Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 815 Fairway Wood Review

Reviewed by: Joel Tadman, Equipment Editor

Tech: Features a Hyper Speed Face Cup and two adjustable 3g and 30g sole weights to alter launch, spin and shot shape. The weight closest to the face is also positioned toward the toe, creating low spin and fade bias. 

Looks: Short from front-to-back and relatively deep faced with little alignment assistance, this is clearly aimed at better players. That said, it boasts a premium finish that oozes class. 

Feel/Sound: Feels firm and powerful from the middle with a dull sound, little to dislike.   

Forgiveness: Not the club’s strongest point, but there’s still enough corrective spin there to find the fairway on average strikes. You have the option of fighting your over-draw by placing the heavier weight in the front toe section, reducing the amount of spin in the process. 

Performance: Even considering my 14° model, this tended to be quite a low-launching club with a fair amount of draw bias built into the head, making it a superb second option off the tee when the driver is misbehaving. If you need to use it off the fairway, placing the heavier weight at the back will help to raise launch and MOI, but it might be worth opting for the 16° head to help create even more stopping power on landing without giving up too much yardage. Ultimately, this is a very long fairway wood offering a penetrating trajectory with extra versatility via the intuitive sole weight system.