Callaway Big Bertha vs Callaway Big Bertha (2023)

Side-by-side factory specifications. Differing values are highlighted.

Specification comparison

ClubBig Bertha loftBig Bertha (2023) loftBig Bertha lieBig Bertha (2023) lieBig Bertha lengthBig Bertha (2023) length
116—58.5—40—
218.5—59.2—39.5—
321—59.9—39—
423.51860.660.538.538.75
5262161.361.253838.125
62924626237.537.5
7332762.562.53737
837.531.563.56336.536.5
94236.564.563.53636
PW46.542656435.535.75
AW50.847656435.535.5
GW—52—64—35.25
SW5556656435.535
LW60—65—35.5—

Highlighted cells differ between the two sets. Lofts and lies are factory standard.

Lofts compared

  • Big Bertha
  • Big Bertha (2023)
Big Bertha and Big Bertha (2023) lofts comparedLine chart of loft in degrees by club for the Big Bertha and the Big Bertha (2023). 1: 16 and none. 2: 18.5 and none. 3: 21 and none. 4: 23.5 and 18. 5: 26 and 21. 6: 29 and 24. 7: 33 and 27. 8: 37.5 and 31.5. 9: 42 and 36.5. PW: 46.5 and 42. AW: 50.8 and 47. GW: none and 52. SW: 55 and 56. LW: 60 and none.10°20°30°40°50°60°123456789PWAWGWSWLWBig Bertha 1: 16°Big Bertha 2: 18.5°Big Bertha 3: 21°Big Bertha 4: 23.5°Big Bertha 5: 26°Big Bertha 6: 29°Big Bertha 7: 33°Big Bertha 8: 37.5°Big Bertha 9: 42°Big Bertha PW: 46.5°Big Bertha AW: 50.8°Big Bertha SW: 55°Big Bertha LW: 60°Big Bertha (2023) 4: 18°Big Bertha (2023) 5: 21°Big Bertha (2023) 6: 24°Big Bertha (2023) 7: 27°Big Bertha (2023) 8: 31.5°Big Bertha (2023) 9: 36.5°Big Bertha (2023) PW: 42°Big Bertha (2023) AW: 47°Big Bertha (2023) GW: 52°Big Bertha (2023) SW: 56°Loft
Lofts differ on 9 of the 9 clubs the two sets share. A lower point is a stronger loft.

What the differences mean

At the 7-iron, the Big Bertha is 33° and the Big Bertha (2023) is 27°, a 6° gap. Each degree of loft is worth roughly 3 to 4 yards of carry at the same swing speed, so the Big Bertha (2023) should carry roughly 18 to 24 yards further with that club, on a slightly lower, shallower flight than the Big Bertha. Across the 9 clubs both sets share, the Big Bertha (2023) averages 4.5° stronger, with the largest gap at the 7-iron (33° vs 27°). The pitching wedges are 46.5° and 42°; the stronger one leaves a 8° jump to a 50° gap wedge, which matters when planning wedge gapping.

The sets are built differently: the Big Bertha runs 1-iron to LW (13 clubs), the Big Bertha (2023) 4-iron to SW (10 clubs).

Both are game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Perimeter-weighted cavity backs with wider soles, more offset and stronger lofts, aimed at mid handicaps. Because they target the same golfer, the decision comes down to the specific loft, feel and shaping differences rather than who the sets are made for.

The Big Bertha is listed as investment cast and the Big Bertha (2023) as investment cast, multi-material. The Big Bertha (2023) adds tungsten weighting, which lowers the centre of gravity and raises stability on mis-hits, helping the long irons launch.

There are 29 years between these sets (1994 and 2023), more than one design generation. Over that time irons moved toward stronger lofts, thinner and faster faces, hollow and multi-material heads and wider use of tungsten, so the newer set is not simply a better version of the older one: it may launch and spin quite differently. Here the 7-iron loft moved from 33° to 27°.

Which should you choose?

The Big Bertha (2023) is the stronger-lofted set — up to 6° stronger than the Big Bertha on matching clubs. Expect longer carry per numbered iron but a flatter descent angle; gapping at the wedge end is where that shows up.

Both charts are reproduced in full on their own pages: Callaway Big Bertha specs and Callaway Big Bertha (2023) specs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Callaway Big Bertha stronger lofted than the Big Bertha (2023)?

No. The Big Bertha (2023) is the stronger-lofted set: its 7-iron is 27° against 33° for the Callaway Big Bertha, 6° stronger and worth roughly 18 to 24 yards of extra carry.

What is the loft difference between the Callaway Big Bertha and Big Bertha (2023)?

At the 7-iron the difference is 6° (33° vs 27°). The largest gap on a shared club is 6° at the 7-iron, and all 9 shared clubs differ.

Are the Callaway Big Bertha and Big Bertha (2023) aimed at the same golfer?

Yes. Both are game improvement irons, built for roughly 10 to 25 handicaps. Choose on feel, looks and gapping, ideally after hitting both.

Do the Callaway Big Bertha and Big Bertha (2023) have the same lie and length?

At the 7-iron, yes: both are 62.5° lie and 37 inches long.

Shop both models

Compare prices for new and used sets on eBay:

We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you.