Equipment
Three Callaway GBB Epic drivers appear on USGA Conforming Club List
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
GBB Epic Star
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
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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- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4...
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees...
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
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westphi
Dec 4, 2016 at 12:56 pm
When is this going to be released in stores?
Red Regal
Nov 29, 2016 at 6:42 am
Callaway the new Taylor Made with so many releases.
PapaBear
Nov 29, 2016 at 2:46 am
Haven’t been this excited since the Cobra 370U was released!
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.
erlybrd
Nov 28, 2016 at 6:27 pm
What? Looks just like 915 D4 head!!
Blade Junkie
Nov 28, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Another bottle of Snake Oil please Bartender !
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.
Dave R
Nov 28, 2016 at 12:21 pm
What I can’t believe it more new drivers, what will they think of next
Jordan
Nov 28, 2016 at 11:14 am
Wait, they’re coming out with an adjustable 915 driver? Color me intrigued…
Guy
Nov 28, 2016 at 11:49 am
Thats what I was thinking when I saw it.
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.
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?
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.
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!