Callaway Big Bertha Alpha vs Titleist 910 D3

[chaffeeba25]

I am looking for some driver advice from some the knowledgeable posters from this site. I am looking at upgrading from my Titleist 910 D3 (ahina-S) 44.25" to the new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha. I went to my big box retailer over the weekend to compare the two against each other on the launch monitor. I play to a 2 hdcp with a average SS of 103 mph and know some of the basic measurables but cant decipher the data. Below are some of the averages between the two. I tested the Alpha X-Flex, standard length, standard set up, 9 deg loft, Gravity core set up for lower spin.

 

Titleist 910 D3 Callaway Alpha

Ahina-S 44.25" Fubuki-X 45.5"

 

 

Ball Speed 147.7 148.8

Launch Ang. 12.6 11.1

Side Spin 339 365

Back Spin 2678 2641

Total Spin 2702 2672

Decent Ang. 40 38

Carry 255 256

Offline 13.84 4.77

Peak Height 36.51 32.53

 

I am comfortable playing shorter length drivers but am afraid of cutting down an X-stiff. Unfortunately they did not have the 60gram Stiff Fubuki to compare. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[dirthead]

Based on the numbers provided I wouldn't call switching an "upgrade". Offline is the only place where there is really any difference at all. I would stick with what you have unless you just have $500 burning a hole in your pocket.

[MBA-J]

Agreed! I don't know how you got that Titleist to spin so low, but I'd keep it and not think twice about it. Take your babe to a nice dinner and pocket the rest for a rainy day. Nothing to be gained here.

[Dudemanbrother]

I bet if you increase the loft on your d3 you'd have even better numbers. With that amount of spin and a launch angle close to14* I bet you'd like the results. Compared to the cally they are pretty much identical. No need to switch... Unless of course you really just want something new

[MBA-J]

[quote name='Dudemanbrother' timestamp='1393903398' post='8792429']
I bet if you increase the loft on your d3 you'd have even better numbers. With that amount of spin and a launch angle close to14* I bet you'd like the results. Compared to the cally they are pretty much identical. No need to switch... Unless of course you really just want something new
[/quote]

The luster of new has felled many wallets!

[jdub_ut]

You should try the Aldila Tour Green in the Alpha. Just have them pull one out of a X2 Hot Pro driver. My swing speed is about the same as yours. The Fubuki stiff was too soft for me. I tried the x stiff and it gave me better numbers, but the Tour Green gave me even better numbers and felt better. Also, you might want to loft up on both drivers to get your launch angle up a bit, which should give you a bit more carry.

Also, you said Gravity Core was in "lower spin" position. I assume this means Gravity Core low. This doesn't always yield the lowest spin. It really depends on where you make contact. If you hit the ball a bit higher than center of the face, GC high will probably give you better numbers. If you hit center or below, GC low is the right position. You should test it both ways.

Good luck!

[CDM]

[quote name='chaffeeba25' timestamp='1393876371' post='8788948']
I am looking for some driver advice from some the knowledgeable posters from this site. I am looking at upgrading from my Titleist 910 D3 (ahina-S) 44.25" to the new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha. I went to my big box retailer over the weekend to compare the two against each other on the launch monitor. I play to a 2 hdcp with a average SS of 103 mph and know some of the basic measurables but cant decipher the data. Below are some of the averages between the two. I tested the Alpha X-Flex, standard length, standard set up, 9 deg loft, Gravity core set up for lower spin.

Titleist 910 D3 Callaway Alpha
Ahina-S 44.25" Fubuki-X 45.5"


Ball Speed 147.7 148.8
Launch Ang. 12.6 11.1
Side Spin 339 365
Back Spin 2678 2641
Total Spin 2702 2672
Decent Ang. 40 38
Carry 255 256
Offline 13.84 4.77
Peak Height 36.51 32.53

I am comfortable playing shorter length drivers but am afraid of cutting down an X-stiff. Unfortunately they did not have the 60gram Stiff Fubuki to compare. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
[/quote]

Timely post....

Your specs and mine are almost identical. Same driver and shaft. Swing speed 102-105. My handicap is 5.1 currently so you must have way better short game .

I finally picked up new irons after 5 years (I15's now 714 AP2's) So had the "itch" to see if a new driver should go in the bag. I have only had the driver for about a year honestly and love it. The 910 fit better than 913 on Trackman so bought it instead and save $70 from dealer.

This last weekend working in the new irons I was still "Itching" So I had to scratch that itch. I was able to test mine current setup Vs BB Alpha / SLDR 430 / BIO Cell + and of course the 913 again. I did not gain anything but maybe 5+/- yards with one driver.

On the Alpha and SLDR they had to crank the loft up around 11 +/- as I do not generate enough spin with those heada and it would fall out of the sky. Sweeping swing not descending it what the fitter noted causing the low spin. Yardage was only 1-2 yards difference once adjusted and both about equal offline. Maybe a bit better with the Alpha... but not the SLDR.

The BIO Cell + was the best honestly and really surprised me. Cobra has done a great job with that driver. It felt good and I actually gained around 5 yards over mine once set up. Down side I like my driver open a bit and you can not do that with adjustments on the Cobra...odd by the way they do not offer it. [i]If Cobra makes an new fit system that allows to open up the driver I think it would sell twice as well as it does now.[/i]

The 913 well that was the same song, same partner, same dance. The 910 is 3-4 yards longer and sometimes more.

In the end I am keeping the 910.

What I did learn, I am going back and testing the new shafts. I believe distance is there with the new ones. The fitter tossed a couple at me and I did get some minor improvements but we did not have time to [b]really[/b] test them out. I do believe if you swing 110+ the new heads are awesome to help spin rate, if your a mortal (LOL) then I would say keep it and test new shafts. The adaptor is the same for both so you can see if any of the new shafts gains you yardage.

STILL VERY HAPPY THOUGH as I went ahead and bought a LEUPOLD GX-3i 2 Rangefinder today Sure was as much as a new driver but I hope it will help shave a stroke or two off. Maybe it will help get me down to a 2 handicap.

Good luck.

[chaffeeba25]

[quote name='Dudemanbrother' timestamp='1393903398' post='8792429']
I bet if you increase the loft on your d3 you'd have even better numbers. With that amount of spin and a launch angle close to14* I bet you'd like the results. Compared to the cally they are pretty much identical. No need to switch... Unless of course you really just want something new
[/quote]

Good point, I have it set at standard with 8.5 deg. loft. I will "loft up" if you will and see how much the numbers change. I guess I am surprised that the better Fubuki shaft didn't produce better numbers vs this "Made for Titleist" Ahina.

[chaffeeba25]

[quote name='jdub_ut' timestamp='1393908079' post='8792991']
You should try the Aldila Tour Green in the Alpha. Just have them pull one out of a X2 Hot Pro driver. My swing speed is about the same as yours. The Fubuki stiff was too soft for me. I tried the x stiff and it gave me better numbers, but the Tour Green gave me even better numbers and felt better. Also, you might want to loft up on both drivers to get your launch angle up a bit, which should give you a bit more carry.

Also, you said Gravity Core was in "lower spin" position. I assume this means Gravity Core low. This doesn't always yield the lowest spin. It really depends on where you make contact. If you hit the ball a bit higher than center of the face, GC high will probably give you better numbers. If you hit center or below, GC low is the right position. You should test it both ways.

Good luck!
[/quote]

I will check it out. I hit the Alpha w/ the GCore in the UP position. I generally make contact north of center but I will test. I am interested in the Tour Green...I will let you know if I can get my hands on it!

Thanks!

[Mob]

This is GolfWRX. If you want a new driver, don't let these people with common sense stop you. I buy a new driver or two every year, but end up landing the ball in same place on the course each year. Go figure.

[scratches]

What about the big Bertha? Not the alpha. I had the 910 d3. It was 9.5 x flex. I tested the big Bertha and had better numbers but nothing crazy. Titleist makes a great product. Anyway long story short. Sold my titleist driver for a great price. Bought the BB and I'm not looking back. $100 cheaper than the alpha too.