While it wasn’t all that long ago that we saw Callaway breath life back into the Big Bertha name, to an extent, the releases didn’t necessarily recreate what Big Bertha was originally all about. Now, before you get your pitchforks ready, bear with me here and allow me to expound a bit.
Big Bertha at its creation, and in my opinion at its heart, is all about maximizing playability for golfers to make the game as enjoyable as possible while at the same time cutting no corners when it comes to implementing whatever technology necessary to accomplish that goal. What some fail to realize is the Big Bertha lineups have at times been the beginning of new tech featured for Callaway, particularly the irons with things like Face Cup and even Tungsten weighting.
What I find most interesting about Callaway bringing the Big Bertha name back once again is that it seems that this time it is with an intent that maybe they let this lineup drift a bit from what made it legendary back in the day. Perhaps as a company they got away from maximizing playability in terms of being SGI releases that owned the SGI category and didn’t try to camouflage themselves as a profile that they aren’t.
Today, Callaway is announcing the release of the new B21 lineup, quite honestly putting the Big back into Big Bertha. With a full lineup coming to market, this will focus specifically on irons, hybrids, and fairways with a subsequent article to cover the driver.
Return of the Callaway RCH
Worth mentioning before we get into anything else is a bit of a shift for Callaway, not to anything new, but more back to their Big Bertha roots with the return of the RCH graphite shafts as a stock option for the entire B21 lineup.
Some of you have immediately hit that “huh?” face, so let me explain. In the 1990’s to the early 2000’s Callaway did a lot of in-house shaft R&D, and I mean a lot. The goal was creating the perfect shafts to compliment exactly what they wanted in their club designs, and while present day companies work with shaft manufacturers to either find a good fit from their catalogues or maybe make some tweaks here and there, the RCH was created by and for Callaway clubs. Some today will be screaming “made-for!” and you are right, literally made for their designs. Once upon a time there wasn’t the clamoring for after-market options like there is today, nor were shafts designed specifically for clubs frowned upon. Heck, those “made-for” RCH shafts were even used and won on Tour.
Why bring this back in an all new design? Simply put, Callaway wanted very specific things for the shafts in the B21 clubs, particularly the ability to have an active tip flex that would help achieve the dynamic lofts they wanted while also not feeling weak in the swing. For Callaway, the RCH is about being developed and not just picked. That said, for those of you wondering, yes, there will be a significant amount of no upcharge options available still.
Callaway B21 Irons
Price: $899.99 Steel and $999.99 Graphite
Set Makeup: 4 (19°) – PW (43°), AW (48°), SW (54°), LW (60° – RH Only)
Shaft Options: KBS Max CT80 (steel), Callaway RCH 55/65/75 (Graphite)
Release Date: 9/10/2020
When we talk about Callaway feeling like they need to remind everyone about Big Bertha and its place as a leader in SGI clubs, irons are at the forefront of that. Despite the success of the Big Bertha iron releases in recent years, the company still feels like they drifted a bit where the heritage is concerned and the B21 is a no holds barred super game-improvement design with all of the technology power that Callaway has.
These irons are, like the rest of the B21 options, centered around the concept that there are a lot of golfers out there who struggle not just to get the ball up, but also with an inconsistent shot pattern, this could be the developing golfer, the rusty golfer, or the older golfer. The name of the game here is consistency and efficiency that will create distance and playability instead of just focusing on speed.
The B21 irons feature a true “Bertha Shape” with a super wide sole (at times 50% wider than the Mavrik Max irons), significant offset, and one of the longest overall blade lengths Callaway has produced in an iron. All of these features are about being a true SGI iron and generating consistency in hand placement at impact, turf interaction on thin/fat shots, and an ability to hit the ball all across the face.
There have been no punches pulled with the B21 irons as they also utilize a significant amount of proprietary technology. One example is the Callaway A.I. Flash Face Cup which here is more aggressive in its design similar to a driver and each iron face is unique to that loft maximizing the needs of that specific club. Additionally, there is a lot of tungsten in play with some in the toe to center the CG and even more visibly low in the super wide sole to move the CG back and low to maximize MOI and launch without adding loft in what they are calling VTEC (Visible Tungsten Energy Core). Sometimes big irons like these can produce harsh feedback at times with everything going on internally, so Callaway has applied their urethane microspheres here to dampen vibrations creating a better feedback while also offering no resistance of face flexion and energy transfer at impact.
These are designed to be true Big Bertha irons harkening back to the brands roots. Yes, the lofts are on the stronger side, but less so than the Mavrik irons. Remember boys and girls, no matter what the loft-jacking army tells you, loft is but one static piece of the pie when it comes to club deigns and finding the proper launch window given the technology within a design.
Callaway B21 Hybrids
Price: $249.99
Lofts: 4 (19°), 5 (21°), 6 (24°), 7 (30°), 8 (33°)
Shaft Options: Callaway RCH 65
Release Date: 9/10/20
The B21 hybrids serve as a compliment to the irons, and the reality is most of the golfers who are in the segment which these clubs fit are already carrying a couple of hybrids. The B21’s range from a 19° 4-hybrid up to a 33° 8-hybrid, and serve to help complete gaps in the bag as well as optimize sets for a variety of golfers needs. The golfer looking to the B21 is one who is more than likely fighting one or many inconsistencies, and the longer clubs get, the more those shine through. Although hybrids were designed as a blend between a fairway and an iron intent on being easier, their playing length is still significant and that breeds a breadth of face impact issues.
So, a primary focus with the B21 hybrids was to offset that, quite literally. These hybrids have a hefty amount of offset like the irons to improve hand location at impact and add launch and consistency, that alone will add distance without any speed addition. Likewise, the overall footprint is on the bigger side of things to add MOI and increase general forgiveness. Don’t think that is all though, internally there are a lot of technology bells and whistles.
The B21 hybrids even feature technology originated in Callaway’s Epic and Super Hybrids. First is the use of 70g of MIM’d (metal injected molded) tungsten internally to maximize the MOI while keeping the CG super low thanks to the use of the T2C carbon crown which here weighs only 5-6 grams. For reference in how serious the B21 lineup is, the Mavrik Max didn’t even use T2C as a material. Obviously A.I. Flash Face 21 is here with a unique face to each loft with more emphasis in this model on launch and spin as opposed to speed in others under the Callaway umbrella. Why no adjustability? Weight savings for CG placements as well as the offset design, plus players in the B21 line aren’t likely to need or want that option.
Callaway B21 Fairways
Price: $299.99
Lofts: 3W (15°), 5W (18°), 7W (21°), 9W (24° – RH Only)
Shaft Options: Callaway RCH 45/55/65/75
Release Date: 9/10/20
Rounding things out for this piece, the B21 Fairways. These are interesting because for the golfers in the segment who will play the new line, fairway woods are essentially scoring clubs at times which are quite often hit into greens. The issue is, they’re also one of the hardest clubs to hit consistently off of grass because of their length and profile, so that was the first thing attacked here with the decision to decrease the playing lengths of all four of the fairway options here from ¼” to ½” allowing golfers to find the middle of the face more even with a steeper and more across the ball move.
To help combat those swing traits more though, the footprint here is definitely oversized and this is the first time that Callaway has created an offset fairway. That offset and size is combined with a lower leading edge to get the club below the ball and more shallow face for more confidence and consistency off the deck. When you look down at this one you won’t fear losing it right (for a RH golfer) and that fact is massive for a lot of golfers.
Internally, Callaway has again utilized their A.I. Flash Face SS21 design feature which is unique to each loft because the demands of a 3W are much different than a 7W. Additionally, Jailbreak is alive and well here and in conjunction with the FF SS21 and T2C carbon crown these are fairways built not just to eliminate one side, but to still generate distance not just through technological advances but also more consistent strikes.
What do you think of the new B21 options from Callaway? Is it something that might fit your needs as a golfer, or perhaps someone you know? Going to give them a go? Be sure to jump in and let us know your thoughts here in the comments or on the THP community!
It’s so good for SO many. I still can’t get myself to let it go and get full speed out of it unless on on the range or my indoor net setup, because the left is real for me, but, I’m not the target for this one, and I can STILL see that it’s a fantastic hybrid.
I agree with that completely. I have a very steep swing and the other day while using it I hit a couple of low stingers under the wind. Hit one that rolled out almost 80 yards. It’s first time I have hit low traj clean shots. With how much it launches I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to hit it through the wind. However, if you have a stinger swing in the bag you can play this low. Even the higher launch shots cut through the wind pretty well.
If your miss is to the right and you need some help elevating long irons/hybrids, this could be the hybrid for you. I’m amazed at how high and straight I hit this club, and I look forward to keep doing so on the course for the foreseeable future.
Fit wise, it’s not for me, I think I’ve established that, and it’s solely because my fear of the left with it and my hybo miss being g a hard left. BUT, I’m not sure there a better designed for a purpose hybo out there. If you’re one that fits the bill, it’s the easiest to launch and most consistent distance wise hybrid I’ve hit in a long while, not to mention it’s a sound is ideal.
Anyone else spend time with these yet?
I haven’t hit one, but I have room in my bag for a 4h. Will definitely ponder this one over the winter and will hit it. As someone blessed with an OTT tendency, the B 21s are right up my alley.
Would love to hear what you think!
I couldn’t agree with this more
I have the 3 hybrid and I would say depends on my lie. If it’s sitting up in the rough I have almost the same flight as a 3 wood. High and far. If I’m playing off the fairway or deep rough it’s a low flight. My best contact from the fairway starts as an extremely low stinger that rises decently high 230-260. That is my ideal ball flight that I strive for and have been trying to hit down on the ball to cut through these cold fall winds in the Midwest. So I would say my experience is similar , but I would also say if I tee it up or it’s sitting up my swing is so steep I think it’s for sure possible to hit it to the moon
I’m seeing an average of 36 yards, so 108 feet which is pretty good for the club, it’s the top end of mid-high for me:
30-35 yds peak height avg, with it getting ~40 yards at top end (based on sim session stats). On course it is visibly higher peak height than the 4-iron it replaced.
edit: I tried the B21 irons and hit them extremely well, however I was losing a ton of distance due to the high trajectory and the spin the irons produced. Extremely easy to hit but way too high of a trajectory and spin. Decided to go with the Mavrik std irons and I have been very, very pleased on this decision.
I believe during my fitting, we were using the CT80 and it was very nice feeling. The irons were a bit too spinny and too high of a trajectory, but they felt great! I played the Elevate 95 in my CF16’s the whole year and really enjoyed them also.
Just for info, I hit my 7 CF16 iron 170 (carry). Not sure if that helps or not, but the Elevate 95’s worked very well for me. The Max CT80’s seemed to be just as good and a bit easier to turn over (left to right) but not hooky.
Today I hit my first really bad shot with it that wasn’t a top. Hit a monster hook about 215. I was over the green by about 15 yards and about 30-40 yard left. Had a 45 yard chip. My other shot was a second shot on a par 5. I was 275 out and knew I wasn’t going to reach. Hit a nice 200 yard shot pretty straight. It for sure launches great off of a clean fairway.
The more I play with it I only really hit bad shots off of the tee. Which doesn’t really make sense. I need to think about it more. It seems very forgiving and inviting when I am not on the tee But for some reason I get on the tee box and think a hook is definitely in play. Which until today I hadn’t really had a big monster hook with it. I think the offset is messing with me on the tee. It really is mental I think. I don’t mind a little offset usually. My irons are x2 hots which definitely have that. I usually don’t think anything of it whether there is offset or not.
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I might try that out the next time I get to a golf galaxy! Just to see the difference between it and the hybrid!
however wanted to pop back in. First things first I piped this thing 250 down the gut on my first shot in the Ben Hogan experience and it was so satisfying. The only club I could trust the entire weekend!
I’ve since played a few rounds back home in the cold Midwest and it still holds up. I almost exclusively play this club on Par 5’s for tee shot and approach. It sometimes takes the green in 2 out of the equation, but it’s straight down the middle and I know it gives me a very reasonable shot at birdie if it chip or putt well. This included a 265 tee ball directly into the wind. Again knowing that the ball flight will be straight and controlled I’m not afraid to try different ball flights because the miss isn’t that significant.
this club has completely changed my views on hybrids. I was very much against them as I always felt like I was trying to help the ball up. However, this thing launches so easily.
I also have figured out how to play a pretty hard draw flight with this club which has worked wonders for me at some courses, because I can’t play a draw with my driver at all. Can’t wait to get this on a launch monitor session and get some numbers
Curious how they play. With the offset are they hooky or just high launching?
What’s your cap @jvbart ? I’m a 7 but am trending towards a 9. However, I’m a bit of a unicorn in terms of I fight a very bad right miss off the tee exclusively like a high capper so my input may not be as beneficial.
I think it’s a perfect club for low cappers as long as they can get over the offset. Low cappers may not like the look of the club as they don’t need that shut of a club face. @Jman is a lower cap that had this issue maybe he can speak more to it.
How far do you hit those ? Do you then go 6i or 7i ?
I’m looking for any possible feedback between it and the b21 3w if anyone has played both. I’m curious if the 43” length on the b21 would suit better and possibly more tech with flash face, jailbreak for greater results.
I’ve seen the b21 on n shops and it looks fantastic.
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Had 2 pretty bad shanks, but other than those these are numbers I’m super happy with. This was with 0 wind and all off the mat.
Average total distance w/o shanks: 215
Average Apex w/o shanks : 23.3 yards
Average Ball Speed w/o shanks: 130 mph
Average total distance I’m very pleased with. I’m a hard swinger, but my best shots in this set were smooth swings. If you can get the club square at impact with this club it will travel!
The apex is obviously pretty high. I have a very steep swing which is part of it, but this club is so easy to launch it’s ridiculous. If you look at my launch angle it’s all over the place (yuck). But you don’t have to have the face wide open to hit this club high. If you hit it square on the face, no matter if it starts low or high, it will get up in the air for you which is exactly what Callaway was trying to do with this club. My launch angle needs to be even higher with this club, and on normal grass it probably would be a tad higher with even more distance.
My ball speed is about 15 mph off your average. My ball speed is something that is something I’m looking to improve on all the time. It would be much more consistent if I could hit the center of the club face. However I don’t, but I think that still is a testament to how forgiving the club is. Shot 1 and Shot 8 are what I like to see on the course, but even if I’m not hitting the club on center the ball still travels.
I think if anyone compared this hybrid to their current gamer, the numbers that matter would probably be better with the B-21. The offset is something is a bit niche but if you can get over that then this club will most definitely will work wonders for you .
saw the same video. He’s not a 15 cap. Far from it. He came from PXG 0211 irons which are a much smaller iron profile and one that fits his eye more than an SGI does.
Absolutely keeping this in the bag. It’s my best club. Id say shot 1 is my ideal stats for a stock swing that’s smooth. I tried to swing lighter at the beginning and then swing harder as I went along. The one I hit 250 though I really didn’t even swing that hard, it was just a pull draw, which unfortunately is a consequence if your swing gets off plane like mine. To be honest though I was generally aiming at the target but focusing less on hitting the target and more about trying to hit my ideal ball flight for the the data. So the target data might not be as useful because I was playing for a pretty large draw and the ones that were pushed right were a little more straight then what was recorded.
I played 9 holes on the sim after this session and my best two shots were with the hybrid. Hit the first to 28 feet from 244. Hit the second from 225 to 39 feet. So I would say it’s very precise up to about 90% of your max distance with the club. If I can hit it total distance off the tee 250 and total distance off the ground 215-225 then that’s all I ask of this club. Off the tee it’s easy to smooth swing one 250 with accuracy. Off the ground I’d say it’s much harder to stay accurate and go over 225. And for me a really good 4 iron can go 225 and so generally if I’m looking to put It close I’ll use that, but if I feel like i would have to swing to hard for a 4 iron, then I like to use the hybrid like a more controlled 3 wood that is more of just a green or near the green finder.
definitely, and I would say I really didn’t swing it great at this session which speaks even more to how much is possible with this club, and how forgiving it still is.
I’m just saying he came from 0211 irons cause that’s what he was fit into last year and he repeatedly mentions in he likes a slimmer profile.
I could care less what irons he really ‘should’ play.
but he plays what he likes. Same with me. I love Fat SGI shovels even though 25-30% of my rounds I shoot in the 70’s.
As for his ability. He claims “average” golf ability yet on his course videos he rarely shoots outside of par or a couple over. Drives the ball on avg 250-270, 7i 160-170 carry. Far from a 15 cap in my opinion. Sure crappy golfers can hit it far but this guy is not shanking the ball all over the course.
as for his swing… Jim Furyk doesn’t have a pretty swing either.
Link or PM your video. Could be talking two different people
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Good luck with them. Let us know how they turn out.
Currently have a Cobra King F7 with rails, but the way the B21 sets up, rails aren’t necessary..it actually sits flatter(sole wise) than the Cobra. It will be in the bag!
Whenever I pass by them in the shop, they seem to grab my attention as a really good looking SGI iron. Sure thick and chunky and loads of offset but look to a be a no brainer to hit.
Saw they are now on CPO and thought about trying them out
I just picked up a B21 driver last week and used it Friday. My swing was a bit off, and the wind was crazy……but when I did make good contact it was a high straight long ball flight. And it looks amazing too
What shaft and flex did go with ?
KBS Max CT80 (stiff)
They hit a week or so ago