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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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Equipment

Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head

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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 TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head

From the seller: (@lasallen): “For sale is a BRNR mini 11.5 deg head only in brand new condition.  $325 shipped.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade BRNR mini driver head 

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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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made

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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 Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.

From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.

Specs/ Additional Details

-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)

-Original Anser Design

-PING PP58 Grip

-Putter is built to standard specs.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made

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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Inside Collin Morikawa’s recent golf ball, driver, 3-wood, and “Proto” iron changes

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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.

The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.

On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.

Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.

At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.

“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.

Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.

“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.

“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.” 

In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.

On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.

According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.

“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.” 

See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here. 

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