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Big Bertha drivers have been a special line of clubs in the golf industry for decades, so this is a major throwback for golfers that have been a part of the game since the ’90s and early 2,000’s.
We will cover the history, current versions, and compare them to other drivers of the past with the Big Bertha logo. Let’s dive right in and look at the history and what makes the Big Bertha driver so special.
A Brief History of the Big Bertha Drivers
The Big Bertha was founded in 1991 by Callaway and named after the German WW1 howitzer that was known for its power and size. That simple, yet effective name became the most famous driver in the world.
The first Big Bertha driver was a huge change from the normal drivers at that time in the 1980s and early 1990s. The differences were that the Big Bertha driver was stainless steel and had a very large clubhead for their time.
Normally, golfers were using wooden clubs with much smaller club heads. They looked more like the modern 3 wood does, but all wooden.
The main changes that the Big Bertha driver had on the industry is that drivers became much more forgiving and had a larger sweet spot. The results were almost immediate, and it was the craze in the golf world at that time.
Flashing forward to today’s golf world, and a lot of drivers still have the same design and idea that the Big Bertha arguably started.
Read also: Callaway Drivers by Year
The Latest Big Bertha Driver
Flash forward to today, and the Big Bertha line of clubs has had a lot of different versions and they even started making irons later on. At first, the main differentiator of the Big Bertha was a bigger head, but then everyone went to the 460cc sized head.
So, to really differentiate from the competition they focused on the aerodynamics of the clubhead and they focused on a carbon head that was lightweight and produced a lot of power.
The newest Big Bertha to hit the market is the Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic, and it hit the market in 2017 and still proves to be a successful driver that people use today.
Year by year there is not a ton changes in performance and looks but comparing it to the 1991 Big Bertha makes for a crazy transformation!
Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic
Like I stated earlier, this driver debuted in 2017. The technology is next level compared to the original Big Bertha, and let’s get into what makes it so different.
- Jailbreak technology for added distance. The speed of the head and face work together to cause more distance for golfers.
- The Exo-Cage carbon head makes it the lightest driver they have made and also produces maximum forgiveness.
- Adjustable weighting to help golfers shape shots more effectively.
- Aerodynamic improvements to make the club faster through the air and cause more distance.
- Adjusting the loft and lie angle 8 ways.
- Many different shaft options to choose from depending on your swing specs.
As you can see from the 6 points above, this has aspects of the original Big Bertha mixed with today’s technology. The adjustability of this driver really makes the difference for golfers that have the desired ball flight and shot shape.
But the Great Big Bertha Epic is not the only driver that you can find on the marketplace, because there are other options that are available from previous years. Sites that have a pre-owned selection will usually be carrying these.
It should also be noted that there are a lot of options for the shafts in relation to your swing speed and swing shape. Be on the lookout for a shaft that is going to benefit your swing and it would be helpful to get it fitted!
Other Big Bertha Options
The Great Big Bertha
Going back in time a little bit, in 2015 Callaway really renewed this line of drivers with the original Great Big Bertha driver.
- The next-gen Rmoto technology makes the club deliver more SPEED and DISTANCE with a thinner face that is more forgiving than other drivers that you could be using.
- Industry-leading aerodynamic and lightweight driver head that really maximizes the clubhead speed and launch of the ball off the face.
- A 10g sliding weight feature that can let golfers really exaggerate shot-making and get that desired fade or draw that golfers want.
- The opti-fit hosel has 8 adjustments for loft, lie, and face angle.
The newest Big Bertha Epic is their newest club, but do not underestimate The Great Big Bertha driver even though it came out a while ago.
2014 Big Bertha Driver
A lot of the same features from the driver mentioned above are here in the Big Bertha driver that came out in 2014. Some of the extra bells and whistles are not as fancy, but for the most part, it performs just as well.
It can be hard to find this version but some retailers that deal in pre-owned clubs and trade-ins may just so happen to have it in stock. You still get the adjustability of what the new Big Bertha drivers have, with the feel of the old clubs with the Big Bertha name.
If you are looking for a new driver to play and happen to find the 2014 version, it would not be a bad idea to look into some of your options and see if it is a good fit!
Read more: The Best Callaway Drivers in 2023
Alternatives to the Callaway Big Bertha Driver
Three notable drivers to look into if you like the Big Bertha line but can’t find a good deal are:
- Ping G400
- TaylorMade RBZ Black
- Cobra King F8
1. Ping G400 (Currently Out Of Stock, Will Update Soon)
Ping has a feel that is pretty similar to the Callaway Great Big Bertha line of drivers and has just about the same performance, also. The internal rib structure of the driver makes the feel and distance off the club a very satisfying experience for every golfer that takes a crack with it.
Something to keep in mind is that it is likely going to cost a bit more than any of the drivers mentioned above. But, for the added distance and feel that you may get, it could be worth the money!
2. TaylorMade RBZ Black (Currently Out Of Stock, Will Update Soon)
3. Cobra King F8 (Currently Out Of Stock, Will Update Soon)
The Verdict
In conclusion, the Big Bertha line of drivers have done a lot for the game of golf and it is pretty neat that Callaway is going back to their roots with the iconic club line. Mixing in the fact that they are putting modern technology with it such as adjusting the launch and angles is something special to see also.
If you have not ever felt the AMAZING feeling of a Big Bertha driver, then you are simply missing out on something great. If you have any questions, then please feel free to reach out and we will gladly assist you.
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
