Callaway Big Bertha Fairway Woods

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Callaway Big Bertha 3-wood fitted with a regular-flex graphite shaft. The loft adjustment was kept in the standard setting and the bias neutral.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The colouring of the clubhead is distinctly Callaway. I also like

the feel of it and the weight in the head seems appropriate.

VERDICT: I chose not to move the adjustable settings away from neutral but I would have liked to tinker with the bias to create a draw setting because I did tend to fade the Big Bertha 3-wood to the right a little. A couple of degrees of draw would have been ideal. The ball came off the clubhead beautifully and went miles further than usual – a good 20 metres past my 3-wood. For trajectory and accuracy it was similar, partly I suppose because the loft is the same as my 3-wood. When I hit it from the rough, the clubhead cut through the longer grass beautifully and still provided pretty impressive contact.

I was really happy with it, particularly impact and the extra distance it generated. A couple of holes here where I tend to use a 3-wood and can’t reach the green or a particularly bunker or hazard, with the Big Bertha I found myself getting there.

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Callaway Big Bertha 3-wood fitted with a regular-flex graphite shaft. The loft adjustment was kept in the standard setting and the bias neutral.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I own a Callaway RAZR 3-wood and the clubhead of the Big Bertha strikes me as being a little smaller and lighter than mine. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, just different, as it sits really nicely at address. The white shaft and grip are appealing to the eye and the design is nice. The only problem factor might be that I use stiff-shafted clubs.

VERDICT: It felt great at impact. The ball felt great coming off the clubface and I liked the trajectory the Big Bertha created – plenty of height but still with a strong carry. The distance was solid, too, definitely a little longer than my 3-wood travels.

I always find it interesting to compare different models within the same equipment manufacturer’s line. My RAZR 3-wood is not really that old but Callaway seems to have made inroads in a short time with the new Big Bertha line. This 3-wood was not only easy to hit, I could work the ball both ways, liked the flight and found some extra metres. It’s hard not to like that combination.

Facts & Figures

SUITABILITY: All golfers.

SHAFTS: Mitsubishi Fubuki Zeta Fairway Graphite is the standard shaft.

MODELS & LOFTS: 3-wood (15°, but adjustable from 14° to 17°), 5-wood (18°, adjustable from 17° to 20°) and 7-wood (21°, adjustable from 20° to 23°).

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes, except for 7-wood.

HOW MUCH?: $329 each.

CALLAWAY SAYS: “The partner to Callaway’s revamped Big Bertha driver, the Big Bertha Fairway features the Hyper Speed Face Cup and advanced adjustability for more ball speed and ultimate trajectory control.

“The goal with the Hyper Speed Face Cup was to create faster ball speeds all across the face, which we did, and the answer comes from a thinner, lighter, more robust 455 carpenter steel face, giving you more consistent distance and playability. Those are always good, but especially so in a fairway wood.

“The Adjustable Hosel Technology is a quick, three-step process. Step one: increase or decrease loft in one-degree increments (up to +2° or down -1°) to optimise launch angle and spin. Step two: adjust to a draw or neutral bias to optimise shot shape. Step three: Hit absolute bombs off the tee, maximising distance with more accuracy.

“The Internal Standing Wave precisely locates the centre of gravity for more consistent launch, spin and distance across the face.”

“The shaft is a new lightweight offering that increases energy transfer, resulting in more ball speed while delivering higher launch for low spin, with a smooth, consistent feel.”

Contact Callaway Golf on 1800 217 777 or visit

www.callawaygolf.com