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

[Brent1]

What is different between the Aldila Silver Rogue 110 MSI and the new Aldila Silver Rogue 110 MSI I/O (inner/outer Rip Technology) in XS?
Spin, Kick Point, Launch, Tip Stiffness, etc.
Thanks.

[Callaway Golf Official]

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

What is currently in your bags?
[/quote]

[color=#282828]I'll answer this GolfWrx style -Harry:[/color]
[color=#282828]Dr: GBB, 9 degree. standard, neutral. APW slightly in draw position. Oban proto shaft, 63g, stiff. 45.25 inches.[/color]
[color=#282828]3W: XR Pro, 14 degree. Oban Kiyoshi Gold, stiff. 70g, 43 inches.[/color]
[color=#282828]XR 3H, 19 degree. GD Tour AD hybrid, 80 g, stiff.[/color]
[color=#282828]XR Pro 4-AW. Aerotech Steelfiber. 95g, hardstepped, stiff.[/color]
[color=#282828]MD3 56 degree, matte black (pimpin'). Nippon Proto wedge shaft , stiff[/color]
[color=#282828]MackDaddy PM-grind, 60 degree, Tour vintage finish (BOOM!), Nippon Proto wedge shaft, stiff.[/color]
[color=#282828]All grips GP New Decade, black.black.[/color]
[color=#282828]Odyssey Works #7, 34.25 inches. SuperStroke 2.0 grip (that's for you, Sabella).[/color]
[color=#282828]Ball: Chrome Soft [/color]

[ORUTRAVIS]

How do I choose what shaft to I play in my Great Big Bertha? They had only four of the 19 shafts to try.

By the way just hit the GBB at Golfsmith and broke a 160 mph ballspeed for the first time. Order one so I am super pumped.

[hayzooos]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440016710' post='12171462']
[color=#282828]I'll answer this GolfWrx style -Harry:[/color]
[color=#282828]Dr: GBB, 9 degree. standard, neutral. APW slightly in draw position. Oban proto shaft, 63g, stiff. 45.25 inches.[/color]
[color=#282828]3W: XR Pro, 14 degree. Oban Kiyoshi Gold, stiff. 70g, 43 inches.[/color]
[color=#282828]XR 3H, 19 degree. GD Tour AD hybrid, 80 g, stiff.[/color]
[color=#282828]XR Pro 4-AW. Aerotech Steelfiber. 95g, [b]hardstepped[/b], stiff.[/color]
[color=#282828]MD3 56 degree, matte black (pimpin'). Nippon Proto wedge shaft , stiff[/color]
[color=#282828]MackDaddy PM-grind, 60 degree, Tour vintage finish (BOOM!), Nippon Proto wedge shaft, stiff.[/color]
[color=#282828]All grips GP New Decade, black.black.[/color]
[color=#282828]Odyssey Works #7, 34.25 inches. SuperStroke 2.0 grip (that's for you, Sabella).[/color]
[color=#282828]Ball: Chrome Soft [/color]
[/quote]

ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='jjgdyr' timestamp='1440015574' post='12171284']
What happened to the sr1 and sr2 golf balls on the website? Are there new balls coming too? GBB balls?????
[/quote]

The SR balls are still on our website - http://www.callawaygolf.com/golf-balls/balls-2014-speed-regime-1.html

We are always working on new and exciting products. No GBB Balls, that much I can confirm.

-Jason Finley

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='golfnhack' timestamp='1440015825' post='12171338']
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?
[/quote]

The Hex Aerodynamics should be pretty similar to most of our premium Tour Balls. The closest ball to the HBT would be SR3.

-Jason Finley

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440016163' post='12171384']
Cobra is touting the 0 COG, Where are these drivers?
[/quote]In our experience the CG can get too low to be useful to the vast majority of golfers. In particular, ball speed from impact locations high on the face can suffer large decreases and the spin rates from those impact locations can be very low with very low CG drivers. Both of these lead to very significant losses in distance. In our fitting bay data, the majority of average golfers hit at or above the center of the face. GBB is designed with a Low CG, but not excessively low, CG based on player test data.

Alan Hocknell

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='TWshoot67' timestamp='1439593085' post='12139322']
This question would be for either [color=#000000]Alan Hocknell or [/color][color=#000000]Evan Gibbs, Sr.; Which of the 2 drivers being discussed would you feel is a better fit for a[/color] low single digit handicapper with a driver swing speed in the high 80's low 90' mph range?
[/quote]

Based on your club head speed, I would probably recommend the GBB driver, especially if you are looking for more control of your shot shape and greater forgiveness overall. The real unique thing about this driver, as with the original GBB, is that it really can be played by every player type. Many of our tour players have already put it in play!

-EvanG

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='Golfingfanatic' timestamp='1439532749' post='12135080']
Why did you went from the glossy finish in the 815 to a more matte finish in the 816?
[/quote]We had a good response to the matte finish on XR and I think it is consistent with trends in and out of golf at the moment.

Alan Hocknell

[ram01002]

Do you have any testing regarding driver shaft lengths? What are potential ballspeed gains by length?

[Callaway Golf Official]

[color=#282828]More behind the scenes at Callaway Global Puzzle Palace: HashtagChad just told us that he and Mrs. Hashtag are going to see Shania Twain this weekend at the San Diego Sports Arena. Man, he feels like a woman. That is all. -Harry [/color]

[littled1212]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440017481' post='12171570']
[quote name='Golfingfanatic' timestamp='1439532749' post='12135080']
Why did you went from the glossy finish in the 815 to a more matte finish in the 816?
[/quote]We had a good response to the matte finish on XR and I think it is consistent with trends in and out of golf at the moment.

Alan Hocknell
[/quote]Will the Udesign finish on the new drivers be matte too? Thanks

[dmeyer1982]

Why does phil use so much lead tape?

[knudson81]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440017543' post='12171588']
[color=#282828]More behind the scenes at Callaway Global Puzzle Palace: HashtagChad just told us that he and Mrs. Hashtag are going to see Shania Twain this weekend at the San Diego Sports Arena. Man, he feels like a woman. That is all. -Harry [/color]
[/quote]

I just threw up a little in my mouth. Hopefully that was followed by someone in the room burning his man card!

[dmeyer1982]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440017543' post='12171588']
[color=#282828]More behind the scenes at Callaway Global Puzzle Palace: HashtagChad just told us that he and Mrs. Hashtag are going to see Shania Twain this weekend at the San Diego Sports Arena. Man, he feels like a woman. That is all. -Harry [/color]
[/quote]

better than getting a divorce for being on Ashley Madison

[DTown3011]

[quote name='knudson81' timestamp='1440017597' post='12171596']
[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440017543' post='12171588']
[color=#282828]More behind the scenes at Callaway Global Puzzle Palace: HashtagChad just told us that he and Mrs. Hashtag are going to see Shania Twain this weekend at the San Diego Sports Arena. Man, he feels like a woman. That is all. -Harry [/color]
[/quote]

I just threw up a little in my mouth. Hopefully that was followed by someone in the room burning his man card!
[/quote]

TMI

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='burniemac' timestamp='1439558564' post='12135902']
Still have the Alpha BB. What benefits would I see moving to the new drivers? I would be getting fit by a former callaway tour van rep. He has helped me alot with the fittings.
[/quote]

The biggest difference between the original Alpha and the new 816 is the forgiveness. We've been able to retain the low spin characteristic but dramatically improve the ball speed and spin consistency, particularly on shots high on the face which are often problematic for ultra low CG drivers. I also recommend trying the new GBB driver, however, because we've been able to lower the spin rates on this model considerably while giving the golfer even more forgiveness and more control on their lateral shot shape with the Adjustable Perimeter Weight.

-EvanG



[quote name='cliffhanger' timestamp='1439775025' post='12151406']
I have noticed more and more big box stores are using the Chrome Soft on their putting greens for golfers to use while demoing putters, have you guys seen an increase in putter sales and how has that impacted ball sales?
[/quote]

We are definitely trying to find more and more ways to get the Chrome Soft Golf Balls in people's hands. It must be working and we have seen good market share gains in both Putter and Golf Ball this year so it must be working.

-Jason Finley

[youngunz5840]

Any plans for a Mark Crossfield line of clubs?

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440017586' post='12171594']
Why does phil use so much lead tape?
[/quote]

[color=#282828]He's a beauty! Phil thinks loading up the hosel with lead tape helps him hit a draw, which is his preferred shot shape with the driver. -Harry [/color]

[ram01002]

i know its a pipe dream . . . but its time for udesign putters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quote name='youngunz5840' timestamp='1440017765' post='12171628']
Any plans for a Mark Crossfield line of clubs?
[/quote]

lol

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='ram01002' timestamp='1440014150' post='12171092']
Other companies have talked about 17*, 1700 rpm launch conditions with driver. Is this a number you would support?
[/quote]Technically this combination produces the longest distance if you can create these launch conditions. However, it is not possible to create these conditions without compromising other things - primarily BALL SPEED - if you are a regular golfer. Overall then, the compromises involved in reaching 17degrees and 1700rpm end up leading to shorter overall distance than other launch conditions.

[dmeyer1982]

[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440017800' post='12171636']
[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440017586' post='12171594']
Why does phil use so much lead tape?
[/quote]

[color=#282828]He's a beauty! Phil thinks loading up the hosel with lead tape helps him hit a draw, which is his preferred shot shape with the driver. -Harry [/color]
[/quote]

Phil thinks. But science says???

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='youngunz5840' timestamp='1440017765' post='12171628']
Any plans for a Mark Crossfield line of clubs?
[/quote]

As I marketing guy, I love this idea! Maybe we create a big glasses logo for this one. Let's get stuck in! -Harry

[quote name='littled1212' timestamp='1440017546' post='12171590']
[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440017481' post='12171570']
[quote name='Golfingfanatic' timestamp='1439532749' post='12135080']
Why did you went from the glossy finish in the 815 to a more matte finish in the 816?
[/quote]We had a good response to the matte finish on XR and I think it is consistent with trends in and out of golf at the moment.

Alan Hocknell
[/quote]Will the Udesign finish on the new drivers be matte too? Thanks
[/quote]Yes. Matte black.

[sandiegonative]

Sorry to Alan Hocknell and EvanG.

I did not mean to leave you two out. What's in your bags too?

Dr. Hocknell it was a pleasure meeting you and thanks again for signing my Chrome Soft at La Costa.

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1439838903' post='12155958']
Have you entertained the idea of selling heads and shafts a la carte?
[/quote]

We have certainly thought about this and in fact did it with "limited success" previously with our iMix system in 2007 with FT-5 and FT-iQ. Idea may have been ahead of its time.

-Jason Finley

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440017858' post='12171644']
[quote name='Callaway Golf Official' timestamp='1440017800' post='12171636']
[quote name='dmeyer1982' timestamp='1440017586' post='12171594']
Why does phil use so much lead tape?
[/quote]

[color=#282828]He's a beauty! Phil thinks loading up the hosel with lead tape helps him hit a draw, which is his preferred shot shape with the driver. -Harry [/color]
[/quote]

Phil thinks. But science says???
[/quote]

Well, you can't argue with physics, and you really can't argue with Phil either! haha. -Harry

[jscheve]

You guys keep knocking it out of the park with each new product you bring to the table. Any fears that the R&D dept. will run out of ideas with the restrictions that the R&A has?
Keep up the great work!

[dmeyer1982]

Chad will you be able to consider your life a success if PM gets on twitter?

[2012BFT]

Has there been a significant trend of guys going core up or core down??? (Both tour and general fittings)

[Callaway Golf Official]

[quote name='youngunz5840' timestamp='1439837769' post='12155828']
how come the great big bertha does not have a gravity core as well as the sliding bar?
[/quote]

Great question. That is definitely something we looked at but ultimately the resulting performance charateristics didn't meet our objectives. GBB is really about helping control the lateral shot shape and improving efficiency through higher MOI and the potential addition of the gravity core hindered us from delivering that. Furthermore, I think by using different forms of adjustability in each driver helps differentiate them a little more, both in form and fuction, and ultimate helps the consumer and club fitter navigate through our product line a little easier.

-EvanG