Equipment
Callaway Big Bertha Fusion drivers and fairway woods
As we all know, the USGA limits drivers to a certain size (460 cc), and COR (coefficient of restitution), which is 0.83. Since companies, such as Callaway, have already reached those limits — or somewhere very close to those limits — improvement continues elsewhere to design drivers that can positively impact golfers.
While many new drivers on the market use adjustability features to accomplish this, Callaway’s new Big Bertha Fusion drivers, and fairway woods, use advanced composite materials, head shaping and weight placement with the goal of making the most forgiving clubs possible.
From a company that’s been using composite materials for over a decade, Callaway’s Big Bertha Fusion drivers and fairway woods introduce a new material called “Triaxial Carbon,” combined with a unique, high-MOI driver head shape that stretches weight back away from the face.
According to Callaway, triaxial carbon is 65 percent lighter than titanium and 35 percent thinner than the forged composite used in recent drivers from the company. Because of how the materials in the carbon composite are woven, the triaxial carbon is stiffer, allowing the driver to be constructed thinner without losing strength.
Callaway uses the new material in the crowns of both the drivers and the fairway woods, and in the soles of the drivers, too.
Read more about the drivers and fairway woods below, which will be available in stores on September 30, and join the discussion about the clubs in our forums.
Big Bertha Fusion Driver
In the driver, an “exo-cage” made of aerospace-grade titanium holds the triaxial carbon material, which is used in both the crown and on the toe and heel of the sole.
By using triaxial carbon, Callaway was able to save 35.4 grams of weight that was repurposed low and back for higher MOI (moment of inertia), a measure of forgiveness, and in the heel of the driver, making it more draw-biased. This also allowed Callaway to lower CG, thus reducing backspin and raising launch.
The crown consists of two parts: A chopped fiber forged composite in the front, and triaxial carbon in the rear
According to Callaway, the drivers have up to 17 percent higher MOI than the XR 16 drivers. Like the XR 16 drivers, the Big Bertha Fusion drivers also have Speed Steps — the fruits of work with Boeing — on their crowns for more speed than a smooth surface, due to the aerodynamic quality of the design.
The driver also includes Callaway’s OptiFit hosel that allows users to adjust loft independent of face angle settings.
Stock shafts will be a UST’s new Recoil shaft made for drivers, and Mitsubishi Rayon’s new Diamana Red Board. Consumers will be able to choose from the 45.5-inch stock shaft option, and a 44.5-inch shaft that has a slightly heavier weight in the back of the driver head to adjust for swing weight.
The drivers carry a MAP of $399, and will be available in 9, 10.5 and 13.5 degree lofts.
Big Bertha Fusion fairway woods
Like the Big Bertha Fusion drivers, the fairway woods also have the lighter triaxial carbon in their crowns. In total, the crowns weigh a feathery-light 5.8 grams, compared to the XR 16 crowns — made from stainless steel — that weigh 26 grams, according to Callaway.
With a lighter crown, Callaway was able to reposition weight low and back in the club for higher launch and higher MOI, and lower CG.
The fairway woods come with a Hyper Speed Cup Face for higher ball speeds on off-center hits, and the Speed Step crown for higher club head speed and less drag. The sole shape was also designed to reduce turf interaction, thus improving versatility for shots hit off the ground.
The Big Bertha Fusion fairway woods will sell for $249, and come available in 3-, 5- and 7-wood options.
Join the discussion about the new Big Bertha Fusion drivers and fairway woods in our forums.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
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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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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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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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JB
Sep 1, 2016 at 10:02 am
Cant wait to sell these on my eBay account! I mean test them.
THP's eBay Account
Sep 5, 2016 at 7:39 am
Hook me up you sly fox! I already have the listing ready!
“Only hit once on the range, never played on the course. Looks new. The 3w and 5w are still in the plastic.”
Dinner on me!
Uncle Buck
Aug 31, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Dern thang look like’a one ‘nem Taylor Made outfits from back ind’a day. Hehehe!! More thangs change da more dey stay da same!! As ‘ol Jack would say “goodness gracious!”
Martin
Aug 31, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Looking down on the club it looks like the shape of a TM club that came out 5-7 years ago. R9 I think it was. I like a more traditional looking club like the XR.
r7l
Aug 31, 2016 at 9:40 pm
You’re thinking of the R7 Limited, the red one. But Callaway has had this shape before also.
Dave R
Aug 31, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Wow wtf who ?
Charlie
Aug 31, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Looks like the club has stretch marks!!!
M
Aug 31, 2016 at 1:59 pm
You would know, wouldn’t you, dealing with your Moobs
Charlie
Sep 4, 2016 at 4:51 pm
You weren’t complaining when you were between them!
3PuttTerritory
Aug 31, 2016 at 8:58 am
I hit these the other day along with the new irons and hybrids and they are most certainly not the best looking clubs I’ve ever seen. Meaning, if this club were a gigolo, it’d have to be very good with its fingers.
I was a little taken aback by the recoil wood shaft, I said, “that’s the shaft my grandpappy plays in his irons, do you have anything in 92 grams???” But, there was nothing else to try.
I play my driver at 44 7/16, so it wasn’t perfect, but it was CLOSE. The best thing I can say about it is that for a game improvement club it doesn’t spin a ton, so if you mostly hit drop-kick, high blocks–this could be the club for you.
The irons are going to be the real star of the show for callaway this year though with the steelhead and the Bertha replacement that’s coming.
Everyone should try them unless they’re like me and still Baggin’ a set of ping eye 2 berrillz, blue dot, 1-PW. Holla at me, 1987.
B
Aug 31, 2016 at 3:02 am
Beautiful!
Joshuaplaysgolf
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:41 pm
????????????????
KK
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Short shaft, ugly, Callaway engineering. This thing has to be a beast.
Zipper
Aug 30, 2016 at 7:39 pm
“new material”, that’s hilarious. K2 was making skis with this material in the 1980’s. It’s marketing BS (I have a marketing degree). These guys will say anything to make a buck!!!
SNBD
Aug 30, 2016 at 11:57 pm
I’m willing to bet the article/statement for Callaway is implying that the material is new to golf equipment. By your logic the only “new materials” are ones that haven’t been discovered by man yet…..don’t be so literal Zipper.
suckatgolf
Aug 30, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Worst Club ever.
WTF were you thinking Callaway.
Joshuaplaysgolf
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Have you hit it???
Dat
Aug 30, 2016 at 6:30 pm
While the 44.5 option is nice…it won’t be in stock at most stores. So this benefit is mostly moot unless the store salesman knows he can get it in a shorter, more controllable length. Enough with the 45.5″ and 46″ driver off the rack specs. They don’t work for the true average player.
Mat
Aug 30, 2016 at 4:32 pm
I came here thinking, “yet another Callaway release”, but these actually do seem to be different. Besides, offering a 44.5 option should be celebrated, even if it is these guys.
Rob
Aug 30, 2016 at 3:06 pm
Haven’t we taken steps backwards since the Fusion FT-3 Driver? That club had the entire body made of carbon, not just the sole and crown. This allowed them to move 44 grams around inside the head to wherever they wanted.
Wesstlee18
Aug 30, 2016 at 1:21 pm
The problem with carbon composite is you have to use glue to attach it, so all the weight you save is wasted in glue. Notice the weight on the head is just “12 grams.” Yes there was some weight saved, piece for piece, but they probably only moved about 6 – 9 grams around, which can still make a difference in driver design, but also the reason why all titanium drivers are still competitive. Love the marketing though!
ZJohnson
Aug 30, 2016 at 12:48 pm
The shape reminds me a lot of the old FT-iZ. I’ll stick to my 816**
Fupresti
Aug 30, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Burp
G
Aug 30, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Gorgeous !!!
Weekend Duffer
Aug 30, 2016 at 11:45 am
44.5 right out the store wow, hopefully others try to copy this. These 46.5″ drivers are getting ridiculous.
Marty Moose
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:57 am
At least they are offering this. I prefer shorter drivers; play mine at 44.25″ – lead tape on bottom to make up weight change. My distance does not seem affected by the shorter length, better dispersion and hit the center 90% of the time. More should experiment with different driver lengths. I know Tom Wishon has a chart which gives recommended lengths based on height, wrist to floor, etc.
“Consumers will be able to choose from the 45.5-inch stock shaft option, and a 44.5-inch shaft that has a slightly heavier weight in the back of the driver head to adjust for swing weight.”
L
Aug 30, 2016 at 6:08 pm
You’re not one of us real golfers Smiz, so don’t include yourself as one of us, you don’t speak for us. You only speak for yourself as you stare at the mirror in your slammer
L
Aug 31, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Because you have no respect
Marty Moose
Aug 31, 2016 at 10:15 am
Then don’t. Keep hitting that 46″ TM Burner Draw driver 2 fairways over.
Marty Moose
Sep 1, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Easy to do when you are playing the women’s tees.