Callaway Big Bertha and Big Bertha Alpha drivers: In-hand photos

[Dscvrr St Louis]

[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1390278892' post='8499375']
[quote name='Dscvrr St Louis' timestamp='1390277221' post='8499217']
Got to meet up with my Rep in STL today at my GG. Had my Kiyoshi White tipped up with an Optiforce tip to hit the BBA and BB to compare the two with my current gamer shaft.

BB was out of the running rather quickly...feels/sounds/looks great, but I couldn't get the numbers I was looking for with it.

BBA was different story, hit it with GC in the high position first to see what the normal set up would do...adapter set on Neutral/Standard loft. Pretty warmed up at this point and for being indoors was swinging pretty well...I do not swing as fast indoors as out..been measured in both and just don't do it..don't know why...was averaging 103-104 mph tonight. Ball flight pattern was ultra consistent, so I am sure the flight direction will be very good with the Alpha.
In High Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 13.8-15.5
Spin between 2600-3100.

In Low Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 12.8 and 13.8
Spin between 2200-2600.

Love the feel and look of the Alpha, the sound is very nice, not too loud, not too tinny, slightly muted, but powerful at the same time. In the High position, it was very normal sounding, almost like my RFE.
In the low position, first off the feel of the driver changes...literally, you can feel the difference when the weight is switched...just the general feel. Club swings the same in both positions, but the feel at impact is more 'dense' and more powerful to me in the low position. and to me it feels great...like my RFE, but better overall feedback. Mis-hits were very solidly on line, and the draws/cuts I thought would be extreme, were not. Really like it..can't wait till Release!

Test shaft..Kiyoshi White 75X at 45 inches. Lamkin Crossline.
[/quote]

Hey D....what sort of numbers were you getting with the BB??? Just curious what the difference was from the BBA. I am most interested in the BBA to see how it compares with the SLDR......any thoughts on that regarding comparing it to the SLDR?? Would you say the BBA is lower spin or the SLDR?
[/quote]
BB was
103-104 SS
LA between 14.5-16
Spin was between 2900-3300.

Just wasn't working well for me...I didn't play with the slider at all.

I have hit the SLDR and SLDR TP and I just don't get along with it...so I might not be a good candidate to make a comparison. I just could not get the SLDR to perform near my expectations in feel and flight. I found the BBA very easy to hit, coming from the RFE, and felt great and was just allowed to make my normal swing, whereas for me, not being one who really hits up too much at all on the driver, found the SLDR to demand a swing change.

[evanseze]

[quote name='Dscvrr St Louis' timestamp='1390279640' post='8499461']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1390278892' post='8499375']
[quote name='Dscvrr St Louis' timestamp='1390277221' post='8499217']
Got to meet up with my Rep in STL today at my GG. Had my Kiyoshi White tipped up with an Optiforce tip to hit the BBA and BB to compare the two with my current gamer shaft.

BB was out of the running rather quickly...feels/sounds/looks great, but I couldn't get the numbers I was looking for with it.

BBA was different story, hit it with GC in the high position first to see what the normal set up would do...adapter set on Neutral/Standard loft. Pretty warmed up at this point and for being indoors was swinging pretty well...I do not swing as fast indoors as out..been measured in both and just don't do it..don't know why...was averaging 103-104 mph tonight. Ball flight pattern was ultra consistent, so I am sure the flight direction will be very good with the Alpha.
In High Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 13.8-15.5
Spin between 2600-3100.

In Low Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 12.8 and 13.8
Spin between 2200-2600.

Love the feel and look of the Alpha, the sound is very nice, not too loud, not too tinny, slightly muted, but powerful at the same time. In the High position, it was very normal sounding, almost like my RFE.
In the low position, first off the feel of the driver changes...literally, you can feel the difference when the weight is switched...just the general feel. Club swings the same in both positions, but the feel at impact is more 'dense' and more powerful to me in the low position. and to me it feels great...like my RFE, but better overall feedback. Mis-hits were very solidly on line, and the draws/cuts I thought would be extreme, were not. Really like it..can't wait till Release!

Test shaft..Kiyoshi White 75X at 45 inches. Lamkin Crossline.
[/quote]

Hey D....what sort of numbers were you getting with the BB??? Just curious what the difference was from the BBA. I am most interested in the BBA to see how it compares with the SLDR......any thoughts on that regarding comparing it to the SLDR?? Would you say the BBA is lower spin or the SLDR?
[/quote]
BB was
103-104 SS
LA between 14.5-16
Spin was between 2900-3300.

Just wasn't working well for me...I didn't play with the slider at all.

I have hit the SLDR and SLDR TP and I just don't get along with it...so I might not be a good candidate to make a comparison. I just could not get the SLDR to perform near my expectations in feel and flight. I found the BBA very easy to hit, coming from the RFE, and felt great and was just allowed to make my normal swing, whereas for me, not being one who really hits up too much at all on the driver, found the SLDR to demand a swing change.
[/quote]

I am somewhat finding the same thing with the SLDR. If the swing is on, it works great, if it is off at all, not so much. If the BBA is a bit easier to hit with the same low spin (or lower) as the SLDR, then this is going to be a big seller for Callaway. Also looking at the X2 Hot pro as it looks really good as well, and based on what I am reading it is lower spin than last years model.......might be replacing The current big dog with Callaway this year.

[Dscvrr St Louis]

I have hit the X2Hot Pro head in the stock Aldila Tour Green stiff at 65 grams and it is a beast! Great club. Might get it too...never know..but Alpha for now. The X2Hot Pro is slightly lower spin than XHP...pretty low overall...great feeling club this is for sure.

[jas904]

[quote name='jdub_ut' timestamp='1390279315' post='8499419']
[quote name='jas904' timestamp='1390279146' post='8499399']
I wonder if one can get the BBA stock shaft in the BB without an up charge? I see that on golf works.com, the Z tour is $50 more than the Z, so maybe not.
[/quote]

Fubuki Zeta Tour is an option on the BB with no up charge.
[/quote]
[quote name='Dscvrr St Louis' timestamp='1390279402' post='8499429']
[quote name='jas904' timestamp='1390279146' post='8499399']
I wonder if one can get the BBA stock shaft in the BB without an up charge? I see that on golf works.com, the Z tour is $50 more than the Z, so maybe not.
[/quote]

According to the Callaway website, which has the preorder up for both drivers, yes. I was able to choose the Zeta Tour on the BB without an upcharge.
[/quote]
Thanks guys. I was just thinking out loud that the BB might be less demanding but the Z tour might be better for me shaft wise. Regardless, I'm really excited to take these out for some on course testing. This is the most pumped I've been about a driver release in awhile.

[SwooshLT]

DSL.........is the alpha more in line with razr fit or extreme in terms of size and visual appeal?

[OUZO Power]

[quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1390315050' post='8500639']
DSL.........is the alpha more in line with razr fit or extreme in terms of size and visual appeal?
[/quote]Alpha is bigger. But it has the same shape and very similar top view. So the RFX would fall more in line with the BBA.

[Dscvrr St Louis]

[quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1390315050' post='8500639']
DSL.........is the alpha more in line with razr fit or extreme in terms of size and visual appeal?
[/quote]
Agree with Ouzo...Love the RFE shape..so this really appeals to me there and at 20cc difference...not noticeable to me after like two swings..sets up great.

[evanseze]

I have heard the BBA head shape looks a lot like the RHT minus the seam on the crown. I never really could get comfortable with the look of the RFE, but I loved the RHT. Can't wait to see the BBA in person.

[Dscvrr St Louis]

[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1390320593' post='8501191']
I have heard the BBA head shape looks a lot like the RHT minus the seam on the crown. I never really could get comfortable with the look of the RFE, but I loved the RHT. Can't wait to see the BBA in person.
[/quote]

I would agree with that...probably more similar to RHT shape than RFE...near the middle of those two..!

Looking at pic's of the both drivers..I would say right in the middle.

[SwooshLT]

Fit is 454cc and lower lofted xtremes are 440......alpha at 460 looks big than original fit?

[OUZO Power]

[quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1390329302' post='8502293']
Fit is 454cc and lower lofted xtremes are 440......alpha at 460 looks big than original fit?
[/quote]Alpha looks smaller from top view compared to the RAZR Fit. It's a deeper face.

[SwooshLT]

Gotcha .........and thanks!

[Dscvrr St Louis]

[quote name='SwooshLT' timestamp='1390329302' post='8502293']
Fit is 454cc and lower lofted xtremes are 440......alpha at 460 looks big than original fit?
[/quote]

seriously, with a difference of 6--20cc...the shape makes it look about as big as my RFE at 440cc...deeper face profile...just looks really solid at address...

[hayzooos]

[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1390320593' post='8501191']
I have heard the BBA head shape looks a lot like the RHT minus the seam on the crown. I never really could get comfortable with the look of the RFE, but I loved the RHT. Can't wait to see the BBA in person.
[/quote]

There's a heck of a lot of TLAs in that post.

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='Dscvrr St Louis' timestamp='1390277221' post='8499217']
In High Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 13.8-15.5
Spin between 2600-3100.

In Low Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 12.8 and 13.8
Spin between 2200-2600.
[/quote]
I thought the point of gravity core was to decouple launch angle from spin.

[Dscvrr St Louis]

Not sure on decoupling completely...it gave me more of what I wanted to see overall. The tee was a static rubber tee and not the height I normally use, but it was close. Either way apples to apples in the same monitor. It did not lower the launch to a point I would consider undesirable and I didn't have to alter my swing to make it launch the way I would prefer. All GOOD things in my book.

[jdub_ut]

[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1390341841' post='8503879']
[quote name='Dscvrr St Louis' timestamp='1390277221' post='8499217']
In High Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 13.8-15.5
Spin between 2600-3100.

In Low Position:
103-104 SS
LA between 12.8 and 13.8
Spin between 2200-2600.
[/quote]
I thought the point of gravity core was to decouple launch angle from spin.
[/quote]

My understanding is that the Gravity Core decouples "loft" and spin. Not "launch" and spin. With the Gravity Core down, I was able to increase the loft from 9* to 11* and keep my launch angle about the same as it was with the GC up at 9*. Even at 11* my spin was still around 2400. Distance increased by about 13 yards with this set up.

[PreppySlapCut]

Just stinks that in order to loft it up to 11* you have to shut it down. Really the opposite of how I prefer to do it (higher lofted head opened up).

[jdub_ut]

[quote name='PreppySlapCut' timestamp='1390347801' post='8504543']
Just stinks that in order to loft it up to 11* you have to shut it down. Really the opposite of how I prefer to do it (higher lofted head opened up).
[/quote]

Agreed. But I am normally very sensitive to clubs that set up closed. Normally like to play my driver 1* open. With BBA set at 11* it did not seem closed to me at all.

[Dscvrr St Louis]

[quote name='PreppySlapCut' timestamp='1390347801' post='8504543']
Just stinks that in order to loft it up to 11* you have to shut it down. Really the opposite of how I prefer to do it (higher lofted head opened up).
[/quote]
the optiforce adapter allows you to go up 2* and stay neutral.

[SwooshLT]

Booya! Technology at its best. ........

[DrunkMonkey]

Have there been any sightings of the Big Berthas being available for demo yet? I'm supposed to be notified by the Callaway fitting studio here in Columbus when they are available so that I can get a fitting, but I'm somewhat impatient at the moment. I was hoping maybe they've started to trickle out or at least maybe someone has an idea of when they'll show up.

[Dscvrr St Louis]

SInce GG and Callaway website up for pre-order, I would expect heads with in the next week or so for fitting carts...hopefully with a few more shafts to try...

[xThor]

[quote name='DrunkMonkey' timestamp='1390364975' post='8506691']
Have there been any sightings of the Big Berthas being available for demo yet? I'm supposed to be notified by the Callaway fitting studio here in Columbus when they are available so that I can get a fitting, but I'm somewhat impatient at the moment. I was hoping maybe they've started to trickle out or at least maybe someone has an idea of when they'll show up.
[/quote]

I was told most places will have demo and fitting stock around the end of January, as I am waiting to get a full fitting myself from the #CallaWRX2 trip.

[TheMerryTex]

Just put my order in for the BBA - Fubuki ZTx cut to play 44.75. Should be a beast, if not I have another AD DI or WB I can put in but I can't wait to get this club... I thought the wait for the Apex Pros was bad.

[TRS30]

When you custom order can you get tipping done? Ideally I would like the Fubuki stiff tipped 1/2"

I assume if I get it butt trimmed to play at 44" I can use the adjustable weights to get the swing weight back up?

Also can you get orders sent to Europe??

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='TheMerryTex' timestamp='1390368334' post='8506947']
Just put my order in for the BBA - Fubuki ZTx cut to play 44.75. Should be a beast, if not I have another AD DI or WB I can put in but I can't wait to get this club... I thought the wait for the Apex Pros was bad.
[/quote]

Good selection! Who did you order yours from?

[TheMerryTex]

Put it in through Callaway. I think this will be as accurate as my Optiforce but I'm hoping to squeeze out more distance. I just love the feel and sound of my gamer though.

[jdub_ut]

[quote name='TheMerryTex' timestamp='1390404388' post='8508493']
Put it in through Callaway. I think this will be as accurate as my Optiforce but I'm hoping to squeeze out more distance. I just love the feel and sound of my gamer though.
[/quote]

BBA is everything good about the Optiforce...and more. Sound is slightly less muted and the face is HOT.

[ace036]

Really itching to see these new drivers in person from the address position! Hurry up release date!