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Callaway Great Big Bertha Driver: What you need to know

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Callaway’s Great Big Bertha driver ($449.99) is available in lofts of 9, 10.5 and 13.5 degrees for right-handed and left-handed golfers. Stock length is 45.5 inches. Stock swing weight is D2. It’s in stores August 28, 2015.

Stock Shafts: Mitsubishi Rayon Bassara (40-gram range), Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Black (50-gram range), Fujikura Evolution 665 Tour Spec (60-gram range), Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana D+ 70 (70-gram range)

What you need to know

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  • The Great Big Bertha is Callaway’s most forgiving driver of 2015, and because of its adjustability it also has the potential to be Callaway’s most draw-biased driver. It’s more forgiving than Callaway’s Big Bertha V-Series driver, which was the most forgiving Callaway model from last year. It’s also lower spinning than Callaway’s V-Series driver, as well as the company’s 2014 Big Bertha, 2015 Big Bertha Alpha 815 and 2015 XR drivers.

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“THERE ARE A LOT OF DRIVERS OUT THERE THAT TEND TO FOCUS ON ONE VARIABLE, BUT THEY DO SO AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER VARIABLES,” SAID EVAN GIBBS, CALLAWAY’S MANAGER OF PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS. “[WITH THE GREAT BIG BERTHA], DESIGN WITHOUT COMPROMISE WAS THE OBJECTIVE.”

  • Callaway expects the Great Big Bertha to be the company’s best performing model for 80-to-90 percent of golfers. The other 10-to-20 percent of golfers will get better performance from Callaway’s new Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond driver, which is intended for better golfers who can gain added distance through the reduction of spin.
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Golfers can maximize ball speed by matching the position of the sliding weight to their impact position. So if you hit a lot of shots on the heel, try sliding the weight toward the heel for more distance.

  • The Great Big Bertha marks the return of Callaway’s Advanced Perimeter Weighting (APW), a sliding weight track that allows golfers to shift the center of gravity (CG) toward the heel for more draw bias or toward the toe for more fade bias. The weight track, which first appeared on Callaway’s 2014 Big Bertha driver, has been re-engineered to be lighter than the previous model and offer more draw bias.

“THE SLIDING WEIGHT HAS PROVEN TO BE OUR MOST INTUITIVE, SIMPLE AND EASY-TO-USE FORM OF ADJUSTABILITY,” GIBBS SAID.

  • Because the sliding weight is on the perimeter of the club head, the driver retains a high moment of inertia (MOI), a measure of forgiveness, regardless of the weight’s position. The sliding weight weighs 10.5 grams, and the change in spin rates between the extreme weight positions (far toe, far heel) is only 100 rpm, according to Gibbs.
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The Great Big Bertha has a matte black crown and a Chevron alignment aid.

  • The Great Big Bertha uses Callaway’s Forged Composite Crown, creating a lightweight chassis that allows for its added adjustability features and moves weight lower in the driver head for a higher launch, less spin and more forgiveness. It also has the company’s updated R-MOTO face design, which expands the driver’s sweet spot for higher average ball speeds.

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“THERE’S REALLY THREE REASONS GOLFERS DON’T GET MAXIMUM DISTANCE: EFFICIENCY OF IMPACT, LAUNCH AND SPIN CHARACTERISTICS AND THE STRAIGHTNESS OF THE SHOT,” GIBBS SAID. “THE EFFICIENCY AND STRAIGHTNESS OF THE SHOT ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR MOST PLAYERS. GREAT BIG BERTHA OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF SHOT SHAPES AND CAN MINIMIZE SLICE.”

  • The Great Big Bertha driver uses Callaway’s Advanced OptiFit Hosel, which gives golfers a 3-degree range of loft adjustability. So a 10.5-degree driver can be adjusted to lofts of 9.5 degrees, 11.5 degrees and 12.5 degrees. Each loft can also paired with an individual lie angle of either standard (S) or draw (D), which makes the lie angle more upright.
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Both the Great Big Bertha (left) and Big Bertha Alpha 816 DBD measure 460 cc, but the DBD has a deeper face that makes it appear more compact at address.

Total club weight with stock shafts

  • 295 grams: Mitsubishi Rayon Bassara (Ladies, Light and Regular)
  • 305 grams: Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro Kage Black (Light, Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff)
  • 315 grams: Fujikura Evolution 665 Tour Spec (Regular, Stiff, X-Stiff)
  • 325 grams: Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana D+ 70 (Stiff, X-Stiff)

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3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Bret

    Aug 16, 2015 at 6:02 pm

    Is this optifit hosel the same as what was on the Alpha? Would I be able to put my current alpha shaft (fubuki x stiff) into the great big Bertha without issues? Or is the tip diff size in the GBB compared to Alpha?

  2. Desmond

    Aug 6, 2015 at 2:29 am

    Looks like another fine option from Callaway.

    Don’t know if they will ofer a loyalty bonus, but one of my drivers is going trade-in, trade-up.

    One of the photos is mis-captioned. The GBB has the chevron and is on the right.

  3. Andy

    Aug 5, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    I am a big fan of the deeper drivers. 816 DBD will be on my list to test out. I would have preferred to see a 12 degree model than using the opti-fit adjustment to get to 12 if the spin is even less than the 815. Nice article.

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Equipment

Tour Edge unveils all-new Exotics mini driver

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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. 

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Equipment

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

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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”

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Equipment

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

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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

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