RECAP: Big Bertha Alpha 815 chat with Callaway Golf

[HoyaDestroya]

My question has to do with marketing to the bulk of recreational golfers. The great majority of us are either Seniors or have a swing speed well south of 100 mph . I've been playing 50 years (I'm 63). I play twice a week and do my own club work . I embrace and understand the newest engineering and technology but I still feel that manufacturers are leaving behind a major untapped market with new club releases. I'd like to see clubs for players with good mechanics but slower swing speeds. I have no interest in extreme offsets, or super MOI. But perhaps a line with premium "A" flex or light regular shafts. The market realizes that most golfers play too stiff a shaft and too low a loft but every new club is aimed at the bomber or the hacker. To be honest I think that Taylor Made has done an excellent job in this regard with their newest introductions. Your thoughts?

[Shooter123591]

What was the main reason of going with the perimeter weighting with both the 815 and the DBD instead of having the sliding track weight like the Big Bertha from last year? Does this give the golfer a better way to control their shot compared to the sliding track weight?

[400yards]

What are the differences between the various White Hot inserts? (White Hot, White Hot XG, White Hot Pro, White Ice etc.)

[Genehoman]

Would you describe the differences between the X2 Hot "regular", Pro, and Deep. Are the heads different? How do the shafts differ? Thank you. Gene

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='callawayjay' timestamp='1415457818' post='10415427']
Are there plans to release gravity core weight kits allowing amateurs the ability to put even more weight either up or down?
[/quote]

+1 to that. Also, when will you offer the 64* in the tour grind wedge series?

[atopher11]

What makes this driver different than the other ones that have already come out?

[jabrch]

Evan, I LOVE my Optiforce 460. Best driver I have ever hit. Everything else I have tried since has not bested the Optiforce. Are either of the newest two Callaway offerings going to provide me more than I get today from my Optiforce?

[JPNC1977]

I'm still playing the X Forged. It's been my go to for two seasons which is equivalent to an eternity on Golfwrx. I remember a while back someone posting some custom X forged irons for Roger Cleveland with a slate gray finish. Any chance this finish will be available on the next iteration of the X forged?

Also, what are the chances of the 3deep coming with adjustable sleeves?

[bosox24]

I know that you perform rigorous testing in regards to performance in your drivers, but I was hoping you could tell us how you engineer and test the feel of the clubs. What goes into that process and how do a tour pro's preferences differ from an average amateur?

Thanks for taking the time to do this, I play the Alpha now and can't wait to try the Alpha 815 for more forgiveness.

[Rob G 89]

When will tommy gainey be featured in commercials again?

[andrew4230]

I have been playing the Big Bertha alpha since may. I love the driver and how far I can hit it. I was wondering what the main difference was between the alpha 815 and double diamond?

[ProV1Basher]

Love the marketing campaign that has you going back to the Sir Isaac Newton. How did you decide to go back and use this original Big Bertha marketing? Also love the clubs!

[ram01002]

I loved the tour iX ball -- like want to marry it. What are the performance differences between the iX and the sr3?

[Rozo22]

How are product launch timings determined? It seems as though the market gets flooded every few months and a newer model is released. From the X2 Hot, Big Bertha, V Series and now the BB Alpha 815. Understand that there are intricacies that benefit a range of golfers, but as someone who is in the market for a new driver (currently play the XHot), it is hard to pull the trigger for the fear of buying and having some NEW come out right after. Curious what drives the timing/releases.

Also, as someone who works in the ad industry, really excited about what you guys are doing in the social space by being accessible to your audience. The connection you guys can and are building with your audience is great and will go a long ways in building brand loyalists. Great job!

[layingfive]

I'm a high handicapper in the market for new game-improvement irons, and the new Big Bertha irons had been at the top of my list of potential purchases until I saw these tweets from a club fitter testing them on a launch monitor against the competition:

[quote]
"Next test- Callaway Big Bertha iron. Very good smash. But it ain't 2 clubs longer than anything we tested against. Not even 1 club longer" -- [url="https://twitter.com/KIRKOGURI/status/531921127598477315"]@KIRKOGURI[/url]

"At equal lofts- Taylormade RSi1 is equal in ball speed to Callaway Big Bertha iron. Also less expensive. 32* compared to 30*" -- [url="https://twitter.com/KIRKOGURI/status/531921609020669952"]@KIRKOGURI[/url]
[/quote]


What's your response to this?

[Rozo22]

How can the alpha 815 help improve the tee game of a 16 handicap? What are the differentiating benefits from the competitors that would make me want to play this?

[jas904]

I'm trying to decide between Big Bertha Alpha 815 vs. DBD. Would the following assessment be correct; Big Bertha 815 is comparable to last years Alpha spin with last years Big Bertha MOI? From what I understand, DBD is even lower spin than last years Alpha, but where does DBD fall MOI wise? Thanks so much for taking part in this. I can't wait to read all of your responses. There's no question that Callaway is on top of their game!

[3 piece]

I love the looks of the new drivers and the path explanations are good for folks to cut to the chase on figuring out which driver will fit their needs best. My swing has some issues but it looks like the Big Bertha Alpha 815 is the one that I will giving a test first chance I get. I see that it comes with 1g and 7g weights. Do you offer any other weights like 3g or 10g?

[3 piece]

In looking at the specs for the the drivers on line it shows a 45.5" shaft. When you go to customize the club it only shows the shaft length in variances from standard. Is this length based on a 45.5" starting point? In other words, if a want a 44.5" driver do I ask for one that is -1 from standard?

[3 piece]

Does the Double Black Diamond come with its own "Expert Only" warning sign? This ain't no Bunny Slope!

[xxio]

Question: how different internally are the 2 new drivers because the difference outside is not that significant.

[martinritch]

My question would be why are drivers continually sold above 45 inches in length when the tour average length of a driver is 44.5 inches long? Also is the project x lz shaft offering in the big Bertha 815 the same as the hand crafter version?

[AUDuffer]

What was the rationale behind going with the DBD moniker and are you worried it might scare away some players who would benefit from the low spin characteristics? Also, is there a plan/thought to offer additional weights and gravity cores?

[bigharge]

When you design these driver heads, do you take into account the way it will respond in regards to various shafts. Seems like we are in an age of golf in which the shaft options available are overwhelming.

[jon12]

What's up with the 815 driver other stock shaft offerings, when will specs be listed n the site? I was informed my order was pushed back 2 months. Thanks

[bigfoot10s]

Thank you to Callaway for this great opportunity!

My question is:

Tell me how this technology can benefit a guy like me: 12 handicap, plays 10-15 times a year, not much time to practice. Maybe not your typical golfer who plays weekly, but with my schedule as a teacher and a coach, I can't get on the course as much as others. I want to play my best and have every advantage when I do get to play. What can this new driver technology do for me?

Thanks again!

[dmeyer1982]

What percentage of sales are you expecting for the 3 different driver?? It is nice to seen honest advertising that the DBD isnt for most. So I assume you think that will be your "worst" selling but what are you looking for?

[nuthin but a hacker]

Don't know if there's a limit on how many questions one can ask but I've got one more. Can you talk about what's in store for the 2015 golf bags? Anything new coming out with them? When will the details on what's being offered be available?

Thanks again for making your guys available to the GolfWRX members!

[BB815]

how do I get on this Live chat?

[HipCheck]

[quote name='BB815' timestamp='1415811763' post='10434869']
how do I get on this Live chat?
[/quote]

Just ask your question below. It's a live Q&A using the board to post. No chat software.