Martin Hopley
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The Big Bertha name is synonymous with innovation and maximum distance and for 2019 Callaway continue this tradition with the latest irons and hybrids that replace the Big Bertha OS models.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

The aim of the Big Bertha 2019 irons is to get the weight low and back to launch the ball higher, combined with a faster face to give you the launch, speed and distance that super game improvement irons are renowned for.

Central to all this, in more ways than one, is the Suspended Energy Core, which is a tungsten weight that 'floats' inside a urethane micropshere material.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

During construction the weight is placed in the bottom of the cavity and then the urethane microsphere material is injected in liquid form and left to harden around the tungsten to hold it in place.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

The urethane microsphere material has been used before in the Callaway Rogue irons and comprises of glass spheres of air that adsorb unwanted vibrations to improve the sound and feel.

Also helping the sound is the plastic badge that fits into the cavity with its ribbed structure.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

The speed comes from the now familiar 360° Face Cup, that wraps around the front of the head to increase ball speed on lower strikes.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

The Face Cup uses a shallow, flexible rim around the edges in order to generate this extra speed.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

The first Callaway iron to feature a face cup was the 2014 Big Bertha iron and if you look back at that review then you will see that the looks of the 2019 version are very similar. The smoked PVD finish gives a clean classy look, if you like that sort of thing, but it will be prone to wearing over time.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

At address the Big Bertha irons have a reasonably large profile, but not as chunky as similar Callaway models have been in the past.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

Through the set the offset does increase, but I don't think it is too drastic and most mid-handicappers should find the look of these irons to their taste.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

The soles are quite generous and that gives you a little extra margin for error, as the wider sole will provide a decent level of bounce across a wider area.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

When I had them out on the course, I was pleasantly surprised by the mid to high flight, as I thought it would be sending it vertical with all that weight low down.

This makes the Big Bertha irons attractive to mid handicappers too, as they provide the right combination of flight, ball speed and launch.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

I tried them in the stock Recoil ESX steel shafts, but you can also get them in the lighter ZT9 graphite shafts, provided you can afford the extra £250/$100 upgrade. Graphite is obviously rarer and hence more expensive in UK...

However the lighter graphite clubs should help slower swing speed players to increase club head speed and get the most out of the design of the Big Bertha irons.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Hybrid

If you still struggle to get your irons airborne then there is also a new version of the Big Bertha Hybrid that you can blend into the set.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Hybrid

It is similar to the Callaway Rogue X hybrid and comes with Jailbreak and a Face Cup for speed.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Hybrid

The Big Bertha hybrid features a new shorter adjustable OptiFit hosel and comes in a wide range of lofts from a 3H at 18° up to a 8H at 33°.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Hybrid

It has a very generous head size and is almost more of a fairway wood than a hybrid.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Hybrid

The sound and feel were very good and the Big Bertha hybrid was a joy to hit. However with this head shape it will launch it higher than a fairway so at the lower lofts it would be worth comparing the two.

If you are using the hybrid to replace an iron then just ensure that the gapping it correct as you transition into the hybrids, and use the adjustable hosel to get the correct loft.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons Verdict

The Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons are one of their better looking super game improvement irons. Personally, I am not mad on the dark finish, but otherwise the look, shape, size of the head and the top line are easy on the eye.

The sound and feel from them is very good, so all the tech on the inside of the hollow head is doing its job. Distance is all a bit relative in sets of irons, but the Big Bertha was right up there with the other major distance irons in the market.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

Slower swing speed players may need to opt for the hybrid at 4, 5 and maybe 6, but the forgiveness from that large hybrid head makes it a good option.

The only downside of the irons is the premium price, which in the super game improvement category could be an issue. You can have a set of Callaway Rogue X irons for £300/$200 less and the forgiveness will be just as good, with a Face Cup and urethane microspheres too.

Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons

However, money aside, there will be higher handicappers for whom the larger heads, especially in the short irons, will provide a greater benefit. Together with the higher launch conditions they may provide a better option. So if that's you and you can afford them, then the Callaway Big Bertha irons are still a worthwhile investment.

Golfalot Rating: 4 stars
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Callaway Big Bertha 2019 Irons - Product Details

UK Launch01 March 2019
UK Launch RRP£1149
USA LaunchJanuary 2019
USA Launch RRP$1200
European Launch01 March 2019
European Launch RRP€1299
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens, Women, Senior
Hand AvailabilityLeft, Right
MaterialSteel
FinishBlack Nickel
Swing WeightD0
Shaft NameRecoil ESX, Recoil ZT9, KBS Max 90
Shaft TypesSteel, Graphite
Shaft FlexRegular, Stiff
GripCallaway Universal
DesignCavity Back
Set Makeup4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW
Additional ClubsGW, SW
Manufacturer's WebsiteCallaway Website

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