in a release like this, I tend to believe it is more geared towards the sunbelt area which has millions of golfers that are very open to the ultra premium market. PXG, XXIO, Titleist CNCPT, Epic Star, etc have all done quite well in those regions.
This is where I was about to go with it. Absolutely agree.
Maybe I just live in a podunk redneck area where something like this is just not accepted well, but again I understand the marketing aspect of this. Target audience is important. Hope it does well for Callaway.
I never would have even blinked at this segment a year ago. "Too pricey for my game, move on." would have been my only thought. When you dig into the pricing and realize that it’s not that far outside the norm, it makes you stop and look. I know I’ll be looking to see if the local PGASS or CC gets some of this stuff in stock to go and try it out.
So from my experience at my local fitting center as well as a brick and morter local (non chain) store that does a ton of fittings, the Star line has always been a bonded model.
They would have a 10.5 with R flex shaft and a 12* with A Flex shaft. Usually a 3w R Flex and 5w A flex and a hybrid or two. Definitely did not have fitting heads that could be swapped out for different shafts. And I think that is intentional as the Star lineup comes with higher end ultra light 30-40g shaft. Grand Bassara, etc
But definitely ganing marking share now, no?
I think far too many misunderstand how market share works, and how hard it is to gain.
Fair, as someone with an Accounting/Finance/IT Systems degree completely understand Market share…
So let me rephrease. At least gaining in sales for them, which in turn if other oems are break even YOY, would mean a gain in market share for them.
Sure their margins are now lower but they have to be doing better financially given volume level now.
At the micro level and in unit share, yes. At dollar share, no. They are a DTC brand though, so it won’t show up in any market share reports.
I think this discussion (which I enjoy) is probably best for a PXG thread. ?
So my hope @JohnnyCallaway is that this line will have better Demo heads available at the retail level than what was available with Star lineups in the past.
While I fit the category this clubs are designed for, I just found the shafts too light in the Star lines in the past and with everything bonded, no chance to try other shafts.
With this line, it looks to offer shafts in the 60 gram range, which should open this line up to a wider amount of consumers.
I did well with 60g iron shafts in my Tour Edge irons. I hope I’m not old enough for 40’s yet……..
I remember @JasonFinleyCG had a set of Epic Max Star irons at one of the THP events.
I’m sure he know someone at Callaway that could build him a set in whatever shaft he wanted.
The average consumer didn’t have that option at the local PGATSS.
Had to take what was bonded – Cuts you off from a potential "Upsell" market.
At least with the Hybrids and Woods with the Opti-Fit adaptors, it should open this line to "Get Fit" as Callaway always touts.
I’m sure @vgolfman will have fitting dialed in.
Narrator voice: Yes, yes we will have fitting dialed in for the entire Great Big Bertha line.
Thanks @vgolfman
I just want to go to my PGATSS in Vernon Hills and hit the fairway wood with them having all of the available shaft options before I make a purchase.
I know that Callaway offers a 30 performance guarantee however let’s get right the first time, for everyone’s sake.
Let’s gooooooo!
Referring to STAR as the older ones?
And @JB posted an in hand earlier, far from army green thankfully hahaha
So dark you can barely tell it is green and not a gunmetal’ish color. I am guessing it is more black with a green hue.
Its more gunmetal than anything. Honestly, I dont even see green at all when I held it in hand.
kinda reminds me of a Ping G20 paint wise with a hint of green in there.
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sunlight will make that metallic flake and green pop..
That’s how the epic speed was. I bought one thinking it was straight up black.
Then the green came out in the sunlight.
It does a little, but even in the sun coming through the window, its still pretty much gunmetal to me.
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You spelled "sexy" wrong…….
That is a great color right there. I dig it.
I am sure that is a bit tongue in cheek, but if I got fit into senior 40g shafts but the results were good, I would do it in a heartbeat. Would also make my bag a lot lighter to carry.
Oh, I’d be in for whatever works. I’m still waiting on the chipper release to be leaked……
Usually it’s the non Rogue line, which is due this year, so that would make sense.