Callaway Great Big Bertha Fairway Wood

Wood Options & Stock Shafts

Technology

Game Improvement Fairway Wood

Callaway brought back the Great Big Bertha name in 2016, and it wasn't just nostalgia. The original 1995 model was the first titanium driver most amateurs could actually buy, and this one carried that premium billing forward as the top of Callaway's driver lineup that year, sitting above the XR. What you got for the higher price was adjustability on two fronts: an OptiFit hosel to change loft and lie, plus a sliding weight on the sole to move your ball flight left or right.

This is a driver built to launch the ball high and keep it in play. The head is a full 460cc, the crown uses the Speed Step aerodynamic shape Callaway developed with help from Boeing engineers, and the R-Moto face is thin enough to hold ball speed on strikes that miss the center. Add the high-launch bias and you have a club aimed squarely at golfers who want easy elevation and forgiveness rather than a low, workable flight.

It won't turn a scratch player's game upside down, and it isn't trying to. The Great Big Bertha is for the player who wants to set the club up once, trust it, and swing without thinking about where the face is pointed. If you fight a slice or just want more carry, this is the kind of driver that quietly makes those problems smaller.

• You want to dial in draw or fade bias with a sliding weight instead of buying a fixed-setting driver.
• Getting the ball airborne with carry matters more to you than hitting a low, penetrating flight.
• A slice is your usual miss and you want built-in help fighting it.
• Moderate swing speed players who benefit from a lighter head that's easier to swing fast.
• You'll actually use loft and lie adjustment to fine-tune your setup over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Great Big Bertha and the XR from 2016?

The Great Big Bertha was the premium, fully adjustable model, with both the OptiFit hosel and a sliding sole weight for shot shape. The XR was aimed at speed and value and came in a simpler package. If you want to move your ball flight left or right with a weight track, the Great Big Bertha is the one that does it.

How much can I adjust the loft on this driver?

The OptiFit hosel gives you a range of about two degrees of loft change from the stated setting, plus a draw lie option. So a 10.5-degree head can be set anywhere from roughly 8.5 to 12.5 degrees depending on which position you choose.

Does the sliding weight really change ball flight?

Yes. Moving the weight toward the heel promotes a draw, and moving it toward the toe promotes a fade. It's a noticeable shift in bias rather than a marketing gimmick, though it works best as a tuning tool alongside a proper hosel and shaft setup.

Is this a good driver for a slower swing speed?

It's a solid fit. The head is on the lighter side, which helps you swing it faster, and the low-back weighting plus high-launch design make it easier to get the ball up and carrying. That combination is friendly to moderate and slower swing speeds.

Is a 2016 Great Big Bertha still worth buying used?

For the price you'll pay on the used market, it holds up well as a forgiving, adjustable driver. Newer models have gained ball speed and refined the sounds and looks, so a fitting against current heads is smart. But if you find one that fits your swing, the adjustability and forgiveness still deliver.

Alternatives to the Callaway Great Big Bertha

Other game improvement fairway wood models from different brands, closest to its model year.