Callaway · Driver · 2023 · Previous model

Callaway Big Bertha (2023) driver

Game improvement, 3.0 of 5 for forgiveness

Callaway's 2023 driver for golfers who slice: a low, forward centre of gravity to cut the spin behind a slice, weight in the heel to promote a draw and a light build that is easy to swing, in 9°, 10.5° or 12.5°. Callaway no longer sells the Big Bertha (2023) new, and Callaway's draw-biased driver today is the Quantum Max D.

Head side view, drawn from its loft

3.0 of 5 forgiveness score

$215.99 used at 2nd Swing Golf10.5°, regular flex, below average condition · checked 31 Oct

In average condition or better: from $239.999°, stiff flex, average condition · checked 31 Oct

New instead: Callaway Quantum Max D, $649.99 at Golf Discount, checked 2 Nov

Choose it if

  • You want some help on mishits, short of the maker's most forgiving head.
  • You slice: the head has a draw bias built in.
  • You play left-handed: it was made left-handed in 9° and 10.5°.
  • You need a softer shaft: it came in Light, the flex Callaway's buying guide calls senior.
Class
Game improvement
Stock lofts
9° · 10.5° · 12.5°
Slice help
Draw bias built into the head
Stock flexes
Regular or stiff
Hands
Left or right; left-handed in 9° and 10.5° only.
Used
From $215.99 at 2nd Swing Golf, checked 31 Oct

What changed in the Quantum Max D

Both are Callaway's draw-biased 460cc drivers. The Big Bertha sets its centre of gravity low and forward to cut the spin behind a slice, with weight in the heel for a draw, on a light build with a carbon crown, in 9°, 10.5° and 12.5° (the 12.5° right-handed only). The Quantum Max D, which Callaway sells on maximum forgiveness, puts its weight inside the heel for a slight draw, comes in 9°, 10.5° and 12° in both hands, and has Callaway's Tri-Force face of titanium, polymer mesh and carbon fibre.

No shop we checked sells the Big Bertha new, and used it costs a fraction of a new Quantum Max D. Choose it for a light, slice-fighting head on a budget, with a 12.5° loft for right-handers; choose the Quantum Max D for more forgiveness and the newer face.

The Callaway Big Bertha (2023) and today's Quantum Max D: specifications as Callaway publishes them, prices as the shops showed them
Detail Big Bertha (2023) (previous) Quantum Max D (current)
ClassGame improvementMaximum forgiveness
Forgiveness score3.0 of 54.0 of 5
Stock lofts9° · 10.5° · 12.5°9° · 10.5° · 12°
Slice helpDraw bias built into the headDraw-biased head, built to reduce a slice
Stock flexesRegular or stiffRegular or stiff
HandsLeft or right; left-handed in 9° and 10.5° onlyLeft or right
Price newNo longer sold new$649.99 at Golf Discount, checked 2 Nov
Price usedFrom $215.99 at 2nd Swing Golf (10.5°, regular flex, below average condition), checked 31 OctFrom $379.99 at 2nd Swing Golf (10.5°, stiff flex, average condition), checked 31 Oct

Big Bertha (2023): the questions buyers ask

Is the Callaway Big Bertha (2023) forgiving?
Moderately. It is Callaway's game improvement driver, with lofts up to 12.5°. It scores 3.0 of 5 on our reading of what Callaway publishes about it; the most forgiving drivers we cover score 4.0.
Who is the Big Bertha (2023) for?
It suits golfers who want some help on mishits, short of the maker's most forgiving head, with a draw bias built in for a slice.
Does the Big Bertha (2023) come in senior or ladies flex?
Senior, yes, as Callaway names it: Light, the flex its buying guide calls senior. Callaway listed Light, regular (R) and stiff (S).
Is the Big Bertha (2023) sold left-handed?
Yes, at 9° and 10.5°; Callaway made the 12.5° right-handed only.
How much does the Big Bertha (2023) cost?
Callaway no longer sells it new. Used from $215.99 at 2nd Swing Golf, checked 31 Oct. In average condition or better, from $239.99. Prices change; the seller's page has today's.

How the 3.0 adds up

The forgiveness score is our reading of what Callaway publishes about the head, from 1 to 5. It is not a test result. How every score works.

The parts of the forgiveness score
PartPointsWhy
Head 3 A game improvement driver head, not the most forgiving kind Callaway made.
Forgiveness score3.0of 5

Draw help, lofts, flex and hand don't change the score. They decide which version fits you, and the picks for a slice or a slow swing use them.

Specification sheet

As Callaway published it; a dash means the maker did not state it.
MakerCallaway
ModelBig Bertha (2023)
Model year2023
TypeDriver
ClassGame improvement
Handicap range the maker states–
Offset–
Sole–
Moment of inertia (MOI)–
Face technologyA.I.-designed High-Strength XL Face with a large sweet spot; lightweight Jailbreak A.I.; triaxial carbon crown
ConstructionA 460cc head with a carbon crown and a large face, its centre of gravity low and forward, weight in the heel and a 60° lie. 45.75 inches, on light stock shafts from the 40-gram class up.
Stock steel shafts–
Stock graphite shaftsCallaway RCH 45, Callaway RCH 55, Callaway RCH 65
Stock flexesR (regular), S (stiff)
Stock lofts9° · 10.5° · 12.5°
HandsLeft or right; left-handed in 9° and 10.5° only.
Men's or women'sMen's
List price when new$499.99 (2023 model); not a price today
Price at Callaway–

Compare with other game improvement drivers

Other game improvement drivers
Lofts Slice help Hand Where to buy
3.0 Game improvement 9° · 10.5° · 12° – R · S · X RH · LH $450 at Mizuno checked 2 Nov
See it at Mizuno
3.0 Game improvement 9° · 10.5° · 12° Draw setting on the adjustable weight R · S · X RH · LH $649.99 at Golf Discount checked 2 Nov
3.0 Game improvement 10.5° · 12° – not published RH · LH $699.99 at Golf Discount checked 2 Nov
3.0 Game improvement 9.5° · 10.5° · 11.5° – R RH · LH $799.99 at XXIO checked 2 Nov
See it at XXIO
3.0 Game improvement 9° · 10.5° · 12° – A · R · S RH $299.99 at Tour Edge checked 2 Nov
3.0 Game improvement 11.5° · 13.5° – L RH $499.99 at TaylorMade checked 9 Oct
3.0 Game improvement 10.5° · 12° – L RH $699.99 at Golf Discount checked 2 Nov
3.0 Game improvement 10.5° · 11.5° · 12.5° · 13.5° – L RH $799.99 at XXIO checked 2 Nov
See it at XXIO

Order: Most forgiving in this class first, then price. Use the arrows to sort. A dash means the maker does not publish it.

See all drivers on the most forgiving driver page, or compare this club side by side. Waiting for a sale? The Black Friday golf club deals page has the price to beat on every club we price.

Sources

The specification comes from these pages; open the maker's page before buying, because prices and shaft options change. Check the exact shaft and hand at the shop before ordering.