On 2005-07-12, DLA rated this Callaway Great Big Bertha 2 (415) 11degree a 5...(5847)
Purchase: Bought it from Golf Galaxy. Needed a driver to replace my Snake Eyes 600T due to un-optimized distance and a nagging fade. Paid $175 for the Callaway.
I did two test sessions about 3-4 wks apart and found that several drivers where giving me an average of 6-10mph more ball speed than my 600T(depending on the driver). The results from the two test sessions confirmed my research regarding my lack of distance with the 600T (230-250yrds with the occasional 260-270yrd on what would feel like an absolutely perfect swing and good roll out!).
Just as important i noticed that i had to put a better quality swing on the 600T to get it to stay straight without fading (just like on the course) when compared to drivers like the Cleveland Launcher 400, Mizuno MP001 400, Nike Ignite 400+ and Callaway GBB 2 415.
I went in planning to buy a new Mizuno MP 001 but actually spent more on my like new pre-owned Callaway GBB 2 415 11 degree because of it's increased consistency of flight path and ball speed. The Callaway GBB 2 415 11deg was consistently 2mph faster with its ball speed(144-146mph) than the Mizuno(142-144mph) which was about 2mph more consistent in ball speed than the Cleveland Launcher and Nike Ignite(i hated the FEEL of this club btw, it felt muted and was very hard for me to tell were i hit the ball at on the club face, yuk!).
BTW my Snake Eyes 600T ball speed average was...132-134mph with two 136mph strikes and one 138mph on what felt like my best swing of the entire test. The other drivers like the R540 and R580xd, Cobra's and a couple of others that i can't think of right now averaged between 136-142mph for ball speed and had similar fade like my 600T.
Pros: No More FADE! Finally getting the distance that i should be getting for 105-109mph swing speed (270-280yrds). That's 30yrds more than my 600T gave me for distance on average and it STAYS STRAIGHT!!!
This driver hits on a higher launch angle than my Snake Eyes 600T did (even though the 600T was a 1/2degree higher in loft!) and the face feels much hotter like the ball is launched from a cannon and every ball feels buttery soft! A mis-hit (thin) gave me 260yrds and the occasional toe hit stays straight and gives between 250-260yrds. Anything within a 2/3 circumference of the entire face gives me 270+yrds!
My bad shot now is a draw. This driver came with a #2 Counter Balance weight in the butt along with a new Lamkin Dual Density Grip (which i love and plan on regripping my irons with). The shaft is a Harrison Striper J Firm Flex and it seems that it was properly re-shafted according to Harrisons requirements listed on their web site when I look at the ferrule length and feel the solidity of the head/shaft...
(although i obviously can't tell that the inside of the hosel was properly radiused and that extra epoxy was used).
The Harrison Striper is a low kick point shaft that uses titanium filaments in the construction to minimize shaft lead and lag. The torque rating is low and the shaft definitely feels firmer than my Rifle Flighted 65 Stiff (and i had cut this down to a driver length of 44.25" so it played even stiffer than the advertised torque rating).
The increased ball speed and lack of side spin seems to be coming from the head but the awesome consistency (ball striking)and playability seem to be coming from the shaft/counter balance. With some of the drivers that i tried the shaft definitely seemed to not agree with my swing repeatibility wise. Some strikes would be center cut but others would be toward the heel or low or high or towards the toe for what felt like comparable swings. This is what caused me to continue looking for something else after i had whittled my selection down to the MP 001(which i had originally planned on buying anyway). The stock Excelar shaft in the MP001 just felt a little too inconsistent. Other drivers where better but lacked the ball speed of the Mizuno MP001 so i decided to keep testing and that's when i found the Callaway GBB 2 415! What a blessing!
Cons: NOTHING! NADA! It was the best.
Quality: Top Rate! Mine is a like-new condition (according to comparison photos on Callaway's pre-owned web site) and even though it cost more than a new MP 001 400 ($140) the performance and consistency are well worth the premium price for a slightly used club.
Review Summary: It's the best i've tried!!!! Maybe the 454 or new FT3 Callaways are a little longer... and then maybe not.
This driver/shaft/counter balance combo is a dream and is now my favorite club (and i LOVE iron play!). With the new found distance i now consistently have shorter clubs into the greens which helps to increase my GIR percentage and put me in better position to lower my scores (even with my hmmm, shall we say adequate short game, LOL!).
Now if they could only do this for my short game!!!
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