Callaway has history in the Mini department going back to the Frankenwood and then the 3 Deep that Phil Mickelson used to claim the Claret Jug at Muirfield in 2013.
With the Bertha Mini 1.5, Callaway is aiming at a much wider range of golfers and believe that Tour Pro's to high handicappers will be able to benefit, whether they are looking for more consistency from the tee or for enhanced performance from the fairway.
To this end the Bertha Mini 1.5 driver comes in two loft options of 12° and 14° and Callaway think players will pick the head most suited to what they hope to get from the club.
For those who currently use a fairway wood from the tee due to consistency problems with the driver, the 12° Bertha Mini 1.5 will offer them more control without losing significant distance.
Both Bertha Mini 1.5's have a 44 inch shaft which is up to two inches shorter than most modern driver shafts, making it much easier to handle consistently for golfers who struggle with the longer stick.
The 14° version should appeal to players looking for a playable club to hit from the fairway that gives them a bit more distance. This applies equally for good golfers looking to attack par 5's in two shots or high handicappers who find themselves needing to use longer clubs more often and want to get as much distance to get them nearer to greens as soon as possible.
The technology that allows Callaway to offer this versatility comes from a combination of some of the features we have come to know since the re-emergence of the Big Bertha brand.
The Hyper Speed Face Cup, made from 455 Carpenter Steel, wraps around the front of the 253cc head to maximise ball speed across the face for greater distance from both the tee and the fairway.
The composite multi-material crown, weighing only 9 grams, means weight can been moved to create a low and back Centre of Gravity that increases forgiveness and helps the Mini's performance from the fairway.
Combine the Callaway's OptiFit adjustable hosel, giving golfers the choice of eight unique lie and loft combinations, with the Warbird Soleplate, ideal to enhance playability from all around the course, and the Bertha Mini 1.5 is primed to bring this new category of club to all types of player.
Alan Hocknell, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Callaway Golf, thinks this is where the Bertha Mini will stand out:
Whilst in many ways we invented this category when we previously introduced the Frankenwood and 3 Deep, these products tended to appeal more to just the better player. The significant difference with the Bertha Mini 1.5 is that it has all the forgiveness you would expect of a Bertha Driver and, therefore, will appeal to a much wider cross section of golfers.