Callaway Big Bertha BB23 Hybrid Review – Is it Forgiving & Good for High Handicappers?

“Callaway has launched an entirely new line of Big Bertha clubs for 2023. In the following review, we are taking an in-depth look at the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrid.”

More and more, hybrid clubs are being viewed less as replacements for long irons and more as clubs with their own unique utility.

With more and more tour pross adopting hybrid clubs as permanent additions to their bag, hybrids are more popular than ever.

You can even see how the paradigm regarding these clubs has shifted in manufacturing: nowadays, club manufacturers are making hybrids from 3H all the way to 9H.

It’s incredible to think that people are actually using hybrids to replace their short irons these days.

The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids are a perfect example of how far hybrid clubs have come.

In today’s review we will be telling you about the performance aspects of the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 and how they differ from past Big Bertha hybrids.

The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 Hybrid Family

“If you were a fan of the 2021 Big Bertha hybrids, you will notice a couple of things about the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids right off the bat.”

Firstly, the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrid has less offset than the 2021 version. But to offset (pun definitely intended) the impact, Callaway has included an adjustable loft sleeve on the 2023 version.

The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 also has a redesigned “batwing” internal jailbreak bracing system. Overall, the latest version does everything the 2021 Big Bertha hybrid did; but better.

Is it Good for High Handicappers?

“The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 is excellent as a long iron replacement and was obviously built with high handicappers in mind.”

The distance from heel to toe in these hybrids seems to stretch into eternity. The footprint is also substantial and is plainly noticeable at point of address.

The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids certainly live up to their name by providing the player with a huge launchpad and a seemingly boundless sweet spot.

The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids are excellent for both pure beginners and high handicappers because there is virtually nowhere on the face that produces short distance and erratic ball flight.

During our test session, we found that only the most heinous mis-hits were producing pushes and slices. The launch was effortlessly high and the distance was almost automatic.

Is it Forgiving?

“The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 features internal bracing which allows the face to flex to a high degree without giving up MOI and flight stability.”

To complement the jailbreak internal bracing, Callaway used high-strength 455 steel for the face of the BB23 hybrids.

During our testing, intentional mis-hits were not losing much ball speed at all. Sidespin was kept to a minimum so overall trajectory was generally straight.

In fact, it was more difficult to affect a push or a pull than it was to hit the ball straight. The combination of a high-flexing face and internal bracing equals a lot of distance and forgiveness.

The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrid features a boxy toe section that gives the impression of a traditional iron; but the large footprint makes it much more forgiving.

Our testers had no problem finding the sweet spot and launching the ball high for great carry distance.

Difference Between the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 and the BB21 Hybrids

“The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrid has better lateral forgiveness than the BB21 hybrids.”

This is mostly due to the fact that Callaway elongated the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids from heel to toe.

You get more sweet spot to work with and you get more loft and face angle versatility thanks to an adjustable hosel.

We also noticed that the glaring offset in the BB21 hybrids has been reduced in the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids.

This offers a cleaner look but may ultimately make the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids more difficult to turn over.

Available Shafts

The only stock shaft Callaway is making available for their new Big Bertha hybrids is a Callaway RCH 65 graphite shaft that comes in regular or stiff flex.

Is the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 Hybrid Worth it?

“Perhaps the best thing about  the new BB23 hybrids is that they offer something for everyone.”

The Callaway Big Bertha BB23 is available in 3H to 9H so you can use them off the tee as easily as you can off the deck.

While we can’t imagine anyone using a 8H or 9H effectively, the Callaway Big Bertha BB23 hybrids are worth a look if only for their versatility.