Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 Hybrid Review

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50 Words or Less

The Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrid combines the best features of the Big Bertha hybrid with a few changes that better players will enjoy.

Introduction

Though many golfers haven’t even hit the last Big Bertha hybrid on grass yet, Callaway is bolstering the Big Bertha hybrid line up with the Big Bertha Alpha 815.  While the two clubs share a name and some key technologies, the Alpha 815 is a distinct club geared towards bringing forgiveness to better players.

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Looks

The Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrid is a good looking hybrid that should appeal to a broad range of players.  It’s noticeably smaller than the Big Bertha, but it’s not so small that mid handicap players will be scared.  The other noticeable difference is the absence of the chevron alignment aid.

One thing that the 815 has in common with the Big Bertha is the tall face and high toe.  I really like this look in a hybrid because it inspires confidence when you’re facing a tricky lie in fluffy grass.

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Sound & Feel

Just like the look, the sound and feel of the Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrid will appeal to better players.  Where the Big Bertha hybrid has a sound more like a fairway wood – high pitched and metallic – the Alpha 815 is more muted and dull like an iron.  The improved feedback is also something good players will appreciate.

The other major difference between the Big Bertha and the Big Bertha Alpha 815 is weight.  The Big Bertha has a light shaft and a light overall feel.  The Alpha 815 has an 80-gram Speeder shaft and feels significantly heftier than the Big Bertha.

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Performance

Whether you call it a forgiving hybrid that looks like a player’s club or a player’s hybrid with forgiveness, the Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrid is really the best of both worlds.  In a head-to-head test with the Big Bertha hybrid, the Alpha 815 proved to be just as forgiving and easy to hit.

The big difference between the two hybrids is the ability to “work” the Big Bertha Alpha 815.  With its heavier, stiffer shaft, the Alpha 815 has less left in it and is easier to work both ways.  The ball still wants to fly fairly high, but you can lower the trajectory of the Alpha 815 more easily.

Just like the Big Bertha hybrid, the Alpha 815 has an adjustable hosel that lets you control loft, lie, and face angle so that you can get the exact look and ball flight you prefer.

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Conclusion

Increased consistency and forgiveness are the reasons that we play hybrids.  The Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrid delivers that without forcing good players to give up the looks and feel that they prefer, or the shot shaping options they demand.

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Matt Saternus

Founder, Editor In Chief at PluggedInGolf.com
Matt is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Plugged In Golf. He's worked in nearly every job in the golf industry from club fitting to instruction to writing and speaking. Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.

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7 Comments

  1. Matt;
    The adjustable hosel is a big reason I ordered 2 of these earlier this week. It will allow us to gap them properly and fit my bag easier. Some other hybrids worked well also but gap is so important that the adjustment won the day. (Did not hurt these feel great and I felt like I could use any swing speed I wanted.)
    I am really glad to read your comments about shot shaping and flighting and feel even better about my purchase!

  2. Matt — which hybrid (of the 815 line up) is the replacement for the 3 iron. I’m playing a x forged 3 iron, and when hit well goes ~ 200 yards. HC is a 14. Should I get the 3 or 4 Alpha 815. Many thanks.

    • Matt Saternus

      Bob,

      Most people would recommend matching lofts – replace a 21* iron with a 21* hybrid. That’s not a bad starting point, but I would want to hit the hybrid against my iron on a launch monitor to make sure they’ll cover the same distance.

      Best,

      Matt

  3. How do I adjust the Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 hybrid

    • Matt Saternus

      Tony,

      Unscrew the hosel, change the rings to reflect the setting you want, and then reattach the head.

      Best,

      Matt

  4. Marc Kingston

    Hello Matt
    Please can you advise me as to what degree I should set up my recently purchased 20 degree Callaway Big Bertha 815 Alpha Hybrid to replace my current 4 iron. I currently use an 18 degree hybrid set to Draw, Standard which I use for yardages of 185 to 190. My hdcp is 13
    Regards
    Marc Kingston from the UK

    • Matt Saternus

      Marc,

      If I’m understanding correctly, you’re keeping your 18 degree hybrid and using the 20 degree Big Bertha to replace your 4I. If that’s the case, I would start at 20 and see how that gaps with your 18. If it creates the right gap, leave it. If it’s too close to your 18, add some loft.

      Best,

      Matt

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