Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver Review
The Big Bertha B21 aims to solve two of the biggest challenges faced by mid to high handicappers - improving distance and fixing your slice. Callaway offers a wider product range at a more competitive price than some other premium golf equipment companies, and the Big Bertha B21 was Callway's second driver release of 2020 after the MAVRIK line came in as the updated version of the Epic Flash. Callaway is an innovative company that uses Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and machine learning to improve the performance of its products.
How Big Bertha Clubs Changed Golf Equipment Forever
Big Bertha Clubs are one of the most well-known products in the golf equipment world. The name actually comes from a piece of German military equipment (a canon) called the Big Bertha Howitzer. The Big Bertha Driver was originally released in 1991.
It was one of the most innovative pieces of equipment at the time with its stainless steel construction (compared to the majority of other drivers which still had persimmon wood heads.) It was also significantly bigger than other clubs at the time, coming in at 190cc. The Big Bertha line has continued for almost 30 years, with the newest release being the Big Bertha B21, debuting in 2020.
Callaway's Big Bertha B21 and Mavrik
In 2020, Callaway released new versions of two of its drivers - the Big Bertha B21 and the Mavrik. The Mavrik was the new and improved version of the Epic Flash, which hit the market in 2019 and became one of Callaway’s most popular clubs.
The Mavrik series has three drivers in the line - Mavrik, Maverick Sub Zero and Mavrik MAX. The Big Bertha Line has only one model for men (B21) and another version for women (REVA.) The Mavrik’s main feature is that it's a forgiving driver with a large sweet spot. In contrast, the Big Bertha is marketed towards golfers who tend to slice the ball.
Improve Your Distance and Fix Your Slice
The 2020 model has improved launch and head stability compared to the 2019 Big Bertha release. One of the biggest benefits of the Big Bertha B21 is that you don’t have to adjust your technique to use this driver. Keep in mind that the Big Bertha B21 has an inherent draw bias, so it won’t help golfers who hook the ball.
This driver helps improve spin for golfers who tend to hit down on the ball, causing the ball to slice. The Big Bertha B21 can help mid to high handicappers achieve some of their longest distances and is best for low to medium swing speeds.
Explosive Feel, Good Design, Familiar Technology
Callaway is known for producing good-looking clubs, and the Big Bertha B21 is no exception. The blue carbon fiber is consistent with the rest of the B21 woods. The clubhead has a triangular crown shape and a strong offset. The club feels light yet solid at impact with a crisp sound and an explosive feel.
The B21 has an SS21 Flash Face, compared to the SS20 Flash Face on the Mavrik Driver. It's a continual refinement of the same technology. The Big Bertha B21 and the Mavrik share the familiar A.I. designed Flash Face and jailbreak technology to maximize ball speed, the T2C carbon crown to improve forgiveness, and an ultra-low CG for maximum distance.
Is the Big Bertha B21 or MAVRIK MAX More Forgiving?
One of the best-known features of Callaway drivers is their forgiveness. As Callaway has increased the use of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and machine learning, their drivers have only become more forgiving - especially in the last couple of years. Out of the Epic Flash, Mavrik and Big Bertha, here is where each driver stands. The Epic Flash is the least forgiving of the bunch and the Mavrik MAX is the most.
| Forgiveness | Model |
| Highest | MAVRIK MAX |
| Big Bertha B21 | |
| MAVRIK | |
| MAVRIK Sub Zero | |
| Lowest | Epic Flash |
The Big Bertha B21 comes in just behind the MAX. Between the Mavrik and Big Bertha B21 drivers, Mavrik Sub Zero is the least forgiving and the Mavrik sits in the middle of the range. The Mavrik MAX is the most forgiving driver in Callaway’s current line, and one of the most forgiving drivers on the market.
Which Pros Use Callaway Drivers?
Since the Big Bertha B21 is meant for a mid to high handicap golfer, there aren't any Callaway pros that use it. They tend to favor the MAVRIK series (specifically the MAVRIK Sub Zero) instead. Some of the pros who use Callaway Drivers include:
PGA Tour
- Xander Schauffele
- Phil Mickelson
- Marc Leishman
- Will Gordon
- Francesco Molinari
LPGA
- Carlota Ciganda
- Sandra Gal
- Georgina Hall
- Andrea Lee
- Morgan Pressel
How Does the Big Bertha B21 Compare to the MAVRIK Driver?
Here is a brief summary showing how the key features of these two drivers line up with each other:
| Feature | MAVRIK | Big Bertha B21 |
| Draw Bias | High | High |
| Spin | Mid/High | Low |
| Launch | Mid/High | High |
| Shot Shape | Straight | Slice Stopper |
| Forgiveness | Max | High |
| Interchangable weight | Yes | No |
| Callaway Customs | Yes | No |
The Big Bertha 21 is available in lofts of 9, 10.5, and 12.5 degrees. It comes with a stock shaft (Graphite Callaway RCH) and stock grip (Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360.)
Big Bertha B21 Driver: A User-Friendly Option
The Big Bertha B21 driver is a good choice for a mid to high handicap golfer who tends to slice the ball and needs a driver that will help to improve their distance. It's a good choice for a golfer who wants to invest in one of the best-known golf equipment brands and appreciates good styling and an explosive feel.