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

[ProjectX_Mizuno]

Wow! That Alpha look amazing! Well done

[drifter12]

The BB Alpha may be the first Cally stick in my bag since 2004, really looking forward to hitting this.

[Ping Panther]

[quote name='kyle75' timestamp='1385999499' post='8236714']
I just read on a different site, that the driver will not be discounted all year. The price will stay at $399 and up. Interesting move from them.
[/quote]

I've heard that a few different places....and that will last precisely until sales for $399 and $499 drivers drop.

[Goldenhawk]

I will be gaming Apex Irons in 2014. But not these drivers. I will stick with the SLDR.

[Tee1Up]

[quote name='sbjinx' timestamp='1386004358' post='8237138']
Am I the only one who thinks the headcover is awful
[/quote]

No, they look cheap to me. Nice throwback fur cover would have been perfect.

[Froth]

[quote name='krzepickidj' timestamp='1386001999' post='8236934']
[quote name='Froth' timestamp='1386001574' post='8236900']
Seriously, only 9° as lowest loft? Mega lame.
[/quote]

adjustability down to 8* and flipping gravity core down will launch low. If its similar launch numbers to SLDR then nobody would need less then a 9* head
[/quote]
I'm still going to hit the BB Alpha, but that comment of nobody needing less than 9° is completely untrue for me, I launch an 8° SLDR set on lowest(-1.5°) at an average of 16° launch angle, which is still too high for my liking. I have a pretty positive Driver AoA which averages +5°. Looks like I'll be gaming an older model of something for a long time... Anything over 9° hits complete moon balls in my hands, and I don't care where the CoG is. Perhaps with the gravity core the other way round it may lower the flight, I could do with some extra spin.

Edit: I was REALLY hoping for a sub 460cc head, like around 400cc... *sigh*.

[sandy]

And the best thing is they still have Great Big Bertha and Biggest Big Bertha left to bring at least another 4-6 models. Since 460 is the limit the biggest term can be used for the biggest jump in distance, accuracy, workability. They now have at least 3 years of new models before people tire of the name..

Tour loft for tour only and tour only gravity cores and weights. All will have special cosmetics. Let the hand wringing begin. Just like the old great and biggest where there were tour lofts like 6.2 while the public was forced to settle for 6.5...

[ssfranny]

[quote name='nohny noke' timestamp='1386006849' post='8237366']
Nice work, Callaway.

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

yeah couldnt one one put lead tape on the crown or sole to achieve same effect as gravity core? Wont look the best but still save you $499

[DT15]

[quote name='JohnnyB Hips' timestamp='1386007170' post='8237404']
I wonder how stable is the 'core' ? Will it eventually break over time??
[/quote]
I would imagine it will be extremely "stable". Carbon fiber is one of the strongest / lightest "construction" materials known to man. most high end sports cars and $$$ race cars are made with it. Only time will tell though.

[quote name='Froth' timestamp='1386008978' post='8237516']
[quote name='krzepickidj' timestamp='1386001999' post='8236934']
[quote name='Froth' timestamp='1386001574' post='8236900']
Seriously, only 9° as lowest loft? Mega lame.
[/quote]

adjustability down to 8* and flipping gravity core down will launch low. If its similar launch numbers to SLDR then nobody would need less then a 9* head
[/quote]
I'm still going to hit the BB Alpha, but that comment of nobody needing less than 9° is completely untrue for me, I launch an 8° SLDR set on lowest(-1.5°) at an average of 16° launch angle, which is still too high for my liking. I have a pretty positive Driver AoA which averages +5°. Looks like I'll be gaming an older model of something for a long time... Anything over 9° hits complete moon balls in my hands, and I don't care where the CoG is. Perhaps with the gravity core the other way round it may lower the flight, I could do with some extra spin.

Edit: I was REALLY hoping for a sub 460cc head, like around 400cc... *sigh*.
[/quote]

After speaking with you about drivers in the past and seeing some of your posts on the BB, I figured you would be disappointed with the head size. I would have to assume they will be offering a smaller head at some point with their recent smaller head offerings. I doubt Phil will be gaming a 460cc head, but his specs would never reach retail anyway.

Cally should offer the Graphite Design BB shaft in this club, then you could have BB^2 haha!

[hayzooos]

[quote name='Tee1Up' timestamp='1386007899' post='8237448']
[quote name='sbjinx' timestamp='1386004358' post='8237138']
Am I the only one who thinks the headcover is awful
[/quote]

No, they look cheap to me. Nice throwback fur cover would have been perfect.
[/quote]

Throwback on the fur headcover would've been solid, IMO. I don't care for the shiny plastic they have on there. But I don't normally use stock headcovers so it's not like it's a deal breaker for me among others.

Oh yeah and Deck, spot-on about the Iron Patriot reference, well played. My first thought was Captain America (especially his shield, I mean...c'mon that's a ringer, right?)

[Singapore Joe]

[quote name='imakaveli' timestamp='1386001813' post='8236924']
[quote name='NDgrad09' timestamp='1386000035' post='8236760']
[url="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BafdSKACcAAhspO.jpg:large"]https://pbs.twimg.co...AhspO.jpg:large[/url]

Headcovers
[/quote]

Beautiful, thanks for posting!
[/quote]

I like the falling apple

For the club, I'd be very curious to hear what Mr. Wishon has to say about the technology.

[joey3108]

Lots of people were shocked with the pricing when the Great Big Bertha launch as the first titanium driver, but yet every body has it in their bag not even 1 season.

This could be the other brake through for the "BIG BERTHA" brand. Looking at the technology and reading all the technical info from the report + crazy good marketing campaign...I wouldn't be surprise!!!

As a fitter and builder, I'm very exited to see how much fun I can be to put this products on their hands and figuring it out what's best for them.

I can talk all day long about which one of which has a BS gimmicky tech, but that's like opening a can of worm on the open forum which we all knows already. 300rpm sounds little, but I'd rather hear the truth than a BS 1000rpm.

The funny part is people looking for less spin not knowing the cause of the spin is their swing at 80% rate. A drastic swing change takes a lot of skill and talent (i know that's not mission impossible for some), with some help from the least BS tweakability club is what intrigue consumer + some help from a good fitter = happy face :-).. The latest greatest is always been the reason why people change from their "best ever" club/driver. IMO, that's part of the fun in this game. Golf is one of the only game or sport that requires lots of equipments, gadgets, accessories and land mass for around of golf. These are a contribution the game of golf to the world economy.

Go get them Callaway!

My 2cents!

Joe

[finalist]

It's good to see some new tech. It's at least worth a try.

[Singapore Joe]

[quote name='golf is my passion' timestamp='1386003239' post='8237044']
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?
[/quote]

The legend says that Isaac Newton discovered gravity (which lead to him authoring the law of universal gravitation) when he saw an apple fall. You can interpret in many ways, but by judging from a number of responses the gravity of the club definitely pulls WRXers towards it.

[CrushSticks]

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

And it only took 25 posts to get that little nugget out there...

[AUDuffer]

[quote name='tbowles411' timestamp='1386006673' post='8237352'] [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'! [/quote]

We all know you're the tramp of the group!

[boxerjoe2011]

[b]Harry, can you comment if there will be an upcharge to order the alpha with the ZT 70 gram shaft? [/b]

I prefer a heavier club. I grew up hitting steel shafted drivers, then heavy graphite, and never was really able to make the switch to lightweight heads and shafts. That is why I still play the razrfit because it's a heavy mother with a 77 gram shaft in it.

[TWshoot67]

Sure like the looks of he Alpha, hope I can get one soon. Love the head shape as well.

[viperstudio]

Not a fan next tread please

[TheDominator273]

[quote name='Chilli9880' timestamp='1386007254' post='8237410']
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.
[/quote]

Why would Callaway get sued by Titleist?

[OldGolfer87]

I wonder if this new technology is suited for all players ...... { 80's and 90's swing speed } or does the speed have to be faster than 100 and upwards to get full advantages ?? i ask because i am left wondering if those who do not generate faster speeds would be making a lateral move vs. one of some improvement

[AlexanderChen]

What is up with all the companies competing for who is the fastest at designing new clubs...

[EdM]

Any idea if the adapter from the Razr Fit/Razr Fit Xtreme will work in these Big Bertha club heads?

[jay65]

[quote name='AlexanderChen' timestamp='1386012152' post='8237778']
What is up with all the companies competing for who is the fastest at designing new clubs...
[/quote]

Probably because, like it or not, it sells more Clubs. Simple as that really.

[Bogey's Belly]

[quote name='lbj273' timestamp='1386011941' post='8237760']
[quote name='Chilli9880' timestamp='1386007254' post='8237410']
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.
[/quote]

Why would Callaway get sued by Titleist?
[/quote]

I assume you're talking about the similarities in the Optifit adapter & the Titleist adapter... They've been similar for 3 years now & there hasn't been a lawsuit. Callaway & Titleist settled a long running lawsuit a few years ago that basically allowed each company to use some the other's patents & designs but idk if the adapter was part of that suit...

[bph7]

[quote name='jay65' timestamp='1386001412' post='8236888']

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. [b]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.[/b]
[/quote]

Completely agree with this. I see no way that retailers are just going to buy the same amount of stuff if they know there aren't going to be discounts. If it were that easy not to discount clubs, why didn't TMAG and Cally do it all along? This "no discount" policy seems like something that they are going to aspire to do, but in May when the retailers have stock gathering dust, we will see if they stick to it. But now, I guess they see it as "if we can get more people to buy new based on this supposed policy, then our goal will be reached, whether we actually discount later or not". Not a bad approach for them, but one that I hope others can see through.

[Bogey's Belly]

[quote name='EdM' timestamp='1386012257' post='8237788']
Any idea if the adapter from the Razr Fit/Razr Fit Xtreme will work in these Big Bertha club heads?
[/quote]

The Optiforce adapter WILL work. The RFX, Original X Hot, etc adapters do not fit.

[ProjectX_Mizuno]

Does anyone know the release date????

[Bogey's Belly]

[quote name='ProjectX_Mizuno' timestamp='1386012703' post='8237836']
Does anyone know the release date????
[/quote]

2/14/2014

[Singapore Joe]

[quote name='ProjectX_Mizuno' timestamp='1386012703' post='8237836']
Does anyone know the release date????
[/quote]

The article on the WRX front page says they will be available at retail on Feb. 14.