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

[Wardonation]

[quote name='joey3108' timestamp='1394067842' post='8807213']
[quote name='CactusGolf' timestamp='1394067008' post='8807075']
I have a demo day appointment scheduled for this Saturday and I can't wait to see how the BB comparese to my current R1 Black.

I'm not super thrilled about the sound of the R1 and really liked the classic look of the BB.

Can't wait to see how the BB performs.

I'd really like to have both the BB driver and 3W, but I'm not sure the budget can handle it right now. Maybe pick up the driver first and then 3W deeper into the season.

Easy to hit the 3W off the tee?
[/quote] 281yards slight breeze from behind (5mph) 2nd shot par5...fade the ball to the right side bunker and up and down for a bird. My playing partner knows that's impossible for me to hit it that far, but it did. I was shocked my self.

Ball slightly too high but it's good for wind behind. Set at 14* with fubuki k 70 S tipped 1"at 43" D2.5sw. Simply awesome, just wish no chevron on top and might like it even more if it slightly smaller head...but I can't complaint with the performance do far.

Joe
[/quote]Joe can you build me a BB 3w to SW at d2?

[sofla]

[quote name='jerryo' timestamp='1394152684' post='8815103']
[quote name='sofla' timestamp='1392646630' post='8685655']
[quote name='Johnny Hack' timestamp='1392604618' post='8683397']
Current Driver is a Superfast 2.0 TP with a UST Proforce 66 Gram Stiff

I am NOT a long Bomber but rarely miss a fairway, 58 years old with swing speed in the mid 90"s, play from either the White or Blue Tees (have no interest to play from the Tips) and I depend on my accuracy off tee to put me in good position to go at flags

I tested both the BB and BB Alpha

Big Bertha with Stock Zeta Stiff Shaft was only OK, the Zeta Tour seemed to lower my spin a bit but not the numbers that I was looking for - what I really didn't care for was the sound that the head made during the swing - cant say it was a whistling noise but it did make a sound that seemed like a result of the sliding weight's channel was disrupting the wind flow at the rear of the head, and it put me off even if I would have gotten better numbers than I did - it seemed that it had a high MOI as I tried to hit some from both the toe and the heel of the face and did not seem to affect the numbers very much.

Big Bertha Alpha with the Zeta Tour Stiff was a bit better on numbers for me with it set this way 9* - 1 gram toe weight/5 gram heel weight - neutral hosel - gravity core high - but still spinning more than what I was after. Set the gravity core to low position and spin came down a bit (300 RPM) which I liked even better. Still was not in love with the feel of the shaft though ( I am a smooth swinger with a average release point and my swing speed averages 95MPH)

I took a break from the launch monitor for a few minutes to give myself a rest and digest what numbers I garnered from this round of hen I went back in the Simulator (PingNFlight System) I asked my Fitter if I could hit the XHot2 Pro with the Aldila Tour Green Stiff Shaft in it and although it spun the ball more I really like the feel of the shaft loading and unloading. I grabbed the Callaway wrench and pulled the shaft from the XHot2 Pro and put it in the Big Bertha Alpha just to see how it felt and wow was I amazed at what followed. I hit a few to get the feel and then had the fitter clear the numbers so I could get a fresh set. He suggested after my first few to set the loft at -1 with a neutral head position and the gravity core weight down. I was pleased with the numbers that I got from 35 shots at this setting.

Average Club Head Speed 94.7
Average launch was 14.1*
Average spin was 2160
Average Decent Angle was 36.2*
Average carry was 236 yards
Average total distance was 251.4 with a few of them out at 265/266 and even 1 at 271
Dispersion was 14 yards total from left to right of centerline

So this is what I will be gaming starting this week as Callaway will be shipping it out to me on Mon or Tues Next Day Air N/C due to a snafu on their end

I just thought I would post my findings here in case there is one other person on GolfWRX that has mere mortal swing speed numbers like me that has any interest in the new Big Bertha or Big Bertha Alpha
[/quote]

I have similar swing speed and also went with the Aldila Green shaft. I liked the little extra shaft weight and feel. Went with the regular BB though. Also ordered the BB 3 wood with the Aldila Green. Nice to have choices with no upcharge
[/quote]
Just to clarify, you guys are swinging mid 90s and are playing the Tour Green stiff? I have a similar SS and feel Aldilas tend to play a bit stout. Did you hit the reg flex at all? I hit the BBA today with the stock Fubuki in reg flex set to 11* and was getting 12 to 14 launch with mid 2K spin. I was surprised how good this driver felt.
[/quote]


Stiff in driver and 3 wood

[youngunz5840]

I have a bba with Kai li 70x on the way super stoked to give this combo a go

[Lesmond]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZaYWbTwHg

[rlynham]

I haven't read through the thread but i have a question. Does the regular BB whistle when you swing it? I tried the Mizuno fast track years ago and it would whistle when i swung, even on a casual practice swing. Pretty big distraction.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='rlynham' timestamp='1394544159' post='8846597']
I haven't read through the thread but i have a question. Does the regular BB whistle when you swing it? I tried the Mizuno fast track years ago and it would whistle when i swung, even on a casual practice swing. Pretty big distraction.
[/quote]

The Optiforce drivers have a slight whistling sound, too. I notice it on moderate practice swings but I don't hear it on full swings. Maybe I'm just concentrating to hard to hear it. Haha.

[Hot Rod 71]

[quote name='Lesmond' timestamp='1394521704' post='8845781']
[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pZaYWbTwHg[/media]
[/quote]

Big Burfa and Big Burfa Alpha. Haha!

[HitEmTrue]

[quote name='rlynham' timestamp='1394544159' post='8846597']
I haven't read through the thread but i have a question. Does the regular BB whistle when you swing it? I tried the Mizuno fast track years ago and it would whistle when i swung, even on a casual practice swing. Pretty big distraction.
[/quote]

I have not heard my BB whistle.

[odshot68]

[quote name='youngunz5840' timestamp='1394247198' post='8823481']
I have a bba with Kai li 70x on the way super stoked to give this combo a go
[/quote]

Curious how this worked for you. I ordered one with Diamana Blueboard 73X as well but went to the 10.5 degree head for higher launch.

[benjaminahudson]

I bet this has already been discussed, but can someone touch on the stock shafts for both clubs? I take it the regular BB get's a "made for" shaft an the BBA get's a legit Fubuki shaft?

[hayzooos]

[quote name='benjaminahudson' timestamp='1395756109' post='8946309']
I bet this has already been discussed, but can someone touch on the stock shafts for both clubs? I take it the regular BB get's a "made for" shaft an the BBA get's a legit Fubuki shaft?
[/quote]

As far as I know, both 'legit' shafts, just two different profiles. The ZT is a bit stiffer in the tip from what I remember.

http://mitsubishirayongolf.com/product.php?cmd=fubuki&lang=en

Z is the Bertha, ZT is in the Alpha.

[OUZO Power]

Z in the BB is a legit off the rack shaft. Not made for.

[tagermo]

Yesterday my BB Alpha 10.5 arrived with GD Tour AD DI 5 shaft ! Looks and feels great, still working on weight, loft and gravity core setting but have definitely lowered spin rate versus my Titleist D2 but doesn't seem as accurate. Plan to spend the weekend working on the settings to dial in this great driver.

[SwooshLT]

[quote name='tagermo' timestamp='1396096068' post='8973895']
Yesterday my BB Alpha 10.5 arrived with GD Tour AD DI 5 shaft ! Looks and feels great, still working on weight, loft and gravity core setting but have definitely lowered spin rate versus my Titleist D2 but doesn't seem as accurate. Plan to spend the weekend working on the settings to dial in this great driver.
[/quote]

What made you choose that shaft?

[nickosbad]

I've had by BB Alpha for a few weeks now, over the last 12 months I've gone from my 910D3 to a Covert Tour and then to a SLDR to try and find something more forgiving and longer than my D3

I couldn't stop pushing the Nike, couldn't get the carry with the SLDR and even ended up back with my 910D3

I was even contemplating a 913D2 but held off until the BB Alpha came along......best idea ever!!

This thing is fantastic!

It carries further than anything I've ever hit, the shaft feels sweet and wow, this thing is straight (I can still work it a little though which is good)

I've got the 9' and got it set at +1' with everything else stock and couldn't be happier

My fairways hit numbers have increased massively and I can confidently take on bunkers and water at my home course knowing I will get the carry

I can't wait for the fairways to dry out as then my overall distance will increase a lot!!

[tagermo]

[quote name='TMAG-FIREMEDIC' timestamp='1396100450' post='8974121']
[quote name='tagermo' timestamp='1396096068' post='8973895']
Yesterday my BB Alpha 10.5 arrived with GD Tour AD DI 5 shaft ! Looks and feels great, still working on weight, loft and gravity core setting but have definitely lowered spin rate versus my Titleist D2 but doesn't seem as accurate. Plan to spend the weekend working on the settings to dial in this great driver.
[/quote]

What made you choose that shaft?
[/quote]
That's what worked best for me from my driver fitting with my fitter on the launch monitor. Tried Fubuki stock shaft and several others.

[SwooshLT]

[quote name='tagermo' timestamp='1396146568' post='8978077']
[quote name='TMAG-FIREMEDIC' timestamp='1396100450' post='8974121']
[quote name='tagermo' timestamp='1396096068' post='8973895']
Yesterday my BB Alpha 10.5 arrived with GD Tour AD DI 5 shaft ! Looks and feels great, still working on weight, loft and gravity core setting but have definitely lowered spin rate versus my Titleist D2 but doesn't seem as accurate. Plan to spend the weekend working on the settings to dial in this great driver.
[/quote]

What made you choose that shaft?
[/quote]
That's what worked best for me from my driver fitting with my fitter on the launch monitor. Tried Fubuki stock shaft and several others.
[/quote]


Good luck dialing it in.........keep us posted

[hossgolf]

who is that cartoon character on the big bertha comercials/staff bags? looks like ben franklin.....i know its not but i hope someone can tell me who and why this guy is on the logo swing an apple....thanks

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='hossgolf' timestamp='1396923241' post='9043123']
who is that cartoon character on the big bertha comercials/staff bags? looks like ben franklin.....i know its not but i hope someone can tell me who and why this guy is on the logo swing an apple....thanks
[/quote]

It's Issac Newton.

[hossgolf]

thanks themoneyshot

[BigDreamz1981]

I just hit the Big Bertha at Golftown on my lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I hit the 9* with the Fubuki ZT 60s (alpha shaft) and was consistently getting about 13*-15* launch with anywhere from 2400-2800 rpms of spin. And the biggest thing for me was this thing just wanted to go straight! Like always straight! Mind you if you really put a bad swing on it nothing will help you but I found it to be very forgiving. Only thing for me was the shaft length as I typically play everything at 44.5" so the extra inch did feel odd to me. It was a little short distance wise of the alpha, but I like the head shape of the BB a lot better then the alpha. Overall thought it was really solid....