Spy Pics – 2016 Callaway Big Bertha Drivers

After we published the original spy pic, we knew it wouldn’t be long before Callaway’s 2016 drivers (the first two anyway) found their way to the USGA’s conforming clubs list. Callaway launches driver in the fall now (and we expect at least one major competitor is going to follow the trend this season), so it’s far from surprising that 2 new models are moving closer to launch.

Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond

Last season’s RMOTO technology returns along with a second gravity core port. Instead of centralizing mass, Callaway has given golfers more flexibility to move it to the perimeter. We’re told the rear weight is fixed and not designed to house yet another gravity core.

The position of mass suggests that forgiveness might be emphasized a bit more than it was in the past two incarnations of the driver. Whether that signals a modest change in philosophy, and industry trend, or just Callaway creating a spot in the lineup for an even more player-centric driver will remain to be seen.

Great Big Bertha

The model we assume will be positioned as the flagship driver for the average golfer won’t feature the gravity core from last seasons Big Bertha 815 Alpha, but the sliding rear weight system from the 2014 model makes a return. The reemergence of the weight track is interesting. The adjustable technology itself is probably the most useful in the Callaway arsenal, however; we also know that consumers struggle with the nuances of the various settings, and so Callaway may not be able to provide golfers with the tools they need to understand the settings and get the most out of the driver.

That said, Callaway’s consumer education engine is the most powerful in golf right now, so I’m saying there’s a chance they could make some headway. At a minimum, we know some golfers love shiny things that move, and nobody is offering more of those than Callaway right now (at least officially).

Have Your Say

Are you intrigued by what you see from Callaway’s 2016 lineup, or would you have preferred the company go in a different direction?