Spy Review – Callaway Big Bertha Fusion – Game Improvement Irons

Callaway has long been known on the professional tour for their drivers and woods, however the past few years golfers have been introduced to a set of game improvement irons that have been known as the “forgiving clubs”.

Jeff Colton, Senior VP of Research and Development at Callaway Golf described the Big Bertha Fusion Irons with their Tunite creation as “denser than steel and the forgiveness of the Big Bertha Iron built in.” Fusion technology allowed Callaway to have “an extreme weighting which has a very low center of gravity and is so deep that it plays like a wood.”

Colton went on to say that the Big Bertha Fusion Irons were developed “for the golfer who has trouble getting the ball into the air, with an easy, wide sole, just about forgiveness.”

Technology

• Callaway developed an alloy called Tunite for a soft cradle. The “Tunite alloy cradle allows 77% of the mass to be positioned around the extreme perimeter of the iron for ultra-high MOI and a low, deep CG.”
• 3 distinct materials – “Tunite alloy cradle, lightweight 6-4 titanium face, and special vibration-dampening TPU SenSert (also eliminates hollow sound and feel of oversized cavity-back) fused together in the most technologically advanced irons manufactured. Faster ball speed with the 6-4 titanium face insert compared to a steel face.”

Fusion

Callaway created a fusion of three parts which are a contributing factor in the feel. The parts are the frame, club face and the back of the club – which are the 3 types of materials used in the head and face.

Pros

• Best distance.
• Superb sole design, prevents digging
• Great feel on center shots – urethane damper works great for those with arching joints; have your Fusion irons with graphite or sensicore shafts increase the damper.
• The large, bulky head and perimeter weight creates great toe shots, thin and fat shots.

Cons

• Initial cost was between $1200 and $1400 a set.

Costs

When the clubs first came out, you were lucky if you found a new set for under $1200. Now that the Fusion has been out for a few years, you will be able to find a great deal on various online sites as well as your local shops which carry previously owned sets.  Used sets of 3-PW with graphite shafts can be found for as little as $154.99, however most sets are roughly under $300 a set.

What players are saying about the Big Bertha Fusion Irons

• Plays longer, very forgiving clubs
• Looks great, unique, not typical Iron club look
• 3 & 4 irons are easier to hit than typical irons, however they come up a little short compared to some hybrids.
• Mid Irons – 5, 6, 7 are easy to hit, but they are long.
• These clubs were designed for the mid-handicapper, but can fit a wide range of golfers from the low to middle.
• Short irons and wedge – capable of higher trajectory that guarantees a soft landing. Easily worked and versatile. The 8 and 9 are easily turned into pseudo wedges. Superior performance.
• The feel of the clubs are not too light or too heavy, which is the case with many clubs
• The Big Bertha Fusion Irons play with lots of forgiveness due to the big head and face, low CGs and outstanding perimeter weighting. The head seems very lightweight for their size. These clubs are easy to swing and true Callaways.
• Compare to Great Big Bertha tungsten titanium irons or Big Bertha 2002 irons, these are not as good
• Easily scratched, shorter than most irons
• Too much offset, graphite shafts hard to control, many said they preferred steel shafts in their irons.

Costs

You could find a previously used set of 3-PW on ebay for about $220 with covers, and the stock mix of steel shafts on the irons P-7 and graphite shafts on the 3-6.

Additional Features:

Grip color: Adams Stock Rubber Black
Shaft: Adams A2 OS Graphite/Steel
Makeup/Loft: Stiff Flex 3-PW (8 irons)
Lengths/Lie: Standard/Standard
Dexterity: Right and Left Handed
Player type: Men and Women
Flex: Stiff or Ladies