Big Bertha – Callaway’s latest additions

• Two new Big Bertha drivers revealed

• Alpha 816 DBD  designed to give more distance and workability

• Great Big Bertha name returns for the first time since 2003

Callaway 2016 drivers

Callaway is looking to continue the success of its Big Bertha line with the release of two new drivers designed to give more distance than ever before.

The Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond arrives with the tag line ‘Extreme distance for Expert Players’, while ‘Leave no yard behind’ is the motto for the new Great Big Bertha, ensuring we’re in no doubt of what these drivers can offer from the tee.

The Great Big Bertha returns to the fore after a prolonged hiatus in Callaway’s R&D cupboard, and it arrives with plenty of updated features. Launched back in 2003, Great Big Bertha II was the line’s last outing, but it has been completely revamped with modern technology to ensure a top performing driver.

An advanced, adjustable driver, it has a light, fast and stable 460cc multi-material head that Callaway says it has optimised to generate more clubhead speed through improved aerodynamics.

Next gen R-MOTO technology gives higher ball speeds across the face, as well as on off-centre hits, while Adjustable Perimeter Weighting, which was last used in the Big Bertha relaunch two years ago, also features in the form of a 10g sliding weight on the perimeter of the club.

The driver enjoyed a great first week on tour with Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat used a nine-degree Great Big Bertha en-route to Paul Lawrie Matchplay success at Murcar Links.

Following his win, Aphibarnrat said: “My driver helped me a lot. I was hitting it miles down each fairway and if you asked me to go and play another nine holes now I’d hit driver every time!”

The Great Big Bertha fairway wood, meanwhile, is Callaway’s fastest fairway design with the Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup creating great forgiveness and control. It also combines a bigger head with a Modern Warbird Sole to make it easier to hit.

The new Big Bertha Alpha 816 DBD is aimed at the better players, the ones who are happy to give up a bit of forgiveness in return for some extra workability. Building on the already impressive distance offered by last year’s Alpha 815 DBD model, Callaway has installed new Dual Distance Chambers that the brand says acts as a ‘distance turbo charger’, increasing your ball speed, while adjustable weights within the chambers combine with the gravity core to allow you to choose between a neutral or draw bias set-up.

Like in the Great Big Bertha, Callaway’s next generation R-MOTO technology works to increase ball speed on centre strikes, as well as those off-centre ones, while adjustability is offered through Callaway’s OptiFit hosel. The Alpha 816DBD also has a deeper face, a traditional shape and a low centre of gravity to reduce spin, while maintaining both forgiveness and workability.

The new Big Bertha Alpha 816 fairway wood arrives alongside the driver, giving more speed and adjustability to the lower handicapper. The most advanced fairway wood ever produced by Callaway, it features everything from the brand’s Cup Face technology to tour-preferred centre of gravity positions that combine distance with shot-shaping control.

Callaway Great Big Bertha and Big Bertha Alpha 816DBD – pricing

The Great Big Bertha driver has an RRP of £369, while the fairway wood is priced at £229. The Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond will cost £429, with the fairway wood RRP set at £249.

Get the full lowdown on these clubs in the Issue 142 of bunkered. For more details on availability, visit callawaygolf.com