Callaway Big Bertha

Reviewed by: dwmccleney ,  Shoots in the 100s

Model Reviewed:
2008 Calloway Big Bertha

Summary:
I just started golfing back in October of 2007 and used Wilson 1200's and a Top Flite set purchased at Wal-Mart. I averaged in the 120's. In January, I bought a 3-LW set of '08 BB's, a Nike SUMO driver and a Taylormade Rescue hybrid. Since then, I'm averaging low 100's to mid 90's, depending on driving and chipping. These clubs knocked about 20 strokes off my game once I got used to them. I hit about 110 yds. with my AW and 200-210 with my 3iron. VERY straight shooting irons. I'm usually on in regulation or a short chip on for my 3 shot on long par 4's(400+ yds.) and am regularly getting birdie attempts. If you're a beginner or need an extremely forgiving iron at a reasonable price, I would suggest these. I just bought a set of X-20's for myself and am giving the BB's to my son so he can start hitting better shots.

Customer Service:
Did not use.

Similar Products Used:
Wilson, Top Flight, Ping G2's

Reviewed by: bjdrivers ,  Shoots in the 70s

Model Reviewed:
2006 Big Bertha irons Uniflex Steel

Summary:
I want to write an honest review here. I consider myself an accomplished golfer. I would shoot in the mid-low 80's on a regular basis. I have tried both Titleist and Callaway clubs for over a decade. I keep going back and forth. Well, last fall I switched to Callaway again because my handicap wasn't going down. I sold all of my Titleist clubs and decided on the new 2006 Big Bertha irons after demo'ing the 6 iron. All I can say is WOW. I was using the Titleist DCI 990b irons, which were decent, but switching to the berthas has been a God send. I am hitting a lot more greens in regulation now and my confidence is sky high. I got a full set of these babies. 4-LW. I was a little aprehensive about getting the matching SW & LW due to the offset, but I'm glad I did. My bunker play and short game around the greens have improved as well. Even the 4 iron is easy to hit. The forgivess of these irons is incredible. Callaway has made the game so much easier these days. I also switched to the HX tour 56 golf ball. Well, I now shoot from 76-80 consistently now. It usually just comes down to putting for me. Thank you Callaway, you have made the game much easier and much funner to play!!

Customer Service:
never used

Similar Products Used:
Titleist (don't expect forgiveness from their clubs)

Reviewed by: moncho ,  Shoots in the 100s

Model Reviewed:
Callaway Big bertha

Summary:
I demoed a 6 iron steel shaft regular flex today. I was going to weait until tomorrow to go to the range, but curiosity killed me and I went to the 8 hole behind my yard. I hit this 6 iron 150-160 yds consitently. Yeah, I know this is the norm for a 6 iron, but I never got this much distange out of my 6. The ball landed on the green over and over and would sit right there, it did not roll out of the green as it does with my current set now. I am lefty and fight a tough slide to the left, but with this club the ball went right where I aimed it. I was thinking about demoing a Nike slinshot OSS, but cant find one. i might buy these set overe the weekend, although i might go to a graphite shaft.

Customer Service:
N/A

Similar Products Used:
Too hard of a name to mention, but it is Mishasawa or something like that

Reviewed by: morley1948 ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
2004 callaway big bertha irons

Summary:
I was shooting n the low 90's, and sometimes slipped into the 100's before my purchase of the 2004 Big bertha's. After playing withe the clubs for a month I am now shooting in the low 80,s and have finally broken the 80 mark shooting 78
These clubs are very forgiving as well as very easy to hit. I find that at the bore through the exposed end of the shaft had a tendency to start rusting after a few months, but Callaway quickly took care of the problem. Would recommend to any mid handicap player.

Reviewed by: rgdawson ,  Shoots in the 80s

Model Reviewed:
2004 Big Bertha Irons

Summary:
2004 Big Bertha Irons

I recently purchased the new 2004 Big Bertha Irons off the shelf, with the steel “uniflex” shafts. Previous clubs I have used were Wilson Staff blades (~13 years), then Wilson Staff Mid-Size (~6 years), and now these. (Do you see trend towards forgiveness?). I have played about 10 rounds with these clubs, averaging low 80’s (low 77, high 89). I play in Colorado Springs where the courses are long and the greens are hard. The guy at the shop measured my 5 iron swing speed at around 90-95, which he said was just on the upper end of the range recommended for the standard “Uniflex” shafts. My most common “miss” is to hit the ball off the toe. The 2004 Big Bertha irons come with 4-10 and a PW. I also purchased a 3-iron and a sand wedge to complete the set.

First of all, these are the easiest clubs to hit I have ever seriously used. Toe hits and thin hits are especially forgiving. Following the norm these days the clubs have less loft than older generation clubs, which is why the 10 iron is important to have and fill the gap. With a 9, 10, PW, and SW, you have a good spread down to about 100 yards before you have to start hitting less than full shots. It’s easy to get the ball in the air with these clubs and the sharp groove edges put a lot of spin on the ball. Unfortunately, these clubs also chew up balls on well hit shots, so you will need to use a durable ball. I was using Nike Precision Spin Control balls and these clubs literally tore the covers off them. Ruined a couple Titliest Pro V1’s also. I am now using Nike Mojo, which play like the no longer available Nike Precision Spin Control, but with a more durable cover. Iron hits always feel solid. In comparison to the other clubs I used, there is no vibration through the shaft, just nice and solid. I confirmed this at home by just taking practice swings on my carpet and feeling for any vibration. I couldn’t feel any with the Berthas, but I could with all my other clubs. These clubs hit the ball straight. If you’re one of those tour bubbas that likes to “work” the ball, these clubs are not for you. Straight and high and consistent distance control are good things. That “solid” feeling I was talking about also means you don’t get a lot “feedback” through the shaft on shots – they mostly all feel about the same.

So what are you giving up for this easy to hit performance? That’s what I asked the guy in the shop. He said nothing. So I said, then why doesn’t everyone use them. He said, because everyone is stupid. :-) I new he was just trying to sell me some clubs, so I let it go. But after using them I can tell you that you gain far more than you give up. You give up the ability to work the ball. You give up the feedback that, if you play enough, might make you game better. You give up the ability to take a nice divot. These clubs are too big, rounded, and dull edged to take a nice divot. These things are insignificant to me against keeping it in the fairway and sticking it on the greens. The main significant thing you do give up is the ability to hit out of tall grass and other such trouble. If your ball is in the second cut, it’s extra tough. I’m thinking of getting some sort of utility club for handling that because I can’t seem to hit out of tall grass with these things.

Overall, these are fantastic clubs that give you what they advertise – forgiveness, consistency, and performance. My friends have been impressed – even while handing over the money (haha).

Similar Products Used:
Wilson Staff Blades
Wilson Staff Mid-Size