Equipment
Callaway Big Bertha Fusion drivers and fairway woods
As we all know, the USGA limits drivers to a certain size (460 cc), and COR (coefficient of restitution), which is 0.83. Since companies, such as Callaway, have already reached those limits — or somewhere very close to those limits — improvement continues elsewhere to design drivers that can positively impact golfers.
While many new drivers on the market use adjustability features to accomplish this, Callaway’s new Big Bertha Fusion drivers, and fairway woods, use advanced composite materials, head shaping and weight placement with the goal of making the most forgiving clubs possible.
From a company that’s been using composite materials for over a decade, Callaway’s Big Bertha Fusion drivers and fairway woods introduce a new material called “Triaxial Carbon,” combined with a unique, high-MOI driver head shape that stretches weight back away from the face.
According to Callaway, triaxial carbon is 65 percent lighter than titanium and 35 percent thinner than the forged composite used in recent drivers from the company. Because of how the materials in the carbon composite are woven, the triaxial carbon is stiffer, allowing the driver to be constructed thinner without losing strength.
Callaway uses the new material in the crowns of both the drivers and the fairway woods, and in the soles of the drivers, too.
Read more about the drivers and fairway woods below, which will be available in stores on September 30, and join the discussion about the clubs in our forums.
Big Bertha Fusion Driver
In the driver, an “exo-cage” made of aerospace-grade titanium holds the triaxial carbon material, which is used in both the crown and on the toe and heel of the sole.
By using triaxial carbon, Callaway was able to save 35.4 grams of weight that was repurposed low and back for higher MOI (moment of inertia), a measure of forgiveness, and in the heel of the driver, making it more draw-biased. This also allowed Callaway to lower CG, thus reducing backspin and raising launch.
The crown consists of two parts: A chopped fiber forged composite in the front, and triaxial carbon in the rear
According to Callaway, the drivers have up to 17 percent higher MOI than the XR 16 drivers. Like the XR 16 drivers, the Big Bertha Fusion drivers also have Speed Steps — the fruits of work with Boeing — on their crowns for more speed than a smooth surface, due to the aerodynamic quality of the design.
The driver also includes Callaway’s OptiFit hosel that allows users to adjust loft independent of face angle settings.
Stock shafts will be a UST’s new Recoil shaft made for drivers, and Mitsubishi Rayon’s new Diamana Red Board. Consumers will be able to choose from the 45.5-inch stock shaft option, and a 44.5-inch shaft that has a slightly heavier weight in the back of the driver head to adjust for swing weight.
The drivers carry a MAP of $399, and will be available in 9, 10.5 and 13.5 degree lofts.
Big Bertha Fusion fairway woods
Like the Big Bertha Fusion drivers, the fairway woods also have the lighter triaxial carbon in their crowns. In total, the crowns weigh a feathery-light 5.8 grams, compared to the XR 16 crowns — made from stainless steel — that weigh 26 grams, according to Callaway.
With a lighter crown, Callaway was able to reposition weight low and back in the club for higher launch and higher MOI, and lower CG.
The fairway woods come with a Hyper Speed Cup Face for higher ball speeds on off-center hits, and the Speed Step crown for higher club head speed and less drag. The sole shape was also designed to reduce turf interaction, thus improving versatility for shots hit off the ground.
The Big Bertha Fusion fairway woods will sell for $249, and come available in 3-, 5- and 7-wood options.
Join the discussion about the new Big Bertha Fusion drivers and fairway woods in our forums.
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
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Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
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JB
Sep 1, 2016 at 10:02 am
Cant wait to sell these on my eBay account! I mean test them.
THP's eBay Account
Sep 5, 2016 at 7:39 am
Hook me up you sly fox! I already have the listing ready!
“Only hit once on the range, never played on the course. Looks new. The 3w and 5w are still in the plastic.”
Dinner on me!
Uncle Buck
Aug 31, 2016 at 11:12 pm
Dern thang look like’a one ‘nem Taylor Made outfits from back ind’a day. Hehehe!! More thangs change da more dey stay da same!! As ‘ol Jack would say “goodness gracious!”
Martin
Aug 31, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Looking down on the club it looks like the shape of a TM club that came out 5-7 years ago. R9 I think it was. I like a more traditional looking club like the XR.
r7l
Aug 31, 2016 at 9:40 pm
You’re thinking of the R7 Limited, the red one. But Callaway has had this shape before also.
Dave R
Aug 31, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Wow wtf who ?
Charlie
Aug 31, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Looks like the club has stretch marks!!!
M
Aug 31, 2016 at 1:59 pm
You would know, wouldn’t you, dealing with your Moobs
Charlie
Sep 4, 2016 at 4:51 pm
You weren’t complaining when you were between them!
3PuttTerritory
Aug 31, 2016 at 8:58 am
I hit these the other day along with the new irons and hybrids and they are most certainly not the best looking clubs I’ve ever seen. Meaning, if this club were a gigolo, it’d have to be very good with its fingers.
I was a little taken aback by the recoil wood shaft, I said, “that’s the shaft my grandpappy plays in his irons, do you have anything in 92 grams???” But, there was nothing else to try.
I play my driver at 44 7/16, so it wasn’t perfect, but it was CLOSE. The best thing I can say about it is that for a game improvement club it doesn’t spin a ton, so if you mostly hit drop-kick, high blocks–this could be the club for you.
The irons are going to be the real star of the show for callaway this year though with the steelhead and the Bertha replacement that’s coming.
Everyone should try them unless they’re like me and still Baggin’ a set of ping eye 2 berrillz, blue dot, 1-PW. Holla at me, 1987.
B
Aug 31, 2016 at 3:02 am
Beautiful!
Joshuaplaysgolf
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:41 pm
????????????????
KK
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:03 pm
Short shaft, ugly, Callaway engineering. This thing has to be a beast.
Zipper
Aug 30, 2016 at 7:39 pm
“new material”, that’s hilarious. K2 was making skis with this material in the 1980’s. It’s marketing BS (I have a marketing degree). These guys will say anything to make a buck!!!
SNBD
Aug 30, 2016 at 11:57 pm
I’m willing to bet the article/statement for Callaway is implying that the material is new to golf equipment. By your logic the only “new materials” are ones that haven’t been discovered by man yet…..don’t be so literal Zipper.
suckatgolf
Aug 30, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Worst Club ever.
WTF were you thinking Callaway.
Joshuaplaysgolf
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Have you hit it???
Dat
Aug 30, 2016 at 6:30 pm
While the 44.5 option is nice…it won’t be in stock at most stores. So this benefit is mostly moot unless the store salesman knows he can get it in a shorter, more controllable length. Enough with the 45.5″ and 46″ driver off the rack specs. They don’t work for the true average player.
Mat
Aug 30, 2016 at 4:32 pm
I came here thinking, “yet another Callaway release”, but these actually do seem to be different. Besides, offering a 44.5 option should be celebrated, even if it is these guys.
Rob
Aug 30, 2016 at 3:06 pm
Haven’t we taken steps backwards since the Fusion FT-3 Driver? That club had the entire body made of carbon, not just the sole and crown. This allowed them to move 44 grams around inside the head to wherever they wanted.
Wesstlee18
Aug 30, 2016 at 1:21 pm
The problem with carbon composite is you have to use glue to attach it, so all the weight you save is wasted in glue. Notice the weight on the head is just “12 grams.” Yes there was some weight saved, piece for piece, but they probably only moved about 6 – 9 grams around, which can still make a difference in driver design, but also the reason why all titanium drivers are still competitive. Love the marketing though!
ZJohnson
Aug 30, 2016 at 12:48 pm
The shape reminds me a lot of the old FT-iZ. I’ll stick to my 816**
Fupresti
Aug 30, 2016 at 12:29 pm
Burp
G
Aug 30, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Gorgeous !!!
Weekend Duffer
Aug 30, 2016 at 11:45 am
44.5 right out the store wow, hopefully others try to copy this. These 46.5″ drivers are getting ridiculous.
Marty Moose
Aug 30, 2016 at 9:57 am
At least they are offering this. I prefer shorter drivers; play mine at 44.25″ – lead tape on bottom to make up weight change. My distance does not seem affected by the shorter length, better dispersion and hit the center 90% of the time. More should experiment with different driver lengths. I know Tom Wishon has a chart which gives recommended lengths based on height, wrist to floor, etc.
“Consumers will be able to choose from the 45.5-inch stock shaft option, and a 44.5-inch shaft that has a slightly heavier weight in the back of the driver head to adjust for swing weight.”
L
Aug 30, 2016 at 6:08 pm
You’re not one of us real golfers Smiz, so don’t include yourself as one of us, you don’t speak for us. You only speak for yourself as you stare at the mirror in your slammer
L
Aug 31, 2016 at 12:58 pm
Because you have no respect
Marty Moose
Aug 31, 2016 at 10:15 am
Then don’t. Keep hitting that 46″ TM Burner Draw driver 2 fairways over.
Marty Moose
Sep 1, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Easy to do when you are playing the women’s tees.