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

[SatelliteGuy]

Not a fan.

Will stick to Opti. ( Yes, STILL a Callaway fan despite this not being my cup-o-tea. No reason to FLY off the deep end and change my whole bag )

[timbo08]

Both look great and I haven't had a chance to watch the videos yet but my main question would be, why weren't the two technologies (sliding weight and gravity core) combined into one driver? And is that something we will just see next year?

[krzepickidj]

[quote name='timbo08' timestamp='1386002439' post='8236978']
Both look great and I haven't had a chance to watch the videos yet but my main question would be, why weren't the two technologies (sliding weight and gravity core) combined into one driver? And is that something we will just see next year?
[/quote]

I'm going to guess it's based on weight. By putting the two together the club would weigh to much

[jay65]

[quote name='xThor' timestamp='1386001555' post='8236898']
[quote name='jay65' timestamp='1386001412' post='8236888']
[quote name='xThor' timestamp='1386000155' post='8236774']
[quote name='jay65' timestamp='1386000005' post='8236758']
[quote name='NHauss' timestamp='1385998513' post='8236634']
Callaway is turning into Taylormade with 2 new drivers every 6 months...
[/quote]

True, but it can work both ways. These things are bound to be good, so just wait 4-5 months and you'll be picking one up for almost half price just like the RFE. Spend the difference on what people will be paying at launch, with a matching fairway wood. No brainer for the Golf and financially savvy.
[/quote]

From what i've been hearing, these will never be discounted by Callaway.
[/quote]

Well if that's the case, the retailers could well have a lot of expensive 'dead stock' hanging around on their racks in 6 months time. Which may make them think twice in the future. I suppose we will have to just wait and see, but my suspicion is, that statement is being made to pay some lip service to people who may be thinking of buying this Driver but are worried about the heavy discounting that has been common later in the season. Personally? I would be surprised if these stay at $499 for the whole of 2014, but if they do, fair play, I will be the first to hold my hand up. As I said, we'll see.
[/quote]

I think the strategy is to better control inventory as to not have the 'dead stock', and no need to heavily discount. Will be interesting to see how the year plays out though.
[/quote]

I think that's very true, which inevitably means retailers not making big orders, and controlling that inventory in that way as you rightly say. I know, having spoken to my own Pro, he has said, that whilst he likes the BB range, he cannot and will not be ordering from Callaway too big, and will just be ordering a few Demo's. He has more than 20 SLDR's on his racks he can't move, so I think you are absolutely correct, that inventory control will be the key.

[Kratus977]

Can't wait to get my hands on both and hit them. Odds are one will be purchased...

[Agent Jim]

Very nice. Callaway has a demo day at my muni next week, I wonder if they will be there. I might have to miss work for the day

[ProjectX]

Callaway is swinging out of their shoes right now. It's almost like no one else is even playing. FTW!!!

[golf is my passion]

Both look good, glad I did not pull the trigger with the SLDR....
Now, what's the story behind that falling apple on the head cover?

[^m9]

How the hell am I going to work today? I've already watched the BB Callaway talks vid and have a bunch more to go. Guess I'll just skip lunch.

The drivers look great, love the dark blue crown. That Alpha looks awesome, but maybe a bit less forgiving. Will be interesting to see the difference in numbers I get with each version.

Do these replace Razr Fit Extreme for 2014?

[theycallmebruce]

Sweet looking driver, feels like if Optimus Prime transformed into a golf club he would look like either driver. Very interesting to see how much our flights would be affected due to gravity core.

The BB with the slide track looks like it would be for regular Joes like myself. These heads spin so low nowadays.

[Arafel]

Both of these drivers turned out better than I thought they would. I haven't been too interested in checking anything out made by Callaway in recent years, until today.

[^m9]

The BB fw looks awesome!

[kwooten31]

This is going to be pretty interesting once I'm able to compare to the SLDR.

[gregcindyh]

they look great! I think the Alpha has similarity's to a Golfsmith driver?

[sbjinx]

Am I the only one who thinks the headcover is awful

[pullfade]

[quote name='^m9' timestamp='1386003264' post='8237046']
How the hell am I going to work today? I've already watched the BB Callaway talks vid and have a bunch more to go. Guess I'll just skip lunch.

The drivers look great, love the dark blue crown. That Alpha looks awesome, but maybe a bit less forgiving. Will be interesting to see the difference in numbers I get with each version.

Do these replace Razr Fit Extreme for 2014?
[/quote]I would think it does since the Extreme is now $299 plus a free Extreme fairway wood for the next month!

[tbowles411]

[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1385998091' post='8236580']
[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1385997899' post='8236556']
Oooooo! Both have potential. I guess the size will help me decide. 460cc. I'm not as consistent for a smaller head.
[/quote]

They are both 460cc so it will be a tough decision for you;)
[/quote]
Well damn! LOL

[^m9]

[quote name='pullfade' timestamp='1386004413' post='8237150']
[quote name='^m9' timestamp='1386003264' post='8237046']
How the hell am I going to work today? I've already watched the BB Callaway talks vid and have a bunch more to go. Guess I'll just skip lunch.

The drivers look great, love the dark blue crown. That Alpha looks awesome, but maybe a bit less forgiving. Will be interesting to see the difference in numbers I get with each version.

Do these replace Razr Fit Extreme for 2014?
[/quote]I would think it does since the Extreme is now $299 plus a free Extreme fairway wood for the next month!
[/quote]

AH! OK.

The BB alpha video is very interesting. Looks like even that driver can fit slightly lower - mid SS type guys.

[rbhan12]

I like the crown but I much favor the shape of the RFE. Don't know how much I like the look of the sole to be honest, but I guess I won't be looking at it much at all.

[Bogey's Belly]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1386003432' post='8237066']
Are these going to be offered on U Design? I think they both look incredible and they did an awesome job with the stock shaft offering.
[/quote]

I'd second a desire for u design IF they can change the color of the face too.

[cogi59]

They look awesome!

[AzSuperHack76]

[quote name='NHauss' timestamp='1385998513' post='8236634']
Callaway is turning into Taylormade with 2 new drivers every 6 months...
[/quote]

Oh no, a company trying to get product out to customers, how dare they!!

[AUDuffer]

I love them both--never been a big Callaway fan but I'd give both of these a run.

[Beastmode Broker]

My thoughts:[list]
[*]MUCH improved head shape over the RFX
[*]LOVING the silver face/black crown (really find it hard to square up an all black head & face, like the RFX)
[*]very innovative idea w the GC idea ... will have to test it out once they are available to us mortals
[*]bringing back the BB name was genius
[*]not a massive fan of the patriotic red/white/blue, but Im Canadian, so I guess that doesn't matter (and its the bottom of the club)
[*]head covers are terrible looking, but I dont use OEM covers anyways (again w the whole R/W/B design that throws me off)
[*]watching the videos this am, it sounds very muted to me, very "FT Tour-esque", which i am a huge fan of
[*]I can't be the only one thinking this - why not slidable weight on the alpha?
[/list]
i will for sure give this driver a spin this year
you have my attention Callaway, but Im not 100% sold based on these pics and video's yet

well done on the launch, was a lot of fun waiting for this to be released today
twitter is frickn blowing up right now!!! LOL!

[tbowles411]

[quote name='AUDuffer' timestamp='1386006096' post='8237302']
I love them both--never been a big Callaway fan but I'd give both of these a run.
[/quote]
Ummmmmmm! I'm tellin'!

[Noke]

Nice work, Callaway.

In the absence of a spare $4-500, liberal use of lead tape on my existing driver will have to do.

[Llortamaisey]

[quote name='timbo08' timestamp='1386002439' post='8236978']
Both look great and I haven't had a chance to watch the videos yet but my main question would be, why weren't the two technologies (sliding weight and gravity core) combined into one driver? And is that something we will just see next year?
[/quote]

You can't triple stamp a double stamp, Lloyd!

[chickenpotpie]

[quote name='deck' timestamp='1385998404' post='8236626']
And to add. I like the no alignment marker on the crown. Great to not add it.
[/quote]

Was going to say the same thing. Would prefer no logo at all....I've thrown out other Callaway clubs from consideration here just because of what the logo does from an alignment perspective.

[JohnnyB Hips]

I wonder how stable is the 'core' ? Will it eventually break over time??

[Chilli9880]

Haven't seen it yet in the comments here. Maybe I'm a little late to the game with Callaway but... Looks like Callaway is about to get sued by Titleist for the Loft/Lie adjustability. Glad to see they are trying to push innovation though. It'll make the other companies start to think and step up their games... but if it ain't broke, don't fix it is starting to come to mind with all this equipment coming out.