CALLAWAY GREAT BIG BERTHA EPIC DRIVER REVIEW
Callaway's new Great Big Bertha Epic driver is the latest evolution of the original Big Bertha - first released way back in 1991 - and at the heart of the newest model are two titanium bars that weigh three grams each.
Although they can't be seen, being an integral part of the internal structure, these bars have inspired Callaway to stamp their new Great Big Bertha Epic driver range with possibly the most gangster term ever used on a golf club: Jailbreak Technology.
The Great Big Bertha Epic driver, launched on January 27 (order here), has a face that is 20 per cent thinner thanks to the Jailbreak design and the result will assist every golfer, from the tee box dribbler to the stratospheric launcher. Ball speeds off the Epic's clubface have increased an average of two miles per hour on the previous GBB, across a larger zone of the clubface nonetheless.
GolfBox's resident flusher Alex Etches, whose drives go further than most of
us go on holidays, rates the Great Big Bertha Epic Callaway's best driver to date. He recorded his longest drive ever while road-testing the GBB Epic.
What is Jailbreak Technology?
Callaway devised a way of increasing the flexibility of the GBB Epic's clubface by using two titanium rods to connect the driver's sole to the crown internally, right behind the face. The rods look like the bars of a jail cell, which led Callaway to coin the phrase 'Jailbreak Technology'.
With the bars strengthening the GBB Epic's internal structure, flexibility has been built into the club where it is needed most: where the clubface meets the golf ball.
The increased deflection of the face means a rise in ball speed, with the Epic's two mile-per-hour boost off the clubface equating to approximately six extra yards of distance on average.
2017 Great Big Bertha Epic vs 2016 Great Big Bertha
The Jailbreak Technology shifted weight to the front of the club (which usually results in a less forgiving club), but Callaway got around this sticky situation by using more carbon fibre in the Epic to compensate.
The GBB Epic features a sliding weight system to bias the driver for a draw or fade but the weight has been located lower and further back than on last year's GBB, and is seven grams heavier.
This helps to achieve a lower centre of gravity and increases forgiveness when shots aren't right out of the sweet spot - which, let's face it, is a good thing most of the time.
The Epic is available in 9, 10.5 and 13.5 degree lofts.
If you're floundering with your current driver then Callaway's Jailbreak technology in the 2017 Great Big Bertha might get your game out of the 'big house' with good behaviour.
Great Big Bertha Epic Sub Zero
The GBB Epic Sub Zero is Callaway's driver to suit lower handicapped golfers who prefer a low-spin driver. Instead of the sliding weight found in the Epic model, the Sub Zero has a front and rear weight port to control spin and launch characteristics.
If the heavier of the two weights is used in the front port, a low-spin and lower launch angle is delivered. Used in the rear port, a higher launch angle and more forgiveness is the result.
The Sub Zero comes in lofts of 9 and 10.5.
And in terms of a ringing endorsement for the Sub Zero, it doesn't get much better than this. Current world No.2 Rory McIlroy swapped to the Callaway GBB Sub Zero driver and officially smoked his first drive with it in the South African Open this month, opening with a 392-yard bomb on his first hole.
Callaway GBB Epic Fairway woods
The Epic range also includes fairway woods that are available in 3, 5 and Heavenwod lofts. Like the driver, the Sub Zero fairway wood has weight ports to adjust flight characteristics and is available in a 15 degree loft.
