Equipment
Spotted: Callaway 2017 GBB Epic Driver
After sharing leaked photos of what could be TaylorMade’s new M1 driver on our Facebook page, a GolfWRX user left a comment showing what could be Callaway’s new Great Big Bertha Epic driver for 2017.
From the photo, it appears the GBB Epic will have a back-track weighting system that looks similar to that of Callaway’s 2015 Great Big Bertha driver. It also has a color scheme reminiscent of Callaway’s popular Razr Fit Xtreme driver, launched in 2013, and three different sections of carbon fiber on the sole.
There’s also script on the front of the driver’s sole that says “Jailbreak Technology.” GolfWRX Members who claim to have seen the GBB Epic driver in person, or know someone who has, are chatting about it in this thread.
Related: See what GolfWRX members are saying about Callaway’s future equipment launches in our forums.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
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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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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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
View this post on Instagram
According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
Scottie Scheffler WITB 2024 (March)
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Paulina Gretzky opens up on receiving death threats following DJ’s move to LIV Golf
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
Collin Morikawa WITB 2024 (April)
Collin Morikawa what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. More photos from the event here. Driver: TaylorMade...
WITB Time Machine: Jordan Spieth’s winning WITB, 2022 RBC Heritage
At the 2022 RBC Heritage Jordan Spieth defeated Patrick Cantlay on the first playoff hole after nearly holing his greenside...
Jason Day WITB 2024 (April)
Jason Day what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees @10) Shaft: TPT...
Ludvig Åberg WITB 2024 (April)
Ludvig Åberg what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, D4 SureFit setting)...
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Jericho
Dec 28, 2016 at 7:30 am
I want see Joe Miller hit this!
Jericho
Dec 28, 2016 at 7:33 am
* to *. ..damn autocorrect
Dave R
Nov 9, 2016 at 8:10 pm
Nothing is worth $499.00 I don’t care if it goes a mile, and a whole 17 yards different wow I. Get that if I hit my 4 wood instead of my DRIVER hey mabey I should use it instead ya that’s what I’ll do and it won’t cost me $499.00 . Hey Smizzle your always funny
prime21
Nov 14, 2016 at 4:56 pm
This comment makes no sense. You don’t care if it goes a mile, but just in case that wasn’t enough you tack on another 17 yards. If it travels 17 yards farther than your current driver, you would certainly pay $499 for it, especially considering that is the current market price of any driver, throwing in your shaft of choice. If anyone can make sense of why Dave is talking about his 4 wood, please fill me in. Thank you for your Epic post. Next time please try to make sense in at least one sentence.
Glenn kirk
Jan 2, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Lol
MrPoopoo
Nov 7, 2016 at 7:58 pm
I can’t wait for Callaway to bring back the C4 name.
Pingback: Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic – Austin Harvey
Jim
Nov 3, 2016 at 2:21 pm
fishing with dynamite.
Rimjob
Nov 3, 2016 at 3:03 am
EpicBallz
Steve S
Nov 2, 2016 at 9:18 pm
Vomit…
Tom W
Nov 2, 2016 at 6:15 pm
Hit this today…….it’s good! 4mph more ball speed than the 917 d3, 12 yards more carry. Great feel off the face, very low spinning on the sub zero model. Impressive bit of kit!
joro3743
Nov 24, 2016 at 10:26 am
WOW, Tom, you are right, I have been buying a new Driver every time they have come out and so far over the past 10 yrs and 15 yrs gain with every new one I am now Driving the Ball over 450 yrs. and the newer Balls have also helped a lot with the new metals and design of Irons I am hitting my Wedge 250 yrs, in Fact I only use 3 clubs now, Driver, Wedge, and Putter.
I hear that now that people don’t need sets anymore and a few clubs can do the job that sales are killing them so the though is going back to Persimmon and wound Balls so they can sell more clubs and Balls. And the Balls will cut so the demand will be there for more.
Bottom line is how much more gullible is the consumer going to get.
Uhit
Nov 27, 2016 at 8:57 am
The COR is limited – no?
Maybe they needed to use the additional stabilization (Jailbreak Technology) to reach the allowed limit, with the otherwise too unstable head design??
Anyway, we have to wait and see, whether it really performs well, or not.
Glenn kirk
Jan 2, 2017 at 8:08 pm
If it can beat my GBB i will put one in the bag for sure
Rimjob
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:17 pm
Look! The first real, funny comment from the Smiz!
Rimjob
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:55 am
Nah. Don’t overshoot yourself, you ain’t nowhere near as good as you think. In fact, you’re a pest
davyb123
Nov 2, 2016 at 11:53 am
$700.
Parfield
Nov 2, 2016 at 9:37 am
Can’t wait to see Mark Crossfield hit it 262 like every other driver on the market.
Dat
Nov 2, 2016 at 12:25 pm
This
lastr002
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:14 pm
he probably still beats you by 12+ strokes
Parfield
Nov 2, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Ooh ooh ooh, did nor understand my comment. My observation relates to the “sameness” of equipment. I’d love to hit it like Marky!
Dat
Nov 2, 2016 at 9:20 pm
I’d give my decent putting for decent driving any day even if it improved my score by one.
dave johnson
Nov 2, 2016 at 11:15 pm
Callaway is the worst company ever made. I will not play them even if they want me to be on their staff, which they have asked. And yes I’m better than all of you, which means I know more than all of you. Don’t buy from this company. Go with PXG like me!
ace
Nov 3, 2016 at 1:27 am
what a tool
Jimmy Dean
Nov 3, 2016 at 10:42 pm
Absolutely, with a capital T’!
Bird Vandy
Nov 5, 2016 at 6:45 pm
Lol What a loser… I’m sure you’re a 6 handicap who beats his buddies by only a few. Go practice and shoot under par then get outta here!
Jimmy Banks
Nov 11, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Mark can’t chip so you can spot him a dozen..
Dave
Nov 2, 2016 at 8:08 am
Looks interesting, however I have just switched all clubs in my bag to Taylormade after years of loyal Callaway purchases, I doubt I will be back or try this driver. I still cheer for the brand on tour yet however, I like their staff players as well as Taylormades. 10 handicap playing 2 nines a week. I finally realized practice and instruction over new shiny clubs is best way to improve. I hope it does well, send one to Rory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jimmy Banks
Nov 11, 2016 at 2:04 pm
practise over new shiny clubs is why you have a bunch of new shiny TMs in your bag…doofus…
Dave
Nov 2, 2016 at 7:18 am
I’m sure it will be longer and more forgiving than the last 17 driver releases.
FNM
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:36 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG_k5CSYKhg
dungur
Nov 27, 2016 at 5:55 am
This, my friend, is exactly what popped up in my head when I saw that pics
FNM
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:27 am
Faith No More – Epic
Can you feel it, see it, hear it today?
If you can’t, then it doesn’t matter anyway
You will never understand it cuz it happens too fast
And it feels so good, it’s like walking on glass
It’s so cool, it’s so hip, it’s alright
It’s so groovy, it’s outta sight
You can touch it, smell it, taste it so sweet
But it makes no difference cuz it knocks you off your feet
You want it all but you can’t have it
It’s cryin’, bleedin’, lying on the floor
So you lay down on it and you do it some more
You’ve got to share it, so you dare it
Then you bare it and you tear it
You want it all but you can’t have it
It’s in your face but you can’t grab it
It’s alive, afraid, a lie, a sin
It’s magic, it’s tragic, it’s a loss, it’s a win
It’s dark, it’s moist, it’s a bitter pain
It’s sad it happened and it’s a shame
You want it all but you can’t have it
It’s in your face but you can’t grab it
What is it?
It’s it
Jimmy Dean
Nov 3, 2016 at 10:44 pm
Dude, what are you smoking? Good god, this place gets more stupid by the minute!
Rimjob
Nov 4, 2016 at 1:54 am
You would know, Jimmy Dean, your sausages suck
dungur
Nov 27, 2016 at 5:57 am
That too
Clay
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Looking forwatd to the SZ version. One question, where is R Moto? Wasn’t it supposed to be awesome, why not put the pins through an R Moto face? Idk seems odd they marketed that for 2 years and it vanishes without a word.
Sean
Nov 2, 2016 at 7:55 am
From my understanding, R-Moto still in there along with VFT (variable face thickness) and the Boeing aerodynamic technology on the top. Culmination of a bunch of different technologies coming together. Hit it the other day……legit. We’ll see what the consumer thinks when they tee it up and whether the extra yards are worth the $$$’s
Rimjob
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Sean, the Callaway spokesman
KK
Nov 1, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Sort of the opposite of slot tech. Btw, Cally and TM really pushing composite design. Titleist may be left behind in the arms race. Let’s see what Ping does.
Brian
Nov 3, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Titleist is always behind in the arms race. They finally put movable weight tech in their drivers. I’d expect composite materials in the woods in, what, another 10 years?
FTWPhil
Nov 1, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Jailbreak controls face deformation.
Dat
Nov 2, 2016 at 9:21 pm
so when we all hit it 600 yards and cave the face in as typical wrx’rs we won’t need a new driver every week?
AW
Nov 1, 2016 at 7:03 pm
I hit this club for about an hour today and can promise you it’s longer than any club out there. The titanium pins that connect the sole to the crown are the real difference. Essentially they make sure those two parts don’t separate from the face and cause a loss of energy at impact.
I had my own trackman out there and was getting about 3-4 mph more ball speed with the same swing speed. Some of the smash factor readings were up to 1.53! The subzero version is good as well but it’s still going to be only for the really high launching players (even though this new one is 460 vs. the xr16 subzero that’s 440). The standard Epic spun it plenty low for me and kept the ball a lot straighter.
The club is going to sell for $499 but I think it’s going to be worth every penny.
Rimjob
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:24 am
Trackman doesn’t know Smash Factor. It is wrong more often than not because it cannot see the face.
Sean
Nov 2, 2016 at 7:38 am
Ummmm Rimjob……TrackMan or any other launch monitor does not need to “see” the face to determine smash factor. Smash Factor is a simple math calculation; ball speed divided by clubhead speed. 150 ball speed from a 100 mph swing speed equals a 1.50 smash factor. Higher that number the more efficient the strike. There are other factors such a open or closed club face that also affect that number so it’s not to say if it’s a 1.50 smash it’s automatically a good shot.
With that said I hit Epic the other day with TrackMan on hand to settle the score. Jailbreak or whatever they want to call it is something special. My ball speed jumped from 155-157 range to 160-162…..I was impressed. More evaluation required but I think they are onto something. Preferred Red or Blue paint scheme but for extra yards I’ll get over it.
Rimjob
Nov 2, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Yeah. Good try. That is correct, that it is an ESTIMATION. Therefore, it is NOT accurate. It is GUESSING.
Sean
Nov 2, 2016 at 9:45 pm
Please enlighten me…….how is “accurate” smash factor determined?
Mpfaff
Nov 8, 2016 at 12:52 pm
Rimjob, once you have a degree in math or engineering you can say how far off the trackman is. By saying it is guessing is saying that the theory of gravity is just a guess. There is lots of data to back up the accuracy of the trackman, but hey if you also think gravity is just a guess go ahead and jump off a building and test out gravity for yourself.
Charles Bartholomew
Nov 1, 2016 at 6:48 pm
What shaft does it come with?
Joe Corsi
Nov 1, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Several different shaft options that are stock
suhdude
Nov 1, 2016 at 5:37 pm
move over beowulf, there’s a new EPIC in town!
Joe Corsi
Nov 1, 2016 at 4:04 pm
My Callaway rep brought this to my store this week after his sales meeting and we all hit it on my CG2 launch monitor. This driver is a home run . Very solid and LOOOONG ! The titanium pins in the face deflect more energy forward than previous driver. This is one driver you will want to hit. We were all impressed by its performance.
JB from THP
Nov 1, 2016 at 3:16 pm
At long last the THP inspired driver is available for the masses! We coined #Epic years ago in anticipation of this very moment and it’s finally here. Ugh…I can hardly breathe I’m so excited. I can’t wait for all the hand-picked, non-blacklisted…urrr…I mean “randomized” Granddaddy participants to put this in the bag. This year’s event will truly be the most EPIC (*snort* see what I did there?) event ever, which we totally didn’t steal from WRX.
The Dean
Nov 1, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Count me in (as always)!
Jman_THP
Nov 1, 2016 at 3:34 pm
EFFING EPIC!!! REALLY AND TRULY EFFING EPIC!!! I wonder what the resale value will be.
Concerned Golf WRX Fan
Nov 4, 2016 at 2:23 pm
JMAN you will get it for free then sell it like usual…..We all know it really it isnt those jokers…..but hey…..it’s the internet
prime21
Nov 1, 2016 at 3:06 pm
Neato!
EPIC BRO
Nov 1, 2016 at 2:18 pm
Cally goes after the Bro Golf crowd. “With the Great Big Bertha Epic, every drive will be EPIC BRO!”
FFS
alan
Nov 1, 2016 at 1:30 pm
at least 17 yards longer than any of their other drivers.
CallawayLefty
Nov 1, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Oh man, please pick CallawayLefty for the EPIC trip.
rechlo67
Nov 1, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Pair this bad boy up with the Graffaloy Epic
NoDoubt Stout
Nov 1, 2016 at 12:14 pm
This.. this looks F#@%$ Good
AllBOdoesisgolf
Nov 1, 2016 at 12:03 pm
haha callaway playing to the millennials and their lingo
Rob
Nov 1, 2016 at 1:07 pm
You say that like it’s a bad thing?
cgasucks
Nov 1, 2016 at 1:30 pm
I think it’s groovy..
JustTrying2BAwesome
Nov 1, 2016 at 4:58 pm
It’s whaaaaaat?!
Tom
Nov 2, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Naaaa it would be blacked out.