Overview/Technology-
Well, tonight we are going to look at the new Callaway Big Bertha Diablo. And if that name doesn’t scare you off, you are in for a treat. This all titanium construction uses a unique hyperbolic cupface that is of variable thickness to optimize those off center hits that ultimately makes this one of the straightest new drivers of 2009′.
If the hyperbolic cupface doesn’t do the trick, the head fuses three sheets of titanium that includes a .68 millimeter crown that actually frees weight for use in an internal chip in the sole.
Callaway touts the new Edge Technology that provides a very high MOI with an optimized CG for both the Draw or Neutral models. The end result? A long, penetrating ball flight with the shot shape you desire even for the recreational player.
Callaway Diablo Specs-
| Name | Lie | Available In |
|---|---|---|
| 8Nº | 57.0º | RH Only |
| 9Dº | 57.0º | RH / LH |
| 9Nº | 57.0º | RH / LH |
| 10Dº | 57.0º | RH / LH |
| 10Nº | 57.0º | RH Only |
| 11Dº | 57.0º | RH Only |
| 13 HTDº | 57.0º | RH Only |
Actual Player Feedback-
“Straightest club in the bunch”
“Anybody who has never hit a draw will love this club”
“Great distance, and I didn’t have any issues with losing the ball to the right”
Pros/Positive Takeaways-
This shaft earned rave reviews with testers of the Golf Digest Hot Driver List. The main theme after the test was one of straight and long. I personally think the Aldila DVS shaft was an excellent choice by Callaway. The Aldila DVS gives the driver a softer tip for extra ball speed off the tee.
Cons/Negative Takeaways-
It’s still too early what negatives if any will come from this driver. The only thing I could drum up is the fact that head is a bit odd shaped at address that may turn some off. I also read that the Diablo would not be part of the Callaway OptFit, a program that has earned some recognition for club/shaft fitting.
Overall Rating-
The Callaway Big Bertha Diablo should do very well, especially for the aspiring recreational player. The driver will provide distance and control off the tee.
Don’t forget to check out the savings of owning a Callaway Preowned Diablo. A great driver backed by a great company – maximum savings for a almost new Callaway Diablo!
I purchased the Diablo Driver after test driving the R9, Tour Burner, FT-I, Titliest, and the Cobra. It came down the the Burner and the Diablo. The Burner was 1″ longer and seemed to carry the ball 5-10 yards further than the Callaway Diablo. The Diablo relayed a much more desirable launch angle and delivered 5-8 miles an hour more ball speed. Based on specs, test numbers, and looks, I purchased the Diablo.
I played the first round today with the Diablo, leaving my Sumo Sq in the car. As a golfer who generally fades the ball, the first drive with this driver was dead straight! Not only was it straight, but it was 35 yards longer than my Nike! The Second hole was a 310 par 4. I drove the ball to within 30 yards of the pin, in the fairway.
The rest of the day went the same. Long straight drives, 30 -40 yards longer drives, and the ability to draw the ball. The fade disappeared!
This is another excellent Callaway product and would highly recommend this club to everyone!
Whichn driver model did you buy? The draw or the neutral?
I bought this after also trying the Tour Burner, R9, 2009 Burner. The 09 Burner went the farthest on good shots but wasn’t the straightest and I didn’ like the graphics on it at address. Tour Burner still felt the lightest and is a good deal right now if you don’t have one already. I didn’t like the feel of the face of R9 and it was the shortest of the bunch for me.
I was stuck between the Tour Burner and Diablo, the Diablo just went a little straighter for me and really did go farthest on mis-hits.
I was just trying these on the range; no launch monitor or anything. I got the 9 degree neutral. It still goes pretty high and draws pretty easily. My mis-hits to the right don’t have much curve, but I can still hook the ball.
Review of the Callaway Diablo Driver (neutral/regular 9 degree): At first look out of the box the head is larger than expected. Good looking overall and very good quality head and shaft. I have big hands so the grip feels a little small. The head design looks good. And is angled to give the intention of swinging in-to-out through the ball. I took it to the local range today. I have owned Taylor R5 and currently play R7. I have also owned the original (smaller head)Big Bertha drivers. And before this, Lynx metal woods. My current Taylor driver requires that I grip it slightly strong. If I don’t, I get a high shot with a little fade. I tried the same thing with the Diablo on my first 2 swings. My drives started straight and then hooked off more than I expected. So I then used a standard neutral grip (as I do with my irons). The next two balls went straight and actually seemed to change to a higher gear about 180 yards out and continued to rise. These two were no more than 8 yards off of straight at about 260 yards out. My Taylor R7 gives a slight fade with about 230-240 yards distance. I then tried to place the ball up in my stance, even with my left toe. The next two balls went about 230 yards with a slight fade. I then moved the ball back an inch and used a free flowing hook type swing. These next two went mostly straight with a slight draw tail. I have a tee time this Friday and without question will use my new Diablo. Hope this review helps you.
Review of the Callaway Diablo 3 wood (neutral): The head shape is similar to the Diablo driver but much lower profile. It looks good at address and sits square when grounded. The ball flight is a little lower than expected. I used this club 4 times in yesterdays round. A tight par 4, a long par 3, and two par 5 approach shots. The par 4 shot was perfect leaving 109 yards to the hole. The long par three shot landed on the center of the front fringe. One of the two par 5 approach shots was slightly pulled but okay. The other left a 15 ‘ eagle putt which I missed. Shot 77, Love these clubs.
Purchased the 10 Degree, Draw, Regular Flex. This is the best driver I have ever used. Straight down the middle and long. I have been a very inconsistent driver, and I decided to do everything I could do to change that. I went in for a fitting, and I researched clubs. The Diablo is receiving great reviews, and it was highly recommended from the store I bought it at. I have
normally shot anywhere from 90 to high 90’s. I just shot an 82 the day after
I bought the club, mainly due to the great position I was in off the drive. Also,
the 3 wood came as part of a promo for $1. This club is great as well.
Yes I agree with the above comments, this driver is long and forgiving. I reviewed it thoroughly on igolfgolf.com. It looks a bit closed at address (even the neutral model), but this is sort of an illusion.
i purchased te callaway diablo 9 degree driver and my first shot was straight down the first fairway, i have had it for 2 weeks and i am yet still to hit a bad shot with it, its fantastic, i wuld recomend this to anyone wanting a new driver and espeically someone who cuts the ball like i did but becuase of this driver my shots go striaght now and don’t get as much spin off the tea
I just purchased the Diablo 10 degree neutral driver with stiff shaft and Diablo 3 wood neutral stiff also. After 70 – 80 rounds a year with my Cobra 454 Comp for the past 5 years or so, I attended a demo day with many club manufacturers. I tried them all and kept coming back to the Callaway tent loving every hit from the Diablo. I found the draw setup a little too much draw for my swing with occasional hooks. But with the neutral head and the stiff shaft I was able to shape shots and actually really try and get into a couple without quacking hooks. Love the look, the setup and most of all the price. I don’t mind one bit paying good money for something that works for me…and to find the Diablo at such a good price was a bonus.
Hey Puffer and Slippery carefull boys i just bought one of these a Diablo 10Deg stiff shaft Drivers.
Heres a tip, you guys hit of the ladies, the club is long off the tee.
Puffer, stay out of the white line and step up and purchase a real driver, Slippery, no you cant borrow it and Stumpy, your just too short for this club.
Great price and driver.
Hi, whats the difference between the ‘draw’ and the neutral?
Also, looking around it appears that to buy a 10degrees is almost double price of a 9 r 11 degrees, why is this the case?
i would like to make a comment about callaway as a company.they are proud of there products and will stand behind them.my son got out in the back yard and cracked the fiberglass back on my club head so im thinking oh this is great im going to have to buy a new driver.i decided i would call callaway to see if i could at least get some sort of credit because i had only had the club for about 6 months and im just a weekend player so it hadnt been used alot .fortunately for me they have discontinued the ft2 drivers so callaway upgraded me to a big bertha diablo and man what a club im hitting longer and straighter than i ever did with any of my old clubs.if this club has any flaws ihavent found them yet.ill keep you posted if i do though
No wonder the pros are flying the ball 300 yards. If I were making the rules for Professionals I would outlaw thsese incredible tools. I was about a 6 handicap when I left the game back in ‘95–started a family etc…I played 9 holes every year (once per year) or so since–virtually a non-player. I have the same equipment I used back in the early 90s. So, I ordered this Diablo because this summer I decided to get my kids into golf and I wanted to fit in when I was showing my kids how to hit the ball–everybody else seems to have these monsters that completely shocked me in both sound and presence. Bottom line, when I first took the Diablo to the range I could NOT mishit the club. It is night and day and there is no way I can ever go back to my original Big Bertha from ‘93–which looks like an undersized peanut in comparison. I don’t know if I’ve gained much more than 10-15 yards when I hit it completely solid–but on the miss hits it is incredible. I played 13 holes last week with my kids–I don’t think I missed a fairway and I’ve been away from the game for more than a decade. I’m sure other large clubs like Taylormade etc. are just as impressive–but the price of this club is very low IMO–in fact I paid $50 less than what I paid for my original BBertha.
I have six games now with my new stiff shaft Diablo and in all games, my drives were 30 to 45 yards longer and straighter. I was totally blow away by the ease of the club and how it sits. I tested the Taylormade, Titleist and Cleveland and only the Taylormade came close. Well done Callaway. I think for the rec golfer, this is the club to go with and the price is right.
I just bought a Diablo 10 degree Draw and got a Diablo 5 wood for S$1!!! Total I paid S$400 for both clubs!!! Great deal man!!! I tried the driver at the shop and it felt really good. I can’t wait to try it at the range tmr and on the green next week! Will post my opinion once I have tried them!