First Look: Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons

The 20 Second Intro

Available Lofts: 4-SW
Stock Shafts: True Temper Speed Step 80 (steel), UST Recoil ES 460 (graphite)
Retail Price: $1099 (steel), $1299 (graphite)
Availability: Pre-Sale beginning 9/9. Full retail 9/30

If we take Callaway at its word – and what the hell, I’m feeling generous today, so let’s do that – the 2017 Big Bertha OS irons can fairly be described as both new and improved. I know… a little bit of that comes with every release, but hear me out, there’s some interesting stuff here.

The new part is the addition of Callaway’s EXO-CAGE technology, which we first learned about last week with the release of the Big Bertha Fusion driver. An exoskeleton of sorts for clubheads, EXO-CAGE provides the strength and support structures necessary for all of the other bits of technology to work as intended.

The key feature of the EXO-CAGE is that it’s lightweight, which gives Callaway plenty of flexibility to position mass where it’s most beneficial for the intended audience. In this particular case, that audience is a super game-improvement player looking to maximize both distance and forgiveness. While svelte these irons are not, for the target demo, we’re talking about best of both worlds technology.

The improved, I suppose, is the added distance that comes from next-generation (which immediately becomes current generation) 360 Face Cup technology. Callaway claims that the updated face raises COR closer to the USGA limit, and creates higher balls speed across more of that face. Callaway isn’t making any crazy “Up to two clubs longer” claims this time around, but anecdotally, some players have picked up a club’s worth of extra yardage.

Your mileage will absolutely vary.

As it generally does, Big Bertha OS’ MOI bump comes from the repositioning of that previously mentioned extra mass created by EXO-CAGE. A good bit of it is reallocated in the form of tungsten weights placed low in the clubhead. By now you probably know that weight placed low and back creates higher launch, and for Big Bertha OS’ target player, generally more carry too.

That low and back CG along with the 360 Face Cup helps boost the iron’s forgiveness.

Progressive CG Design

While not revolutionary stuff, it’s worth mentioning that Big Bertha OS features a progressive center of gravity design. As the clubs get shorter, the CG gets progressively higher, which means that shorter irons launch lower with more spin. In addition to hopefully eliminating any ballooning, the design makes for short irons that look more like scoring clubs and less like gardening implements.

Unmistakable Aesthetics

Visually the Big Bertha OS is everything you should expect from an iron in the super game-improvement space. Soles are wide, blade lengths are long, toplines are thick, and offset is extremely generous. If you translate all of that as bulky and off-putting, then Big Bertha OS probably isn’t for you.

I’m fine with that. Callaway is fine with that. Basically, we’re still cool.

One small detail that’s worth mentioning: Big Bertha OS’ badging features a carbon fiber pattern that mirrors the triaxial carbon weave on the crown of he Big Bertha Fusion driver and fairway. It’s a subtle thing, but one that creates continuity across all of Callaway’s most forgiving offerings.

ATTENTION: Seniors and Women!

Sure, all of this tech is reasonably cool, but what I’m most excited about with the Big Bertha OS line is that Callaway has created alternative versions specifically for women and seniors. We can talk about distance all day long, but anybody who has witnessed seniors habitually landing pitching wedges short of the green only to see their balls roll off the back can tell you, there are golfers out there who need more loft… a lot more loft.

Granted, it may not be enough for everyone, but in a time when loft-jacking is all the rage, golf clap for Callaway for giving seniors and women a lighter-weight version of a mainstream release that also helps put some of the air back under the ball. It won’t fix everything, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Specs, Pricing, and Availability

The Callaway Big Bertha OS is available from 4-PW. Retail price is $1099.99 with True Temper Speed Step 80 steel shafts and $1299.99 with UST Recoil ES 460 graphite shafts.

For those looking for long iron alternatives, Big Bertha OS hybrids have also been announced.

Available 9/30/16.

For more information visit CallawayGolf.com.