RECAP: LIVE Q&A with Callaway Golf on Great Big Bertha & Big Bertha Alpha 816 Drivers! Wed August 1

[jjgdyr]

What happened to the sr1 and sr2 golf balls on the website? Are there new balls coming too? GBB balls?????

[highergr0und]

When is the steelhead coming back?

[sandiegonative]

Jason Finley, Harry, and Chad,

What is currently in your bags?

[ram01002]

Hey Guys - can you make me 48 dozen tour ix balls? Just shoot me a note for shipment. okthx

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='Yosef' timestamp='1439568288' post='12136924']
Do you ever think you'll be able to get Harris English into some Cally fairway woods ?
[/quote]Yes! He's been testing the Alpha 816 FW very successfully.

[golfnhack]

Don't you feel that a $449 price range will hurt the sales for the club? This is a $50 jump from last year.

[Jamboy72]

With the emphasis on fitting with the 816 series, how will you work to make sure all people fitting these drivers are certified? I know there is a CPC in my area, but he has more knowledge, fitting experience, expertise, etc. than most green grass accounts....

[jjgdyr]

[quote name='golfnhack' timestamp='1440015656' post='12171302']
Don't you feel that a $449 price range will hurt the sales for the club? This is a $50 jump from last year.
[/quote]

I think it's too low. At a higher price, the consumer would feel like they're buying a Ferrari instead of a Kia. $499.99 just sounds like a rounder number.

[Marks23]

I am definitely looking forward to demoing these drivers. I am curious as to the type of player each driver is targeted to. From an earlier response comparing the GBB to the G30LS, is it fair to conclude that the Alpha 816 may be even lower spin than the GBB?

[golfnhack]

Speaking of balls. The Hex Tour Black from a couple of years ago was the best wind ball I ever used. None of the newer models seem to perform as well as it. What is the closest ball in your current range to it?

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1439832801' post='12155262']
Doc - This one is for you: Will you please make the next Mini with the weighting from the 815 fairway woods? I think having the ability to not only have an adjustable shaft, but also to move those weights from front/back light/heavy would be the ULTIMATE when it comes to the Mini market. I think you nailed the size with the latest release of the Mini, but throw us a bone and let us tinker with the front/back weighting of everything
[/quote]Nice! Will see what we can do! The Alpha 816 is larger than the 815, so take a look at that also.

[quote name='ram01002' timestamp='1440014394' post='12171134']
[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440014317' post='12171126']
What is the spin rate difference between old and new DBD?
[/quote]

also, loft for loft, what is the spin rate difference between the new GBB and new DBD?

Thanks.
[/quote]

The GBB Driver will be in between the High and Low Gravity Core positions. So, depending on the position you hit the 816 in it will be 100-200rpm different.

-Jason Finley

[golfnhack]

Also... why no Gravity core in the GBB?

What would happen if I took the GC from my 815 and stuck in in the GBB? Will it fit?

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='golfnhack' timestamp='1440015656' post='12171302']
Don't you feel that a $449 price range will hurt the sales for the club? This is a $50 jump from last year.
[/quote]

We have been $449 USD for our multi material, advanced adjustable drivers for a while now. We frankly feel that the performance of this driver compares exceptionally well to others in this kind of category, so we believe it won't affect sales at all. But you're right, ultimately the consumer will tell us whether we are right or wrong! -Harry

[ram01002]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440015869' post='12171340']
[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1439832801' post='12155262']
Doc - This one is for you: Will you please make the next Mini with the weighting from the 815 fairway woods? I think having the ability to not only have an adjustable shaft, but also to move those weights from front/back light/heavy would be the ULTIMATE when it comes to the Mini market. I think you nailed the size with the latest release of the Mini, but throw us a bone and let us tinker with the front/back weighting of everything
[/quote]Nice! Will see what we can do! The Alpha 816 is larger than the 815, so take a look at that also.

[quote name='ram01002' timestamp='1440014394' post='12171134']
[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440014317' post='12171126']
What is the spin rate difference between old and new DBD?
[/quote]

also, loft for loft, what is the spin rate difference between the new GBB and new DBD?

Thanks.
[/quote]

The GBB Driver will be in between the High and Low Gravity Core positions. So, depending on the position you hit the 816 in it will be 100-200rpm different.

-Jason Finley
[/quote]

WOW - didn't realize the GBB was that low in spin. Now I'm interested!!

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='Av9114' timestamp='1440012687' post='12170974'] If I'm not mistaken, the 815 DBD was more forgiving vertically than horizontally (at least relatively speaking), is that still true for the 816? Or has the shape of the sweet spot also changed? The dual gravity cores would seem to benefit from a wider but perhaps shorter sweet spot, is that true? [/quote]

By using dual gravity core chambers and consequently moving the weight closer to the perimeter, the MOI/forgiveness both horizontally and vertically dramaticlly improved over last years 815DBD. This is particularly important on ultra low CG drivers in order to maintain ball speed and generate enough spin on high center impacts.

-EvanG

[quote name='Marks23' timestamp='1440015812' post='12171332']
I am definitely looking forward to demoing these drivers. I am curious as to the type of player each driver is targeted to. From an earlier response comparing the GBB to the G30LS, is it fair to conclude that the Alpha 816 may be even lower spin than the GBB?
[/quote]

The 816 with the Gravity Core in the low position will be lower spin than the GBB Driver.

-Jason Finley

[DTown3011]

[quote name='ram01002' timestamp='1440016004' post='12171360']
[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440015869' post='12171340']

The GBB Driver will be in between the High and Low Gravity Core positions. So, depending on the position you hit the 816 in it will be 100-200rpm different.

-Jason Finley
[/quote]

WOW - didn't realize the GBB was that low in spin. Now I'm interested!!
[/quote]

Groundbreaking!

[dmeyer1982]

Cobra is touting the 0 COG, Where are these drivers?

[timbo08]

Have you guys experimented with Gravity Cores in putters or other clubs yet? Could possibly see the gravity core being beneficial in regards to spin or skid off the putter depending on where someone strikes the ball on the face and within their arc.

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='sandiegonative' timestamp='1440015640' post='12171292']
Jason Finley, Harry, and Chad,

What is currently in your bags?
[/quote]

GBB Driver
BBA 816 14deg
XR Pro 20deg and 23deg
XR Pro 5-P,A
MD3 58W
64 Proto Wedge
Odyssey Works #7CH

-Jason Finley

[knudson81]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440016263' post='12171394']
[quote name='sandiegonative' timestamp='1440015640' post='12171292']
Jason Finley, Harry, and Chad,

What is currently in your bags?
[/quote]

GBB Driver
BBA 816 14deg
XR Pro 20deg and 23deg
XR Pro 5-P,A
MD3 58W
64 Proto Wedge
Odyssey Works #7CH

-Jason Finley
[/quote]

We need pictures of this "64 Proto" or you are a liar!

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='golfnhack' timestamp='1440015893' post='12171346']
Also... why no Gravity core in the GBB?

What would happen if I took the GC from my 815 and stuck in in the GBB? Will it fit?
[/quote]

The gravity core will not fit in the GBB driver since there is no gravity core chamber. The focus on GBB was more on controlling lateral shot shape with the Adjustable Perimeter Weight and improving efficiency (ball speed) at impact with very high MOI.

-EvanG

[double or triple?]

What is the intent with the GBB that separates it from 816 DBD? Both promise lower spin but only 816 DBD can be switched to even lower spin? Is the only difference lateral forgiveness?

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='JGalls' timestamp='1439814025' post='12153422']
Do you ever yourselves offering a premium glued (non-adjustable) driver? Or will it stay in the past?

FT-Tour is still one of my all time favorites.
[/quote]Great driver. It won a bunch of times on Tour. At the moment loft adjustability is such an advantage in fitting we are staying with it and we have been able to engineer it in such a way that is not a negative to other performance - CG Height etc.

[quote name='timbo08' timestamp='1440016192' post='12171388']
Have you guys experimented with Gravity Cores in putters or other clubs yet? Could possibly see the gravity core being beneficial in regards to spin or skid off the putter depending on where someone strikes the ball on the face and within their arc.
[/quote]

Safe to say we have tried it in a few other clubs.

-Jason Finley

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='knudson81' timestamp='1440016314' post='12171400']
[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440016263' post='12171394']
[quote name='sandiegonative' timestamp='1440015640' post='12171292']
Jason Finley, Harry, and Chad,

What is currently in your bags?
[/quote]

GBB Driver
BBA 816 14deg
XR Pro 20deg and 23deg
XR Pro 5-P,A
MD3 58W
64 Proto Wedge
Odyssey Works #7CH

-Jason Finley
[/quote]

We need pictures of this "64 Proto" or you are a liar!
[/quote]

I believe there is a previous picture on WRX taken by Richard of that wedge. He has also seen it in action and donated to my kids college fund as a result of it.

-Jason Finley

[golfnhack]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440016347' post='12171404']
[quote name='golfnhack' timestamp='1440015893' post='12171346']
Also... why no Gravity core in the GBB?

What would happen if I took the GC from my 815 and stuck in in the GBB? Will it fit?
[/quote]

The gravity core will not fit in the GBB driver since there is no gravity core chamber. The focus on GBB was more on controlling lateral shot shape with the Adjustable Perimeter Weight and improving efficiency (ball speed) at impact with very high MOI.

-EvanG
[/quote]

I will make a prediction then

GBB 2017 with have movable perimeter weight WITH gravity core.

[dmeyer1982]

Is Chad allowed to speak?

[Marks23]

I really liked the the GBB white paper you posted on the website. Will there be a comparable posting for the Alpha 816? By the way, if either or both of these new drivers perform for me as well as my Recoil shafted Apex irons I'm going to be one very happy golfer! Keep up the great work.

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='double or triple?' timestamp='1439526749' post='12134832']
since most golfers do not have access to trackman or flightscope radars, how does GBB and 816 DBD drivers utilize R moto technology to help golfers of both low and high handicap on off center hits?
[/quote]R Moto increases ball speed particularly when the ball isn't hit with the center of the face. Average golfers use a lot of the face, so get a higher average ball speed using R Moto. Better players might be more consistent with impact location on the face but are still often off-center to an extent, so R Moto helps them too.

[cliffhanger]

Where do we go next with regards to iron designs... are you guys looking at different materials... are hollow designs going to eventually play into full "player's iron" sets... or are we at a point where we can just continue to move weight around?

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440016604' post='12171454']
Is Chad allowed to speak?
[/quote]

Harry won't let me.

[quote name='3 piece' timestamp='1439866341' post='12158876']
Has there been any major enhancements to the R-MOTO face or is the same as it was originally designed?
[/quote]

Our latest generation of the R-MOTO face has been finely tuned and improved over last year's face design. The overall structure is now even lighter and more efficient, which translates to improved average ball speed, more discretionary weight (which can be repositioned back into the head for added performance), and improved durability.

-EvanG