Callaway Big Bertha V-Series driver

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Callaway Big Bertha V-Series driver, fitted with a regular-flex graphite shaft. The loft was lowered one degree to 9.5° and the OptiFit hosel kept neutral.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: This definitely feels very light. My driver is marketed as a light-weight driver and this one feels lighter again – and I noticed the difference straight away. The club sits well at address and it’s easy to feel comfortable at set-up.

VERDICT: The best part of hitting the Callaway V-Series driver was the feel of impact. I can’t say I generated much extra distance but the high quality of the strikes was instantly recognisable. Catch the ball out of the centre of the club and it feels as if you don’t need any effort whatsoever to launch the ball. I didn’t have to look where the ball was going; the contact told me exactly where it was.

I set the loft a degree higher than my driver and I definitely hit drives with a higher trajectory, which was beneficial in some instances and not in others. I did hit the ball straighter – all strikes with the Callaway V-Series driver held their line and didn’t curve much.

MODEL AND SHAFT PLAYED: Callaway Big Bertha V-Series driver, fitted with a regular-flex graphite shaft. The loft was retained at 10.5° and the OptiFit hosel set to neutral.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The club is significantly lighter. Even though it’s only 20 grams lighter than my Callaway RAZR driver, that difference is noticeable. The shaft is a bit whippy – I use a stiff shaft – but the clubhead looks good.

VERDICT: I found the regular-flex shaft was just too whippy for me but put in the right shaft and add some papers under the grip and I think the V-Series driver would fly longer than my driver, based on where I hit the ball today.

The potential is definitely there to hit this driver really long. I would have liked to open the face a degree or so but when you find the middle of the bat, the sound and feel of impact is better than with my RAZR. I kept up with my long-hitting playing partners on some drives that weren’t hit quite out of the middle, too. A lot of it comes down to confidence with the club, and it did take me a few drives to feel accustomed to the Callaway V-Series driver, so it’s no surprise I started to hit the ball better with it the longer the round went on.

Facts & Figures

SUITABILITY: The lightweight design is aimed at players with moderate swing speeds.

LOFTS: Available in 9°, 10.5° and a 13.5° HT (High Trajectory) models.

SHAFTS: An ultra lightweight 42-gram Mitsubishi Bassara shaft is standard in the 10.5° and a 13.5° HT models; a Fujikura Motore Speeder 565 in the 9° model.

LEFT-HANDED MODELS?: Yes.

HOW MUCH?: $500.

CALLAWAY SAYS: “There are a number of ways to find more distance; one of them is to generate more swing speed. Callaway’s new Big Bertha V-Series driver, the newest member of the Big Bertha family, is configured for distance. Weighing approximately 290 total grams, it features an ultra lightweight 42-gram Mitsubishi Bassara Shaft, lightweight forged composite head design and advanced aerodynamic shaping, all of which combine to deliver increased clubhead speed.

“A Hyper Speed Face delivers higher ball speeds across the hitting area due to a lighter, hotter, more robust design; and the OptiFit hosel offers a combination of eight lofts (one degree lower, standard, one degree higher and two degrees higher) and lie angles (draw or neutral) to find your optimised trajectory and shot shape. It’s our fastest Bertha yet.”

Contact Callaway Golf on 1800 217 777 or visit www.callawaygolf.com