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Three Callaway GBB Epic drivers appear on USGA Conforming Club List

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Three new Callaway drivers have appeared on the USGA’s Conforming Club List: the GBB Epic, the GBB Epic Star and the GBB Epic Sub Zero.

Callaway isn’t commenting on the new Great Big Bertha (GBB) drivers at this time, so we can’t officially confirm or deny any details about the new drivers. We do anticipate that one or more of the driver models could be in play this week at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, however, where they will be permitted for us. We also can point out a few things based on the USGA’s black-and-white photos.

GBB Epic

Callaway_GBB-Epic

GBB Epic Star

8_Nov_mono02

Based on the photos, it appears the GBB Epic and GBB Epic Star are virtually identical, with the exception being the lack of an adjustable hosel on the GBB Epic Star.

Both drivers appear to use a technology called “Jailbreak,” which is highlighted on the front of the driver’s sole. The technology is rumored to connect the sole and crown of the drivers, adding reinforcement that improves energy transfer.

On the other end of the sole is a sliding weight that enables golfers to select a draw, fade or neutral trajectory bias. There are also what seem to be carbon fiber inserts on the soles of all three driver models. Carbon fiber is lighter than titanium, and its use presumably enhanced the ability of Callaway engineers to optimize the weighting of the driver heads for improved performance.

GBB Epic Sub Zero

Callaway_GBB_Epic_Sub_Zero

Instead of a sliding weight track, the GBB Epic Sub Zero has two adjustable weights — one on the front of the sole, and one on the back. That reminds us of Callaway’s XR ’16 Sub Zero driver, which is the company’s current ultra-low-spin driver. It design targets better golfers, and was used in 2016 by Phil Mickelson.

The Sub Zero got its name from its center of gravity position (CG), which Callaway says is below the neutral axis line, or “sub zero.” The XR ’16 Sub Zero uses a what Callaway called a Carbon Triax Crown, an extremely thin, lightweight composite material on the top of the driver that the company said enabled its sub zero CG location.

What are GolfWRX Members saying about the new drivers? Join the discussion in our forum. 

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18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. westphi

    Dec 4, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    When is this going to be released in stores?

  2. Red Regal

    Nov 29, 2016 at 6:42 am

    Callaway the new Taylor Made with so many releases.

  3. PapaBear

    Nov 29, 2016 at 2:46 am

    Haven’t been this excited since the Cobra 370U was released!

  4. KJ

    Nov 28, 2016 at 9:02 pm

    A lot of the comments, so true. I buy a new driver amount every 3 years. I typically buy a model that’s one year old and half the price of the original in very good shape.

  5. erlybrd

    Nov 28, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    What? Looks just like 915 D4 head!!

  6. Blade Junkie

    Nov 28, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Another bottle of Snake Oil please Bartender !

  7. B. Parsons

    Nov 28, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    The Korean YouTube video showed these in detail. I’m sure cally will try their best to have it pulled, but it’s still out there. Search for it on naver or another Korean search engine.

  8. Dave R

    Nov 28, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    What I can’t believe it more new drivers, what will they think of next

  9. Jordan

    Nov 28, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Wait, they’re coming out with an adjustable 915 driver? Color me intrigued…

  10. Clay

    Nov 28, 2016 at 10:30 am

    I can’t believe no one has speculated that the bonded hosel design was made for Tiger. Are the “Tiger is buying TM” rumors so strong that no one wants to start a new rumor about Tiger signing with Callaway? Fine, I will start the rumor. The GBB Star is made specifically for Tiger and will not go to market. I have zero evidence but I know some people that know some people that robbed some people and they said it is true.

  11. Michael

    Nov 28, 2016 at 9:33 am

    The Epic Star has my attention. Will this be a non-adjustable model that is in the $399 range? Would they want to compete with possible Fusion sales?

  12. cgasucks

    Nov 28, 2016 at 9:04 am

    Jailbreak technology!??! What is that?? Does it mean if you pay someone to “unlock” it you remove the USGA COR restriction!??!

    • Desmond

      Nov 28, 2016 at 9:23 am

      You need to read the EPIC thread

      • Desmond

        Nov 28, 2016 at 9:24 am

        … or just the descriptions above. Works wonders.

  13. Fozzie Bear

    Nov 28, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Oh, Mizuno Fast Track is back. 🙂

    • DB

      Dec 2, 2016 at 12:49 am

      Man, I just saw a Mizzy Fast Track at GolfMart for like $30.
      If Callaway says this technology is a game changer then I’m going back to get that Mizuno tonight!

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Whats in the Bag

Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)

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Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.

 

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Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons

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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.

TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.

TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.

Can you see where this is going?

Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”

 

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TaylorMade PUDI

TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)

Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.

In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.

TaylorMade PDHY

TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).

Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.

Club Junkie’s take

Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.

For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.

PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?

TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:

  • PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
  • PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
  • Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
  • PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
  • PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family

Pricing, specs, and availability

Price: $249.99

At retail: Now

Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)

Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)

PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed

PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that 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, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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