Big Bertha Alpha 815 question

[SoundandFury]

Just grabbed on last weekend.  Current gamer is a SLDR 10.5* (set at 9.5*) with AD DI 6s stiff shaft.  Hit the two side by side on the range and on a couple holes and getting way more spin with the BB, even though i've read reviews that it's as low spinning as the SLDR (or close at least).  Right now I have it set in standard loft/lie (10.5*).  Also getting more high right misses, wheres my miss with the SLDR is a straight push; maybe 5-10 yds.  I hit the SLDR very well to be honest, but the BB was a present, and I love the sound/feel at impact.

I'm wondering if the shaft has a lot to do with it and a different one will help.  Grabbed an Aldila Rogue Tour/LE off eBay that I'm going to put in tomorrow.  Anyone have any thoughts or experience on whether that will bring the spin down and straighten it out?

[SoundandFury]

Btw, current shaft in the BB is stock Speeder.

[Mr. Desmond]

Stock Speeder 565 Stiff is probably not for quick tempo players and/or over 100 SS. You might try something like the 665 or another alternative.

I would bring the loft down one degree, keeping the lie angle at N (it's lowest setting). See what it does as the specs could be higher than stamped.

You might adjust those screws to turn it over better (I don't know if they are set to help you close or not).

I like the sound/feel of the BB 815, but was getting better initial numbers and more consistency on a V Series 9 degree/565 Stiff. I would need more time with the BB 815. But I am older middle aged and need work on more ball speed ...  :-)

[mvmac]

Shaft may help a little but it's mostly the head design. BB 815 Double Black Diamond would be closer to the SLDR.

Do you see the ball ballooning or is it just launching higher? Did you try adjusting it to 9.5?

[SoundandFury]

Shaft may help a little but it's mostly the head design. BB 815 Double Black Diamond would be closer to the SLDR.

Do you see the ball ballooning or is it just launching higher? Did you try adjusting it to 9.5?

It's definitely ballooning.  I actually launch my SLDR pretty high (especially since I improved my backswing, thanks Mike!).  From my eye, it launches close to the same angle as the SLDR, but climb quick and falls out of the sky.  Best way to describe it is as one of those shots that looks hammered when it leaves the club, but you get to the ball and it's about 20 yards short of where you'd think, which is about what I gave up to the SLDR hit on the same hole, same ball, etc.  Also, I have the weights set to the "draw" configuration, but it's incredibly hard to get the ball to turn over, whereas the SLDR turns over nicely without much effort.

I put it to 9.5 but also changed the lie to "draw", and that actually made it worse.  Hit push slices off the edge of the planet.  Immediately hit the SLDR right after and got a gentle draw.

Swing speed (clocked this morning on Flight Scope) varies from 104 to 109.  Would you recommend the double black diamond if I want it closer to the SLDR?  I thought about it, but I've seen so many reviews about how it's for "experts" that I figured it was too much club for me.

[SoundandFury]

Stock Speeder 565 Stiff is probably not for quick tempo players and/or over 100 SS. You might try something like the 665 or another alternative.

I would bring the loft down one degree, keeping the lie angle at N (it's lowest setting). See what it does as the specs could be higher than stamped.

You might adjust those screws to turn it over better (I don't know if they are set to help you close or not).

I like the sound/feel of the BB 815, but was getting better initial numbers and more consistency on a V Series 9 degree/565 Stiff. I would need more time with the BB 815. But I am older middle aged and need work on more ball speed ...  :-)

I'm definitely both.  Pretty aggressive transition, 104-109 SS.  Would have thought that a shaft that was too soft (or whatever the issue is) would produce misses to the left as opposed to the right.

[Mr. Desmond]

I'm definitely both.  Pretty aggressive transition, 104-109 SS.  Would have thought that a shaft that was too soft (or whatever the issue is) would produce misses to the left as opposed to the right.

I'd think you would have misses both ways... But one never knows.

More shaft for you!

(sorry)

Well, more than a 565 is needed.

I did not know what type of golfer you are -- you might try the DBD.

The 815 is lower spin, so it sounds like the shaft, or a combo of head and shaft - try reducing loft. I'd go by a store and see if you can demo shafts on a sim.

I defer to Mike.

[Metzexpress4]

My swing speed is also in the 105-109 range and after a fitting I purchased the Alpha 815 with the Aldila Tour Rogue Silver stiff shaft (69g). I have always battled a slice, nothing crazy and at times more like a fade that I start to far right, but my during my fitting we discovered that my old driver, TaylorMade R11 w/ a ProForce V2 stiff shaft (66g), was not doing me any favors. The ProForce was too light and I was not getting the face to shut properly which started my ball much further right compared to where I was lined up.

During my fitting, I experimented with the heavier shaft (69g) and set the Alpha to +1, Draw. I immediately saw the difference and my numbers backed it up in every category; smash factor, launch angle, spin, etc... The decision was also made to cut the shaft down to 45" from 45.5" and even though I was a little apprehensive about those .5", my control and distance are both better for it.

My first round with the new driver I didn't love the ball flight as I felt my tee shots were ballooning and not really peaking down range. My next time out I flipped the core down and I immediately fell in love with this driver. The ball flight really fit my eye and I was definitely longer compared to the Taylormade (I had the course to myself for 90% of the round and was able to hit multiple tee balls with both drivers). I have always been a TaylorMade guy but this is easily the best driver I have ever had in my bag. I could not be happier with the purchase!

I also tested the DBD but I was more consistent with the model I bought and after close to a dozen rounds, it was definitely the smart decision.

[SoundandFury]

Went to the range and tried all the different setting combinations I thought might help, but nothing really work. Still ballooning and still missing high right more than 50% of the time. So decided to give up on the Alpha 815 and trade it in for the DBD. Got the 10.5 with Aldila Rogue Silver. Holy shit what a difference. Drive after drive of beautiful ball flight that seems to be more of a "boring" flight than even my SLDR set at 9.5. High right miss is gone as well, and miss is back to my reliable 10-15 yard block. Didn't think anyone would replace the SLDR, but it's not even a hard decision. Can't wait to see how it is once I put the Aldila Rogue LE in.

[mvmac]

Went to the range and tried all the different setting combinations I thought might help, but nothing really work. Still ballooning and still missing high right more than 50% of the time.

So decided to give up on the Alpha 815 and trade it in for the DBD. Got the 10.5 with Aldila Rogue Silver. Holy shit what a difference. Drive after drive of beautiful ball flight that seems to be more of a "boring" flight than even my SLDR set at 9.5. High right miss is gone as well, and miss is back to my reliable 10-15 yard block.

Didn't think anyone would replace the SLDR, but it's not even a hard decision. Can't wait to see how it is once I put the Aldila Rogue LE in.

Yeah if you have the speed the DBD is an awesome club. Enjoy!

[SoundandFury]

Yeah if you have the speed the DBD is an awesome club. Enjoy!

Thanks Mike.  I'm curious why Callaway has sort of run with the "this club is for experts" marketing on the DBD; can't imagine it doesn't cost them some sales.  It's certainly no harder to hit than the SLDR, and to me feels just as forgiving as my old 913 D2.  Launches plenty high, and just goes.  Is there a certain swing speed needed for the club to effective or something?

[Mr. Desmond]

Have heard the DBD is one of the longest, is not the longest of the OEM clubs. And supposedly more forgiving and longer than last  year's Alpha.

My guess for the marketing is so many people bit on the Alpha last year who should not have played it, that Callaway is playing it safe. And they have so many options with the XR, V Series, BB 815, and 815 Alpha, that it is basically for guys with some speed who make better contact. That is not a large group.... lol

[mvmac]

Is there a certain swing speed needed for the club to effective or something?

100mph+ or close to that. Someone with a slower swing just won't get anything out of it, ball won't have enough spin.