RECAP: Big Bertha Alpha 815 chat with Callaway Golf

[joey2aces]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1415817671' post='10435769']
[quote name='BB815' timestamp='1415815988' post='10435553']
Which drivers are eligible for the bonus trade in (extra $100 I believe) and what is the time frame for that promo?

thanks for this great hour of R&D info. Good luck from the Tips at Torrey.
[/quote]

We have all the information for our Loyalty Bonus on our Alpha 815 page: [url="http://www.callawaygolf.com/golf-clubs/mens/drivers/drivers-2015-big-bertha-alpha-815.html"]http://www.callawayg...-alpha-815.html[/url] (click the "details" button for Loyalty Bonus on the right side of the page)

- Dave Neville (@DavidWNeville)
[/quote]

wish we woulda done this last week, I could have traded in my MD2 wedges and gotten more out of the deal.

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='OUZO Power' timestamp='1415578049' post='10421475']
This is fantastic.

[color=#FF0000][b]Q: [/b][/color]This one is about the new BBA 815 Fairways. While not introduced to the NA market yet they are no secrete. They are sold on the Australian site.

[color=#FF0000][b]a) [/b][/color]What was the thought process behind selecting a different weight shape compared to those used on the drivers? I understand from an engineering and design standpoint that the 30gr-3gr combo yields the results you are looking for. I'm not asking why that combo. What I'm asking is why not select a weight system that works across the board? I would have loved to be able to change the SW with such ease. There are dense materials that can produce a 30 gr weight that would be the exact same mold fitment as the weights in the driver lines.

[color=#FF0000][b]b) [/b][/color]Will other weights for the FW be available to the public?

[color=#FF0000][b]c) [/b][/color]If no additional weights are available, why not leave the consumer with the option of changing the weights? Wouldn't this fall under Callaway's approach regarding adjustability, tuning and ample selection. With no weights wouldn't this be against what Callaway has been promoting? (Answer pending Answer b)

Thanks again for your time and thanks GWRX for setting this up.
[/quote]

Just for OUZO Power - responses below.
A) The weight screws on the fairway and drivers were designed to accommodate the specific performance objectives for each product. While making them interchangeable would be appealing, it would have compromised the design and ultimately the performance to some degree of each product. Furthermore, we already had a lot of driver screws out in the market that would not have been compatible had we changed the design of the driver screw.
B) As of now, other weights for the FW will not be available to the public. Additionally, with the loft options along with hosel adjustability, there are many options within the line to dial in your optimal trajectory and ball flight.
C) While we aren’t offering additional weight screws for the fairway wood, the consumer still has the ability to use the two screws to achieve two distinct trajectory and performance profiles.

Jason Finley @jasonfinleyCG

[OUZO Power]

Haha thanks Jason. Much appreciated.

[DavePelz4]

[quote name='ChamGolf' timestamp='1415817909' post='10435799']
Any big name tour players you will be signing for the upcoming year?
[/quote]

Got an answer today with the Belen Mozo signing.

[BB815]

I just hit my NEW BB815 driver. I'm a 0 hcap, Oregon, where it is 32 degrees and windy. I did warm up the NXT range balls before hitting them in the pro shop.

New club is much improved over 2014 BB I'm using and I prefer ball flight to new V-series. The rmoto face feels and sounds great even at 32 degrees. I got the Matrix Red Tie, S flex. Feels like a bit more Torque than my current Oban Purple but not bad and better in the cold. Head shape, face look really good at address, similar to old BBertha's. I like a lighter silver face personally for contrast and more visual setting up behind the ball, but this is fine. Callaway seems to be alternating between dark and light faces.

I would recommend giving this a try. Same loft you currently use. Mine is 9 and its fine for my ~100 MPH SSpeed (Hey, you try to swing faster in an ice storm! full gear on.) Here's current temp from Weather.com


33°F
FEELS LIKE 25°

When/How do you announce the drawing winner from the live chat? Thanks again for that.

[mgholda]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1415814226' post='10435301']
[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1415579964' post='10421639']
What do you see as the next technological improvement with the Callaway golf ball line?
[/quote]

We are launching a ball in January that we believe will change the direction of golf ball construction. We aren’t quite ready to talk about it today, unfortunately, but much the same way Rule 35 introduced solid core technology in the urethane category a decade ago, which is now the industry standard in Tour ball construction, this new approach will no doubt do the same. It’s the first time arguably since the Rule 35 that we have an approach in the category that can be truly identified and appreciated by golfers as being demonstrably superior and pleasingly different. - HA
[/quote]

I game the current Pro V1x, but it was a difinitive step backwards from previous generations IMO. I am interested in the new ball, and I am rooting for your patents to hold up this time!

[gpleonard]

With the 815 what is the preferred set up to make it play similar to the regular GBB. Would it be gravity core heavy end up or down?
Thanks love the Callaway products. My new 815 will make my bag look great.

[HipCheck]

Thanks for your patience, guys. Here are the 3 random Alpha 815 winners from the chat....

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/69051-davepelz4/"]DavePelz4[/url]
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/133399-cliffhanger/"]cliffhanger[/url]
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/29198-zukszoo/"]zukszoo[/url]


Thanks for everyone who entered and Callaway Golf for the giveaway.

[J13]

[quote name='HipCheck' timestamp='1416236186' post='10460159']
Thanks for your patience, guys. Here are the 3 random Alpha 815 winners from the chat....

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/69051-davepelz4/"]DavePelz4[/url]
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/133399-cliffhanger/"]cliffhanger[/url]
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/user/29198-zukszoo/"]zukszoo[/url]


Thanks for everyone who entered and Callaway Golf for the giveaway.
[/quote]


FIX!!!!!!!!!

But seriously my other screen name is Zukszoo so just pm me with this screen name for my shipping info. THX Hip

[gprubes]

Nice win guys!!

And thanks to Callaway Golf for the opportunity!!

[radiman]

Congrats guys! I was really hoping to save myself $500!

[cliffhanger]

Wow are you serious????? This is so freaking awesome!!!!!!!! Thanks to Callawaygolf and Golfwrx for this... Man this is awesome...

[zukszoo]

Just about choked on my lunch. Beyond excited and extremely thankful to Callaway and GolfWRX. Wow!! That's all I've got.

...and J13, keeping my eyes on you.

[CheckJV]

Winner, winner...congrats guys. The double-black diamond thingy is kind of scary. I once accidentally skied onto a double-black diamond mogul trail at Keystone. I hope the driver works better for you winners than the ski run did for me.

[DavePelz4]

Wow...what a great way to start the week! A sincere thank you to Callaway for the time last week in the chat and sharing of information on the direction on all of their new products. Thank you as well for the gift of the new driver...totally unexpected. Thanks for the great exchange created by the guys at GolfWRX. Truly a privilege to be a member!

[J13]

[quote name='zukszoo' timestamp='1416247535' post='10461259']
Just about choked on my lunch. Beyond excited and extremely thankful to Callaway and GolfWRX. Wow!! That's all I've got.

...and J13, keeping my eyes on you.
[/quote]

haha

[Pure745]

Whoa! Very cool! Congrats guys!

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='DavePelz4' timestamp='1416252521' post='10461753']
Wow...what a great way to start the week! A sincere thank you to Callaway for the time last week in the chat and sharing of information on the direction on all of their new products. Thank you as well for the gift of the new driver...totally unexpected. Thanks for the great exchange created by the guys at GolfWRX. Truly a privilege to be a member!
[/quote]

Good things come to those that have exceptional individuals as their avatars.

[ZAP]

Congrats guys! You better let the rest of us know if we need to upgrade!

[Gauchograd99]

Congratulations to the winners! Hope to see those pics soon... and hope your drivers show up before the end of your season (if you are in a state with actual seasons)!

[pdaero]

Congrats, guys! Still waiting/excited to try these beauts. This is the tough part of being a lefty.. no one has lefty demos initially.

[KingLeo]

Compared to the original BB Alpha, can someone with experience with the new models (815 and DBD) provide us all with some knowledgeable feedback as far as what improvements you saw in terms of:

Distance
Ball Flight
Shot Shapability
Spin
Consistency/Dispersion
Forgiveness

I do not expect that there will be improvements in terms of every category listed above. In fact, I am even more interested in which of those fields you felt the new models were a downgrade in terms of performance! Any and all experienced feedback would be very much appreciated! Thanks in advance!!

[swingdome]

The COG ratings for the Apex line of irons has noticeably changed than the previous irons they replaced (Razr X Tour as an example). Is there a specific design reason you (Callaway) went in that direction – higher and slightly forward VCOG, and a HCOG closer to the heel. It appears the MOI has increased slightly in the new design, but the overriding factor of the HCOG seems to negate this positive. How does that affect the playability and design of the iron head – in your professional opinion?

[size=4]This is a departure from past Callaway designs that have irons with COG’s low and more in the center of the clubface, blade lengths and rearward COG’s in better positions to provide stability, and much higher MOI’s. What caused this shift in design philosophy at Callaway? [/size]

[size=4]No trade secrets please - just good old fashioned dialog.[/size]

[drbonesvt]

[quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1415463912' post='10415843']
What are your driver tolerances in regard to loft for the mass market? Obviously the tour guy's heads are hand picked, so I'm curious what the tolerance is for us.
Thanks
[/quote]

Disappointing this was not answered less I missed the response

[Kylekoz17]

[quote name='drbonesvt' timestamp='1417056115' post='10508709'][quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1415463912' post='10415843']
What are your driver tolerances in regard to loft for the mass market? Obviously the tour guy's heads are hand picked, so I'm curious what the tolerance is for us.
Thanks
[/quote]

Disappointing this was not answered less I missed the response[/quote]

No response.

[gunmetal]

[quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1417056651' post='10508749']
[quote name='drbonesvt' timestamp='1417056115' post='10508709'][quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1415463912' post='10415843']
What are your driver tolerances in regard to loft for the mass market? Obviously the tour guy's heads are hand picked, so I'm curious what the tolerance is for us.
Thanks
[/quote]

Disappointing this was not answered less I missed the response[/quote]

No response.
[/quote]

No reason not to assume it's the standard 1*, right?

[KingLeo]

[quote name='gunmetal' timestamp='1417060121' post='10509029']
[quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1417056651' post='10508749']
[quote name='drbonesvt' timestamp='1417056115' post='10508709'][quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1415463912' post='10415843']
What are your driver tolerances in regard to loft for the mass market? Obviously the tour guy's heads are hand picked, so I'm curious what the tolerance is for us.
Thanks
[/quote]

Disappointing this was not answered less I missed the response[/quote]

No response.
[/quote]

No reason not to assume it's the standard 1*, right?
[/quote]

Agreed, I have to figure it wasn't mentioned because it hadn't deviated from the norm

[BlkNGld]

[quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1417056651' post='10508749']
[quote name='drbonesvt' timestamp='1417056115' post='10508709'][quote name='Kylekoz17' timestamp='1415463912' post='10415843']
What are your driver tolerances in regard to loft for the mass market? Obviously the tour guy's heads are hand picked, so I'm curious what the tolerance is for us.
Thanks
[/quote]

Disappointing this was not answered less I missed the response[/quote]

No response.
[/quote]

Were you asking about accuracy or variation? In other words, do you want to know how much the loft for any given model can vary from what they intend, or how much the actual loft differs from that number printed on the clubhead.

I'm sure the variance is a degree or less.

[scratchswinger]

A little late to the party but if you guys are still checking in, will there be any way to get an 8° or 8.5° head for either the 815 or DBD? Thx

[drbonesvt]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1417464225' post='10526207']
A little late to the party but if you guys are still checking in, will there be any way to get an 8° or 8.5° head for either the 815 or DBD? Thx
[/quote]

Tour Card Scratch?