Big Bertha Irons - A Brief History

Big Bertha. In the world of golf, this is a nameStainless Steel Irons introduced by Callaway and
that is synonymous with forgiveness, feel, andmany believe it was this iron that set the
performance. Introduced by Callaway Golf instandard for high performance irons to follow. The
1994, the Big Bertha Irons began a revolution withSteelhead X-14 Irons followed the X-12 in 2000
an iron designed to push weight to the edge ofand quickly became the best-selling Iron in
the club. This unique design became theCallaway history. Also offered in a Pro-Series, the
foundation upon which Callaway would continue toX-14 featured stainless steel construction and
improve, amazing us with each and every newCallaway's Variable Face Thickness (VFT)
model. In 1996, Callaway released an updatedTechnology that ensured a perfectly located
version of the original Big Bertha Irons with a fewcenter of gravity (COG). Optimized in the long,
modifications. In the new model, designers usedmid and the short iron, the Face Thickness
the size of the club head and the volume of thetapered from top to bottom and heel to toe. The
cavity to push weight farther out to the edges ofPro-Series designed for the advanced golfer was
the club head. A Bore-through hosel which actuallydesigned with Less-Offset than the regular X-14
extends through the club shaft providing moreCallaway's original Big Bertha Irons were upgraded
stability and the feel that is expected of allonce more in 2002. In this iron set, Callaway
Callaway products. The Sole was modified slightlyadded all of it's latest technologies which retaining
model to allow for the club to pass through poorthe original and very popular appearance and
lies with even less friction than the before.shape the Big Bertha Irons were known for.
Callaway also introduced the Big Bertha GoldThese technologies took the game of the golfer
Series Iron in 1996. Using the prototype of theusing them to a whole new level with increased
original Big Bertha Iron, designers repositioned theforgiveness and maximum performance. Also
sweet spot, added a new contoured sole andintroduced in 2002 was the Hawk Eye VFT Irons.
redistributed the weight in the head. The BigQuite simply, in this set, Callaway simply used all
Bertha Gold Series has a RCH Series 96 shaft andof their design knowledge and added the titanium
are manufactured from an aluminum bronze alloypackage. The most popular addition to the Hawk
for a softer feel. The Gold Series Iron retainedEye VFT irons, however, was the internal weight
the original's 360-degree undercut channel and thepocket that allowed designers to position the
consistently thin face. The Great Big Berthamass deep and low across the clubface. This
Tungsten Titanium Iron hit the course in 1997. Indesign provides for unequaled trajectory without
this design, Callaway used Titanium with asacrificing forgiveness or feel. The following year,
Tungsten insert to create a club head that wasCallaway went back to the drawing board to
perfect for use in just about all conditions. Thecreate the new Steelhead X-16 and the Steelhead
Insert represents only 15 percent of the clubX-16 Pro-Series. Changes included a shorter blade
head volume but accounts for 40 percent of thelength and wider topline plus the addition of
weight, keeping the size perfect and the centerCallaway's latest technology, Notch Weighting. The
of gravity exactly where it should be.X-16 features included a low center of gravity, a
The Big Bertha X-12 Irons and X-12 Pro Seriescambered sole, and a satin finish. The Pro-Series
Irons followed in 1998. Featuring a lower center ofwere given a more blade-like design, Less-Offset,
gravity than the original Big Bertha Irons, the X-12a thinner topline, narrower sole, and a straighter
was designed to help golfers get the ball airborne.leading edge.
The X-12's retained the 360-degree undercutIn 2004 and 2006, Callaway added two more
channel, Callaway's patented S2H2 and Tru-Boremodels to the original Big Bertha Irons as and in
Technologies. The Pro-Series was designed for2005, introduced the X-18, the X-18 Pro-Series,
lower handicap golfers and featured thethe X-Tour Irons and the Big Bertha Fusion Irons.
Less-Offset design which enables the moreProving once more than theirs is not a company
experienced golfer the ability to work the ballto rest on it's laurels. Known today as the leader
more easily. Also featured are the 360-degreeand trendsetter in game improvement, Callaway
undercut channel, the S2H2 and Tru-BoreGolf continues to do it's best to make us better
Technologies. The X-12 Irons were the firston the course.