Callaway returns to Big Bertha iron and hybrid series, out next month

By Rahul Banerji

My first ever bag, a mixed match of golf clubs if there ever were any, included a Big Bertha driver and a Big Bertha 3-wood.

The driver has long gone, given away to a youngster setting out to make a name. It was an old club and I don’t recall the model, but it has a whippy shaft and in the days when muscle and not sense ruled supreme, it was surprisingly forgiving.

The 3-wood is still here, in and out of the bag depending on how the game has gone the previous day and it too is has a sympathetic nature and occasionally gifts a 200-pls yard hit when things are going well.

Be that as it may, Callaway clubs were in the news at last month’s big showdown between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.

In Lefty’s bag on the day he won the much-hyped match were the Rogue Sub Zero driver, the Rogue fairway wood, X Forged utility irons, X Forged irons from 5 to 7, Apex MB 18 clubs from 8 to his pitching wedge, Mack Daddy PM Grind 56, 60, 64 degree wedges and he used the Chrome Soft X ball.

Callaway Golf India was launched in 2010 with Jev Milkha Singh, then world ranked 50, as their product spearhead.

Return of the howitzer

So why Callaway all of a sudden? While attempts to make contact with Callaway Golf India to seek details of new launches, etc, did not yield much success, a trawl through the company’s product catalogue revealed that the Big Bertha brand, which had made way for the Epic and Rogue labels in the last two years, will soon be back with new hybrids and irons.

And this is what Callaway Golf had to say about next month’s club launch, edited somewhat for brevity:

“When we put the legendary Big Bertha name on a club, you know that it has to be so good, and so innovative, that it transforms an entire category. Now that we’ve introduced them to the world, here is everything you need to know about our new Big Bertha irons and hybrids.

What’s the story on Big Bertha irons?

They’re our easiest to launch distance irons. Callaway is the #1 iron in golf, and Big Bertha has redefined ball speed and performance in the super game-improvement category.

It started with Big Bertha Irons in 2014, continued in 2016 with Big Bertha OS, and we’ve done it again with the new Big Bertha Irons, led by our groundbreaking Suspended Energy Core.

What is the suspended energy core?

It’s a unique construction that’s never been achieved before in a golf club, featuring a revolutionary core design that delivers: 1) incredible sound and feel; 2) long, consistent distance; and 3) easy launch.

How do you get all of that in one iron? 

The suspended energy core suspends our metal injection moulded tungsten weighting within our urethane microspheres – which create exceptional sound and feel. 

Suspending the floating weight allows us to position the center of gravity deeper using a three-piece iron construction.

And why is this such a breakthrough?

Well, now we can create higher launch while allowing a thinner, faster 360 face cup to increase ball speed. That combination promotes distance-enhancing launch conditions we’ve never had before in an iron that’s also extremely easy to hit.

What should I know about the design? 

This is a premium design. That  look starts with the clean Smoked PVD Finish. And it’s available with new Recoil ESX, Recoil ZT9, and KBS Max 90 shafts to go with all that advanced technology.

On hybrids. what’s the story? 

Big Bertha is the first hybrid to combine our innovative Jailbreak Technology and adjustability for long distance, fast ball speeds, and easy launch.

How do you get that ball speed?

Callaway is the #1 hybrid brand in large part because of our ball speed technologies. It started with our Hyper Speed Face Cup, and advanced with our Jailbreak Technology, which utilises two Jailbreak bars to stiffen the body, placing more impact on the face. 

The synergy of Jailbreak and Hyper Speed Face Cup promotes a level of power never thought possible in a hybrid.

And that easy launch? 

We’ve developed an entirely new hosel system that’s shorter and lighter. It allows us to save weight that’s repositioned to optimise the center of gravity for easy launch and high, long-carrying flight. 

A new progressive shape also makes it easy to hit, and the new premium Recoil shafts add to an appealing design that’s worthy of being called Big Bertha.”

Clubs in the new range include 4, 5. 6, 7, 8, 9 irons, pitching wedge, sand wedge and approach wedge while the hybrids will be available in 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33 degree lofts with the choice of Recoil ESx and Recoil ZT9 graphite shafts..

The new clubs go on sale on January 18, 2019. For pricing and delivery details check the Callaway Golf website.

And yes, a Merry Christmas to one and all!!

Also read: A brief look at golf’s new rules that may change your game