Spotted: Callaway’s Great Big Bertha, Alpha 816 metal woods

Published

11 years ago

Jul 27, 2015

For Callaway fans, the “Great Big Bertha” name is both historic and nostalgic. At the Quicken Loans National on Monday, we spotted Callaway’s newest version of the Great Big Bertha driver.

A new Great Big Bertha fairway wood, Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond driver and Alpha 816 fairway wood were also released at the Quicken Loans.

See what GolfWRX members are saying about Callaway’s new Big Bertha clubs.

Great Big Bertha driver

Great Big Bertha fairway wood

Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond

Callaway’s new Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond forum thread.

Big Bertha Alpha 816 Fairway Wood

See what GolfWRX members are saying about Callaway’s new Big Bertha clubs.

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GolfWRX Staff

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16 Comments

Jay

Jul 31, 2015 at 10:25 am

Am I missing the gravity core on the 816 DD, or are they moving away from that technology??

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Summit

Jul 30, 2015 at 4:49 pm

I have actually seen them in person and they are very good looking and setup great at address. The fairways are a little larger than last year, but I am told they are even easier to hit and really launch the ball with a penetrating flight.

I asked about the sliding weight on the back as it is comparable to their previous big bertha driver and they shifted it more to the heel of the club as toe weighting and adjustability decreases MOI. I asked how this compares to the Taylormade SLDR sliding design and the science is pretty self explanatory… to increase MOI, and decrease spin, put the weight low and away from the face, unlike the SLDRs design with the weight near the face which slightly increases spin.

Callaway is just getting through their phasing in of new platforms and is now on a new release schedule. Drivers and Fairway Woods are now on a 1-year cycle, hybrids, irons and wedges are on a 2-year cycle. This means possible new Apex irons coming over the winter sometime.

In response to the Chevron crown, this is designed to be on the more forgiving drivers for golfers who need all the help they can get including alignment. The raised Chevron is not on the pro models or Alpha 815/816. If you really have a problem with it play one of those. But in all honesty that is being very picky as its hardly much of distraction. It’s simply an arrow. Titleist’s is hardly any different.

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Brad

Jul 29, 2015 at 5:46 am

Never mind me, but I kinda like how it looks

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Bert

Jul 28, 2015 at 3:49 pm

Heard many positive comments so far from folks who have actually hit it.

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redneckrooster

Jul 28, 2015 at 9:34 am

Looks like what was a Mizuno 600 now is Callaway. Running out of ideas huh?

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- Desmond
  
  Jul 28, 2015 at 10:28 am
  
  Apparently, the Callaway performs, whereas…
  
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golferjack

Jul 28, 2015 at 2:29 am

As I understand it Callaway is in a Transition period and the new Clubs will be coming less reguarly. TM detsroyed the market themselves and look where they are now. I hope Callaway learned from TMs mistake. Don’t see titleist bringing new sticks every 6 months.

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- Rich
  
  Jul 28, 2015 at 7:07 pm
  
  And yet there the 816 hybrids are just after Titleist have released the 915 hybrids………….
  
  Reply Report comment
Speedy

Jul 27, 2015 at 7:48 pm

They’re all peeing into the wind with these back to the future over-adjustables.

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- Balle
  
  Jul 28, 2015 at 8:45 pm
  
  Well, with the COR and CT limits in place now, all they can do is move weights and CG around the head and put weird wind spoilers and stuff. And fine tune with different shafts and grips and kick points and torques. So I hope that pee gets deflected away with these new designs!
  
  Reply Report comment
Gorden

Jul 27, 2015 at 7:35 pm

Before spending $400 or more for a new driver try going on ebay and take a look at what used drivers a year or two old go for…bidding starting at $.99 … 2 year ago Callaway hot drivers (new $300) go for about $50 used on ebay and many have very few rounds on them and keep in mind every used driver be it a year old or 5 years old was the longest, straightest driver the day it came out….

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- Speedy
  
  Jul 27, 2015 at 7:52 pm
  
  Before spending $400? It’s never gonna happen here. Deep-discount them to under two bills, then I’ll consider a game of knock-out.
  
  Reply Report comment
jgpl001

Jul 27, 2015 at 3:24 pm

Come on – another new Big Bertha???

I like Callaway, but now they are becoming the new TM, what a joke

Reply Report comment
- Desmond
  
  Jul 28, 2015 at 9:04 am
  
  What Callaway does, and what TM did not do, is maintain a slimmer inventory so they don’t get sucked down the rabbit’s hole like TM.
  
  Reply Report comment
Alex T

Jul 27, 2015 at 3:04 pm

Like the fairway- a nice combo of tech and classic, but the great big Bertha looks a bit disappointing. Looks like they just took aspects of the xr, 815 and bba and mixed them together- xr pro sole weight, big Bertha sliding weight, 815 r-moto ribs and the HORRIBLE raised chevron on the crown from the xr. Bit of a mongrel really, not the pedigree it used to be.

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- Desmond
  
  Jul 28, 2015 at 9:08 am
  
  You forgot the V Series … has its shape in there, although they are all similar. The raised Chevron is not noticeable – blends into the head well, and this is like than the XR — have you hit one or are you just shocking us with the “horrible” remark? When you line it up, the last thing I am thinking about is a slightly raised Chevron, although without the rest of it from the XR, I have no idea of its functional raising – the could imbed it but it is a matte black driver. The R Moto face is very nice… very…
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.

The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.

At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.

The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.

“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley

In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.

To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.

“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod

An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.

Pricing & Availability

The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.

Equipment

Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:

“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.

My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”

And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”

Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”

Equipment

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo

Published

2 days ago

May 12, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.

From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules