816 alpha fairway, still relevant?

wanted to start a discussion and get some feedback. I tend to purchase older equipment and put upgraded shafts on fairway woods and drivers as I like to have projects built this way.

To all the 816 players, do you find they still stand up and hold their own against newer products? I'm thinking about purchasing a head, which are cheap now, and building to my specs with an upgraded shaft.

Thanks in advance for any insight and discussion.

We may have been separated at birth. (See my WITB.) I have the 3-wood and haven't demoed another one since I got it. I like it so much that I bought a backup. The combination of performance and aesthetics (traditional shape, medium-height face, and matte finish) is just perfect to me.

nice! that's a great set up on yours. I have a gd tour ad mj shaft I'm wanting to install into something. this might be the ticket.

The 816 are fantastic. I have one in a 5 wood and it beat out the 2016 M1, Epic SZ, and Rogue SZ.

But we will see how the Epic Flash SZ performs

816?? LOL! I still have the 815 alphas in the bag with stock 665 Fuji’s. I love them. I honestly haven’t even looked at any other fairway woods since I’ve had them. No reason to.

I owed a buddy a significant “thank you” for something and he needed a newer 3 wood so I bought him a 816 alpha with the stock Rogue shaft in it Last year.

He absolutely loves it.

Absolutely. Toughest club in the bag to get right and they are as good or better than anything out there (for me). Great shape, sound, adjustability, etc., they’ve got it all.

Great fairway. I have an 816 4w with an Evenflow Blue 75 in it laying around. Nice little cannon...

I've moved on to JPX 900's, so I'm left with it laying around for rainy days.

My 815 Alpha 18* hybrid is still in the bag with stock Speeder 865. That club is a beast! I have it set to 17* and that's basically my 3wood for long shots off the deck.

How is the size of the 3 wood head in the 815/816? That is always the issue for me. Cant hit the large or tall heads off the turf. And I don’t want a club besides driver that only works off a tee. So I typically go 4 wood or 5 wood in search of a smaller head — like Callaway Razr X Black 4 wood and X2 Hot Pro 5 wood. Have also tried 16.5 degree 3 woods, which is really a 4 wood, and I end up hitting the 5 wood just as far.

I have the 816 in 16 degrees loft. I love it and it’s not going anywhere.

Reliable Fairway woods are so hard to find. When you find one you love...

I love mine. I too prefer older models. Not just for the deal; I love trying new clubs, but I also like to be comfortable with my gamer equipment.

Like mentioned before, the performance/aesthetics are perfect. I've demoed the Rouge recently. They are hot and getting cheap, but likely going another year with the 816 3W and 5W.

Nice to hear all of the feedback. I like them for the budget and size of the heads. I also have a hard time with larger fairways. This seems to be right in the middle with a great shape. Not stretched out and not too deep.

How is the size of the 3 wood head in the 815/816? That is always the issue for me. Cant hit the large or tall heads off the turf. And I don't want a club besides driver that only works off a tee. So I typically go 4 wood or 5 wood in search of a smaller head — like Callaway Razr X Black 4 wood and X2 Hot Pro 5 wood. Have also tried 16.5 degree 3 woods, which is really a 4 wood, and I end up hitting the 5 wood just as far.

I have both the 815 and 816. I like to hit 3W off the tee. 816 is a medium head shape, which I prefer. 815 is quite a bit smaller and is an absolutely gorgeous fairway; just not as forgiving as the 816.

How is the size of the 3 wood head in the 815/816? That is always the issue for me. Cant hit the large or tall heads off the turf. And I don’t want a club besides driver that only works off a tee. So I typically go 4 wood or 5 wood in search of a smaller head — like Callaway Razr X Black 4 wood and X2 Hot Pro 5 wood. Have also tried 16.5 degree 3 woods, which is really a 4 wood, and I end up hitting the 5 wood just as far.

815 is very compact. Definitely smaller than the 816. That’s why I prefer it. If I needed it mainly from the tee I’d go with the bigger 816.

Anyone know the difference between tour issue model and retail?

Yes, can’t beat price/performance/looks

Also, when adjusting loft how is lie angle adjusted? For instance, if you adjust a 14 to 15, will it be more open? And vice versa for 16 adjusted to 15, will it be more closed? Thanks!

Anyone know the difference between tour issue model and retail?

Never heard of a tour issue model. If there is one it’s not different. It’s just had all its specs verified.

If you can find a shaft you like Buy one from Callaway pre owned. The “good” ones are usually extremely good condition.

The one I bought for my buddy was “very good” and it was almost like new.

https://www.callawaygolfpreowned.com/golf-clubs/fairway-woods/fwoods-2015-big-bertha-alpha-816.html

Also, when adjusting loft how is lie angle adjusted? For instance, if you adjust a 14 to 15, will it be more open? And vice versa for 16 adjusted to 15, will it be more closed? Thanks!

Reverse. Like on any adjustmentable club, delofting opens the face, lofting up closes the face.

Never seen a tour issue model either.

I’d like to change my original post though - these things are terrible. Sound awful, shape stinks, and a real short knocker. I’d suggest staying away and leave them for the rest of us.

/s

Never seen a tour issue model either.

 

I’d like to change my original post though - these things are terrible. Sound awful, shape stinks, and a real short knocker. I’d suggest staying away and leave them for the rest of us.

 

/s

Lol...I’ll do my best to dissuade everyone else...‍♂️

Also, when adjusting loft how is lie angle adjusted? For instance, if you adjust a 14 to 15, will it be more open? And vice versa for 16 adjusted to 15, will it be more closed? Thanks!

 

Reverse. Like on any adjustmentable club, delofting opens the face, lofting up closes the face.

Good to know. Thank you!

Tried a lot of 4 woods, 816 Alpha 16 degree performed best for me. Good smallish head with no visible distractions on matte black crown, easy to hit, very good sound and feel and very long.

I absolutely swear by mine. I originally played the 815, and made the switch to the 816 when CPO was selling like new ones for something crazy like $50 on ebay. I made once change to the head when I received it, and that was to take the 30 gram weight from by 815 and put it in the 816 in place of the 16 gram weight. I remembered hearing in a Mark Crossfield video about the 816 that with the 16 gram weight in the back, had the highest moi of any Callaway fairway, so I figured if 16 was good, 30 must be better. It does increase the swing weight considerably, but I highly recommend it. It is the most forgiving club I have ever hit. Heel and toe strikes barely lose any distance. It also helps get the ball up in the air a little easier which is a nice bonus.

I absolutely swear by mine. I originally played the 815, and made the switch to the 816 when CPO was selling like new ones for something crazy like $50 on ebay. I made once change to the head when I received it, and that was to take the 30 gram weight from by 815 and put it in the 816 in place of the 16 gram weight. I remembered hearing in a Mark Crossfield video about the 816 that with the 16 gram weight in the back, had the highest moi of any Callaway fairway, so I figured if 16 was good, 30 must be better. It does increase the swing weight considerably, but I highly recommend it. It is the most forgiving club I have ever hit. Heel and toe strikes barely lose any distance. It also helps get the ball up in the air a little easier which is a nice bonus.

I'm going to try that at the range tonight. I had tossed that idea around a bit before but never followed through with it.

I have the 816 and the OG X-Hot Pro, both with Diamana Blueboards in them. I love them equally as much, they are the only clubs I have that I don't consider selling. I might like the X-Hot slightly better, but that's just because I like the feel of bonded fairways more.

Callaway did what no club manufacturer should ever do and accidentally made the perfect club.

Now fairway is the only club I don’t shop for.

Just found a really clean head from a member here and should be arriving this weekend. Pretty excited to get this thing shafted, swing weight dialed in and smashing some balls.

Made a mistake and got rid of mine. Might be on the hunt for one again.

I have the 816 14deg with a Kiyoshi Gold 75, what an awesome combination, it was the only fairway that retired my RFX 15.

It’s been in the bag for about 2 years & is not going anywhere, I have not hit a rogue, epic, flash or anything else, don’t need to & don’t want to either. I’ve always felt the 3w is the best club in the bag & feel so now more than ever. I won’t compare distance but it bombs it longer & straighter than any other 3w I’ve ever owned.