Equipment
Callaway 2014 Big Bertha driver rumors heating up
We’re already 23 pages deep in a Callaway Big Bertha thread in our forums, where members are discussing the much rumored “Big Bertha” drivers Callaway is said to be releasing for the 2014 season.
In August, we photographed two Callaway prototype irons and a driver on the range at the PGA Tour’s Deutsche Bank Championship. The irons turned out to be Callaway’s Apex and Apex Pro models, which Callaway unveiled in late September and early November, respectively.
Callaway has also released its X2 Hot and X2 Hot Pro drivers, which has members betting that the Callaway prototype driver with a sliding perimeter weight spotted at the Deutsche Bank is going to be released as one of the new Big Bertha drivers, along with a less perimeter-weighted model that was discussed by Phil Mickelson earlier this month on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive (3 minutes, 10 seconds in).
According to GolfWRX Member BirdieBob, golfers should be getting their first look at the Big Bertha drivers in less than a week, on Dec. 2. Stay tuned to the Big Bertha thread to see if any photos leak out beforehand. For now, check out this video Callaway released Nov. 27 that confirms a Big Bertha driver is coming, but nothing else.
[youtube id=”0cJHb4iND7k” width=”620″ height=”360″]
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
- 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.
View this post on Instagram
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
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.”
View this post on Instagram
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
- LIKE12
- LEGIT4
- WOW3
- LOL2
- IDHT1
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK3
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
- LIKE1
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
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
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here....
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
Pingback: Callaway Women Big Bertha 2005
Pingback: Phil Mickelson new driver for 2014 | Toronto Golf Reviews
tekni
Dec 3, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Would like this Driver as I need the loft change feature and like the ease of one adjustable but the name is just not proper for a club!
‘Big Bertha’ means ‘Big fat and ugly’ like my old woman. I can’t be whacking a ball using a handle on a facsimile of my wife, can I?
Bored with it all
Nov 30, 2013 at 11:51 am
TM comes out with a sliding driver. Now Callaway has to follow it up somehow. Tired of the whole marketing ploy.
Gives me more respect for companies like Ping and Titleist that stay true to their roots.
Matt
Nov 30, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Pretty sure Callaway’s patent on “Slider” dates back to 2005. That would make TM “reaching” to get a similar product on the market first (this time). DEFINITELY agree with the Ping and Titleist remark.
Personally, I’m not a fan of the SLDR. I still like the R1 better.
Psimmons
Feb 11, 2014 at 9:49 pm
Sorry, but the Taylormade fanboys will have to try harder than that. This technology was first patented by Callaway.
Manny Rodriguez
Nov 29, 2013 at 10:45 pm
Can’t wait to see what they call this sweet looking bomber!
Brian
Nov 29, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Good to see Callaway put out something a little more innovative.
MIke
Nov 28, 2013 at 10:42 pm
This driver looks anything but plain! Just wait and see the colour scheme! Thing looks amazing!
ross
Nov 28, 2013 at 1:25 pm
I just watched the xhot2 vid with head of r&d… he looks like a smart man.. stealing all the other companies ideas… i could do that
Floyderick
Nov 28, 2013 at 1:05 pm
Excited for this! Club is a little plain looking, seeing as the top has no design in the above picture, but hopefully it performs
RG
Nov 27, 2013 at 7:42 pm
I am completely over the hype. First they take the Apex name from Ben Hogan to go retro and now its the Big Bertha. Just admit it Callaway, you’re out of original ideas.
RT
Nov 27, 2013 at 10:52 pm
You call it “hype”, but probably like all taylormade stuff… am I right?!
Anyway, disregard the names on 2014 callaway clubs and try the xHot2s or Apex. Personally I found the Apex Pro irons as buttery as it gets. The removable center weight (i.e. jet speed) in the Big Bertha is what I attribute the decrease of spin off the clubface to. You’ll become a believer!
Ross
Nov 27, 2013 at 6:27 pm
This looks very similar to the Mizuno MP600…
Fast track weight technology…. hardly cutting edge
I would not buy into the Bertha name… unless it had the warbird sole of course
Freddy
Nov 28, 2013 at 8:25 am
Except only one movable weight unfortunately.
mwmilk123
Nov 27, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Callaway is starting to be annoying. The hype is so over the top.
Owen
Nov 27, 2013 at 5:23 pm
Hit it Monday, v low spinning face. Weight flips over to create a high or low ball flight. Numbers on the gc2 looked good against sldr.
RT
Nov 27, 2013 at 10:49 am
I hit it last week. Unreal! I’m a high ball spinner and my spin rate off the face was wayyyy down. I’m highly anticipating the apex irons coupled with the Big Bertha.
Patrick
Nov 27, 2013 at 9:56 am
As anyone been able to hit one?
ND Hickman
Nov 27, 2013 at 7:21 am
It always confounds me as to why manufacturers of golfing equipment don’t name more stuff after heavy artillery. Nothing inspires confidence quite like a driver named after a Howitzer.
“What driver are you using?”
“Oh it’s a Taylor Made SLDR, you?”
“Big Bertha!!!”
Steve
Nov 27, 2013 at 2:27 pm
I understand what Big Bertha is supposed to mean, but it still just makes me think of some sort of heavy, ugly chick
Ross
Nov 27, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Long Tom… was a huge anti aircraft gun.
Titleist ak47
miura 9mm
froneputt
Nov 27, 2013 at 6:35 am
Callaway is luving this … but I see no sense in 23 pages of a Seinfeld re-run thread.
preston
Nov 26, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Leon, exactly what I was thinking….Mizuno driver.
Andrew
Nov 26, 2013 at 9:49 pm
Five individuals posting over and over, most known to be beneficiaries of free travel and equipment…appear to be the new definition of “hype”.
Rico
Nov 27, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Agreed, the same 5 or so people are ruining every Callaway thread with their fanboyisms. Anybody posts anything less than complete rave for the new Callaway stuff is shouted down then accused of being a troll.
Is there any hype in the real world for a Big Bertha comeback? This driver is nothing more than a cynical attempt by Callaway at copying the SLDR success. At yes, the Bertha is pretty much a complete copy of the old Mizuno driver.
paul
Nov 26, 2013 at 9:34 pm
I don’t care about a moveable weight. but i do think that big bertha is the dumbest club name ever. why would i want to hit a golf club that makes me think of a fat unattractive girl?
kloyd0306
Nov 26, 2013 at 11:37 pm
The original name was that of a German Artillery gun and it was huge with a range of about 29 miles – hence Callaway’s use of it.
Sean
Nov 26, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Rep brought them in two days ago, pretty cool looking. They have stock fubuki shafts. Two different ones, one with the sliding weight in the back and one with a tungsten weight dead middle. The color was a dark blue, not a fan of the color. 440 heads with composite!
Sean
Nov 26, 2013 at 10:18 pm
Think they were 460. Color….purely subjective but a solid dark color will sure not to offend even if it’s not exciting.
MartyMouse
Nov 30, 2013 at 8:46 pm
I have hit both the Big Bertha Alpha (with the gravity core) and the Big Bertha sliding weight version. Both with Fubuki LZ shafts 60 & 50 gram. Very nice stuff!
johnloft
Nov 26, 2013 at 5:36 pm
Sigh. What a joke.
Psimmons
Feb 11, 2014 at 9:50 pm
What is the joke? That it’s not TaylorMade?
Seriously, what is your problem with this club?
Phil
Nov 26, 2013 at 4:36 pm
It exists, and has a tungsten CG adjustment bar $499. Our local Rep wouldn’t let us photo it. There is a $399 version too.
Hectorj
Nov 26, 2013 at 5:43 pm
The driver in the pic is NOT the one with the CG adjustment bar.
Phil
Nov 27, 2013 at 9:44 am
Yep
Leon
Nov 26, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Almost identical to Mizuno MP-600 driver. Callaway…fall away…
Sean
Nov 26, 2013 at 10:14 pm
I’ve seen and read up on the new Callaway and the Mizuno product that was similar, is similar in look only not performance. Hopefully we will see and enjoy soon!