Callaway Bertha Mini 1.5

[isukgolf]

Just curious if anyone has feed back on the Bertha Mini ... these smaller drivers are "interesting" to me. I just do not know where it would fit into my bag at the present moment. I am not hitting my current driver bad, and I am not a big hitter (about 220'ish).

[Mr. Desmond]

Just curious if anyone has feed back on the Bertha Mini ... these smaller drivers are "interesting" to me. I just do not know where it would fit into my bag at the present moment. I am not hitting my current driver bad, and I am not a big hitter (about 220'ish).

I have only read a few comments, and they are positive. In the bag, if my first fairway was a 5 wood, and then the bag continued into hybrids, irons, etc. I would seriously consider it. Off the tee, the BB Mini would be deeper faced and more forgiving than the typical 3 wood.

[dkolo]

I saw it at Golfsmith the other day. It seems like a proper driving wood. The Deep series seemed like they were tiny compared to the Taylormade mini driver. I like the size of this club. Inspires confidence.

[SavvySwede]

I saw it at Golfsmith the other day. It seems like a proper driving wood. The Deep series seemed like they were tiny compared to the Taylormade mini driver. I like the size of this club. Inspires confidence.

But at 185cc you could at least attempt to hit the 3deep off the fairway on occasion. This new mini at 235cc is pretty much limited to the tee. Might as well get a 12-14* large headed driver instead.

[Mr. Desmond]

But at 185cc you could at least attempt to hit the 3deep off the fairway on occasion. This new mini at 235cc is pretty much limited to the tee. Might as well get a 12-14* large headed driver instead.

In the old days, mid '90's, we used to hit 320cc 9.5 drivers off the deck with a fluffy lie.

Talk about a stinger...

These are 12-14 degrees, and 235cc, and I've heard comments from higher speed guys is that it's fairly good off the deck. Perhaps it should carry a warning: Professionals/High Speed only off the deck.

It's a club, they're fun, if people must justify it, then I'd tell them not to get it.

[billchao]

But at 185cc you could at least attempt to hit the 3deep off the fairway on occasion. This new mini at 235cc is pretty much limited to the tee. Might as well get a 12-14* large headed driver instead.

Agreed. This face just screams "don't try me off the deck":

A second, higher lofted driver would be more forgiving and have higher ball speed off the face, if you're just going to carry another club specifically for the tee.

I think the idea is, you buy this club and leave it in your garage until you play that one course where you need tight drives, then you play this instead of your driver? I still think I'd rather carry something more versatile, like a 4 wood.

[isukgolf]

The review I read said it was hard to get any loft off the deck. After more research I also think the price point ($299) is too high for any value it would give.

[dkolo]

But at 185cc you could at least attempt to hit the 3deep off the fairway on occasion. This new mini at 235cc is pretty much limited to the tee. Might as well get a 12-14* large headed driver instead.

I have a driver I am hitting well, but I also have an adjustable 3W that I use as a driving alternative for when I'm not feeling driver. I never hit it off the ground (at 13°, it's just not reliable). I'd use my 5W or hybrid off the deck. I rarely ever go for par 5s in 2 and if I do, I'd rather step on one of the other clubs than hit the 3W. This club would go straight in my bag, no questions asked. I do love having another driving wood.

[Mr. Desmond]

The review I read said it was hard to get any loft off the deck. After more research I also think the price point ($299) is too high for any value it would give.

Wait 'till it hits preowned at the end of the year.

[TexasTom]

This is designed for those of us that are Driver-impaired. I use the TM Mini-Driver. The latest 460cc 47 inch piledrivers are literally too much to hit. But these Super 3-woods are awesome. I have more club head speed on it and a 100% more consistent golf shot. I have a SS of about 93mph, and I hit this 70% fairways at 230 yards (with roll). Since the average Par 4 from the whites is 375, that leaves a nice 145 approach to the green...still par-able.

[saevel25]

This is designed for those of us that are Driver-impaired. I use the TM Mini-Driver. The latest 460cc 47 inch piledrivers are literally too much to hit.

You know you don't have to buy the driver right off the shelf? When you order a driver have them custom order the club to be 44 inches in length. If you worry about not enough loft, then get one that is 11 or 12 degrees. You will then have a club with a larger sweet spot than the mini-driver. Same shaft length, and same loft. You wouldn't have to spend extra money to get the shaft cut in the ordering process.

[Mr. Desmond]

You know you don't have to buy the driver right off the shelf? When you order a driver have them custom order the club to be 44 inches in length. If you worry about not enough loft, then get one that is 11 or 12 degrees. You will then have a club with a larger sweet spot than the mini-driver. Same shaft length, and same loft. You wouldn't have to spend extra money to get the shaft cut in the ordering process.

Yes, but then he wouldn't get to to say "t he latest 460cc 47 inch piledrivers..."

[Perihelion]

I went to try this out yesterday and ended up buying it. I'm not a big hitter with the driver, I average 220-230 total yards with about 200 carry. I brought my driver to hit in comparison. With the Mini 1.5 I was launching at 14.5 degrees and getting about 250 total yards off a small tee. I was way more consistent with it as well. As for hitting it off the deck, its gonna take some practice. I hit it "well" about one out of three swings and would get 220 yards or so out of it when I did. When I mistruck it, I averaged 170. My current 3 wood is easier to hit off the deck but I only get about 200 off the deck. In the end, I'm replacing my 3 wood with the Mini and I'll take it to the range to work on the off the deck scenario.

[isukgolf]

@Perihelion Welcome to TST, I hope it works well for you!

[mchepp]

I am interested to try this as well. I have modified my own version of this kind of club with a 12 degree Ping driver with a 3 wood shaft. I have a boatload of lead tape on it and it is certainly not optimized. It would be nice to have something that is designed to be this kind of club.

@mvmac said he has tried one and he is close with the Callaway guys maybe he could give his thoughts.

[Mr. Desmond]

I went to try this out yesterday and ended up buying it. I'm not a big hitter with the driver, I average 220-230 total yards with about 200 carry. I brought my driver to hit in comparison. With the Mini 1.5 I was launching at 14.5 degrees and getting about 250 total yards off a small tee. I was way more consistent with it as well.

As for hitting it off the deck, its gonna take some practice. I hit it "well" about one out of three swings and would get 220 yards or so out of it when I did. When I mistruck it, I averaged 170. My current 3 wood is easier to hit off the deck but I only get about 200 off the deck.

In the end, I'm replacing my 3 wood with the Mini and I'll take it to the range to work on the off the deck scenario.

I think off the deck it's one of those clubs where you must have a "fluffy" lie to get it to work for you ... set up to hit a stinger off the deck and see what happens.

[anthony]

Very interested in this club, and may buy one sight unseen. Have been hitting my 3 wood (very well) off the tee because of my inconsistent driver. I really think those massive 460cc heads are big part of why it feels so weird to swing that damn club. 3w feels like my regular swing; driver does not. Hoping something like this would feel the same, with a bit more distance. Hitting off the deck would not be needed, as the 3w does just fine in that department.

Wondering what the difference between a driver and wood shaft would be? Aside from length of course.

[Perihelion]

Very interested in this club, and may buy one sight unseen. Have been hitting my 3 wood (very well) off the tee because of my inconsistent driver. I really think those massive 460cc heads are big part of why it feels so weird to swing that damn club. 3w feels like my regular swing; driver does not. Hoping something like this would feel the same, with a bit more distance. Hitting off the deck would not be needed, as the 3w does just fine in that department.

Wondering what the difference between a driver and wood shaft would be? Aside from length of course.

You nailed it when you said that this club feels like swining a 3 wood.  I set the tee height the same as I would with my 3 wood off the tee and I swing at it the same as when I hit my 3 wood off the tee.  I just get an extra 40-50 yds out of it.