Big Bertha (2004) Irons

[moochie]

Anybody play these? Thoughts or comments appreciated.

[pvs1313]

i played them in 2004 and part of 2006,

nice forgiving iron, pretty hard to miss a shot, but nto a lot of feel on them.

steel or graphite? i played the graphite, tried the steel but found them very very hard and like baseball bat. the oversized head does not lend itself to a steel shaft i find.

all in all,a nice fogiving club but if you are looking for feel or any sort of minimal workability i wopuld move up to at least the x series (16,18.20)

BTW - i currently play the x tour

[moochie]

I was looking at the steel. Never had much luck with graphite (long story). Thanks for the input.

[3Jack]

With a game-improvement iron such as these (and I've been looking at both the 2004 and 2006 version of these irons), I've been advised that the steel version will help you keep the ball down a bit more in the wind than graphite, as it tends to shoot the ball up more easily... like anything though, you'd have to hit them to find out... though I'd lean to the steel... I have the Callaway uniflex constant weight shafts in my Steelhead III woods and love them, so I'd anticipate that I'd love the same shaft in either the 04 or 06 version of the irons... but again, hitting them will tell the tale.

[pvs1313]

you are right,
for me, i just found with these irons that the tell was very solid, not a lot of feel,
not suire if they have a stiff graphite shaft, but if they do that wodl probably be best.

or maybe one of the lite weight steel with sensicore woudl work well as well.

[3Jack]

you're right, for the better ball striker these probably aren't the sticks... but, for someone like myself, a 9-11 handicapper who plays only once a week, if I can get more out of a mis-hit, I likely should!

there's someone selling the 2006 version of these irons on this board, with stiff graphite shafts... I'd go for them, but it's just not in the budget at the moment!

[pvs1313]

yes with a stiff graphoite thy wodl be great,

hey i am a 14 HC and i play the x tours,

for me, it is all about feel and looks!!!!

[3Jack]

what really put me on to the 'game improvement iron' move was when I played in the CPGA Senior's Championship pro-am at The Marshes last summer. The pro I played with, along with a very high number of pros in the field, were playing what we'd term 'game improvement irons' - so if it was good 'nuff for them, it must be good 'nuff for me...

[pvs1313]

yopur right,

that is what i love about the x tours, nice forged club, great feel, soft and supple, but with still a caivity back and some forgiveness.

just great!

[3Jack]

they are indeed some sweet sticks...

[nowgolf]

callaway must really have too much over stock on these when golftown is still selling them as new. anyone know why?

[3Jack]

Not sure what it is your driving at here but to me, they're new until someone has hit them... so GT or anyone else can sell them as such... It's not unusual for GT or other retailers to buy up two or three year old stock at a lower price and then sell them. The new Nevada Bob's is selling graphite shafted Callaway x-16 iron sets for $469, so they've done the same thing... not a bad deal in either case when you consider that these irons, especially the x-16 variety retailed at a significantly higher price when they first hit the market... and if you check the Callaway pre-owned site, you'll see that they sell used sets for around what these new sets are going for - in American dollars to boot.

[pvs1313]

well, golf clubs are not like cars, they are new until sold.

a car model comes out every year. but golf clubs might keep thye same model for a few years orm ore.

these 2004 BB irons, well in 2005 they diod not replace them with new model, so they were stil newe, now in 2006 the new BB irons came out, and the 2004 models went down in price , but they are still "new" as they have not been sold yet.

[3Jack]

Can ya tell I'm cravin' a set of either 04 or 06 BBs?

[moochie]

Finally decided on a set of 2004 BB irons. Same price new as Callaway pre-owned is asking for a used set in USD. Looking forward to hitting them.

Thanks to all who replied.

[3Jack]

Moochie, how are you liking them? Interested to hear your impressions...

[moochie]

I have to admit that I haven't used them allot as I have a bad case of tennis elbow that won't go away. My initial observations are:

1. The are a ton more forgiving than my previous irons.
2. The hit the ball allot higher. Maybe due to regular flex vs. stiff flex on my previous irons.
3. Distance is less due to the higher trajectory.
4. I love the look and feel. I don't want to get them dirty.

Ping me in a month or so and I'll give you an update.

Mike

[3Jack]

Good stuff Mike, thanks... I'd have thought that the strong lofts on BB04's would compenstate for higher launch...

[moochie]

Update on the clubs not what I have played a few rounds. They take some getting used to (no divot, just a scuff) but I am growning to love them. I am hitting the ball farther and more consistently. I would definately recommend them to any high handicapper.

[DavidY]

Moochie,

Did you get the regular graphite shafts with the BB04's? Over Memorial Day long weekend, Rock Bottom Golf had a pretty good deal on this set for US$37x.xx before US$40 shipping and additional fees if required. I would be a bit concerned about the BB04's top line. I know that the Mizuno MX17's thick top line bugged me from the very first time.

Dave