Andrew Noyce
By Andrew Noyce

Callaway aims to bring greater forgiveness and increased distance to the super game improvement market through the launch of the Big Bertha OS irons and hybrids.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons

Leading the way is the Big Bertha OS iron that Callaway say may be the most complex iron they have ever made with the new structure key to unlocking performance in the oversized iron.

The body of the Big Bertha OS is based around what Callaway call an Exo-Cage that generates vertical stiffness in the iron at minimal possible weight. The skeletal looking structure has two vertical struts at the back of the head that provide the required stiffness whilst allowing weight to be kept low in the clubhead.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons

An interesting development is the OS irons is that the area between the face and the hosel is actually hollow, the first time Callaway has done this in an iron, freeing up weight. This has been made possible as the irons are made in two pieces, the back body of the iron and the Next Generation Hyper Speed Face Cup that sits on the front of the Exo-Cage.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons

Saving weight means it can be re-positioned in strategic locations around the head to increase forgiveness while also helping the Face Cup function more efficiently.

Callaway first used the Face Cup technology it developed for woods in the original Big Bertha irons and since then they have gained experience with Face Cups that have led to the latest model having a thinner perimeter allowing a larger area of the face to flex for increased speed.

Manufacturing processes developed to incorporate a face cup into cast irons such as the XR and Steelhead XR as well as forged heads like the Apex irons, specifically in plasma and laser welding, mean the COR performance of the Big Bertha OS irons has been pushed to the limits allowed by the USGA.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons

The weight saved in the Exo-Cage also means Callaway can get a higher launch from the OS irons by including Tungsten-Loaded Standing Wave technology in the sole of the clubs. This creates a lower centre of gravity (CG) to promote a higher launch angle for longer carry and more ball speed, especially on hits low on the face, which is where players in this category tend to strike the ball.

Through the set there is approximately 100g of tungsten used in various ways to control the CG position, both laterally from toe to heel and also vertically as you progress through the set. The CG location gets lower from the highest-lofted to the lowest-lofted irons making the longer irons easier to hit with long carry and an increased control in the shorter clubs.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons

As well as progressive CG location the irons change shape through the set, with larger more forgiving long irons gradually reducing to a more appropriate size for the shorter irons.

The Big Bertha OS irons also come in specific Women's and Senior models that are lighter in overall weight and have more loft to promote faster ball speed and a higher launch angle, making it even easier to get the ball into the air.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Hybrids

The OS irons are complemented by a hybrid packed with Super Game Improvement characteristics.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Hybrids

The Big Bertha OS hybrid is Callaway's largest hybrid in terms of overall dimension, with a relatively large face, from both toe to heel and vertically, allowing the Hyper Speed Cup Face to give more ball speed across a larger area, especially on off-centre strikes.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Hybrids

The size of the head and deeper body also make it the most forgiving of Callaway's hybrids with the highest MOI and the lowest and deepest centre of gravity. This gives the OS hybrids an easy to launch characteristic that makes them effortless to hit. Distance is also boosted by the inclusion of Callaway's Speed Step on the crown to promote faster head speed through the air.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Hybrids

The larger head size means the hybrid has a relatively large sole area that has been designed with a large relief to minimise contact with the ground. They have called this the Dual Runner Sole and it ensures better turf interaction for a consistently solid contact.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Hybrids

The clubs feature Callaway's familiar Optifit Hosel, letting the player easily choose from eight loft and lie settings to dial in launch angle and shot shape in the area of the bag between fairway woods and irons.

Callaway Big Bertha OS Hybrids

As with the irons the Big Bertha OS hybrids are available in Women and Senior models that have slightly larger heads and more loft to promote faster ball speed and a higher launch angle.

The Big Bertha OS hybrids come with the UST Recoil ES 460 shaft and Callaway Universal grip as standard with an extensive list of premium aftermarket graphite shafts and grips available through Callaway's custom options.

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Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons - Product Details

UK Launch30 September 2016
UK Launch RRP£849
USA Launch30 September 2016
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens, Women, Senior
Hand AvailabilityLeft, Right
MaterialSteel
Shaft NameTrue Temper Speed Step 80 (Steel), UST Recoil ES 460 (Graphite)
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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