Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 Driver Review Thread
- Thread starter
- Admin
- #1,252
Yup, that is my regular driver head.
CJ, you must let me try a lower lofted head this weekend. I would like to see if I can still get good launch with a lower loft.
Please!
- Staff
- #1,254
I have stared out the window of my class all day, and now during P/T conferences, thinking about hitting this one.
I'll openly admit I was 100% pessimistic on this one. I absolutely was, I let hype bother me, which is something I NEVER do. In fact, it was that hype alone that led me to grab one for the purpose of proving to myself it was hype. NO WAY could it be better than my beloved Bertha, it HAD to be an Alpha re-hash.
Whoops.
I've hit a lot of drivers. I have 6 current releases right now. This one though works for my game and needs. I'm glad I got to review it and break down the tech more, and I cannot wait for it to get published. I'll always be curious to see "whats next" for me in my bag and I'll always play what I want in the end. But the addiction is here with this one for me. Sound. Forgiveness. LAUNCH FOR DAYS.
I can admit when I was wrong. I was wrong here on my pre-judging.
I'll openly admit I was 100% pessimistic on this one. I absolutely was, I let hype bother me, which is something I NEVER do. In fact, it was that hype alone that led me to grab one for the purpose of proving to myself it was hype. NO WAY could it be better than my beloved Bertha, it HAD to be an Alpha re-hash.
Whoops.
I've hit a lot of drivers. I have 6 current releases right now. This one though works for my game and needs. I'm glad I got to review it and break down the tech more, and I cannot wait for it to get published. I'll always be curious to see "whats next" for me in my bag and I'll always play what I want in the end. But the addiction is here with this one for me. Sound. Forgiveness. LAUNCH FOR DAYS.
I can admit when I was wrong. I was wrong here on my pre-judging.
- Moderator
- #1,255
Played this most of the day today. The launch on this is beautiful. Launched for me very high, even with a low launching shaft in it. Not sure of the numbers on it and don't care, I want more of that launch and height.
I may need to acquire this club
I may need to acquire this club
bigskyirish
Well-known member
Sound aside, did you like the 815 more than the XR?
- Moderator
- #1,257
Two different animals IMO. The XR today was glued so there wasn't much I could do there for an apples to apples comparison. The XR pro is adjustable so maybe at some point I'll be able to compare things a little better.
What I liked about this head though was the launch, and the similarity to my Alpha in size and sound. The problem though with my Alpha is the launch. Even at 12.5, it was a very low flight. This head seems to take care of that problem by a significant difference. We're talking low to low-mid vs mid high to high. Darn near complete opposite side of the spectrum.
I wouldn't look past that XR driver though. Sound is a person by person acceptance. I'll play an empty coffee tin if it added 15yds to my carry distance.
- Staff
- #1,258
Its an addicting launch isn't it? So freaking repetitive.
- Moderator
- #1,259
It is, it was very impressive. It got moved around by the wind a little more but whatever, I'll deal with that for the days where I don't have to deal with 20mph winds.
Honestly, they are running together a little bit in my head today. Nothing is especially sticking out in my mind about any of them in terms of whippiness, load (as if I could tell), weight, etc. I generally thought they all were nice. Actually, the thing I remember most is I couldn't find the name of the shaft anywhere, just Aldila, and the graphics were cool. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
I trust what you and others are saying, and that almost makes me a little frustrated that I can't seem to get there with this driver. I may have to go give it another try.
ATLGolfer
#ATLClive75
I have found this as well. Teeing the ball a little higher and having the core up has produced very nice results. Not sure if that is a result of the impact location, but it has certainly worked for me.
Love this driver.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
arydolphin
GTHC!
Jman, what are the specs on what you're playing right now in terms of length and swingweight? I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was intrigued by this driver, seems like an even better mix of distance and forgiveness than my Bio Cell+. My concern is that I couldn't get it to a swingweight of D4 if I cut it down to 44.5 inches, apart from playing with the weights on the bottom of the club.
- Thread starter
- Admin
- #1,264
Hey dude, I know getting outdriven by me left you a bit dellusional as we were both roughed up by the wind today, but the XR Driver is adjustable. The hybrid is not which is what you commented on while at the course.
mikedean441
6X HOF
Well done ass......istant
- Moderator
- #1,267
I was just there so I didn't get fined. I didn't actually play golf.
- Thread starter
- Admin
- #1,268
I can confirm, what Ward was doing was definitely not playing golf.
It was more like donating golf balls to charity, repairing roofs by hitting them with golf balls repeatedly and of course giving me a nice ego boost by letting me outdrive him.
Dont hate the fade, dude.
- Staff
- #1,271
12 degree head tuned to 11, '15 Diamana S+ 60s, 44.75", D5 swing weight. Its something else, JB nailed it in here on all of his reports on the lateral forgiveness, its incredibly good.
- Moderator
- #1,272
I kept trying to play it and it just wanted to draw, other than one or two holes. I think every other attempt though was the left part, and then turn left. So frustrating.
I hate the fade.
Actually I'm just jealous of those who can hit one on repeat...like yourself.
I'll trade ya.
Its not that I can hit one, it's that im a one trick pony. It's the only thing the ball will do, regardless of what I "try" to do.
AZRhode
New member
Did you give up on the Vapor Pro or just playing the driver field to find your long term gal?