This isn’t a comeback, Bertha has always been here, but this time the new Great Big Bertha is taking a unique place in the Callaway lineup. Rather than replacing the flagship Epic or Rogue releases, GBB is more or less assuming the place previously held by Epic STAR. Yes, Bertha is going ultra-premium in both technology and, yes, price. If you are sitting there thinking it is a simple change of name for the STAR line, you are dead wrong.
Great Big Bertha is, like STAR was, absolutely aimed at maximizing weight savings to create an ultra-light offering which doesn’t sacrifice ball speed or forgiveness for the sake of being lightweight. However, that is the only similarity, because this time the name of the game is what Callaway is calling “A material difference in performance” which centered around each club type in the lineup having its own dedicated design team. Aimed at golfers in the 12+ handicap range who have the means to pay for distance, this is a niche release that will turn heads.
While this is a complete lineup, with so much to cover it made the most sense to break it up. Here, we take a closer look at the hybrids and irons but be sure to check out our other article on the metalwoods.
Callaway Great Big Bertha Hybrids
As the years have gone by, no company has done as thorough a job developing and pushing the envelope when it comes to hybrids like Callaway. Frankly, they are cannons. This time around, the goal is to harness that into a club which slower swing speed players can take advantage of while also complimenting the new irons we will get to in a bit.
Immediately, the shaping stands out as it is a departure from the very squared off look which Callaway utilized so well. With the new GBB, everything is more rounded, similar to a fairway wood shaping and also utilizes more sole camber to improve versatility as well as turf interaction. The sizing and offset are quite well done with neither overdone, with its “Sage Green” metallic crown color the hybrid appears to be extremely well thought out.
The fact that Callaway is calling this one a hybrid with “driver DNA” however, merits the largest share of discussion. A recurring trend in this new lineup, the hybrid is also a titanium construction in the body and face which allowed them to free up weight to be moved elsewhere. More is being saved by finishing out the body of the club with the triaxial carbon crown and new Forged Carbon sole. How much weight? The application of 78g of tungsten provides that answer. If you don’t already know, that is a ton of tungsten in any design, let alone a hybrid.
Internally, for the first time Callaway is implementing Jailbreak with Batwing tech into a hybrid and of course they have utilized their A.I. system to integrate it alongside Flash Face. According to Callaway, this has let them find even more ball speed than before, as well as more spin consistency on misses across the face.
The Great Big Bertha hybrid is going to be offered in 3-Hybrid through an 8-Hybrid, yes, you read that right. Thanks to the weight savings via materials, Callaway was able to implement the OptiFit adapter into the design. Combine that with the UST Helium Nanocore (40, 50, 70) shaft, Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 grip, and lofts from 18.0 to 32.0 degrees, it appears that Callaway has definitely delivered on the goal of making the new Great Big Bertha as premium as possible. If the tech doesn’t confirm that for you though, perhaps the $449.99 price point might.
Callaway Great Big Bertha Irons
The club which might be the biggest showstopper of the new Bertha lineup looks to be the irons, with a shape and profile that is based around what the Apex DCB established. Being that the focus is on maximizing launch and forgiveness, the size makes sense as it allows for mass in all the right places while not being too much. The rest of the aesthetics showcase the borderline absurd amount of tech Callaway has pumped into this one.
You see, this is a design which Callaway has been working on for years. For the first time in the company’s history, they are producing a one-piece titanium body iron and marrying it to a forged titanium face. The forged face is the thinnest Callaway has produced thus far as they continue to find ways to push the boundaries, and in this case the use of CP4 titanium as the body is the key. What is CP4? It stands for “commercially pure” and has to this point been used in medicine.
The reason for applying it here is one of the traits it possesses is bendability which had previously been an issue using titanium in irons. Well, that is one reason, the other is the fact that it saved 96g of weight versus steel. Yes, 96 grams. That is a jaw dropping amount of weight in any clubhead, let alone an iron. So, what did Callaway do? They have implemented the most high-density tungsten ever for them in the Great Big Bertha irons, up to 145g, that is 50% more than any other iron on the market for those keeping track at home.
Around that massive amount of tungsten is all the other tech Callaway has up its sleeve in irons. A.I. Flash Face has been implemented on each club in the set to optimize the spin and ball speed potential of that thin forged titanium face, and to help preserve feedback they are also utilizing Urethane Microspheres. According to the company, the Great Big Betha irons are basically a titanium driver face in an iron. They state that it makes for a more “powerful” sound (feel) than 17-4 steel irons and that it is utterly unique which will no doubt make it fun to get the feedback of golfers who get out to try them upon release.
The Great Big Bertha irons are, like the rest of the line, all about differentiation. From a design standpoint there is nothing on the market like this, heck, I doubt some companies have even considered some of this possible to pull off. The irons are available with UST Mamiya’s Helium Nanocore (50, 60) as the graphite option and for the first time ever Nippon is a stock option for Callaway in steel with their NS 850GH Neo (85) shafts. The set makeup includes 4-PW with AW and SW available as well. For those curious, though the set is aimed at distance and speed, the material design has made so much power that the lofts are not as strong as you might suspect with the PW at 43.0 degrees. All that said, at $449.99 a stick, the target audience here is very clear.
The Details
Callaway has stated that the Great Big Bertha is a different beast, a lineup totally focused on being different with the understanding it will not be for the masses, but rather a very focused segment. While there is no doubt the price point will be the initial driver of the conversation, you cannot deny that Callaway cuts no corners within that price, they throw the entire house at it, let alone the kitchen sink.
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!
[QUOTE=”ttucliffhanger, post: 11034240, member: 40538″]
I know this is said kind of jokingly but if prices continue to do this they will lose me as a customer. I think in the looks department they are ok, but as I stated in the driver and fwy thread prices are just absurd. But hell if other companies start going this way I’ll be playing equipment that is many years old just to afford to play the sport. Lol
[/QUOTE]
This is a niche release, flat out intended to be aimed at a different portion of the golfing population than their other lines. They’re very ho front about that.
[QUOTE=”goalie, post: 11034246, member: 5611″]
As a guy in my 50’s, the Big Bertha name is not only recognizable, but it is recognizable with a positive “vibe” to it. And, they are clubs that I wouldn’t have dreamed about buying in the 90’s, but now, where I am in life, could see me pulling the trigger. 😉
[/QUOTE]
And this is EXACTLY why they’ve used the GBB name here.
Just a thought on the pricing thing: y’all do realize that they are not pricing ALL their clubs the same, right? It’s like competitive shooting, you can go have fun with a stock or almost stock setup, or you can shoot for the moon on price and make a race gun/space gun that costs 10K and up.
We should all just be hoping they sell enough to justify R&D costs and keep expanding the envelope with materials and construction, because, in the end, it all trickles down the the “budget” clubs eventually…….
[QUOTE=”DataDude, post: 11033115, member: 47057″]
$450 per iron ?
I might have to put Callaway in the you lost me thread.
[/QUOTE]
Somehow I knew this would be your reaction. ?
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034271, member: 1579″]
This is a niche release, flat out intended to be aimed at a different portion of the golfing population than their other lines. They’re very ho front about that.
[/QUOTE]
I understand that but we have seen prices just keep going up and up and up. I’m just curious how this affects the rest of the other manufacturers.
Be interesting to see if any of our Grandaddy guys get fit to these. If I was going I’d hit them for sure, if anything else just to say I did and get that good comparison.
[QUOTE=”ttucliffhanger, post: 11034283, member: 40538″]
I understand that but we have seen prices just keep going up and up and up. I’m just curious how this affects the rest of the other manufacturers.
[/QUOTE]
This line specifically? It doesn’t imo.
[QUOTE=”goalie, post: 11034274, member: 5611″]
Just a thought on the pricing thing: y’all do realize that they are not pricing ALL their clubs the same, right? It’s like competitive shooting, you can go have fun with a stock or almost stock setup, or you can shoot for the moon on price and make a race gun/space gun that costs 10K and up.
We should all just be hoping they sell enough to justify R&D costs and keep expanding the envelope with materials and construction, because, in the end, it all trickles down the the “budget” clubs eventually…….
[/QUOTE]
Good points
I honestly couldn’t care less what an OEM charges for anything. It will always come down to supply and demand. Nobody is forced to purchase any offering.
I can go out and find an acoustic guitar for anywhere from several hundred dollars to six figures. Is a six figure guitar worth the price? Is it a rip off? Ultimately, the market decides value. If there is not enough demand for a $450 per club iron set, then at some point the price will come down. I see no reason to be upset about it, though.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034290, member: 1579″]
This line specifically? It doesn’t imo.
[/QUOTE]
I’m saying in general but we will see.
[QUOTE=”Misike, post: 11034285, member: 19212″]
Be interesting to see if any of our Grandaddy guys get fit to these. If I was going I’d hit them for sure, if anything else just to say I did and get that good comparison.
[/QUOTE]
They seem like something that would fit me (as an older, slower swing speed golfer), but I’m not sure about something quite that light, as I actually went from 60g up to 70g in my last shafts and they are working really well for me. I pretty much don’t care what “line” they fit me into, I just am hoping for a repeatable swing and the “best” fit for me. If that’s the ladies Reva clubs I’ll be smiling when I swing ’em!!!!
[QUOTE=”ttucliffhanger, post: 11034297, member: 40538″]
I’m saying in general but we will see.
[/QUOTE]
I mean, this line is an outlier. Will prices of all companies be higher on their standard release lines this year? Maybe? Probably? I don’t know, but this one is definitely an outlier, and intentionally so.
I’ve been kind of unsure how to feel about this/these since first hearing about them, and I still am. I do think there’s some interesting tech going on with them, and they look pretty cool. I’m excited to see someone playing them.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034302, member: 1579″]
I mean, this line is an outlier. Will prices of all companies be higher on their standard release lines this year? Maybe? Probably? I don’t know, but this one is definitely an outlier, and intentionally so.
[/QUOTE]
there are plenty of irons that have been sold in the past that were well established as outlier pricing. Titleist Concept, the Epic Forged..
I’d hardly call either of those prices disruptors.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11034317, member: 2320″]
there are plenty of irons that have been sold in the past that were well established as outlier pricing. Titleist Concept, the Epic Forged..
I’d hardly call either of those prices disruptors.
[/QUOTE]
Precisely
[QUOTE=”Misike, post: 11034285, member: 19212″]
Be interesting to see if any of our Grandaddy guys get fit to these. If I was going I’d hit them for sure, if anything else just to say I did and get that good comparison.
[/QUOTE]
There is an interesting thought for sure, only fittings will tell
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034278, member: 1579″]
Somehow I knew this would be your reaction. ?
[/QUOTE]
They’re very supportive of the forum so I try not to criticize them too much but their advertising is a little ridiculous when they constantly claim fastest ever and make other hyperbolic statements. They also claimed they had no problems with balls when another website said they did, but they then invested a fortune in their balls and advertised the crap out of the investments they made. This is a crazy price for tech that TM released 2 years ago (and still has for sale) for $100 less per iron.
In fairness to me I just bought a $600 Titleist driver. I will pay a premium for performance. I just don’t see the value here.
[QUOTE=”DataDude, post: 11034389, member: 47057″]
They’re very supportive of the forum so I try not to criticize them too much but their advertising is a little ridiculous when they constantly claim fastest ever and make other hyperbolic statements. They also claimed they had no problems with balls when another website said they did, but they then invested a fortune in their balls and advertised the crap out of the investments they made. This is a crazy price for tech that TM released 2 years ago (and still has for sale) for $100 less per iron.
In fairness to me I just bought a $600 Titleist driver. I will pay a premium for performance. I just don’t see the value here.
[/QUOTE]
I’ve never understood the sponsor thing, we discuss everyone, good bad and indifferent, it’s what makes THP work better than every other golf forum out there, and it’s not close imo.
That aside, is the marketing exaggerated when the tests against their previous releases, which is where they’re making these claims, are substantiated with the testing done by them? With the biggest R&D budget in golf, they’re not making things up, I assure you.
For the balls, that investment had been made prior to that shock piece. They were already improving, they also acknowledges why they had already set the wheels of improvement in motion.
As for this being the tech TM released years ago, 790 Ti is titanium, body and face plate, but it isn’t the same titanium (the article discusses why this is an interesting material change compared to typically used titanium in clubs) and the amount of tungsten here is pretty drastically increased. Similarities in them being Ti and with Tungsten, sure, same tech, no.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034452, member: 1579″]
For the balls, that investment had been made prior to that shock piece. They were already improving, they also acknowledges why they had already set the wheels of improvement in motion.
[/QUOTE]
Isn’t this well known? That garbage moved no needle.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11034519, member: 2320″]
Isn’t this well known? That garbage moved no needle.
[/QUOTE]
Depends who you ask haha But yes…
[QUOTE=”ddec, post: 11034522, member: 782″]
Depends who you ask haha But yes…
[/QUOTE]
I feel like it’s been mentioned many times on THP.
Misinformation is a wild thing (and certainly explains why things are reported they way they are in some places).
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11034519, member: 2320″]
Isn’t this well known? That garbage moved no needle.
[/QUOTE]
Very well known, I thought.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11034526, member: 2320″]
I feel like it’s been mentioned many times on THP.
Misinformation is a wild thing (and certainly explains why things are reported they way they are in some places).
[/QUOTE]
Low hanging fruit.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11034526, member: 2320″]
I feel like it’s been mentioned many times on THP.
Misinformation is a wild thing (and certainly explains why things are reported they way they are in some places).
[/QUOTE]
fake news
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11034519, member: 2320″]
Isn’t this well known? That garbage moved no needle.
[/QUOTE]
Except on message boards, where it’s easy to hide behind a computer desk and blame [I]that[/I] as the reason for your ball going OB…
Heading back to the irons, I am curious when these start appearing in stores how many in different areas of the country seek them out. It reminds me a bit of Epic Star, but also that of the Epic Super Hybrid where it was priced high and then more started finding them. Could this be like that where people seem them out for the long irons similar to how [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] did Epic Forged a few years ago? I think seeing price per stick like this seems to gravitate towards splitting somewhere for some golfers. I would be curious to try out the 4 and 5 for instance.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11034549, member: 3″]
Heading back to the irons, I am curious when these start appearing in stores how many in different areas of the country seek them out. It reminds me a bit of Epic Star, but also that of the Epic Super Hybrid where it was priced high and then more started finding them. Could this be like that where people seem them out for the long irons similar to how [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] did Epic Forged a few years ago? I think seeing price per stick like this seems to gravitate towards splitting somewhere for some golfers. I would be curious to try out the 4 and 5 for instance.
[/QUOTE]
I really had fun reviewing those EF long irons. They were crazy.
Looks like Mizuno irons it is for me this next season.
[QUOTE=”robrandalgz, post: 11034630, member: 44393″]
Looks like Mizuno irons it is for me this next season.
[/QUOTE]
Not sure if you checked out the article or not, but these are not the “main” release, this is a niche release to a specific audience.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034653, member: 1579″]
Not sure if you checked out the article or not, but these are not the “main” release, this is a niche release to a specific audience.
[/QUOTE]
[media=giphy]nhrQqgOtYkzPq[/media]
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034653, member: 1579″]
Not sure if you checked out the article or not, but these are not the “main” release, this is a niche release to a specific audience.
[/QUOTE]
I checked it out but I can see the trend. Mizunos are still going to come out to be the better value, IMO. I’ll ALWAYS give Callaway a swing (especially in the irons sector) but I’m guessing (stupidly, maybe) that their main offering is going to come in at $500.00+ more expensive for a full set and I won’t see a $500.00 difference in performance. ????
[QUOTE=”robrandalgz, post: 11034676, member: 44393″]
I checked it out but I can see the trend. Mizunos are still going to come out to be the better value, IMO. I’ll ALWAYS give Callaway a swing (especially in the irons sector) but I’m guessing (stupidly, maybe) that their main offering is going to come in at $500.00+ more expensive for a full set and I won’t see a $500.00 difference in performance. ????
[/QUOTE]
The main lines won’t have these price points. This is a different beast.
The price is a joke. Callaway hasn’t been the same since Harry left.
I really like the look of the irons. I like the simple color scheme and the almost rope/herringbone graphics in the black. They have a similar look to the rogues but I think these look a lot better.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034653, member: 1579″]
Not sure if you checked out the article or not, but these are not the “main” release, this is a niche release to a specific audience.
[/QUOTE]
Will this supplant the Big Bertha models in the future, or just for this release with the future not yet set? I’m fine with this direction from Callaway, I think they are exploring an area that many OEMs have dipped their toes in. With the understanding of whom this is targeted for and why, I like what the potential is here for them. I bet there will be lots of talk about this at the Grandaddy and it will be fun to see if anyone is fit into them
[QUOTE=”Bryndom, post: 11034759, member: 53516″]
Will this supplant the Big Bertha models in the future, or just for this release with the future not yet set? I’m fine with this direction from Callaway, I think they are exploring an area that many OEMs have dipped their toes in. With the understanding of whom this is targeted for and why, I like what the potential is here for them. I bet there will be lots of talk about this at the Grandaddy and it will be fun to see if anyone is fit into them
[/QUOTE]
Total guess, and honestly it’s also a hope of mine, that this release permanently gains the BB name. Imo it makes a lot of sense. Leave the others Rogue or Epic
The use of the Bertha name is an odd one for me. I get that it has a lot of history. Seeing them take something that was always more accessible and say it now ultra premium and it costs this much is a strange decision.
People aren’t used to seeing a Big Bertha iron this expensive and I think that is part of the reaction to the price.
[QUOTE=”GolfFest, post: 11034834, member: 20124″]
The use of the Bertha name is an odd one for me. I get that it has a lot of history. Seeing them take something that was always more accessible and say it now ultra premium and it costs this much is a strange decision.
People aren’t used to seeing a Big Bertha iron this expensive and I think that is part of the reaction to the price.
[/QUOTE]
The group which has fond memories of Bertha when it originally dominated and was a top tier club are the same with the disposable income present day, who are also most likely to need/want lighter and faster. It’s a bit of a masterful move imo.
I think the reaction to cost is just what always happens; at least it has been in my 12 years on THP. It’s easy to look at , react, and not really look at the info behind the release using being priced out for not having to.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11034879, member: 1579″]
The group which has fond memories of Bertha when it originally dominated and was a top tier club are the same with the disposable income present day, who are also most likely to need/want lighter and faster. It’s a bit of a masterful move imo.
I think the reaction to cost is just what always happens; at least it has been in my 12 years on THP. It’s easy to look at , react, and not really look at the info behind the release using being priced out for not having to.
[/QUOTE]
I see something like Honma or XXIO and don’t have much of a reaction to the price as they have always been those prices.
I wonder how many see this differently though as jacking up the price of a name that was always more affordable.
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER]
Are these a niche release?
:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] I am listening to Dave on the radio right now and he says there is an eight hybrid in the line ?
[QUOTE=”MWard, post: 11035023, member: 3474″]
[USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] I am listening to Dave on the radio right now and he says there is an eight hybrid in the line ?
[/QUOTE]
8 hybrid? :oops::oops: How does that even work?
[QUOTE=”Bryndom, post: 11035025, member: 53516″]
8 hybrid? :oops::oops: How does that even work?
[/QUOTE]
Thats actually really cool.
[QUOTE=”Bryndom, post: 11035025, member: 53516″]
8 hybrid? :oops::oops: How does that even work?
[/QUOTE]
I don’t know but I want James to hit it so badly
These golf companies are f**king insane with their pricing.
If you’re balking at the price, then you probably weren’t their target buyer. Much like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bentley.. They don’t care what you think about their cost lol
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 11033096, member: 1193″]
Hybrid is a better look than I remember from Callaway hybrids. The irons – wow. I am extremely curious to hear what people think when they try them.
[/QUOTE]
I’m gonna go out on a limb here… they’re going to say “are you for real with the pricing?”
[QUOTE=”MWard, post: 11035040, member: 3474″]
If you’re balking at the price, then you probably weren’t their target buyer. Much like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bentley.. They don’t care what you think about their cost lol
[/QUOTE]
Callaway 2023 ad campaign…. Kaboom-ier baby!
[QUOTE=”MWard, post: 11035040, member: 3474″]
If you’re balking at the price, then you probably weren’t their target buyer. Much like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bentley.. They don’t care what you think about their cost lol
[/QUOTE]
This feels more like Toyota upgrading the Corolla and then doubling the price.
[QUOTE=”GolfFest, post: 11035060, member: 20124″]
This feels more like Toyota upgrading the Corolla and then doubling the price.
[/QUOTE]
So based on the article, this is more like concept clubs, like what the original Epic irons were and such, right? So who super cares about a concept club like price?
[QUOTE=”MWard, post: 11035063, member: 3474″]
So based on the article, this is more like concept clubs, like what the original Epic irons were and such, right? So who super cares about a concept club like price?
[/QUOTE]
I don’t care that much about the price as I’m not the target to begin with. I just think the name is an odd marketing choice. The Big Bertha name doesn’t say high end luxury to me.