Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 woods launched

The Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 woods have been revealed

Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816
The new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 woods

The new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 woods have been revealed, with a driver offering distance for better players and a fairway wood that provides speed and adjustability

The new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond driver and Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 fairway wood have been revealed.

Both clubs offer more of an evolution than a revolution on last year's models, but there is still plenty to get excited about.

The new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond driver is aimed squarely at better players, just like the Big Bertha Alpha 815 Double Black Diamond driver it replaces, and will offer a combination of distance and shot-shaping control.

The main difference compared to last year's model is the addition of two Dual Distance Chambers located in the heel or toe, one of which houses the Gravity Core. So now you can alter the shot shape by placing the Gravity Core either in the heel (draw) or toe (neutral) Distance Chamber and also flip the Gravity Core to position the heavy end low or high depending on your usual impact location on the face. Placing the heavy end low in the head will also help reduce backspin.

Next generation R-MOTO Technology also provides the structure needed for a thinner face, leading to faster ball speeds on both centre and off-centre hits.

A new deeper face will suit the more common better player mishit, and also helps lower the centre of gravity for just the right amount of forgiveness and workability.

A slightly open face angle and matte black finish with no distractions should also suit the look better players like at address.

Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816

The new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 woods

As with last year's model, Callaway's OptiFit hosel adds to the Gravity Core's adjustable elements, providing an extra eight settings so you can add loft, take loft off or adjust the lie angle to fit your swing.

The Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond driver is also joined by the new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 fairway wood.

It includes a Forged Hyper Speed Face Cup that generates faster ball speeds on centre and off-centre strikes for more consistent distance, while a tour preferred centre of gravity position can be altered using adjustable weights.

By switching the 3g and 16g weights you can choose between a lower spin flight (weight forward) or more forgiveness with a higher launch (weight back). This versatility means the fairway wood can be both a long option off the tee, or a more playable club for approach shots, all depending on how you want to use it.

Other features on the Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 fairway wood include a slightly larger head that provides more forgiveness than you would expect out of a better player club, plus a sole design that provides control from a variety of lies.

Like the Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond driver, the fairway has a simple matte black finish and eight-way adjustable hosel so you can adjust the loft and the lie angle.

Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 specifications

The 460cc Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond driver comes in 9° and 10.5° loft options, is fitted with an Aldila Rogue I/O 60g shaft and will retail at £429.

The Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 fairway wood comes in 14°, 16° and 18° loft options, is fitted with a new Aldila Rogue I/O 70g shaft and will retail at £249.

 

Jake O'Reilly specilaises in equipment coverage, and joined the Golf Monthly team in 2013. Before this he graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a Sports Journalism and Media degree, and worked at a number of British golf magazines. Follow Jake on Twitter @jake0reilly