Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic drivers
How do Callaway's new Epic drivers stack up?
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If you’re a typical mid-handicap, mid-swing speed player then the standard Great Big Bertha Epic is the one that is most likely to benefit your game, just because of the seemingly extra draw bias and forgiveness on offer. But don’t discount the SZ model straight away, there could well be a setting there that unlocks extra distance through lower spin but without sacrificing off-centre performance.
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Seriously impressive distance across the clubface from both models; they feel fast, powerful with enough adjustability to dial in your ball flight.
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Not everyone will benefit from the extra draw bias of the GGB Epic model
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Golf Monthly’s Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic drivers review – technical editor Joel Tadman tests both new models using the GC2 launch monitor
Callaway’s showpiece drivers for 2017 may have a somewhat cheesy name, but it has the technology and performance that requires golfers to take it seriously. In fact, the Callaway Great Big Bertha (GBB) Epic and Epic Sub Zero drivers claim to provide a breakthrough in ball speed gains and the latter has even found its way into the bag of Rory McIlroy.
The key new technology is called Jailbreak, which comprises two metal bars behind the face that connect the sole and crown together allowing the face to take more of the load at impact and spring more powerfully.
RELATED: Callaway Great Big Bertha Epic drivers launched
There are two versions of the driver. The standard Great Big Bertha Epic and the GGB Epic Sub Zero. The GBB Epic is aimed at a wider spectrum of players and features a 17-gram sliding weight in the rear of the sole to alter shot shape while the Sub Zero model has two adjustable sole weights so golfers can choose either high or low launch and spin.
The GGB Epic felt the better of the two drivers, more explosive and less tinny than its SZ counterpart. It also produced marginally the longest carries but with a little tendency to curve the ball to the left (for a right-hander) even with the sliding weight in the rear of the head set into the maximum fade position.
Perhaps there is more draw bias built in – it is the all ability model after all – but that aside, it’s overall performance and user experience was excellent.
However, it was the Sub Zero model that impressed the most. Not only did it provide exceptionally low spin in the ‘low spin’ setting, but it was also generally high launching (a surprising 9° more than sufficed) and offered surprising levels of forgiveness for what is the more ‘better player’ model.
It feels harder and firmer than the GGB Epic but not any less powerful and when you really struck one out of the screws, you certainly knew about it.
Average carries for both drivers was over 275 yards – a noteworthy feat in itself – while the Sub Zero’s forgiveness levels contributing to a high level of accuracy too. I could have upped the forgiveness levels even more by switching the sole weights around but didn’t feel the need to.
Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.
One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 87 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.3.
Joel's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9°
Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°
Irons: TaylorMade P770, 4-7 iron, TaylorMade P7MC 8-PW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 50°, 54° and a Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge
Putter: Evnroll ER2V
Ball: 2021 Titleist Pro V1x
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