What’s old is new again! This epic comparison guide reviews the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini vs Callaway Big Bertha to help you decide which new driver is right for you.
While both of these clubs are based on classic designs, they have several differences between them in terms of:
- Club head size
- Loft
- Technology
We’ll break down each club below to help you decide which is best for you.
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TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Overview
The TaylorMade BRNR Mini is a brand new driver for 2023 by TaylorMade. If you think this driver looks familiar, it’s because it is.
TaylorMade is paying homage to its classic Burner Bubble driver, released in 1995. Mini drivers are a niche product that will only be for some. The BRNR Mini has a smaller head than a traditional driver, and it will bring back that nostalgic feeling from the late 1990s.
Most regular driver heads come with a 460cc head. The BRNR Mini has only a 304cc head. It comes available in an 11.5 and 13.5-degree driver loft.
The stock shaft is the UST Mamiya ProForce 65 Retro Burner Edition and is very close to the same shaft in the original Burner. The stock grip is the SuperStroke S Tech.
If you don’t mind the smaller driver head and are looking for nostalgia, look at the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver.
How to Buy the BRNR Mini
Click here or use the button below to buy your BRNR Mini today.
TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Key Features
Movable Weights
For the first time, TaylorMade offers movable weights in a mini-driver. Two weights on the driver’s head can be changed depending on how you want to strike the ball.
The two weights are listed as Heavy and Light and come in at 13 grams and 1.5 grams.
With the 1.5-gram weight in the front (closest to the driver’s face), the center of gravity changes to just below the center of the face. This helps to keeps low spin during ball flight. This also keeps the ball’s trajectory down, likely increasing your rollout on the fairway.
The 13-gram weight in the back of the head increases the forgiveness on every shot. The heavy weight at the back also moves the center of gravity back, which helps launch the ball better at impact.
Twist Face Technology and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket
Although this is considered a mini-driver, the TaylorMade BRNR Mini is packed with innovative golf technology. TaylorMade included its modern Twist Face Technology, an alternate face curvature design designed to overcome mis-hits and allow for more forgiveness and straighter shots.
First introduced in the M3 Driver, Twist Face allows for better spin deviation on heel and toe strikes. It is designed to try and overcome human swing flaws in real-time to allow for more consistent strikes, and you will get that on the BRNR Mini Driver.
The Thru-Slot Speed Pocket remains one of TaylorMades newest technologies and is found in all Stealth drivers. It is located right behind the center of the driver’s face, allowinf for maximum ball speeds, and helps to produce additional forgiveness.
K-SOLE Design
The K-SOLE Design is located on the bottom of the driver’s head. If you look closely, there is a backward K in the black portion of the driver.
This type of design on the bottom of the helps the club glide smoothly through the turf while reducing resistance efficiently. This will help you off the tee while hitting the driver off the deck, which you can do with the BRNR Mini.
This design and the other technologies allow for an easy launch and maximum forgiveness on every shot.
Callaway Big Bertha 2023 Driver Overview
Another classic driver being brought back is the infamous Big Bertha by Callaway. The Big Bertha 2023 driver is designed with an ultra-low and forward center of gravity. This will help to reduce your slice and keep the ball straight and far.
Big Bertha is one of the most iconic names in the game of golf, being known for providing massive distance and helping out golfers of all different skill levels. There is never a thing such as too much distance for the Big Bertha driver. The new Big Bertha Driver
The stock shaft on the new Big Bertha is the Callaway RCH and comes available in many different weights and stiffness. All of these shafts have a high launch with mid-spin. The stock grip is the Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360, one of the most popular grips used on the PGA Tour.
How to Buy the Big Bertha
COMING SOON (Release Date April 28th)
Callaway Big Bertha 2023 Driver Key Features
A.I. Designed High-Strength XL Face
The Big Bertha Driver features an XL Face with a massive sweet spot to achieve maximum distance on every shot. Most golf companies are also moving towards artificial intelligence to help design their driver’s faces, and Callaway is no different.
A.I. Technology helps optimize the driver’s face, which helps increase ball speed and spin across the face. A great thing about A.I. is that it can quickly run through hundreds of prototypes before landing on the perfect one.
New Lightweight Jailbreak Technology
Callaway introduced its Jailbreak Technology in 2018 and has refined it for the new Big Bertha driver.
The Jailbreak Technology consists of the frame behind the driver’s head. Two metal rods connect the crown and sole behind the club face. This structure helps improve ball speeds for more energy transfer between the club face and the ball at impact.
In the new Big Bertha, Callaway has refined this to be even more lightweight, which helps deliver even faster ball speeds and stability.
Maximum Forgiveness and Lightweight Package
Callaway has done everything possible to make the new Big Bertha driver lightweight and easy to hit. The head shape is draw-biased to help battle that slice that haunts most amateur golfers.
The profile of the head is also huge, which helps to inspire maximum confidence when lining up to the ball. There is also a triaxial carbon fiber crown which helps lower the weight of the overall club, allowing it to glide smoothly.
TaylorMade BRNR Mini vs Callaway Big Bertha: Detailed Comparison
Loft
One of the most significant differences between these two clubs is the loft because the BRNR Mini is not a traditional-sized driver.
Due to its smaller head size, the BRNR Mini is only available in an 11.5 and 13.5-degree head loft. This golf club needs a higher degree head closer to a fairway wood than a driver. The higher loft helps launch the ball into the air faster.
The Big Bertha is a more traditional driver, available in a 9-degree, 10.5, and 12.5-degree head. Callaway can do this because the head size is quite a bit bigger with a more prominent profile. This allows for more options for the average golfer to choose from.
Winner: Callaway Big Bertha
Head Size
The TaylorMade BRNR Mini driver head is only 304cc, whereas the Big Bertha is the traditional 460cc. This is quite a big difference in the golf world when comparing drivers.
The BRNR Mini falls in between being a fairway wood and a driver. Fairway woods are usually around 170cc, and driver’s heads are traditionally 460cc, so the BRNR Mini falls right in the middle.
You can tell the difference between the two when lined up to the ball. With big in its name, the Big Bertha has a large profile and inspires maximum confidence. With the BRNR Mini, it takes a more particular swing as the sweet spot is quite a bit smaller than on the Big Bertha.
Winner: Callaway Big Bertha
Adjustable Weights
Regarding adjustable weights, the BRNR Mini outshines the Big Bertha, as the Big Bertha doesn’t have any. The Big Bertha features a low and forward center of gravity to help offset the slice. The Callaway Big Bertha does have an adjustable hosel, meaning you can increase or decrease the loft if you wish.
The BRNR Mini also has an adjustable hosel, but it also features two adjustable weights on the bottom of the driver. The weights are labeled Heavy and Light and are 13 grams and 1.5 grams.
You can swap them back and forth, depending on what type of shot you are looking at hitting. The heavy weight at the back keeps a balanced performance for the club. The ball will launch a bit better, and the forgiveness on each shot is higher.
The heavy weight in the front lowers the spin and allows for a more piercing trajectory. This helps the ball roll out further on each shot.
Winner: TaylorMade BRNR Mini
Club Face
Both companies have versions of the club face for each driver. TaylorMade introduced their Twist Face technology in 2018 in their M3 and M4 drivers. It has been slightly refined, but the basic premise remains unchanged.
Twist Face is a type of face curvature designed to help correct off-center impacts in real time. The face isn’t a typical bulge but is made in a way to add more forgiveness on every strike.
Callaway has included an extra-large club face with a massive sweet spot. The club face uses up-to-date A.I. technology to maximize ball speeds and spin across the face of the club.
Several golf companies are moving towards A.I. designed club faces as they can use virtual prototypes to perfect everyone. It is way less time-consuming and uses way fewer materials. A.I. is the future, and golf companies are starting to figure that out.
Winner: Callaway Big Bertha
Technology
Golf technology is constantly evolving, with companies trying to add more and more things to better the performance of their golf clubs. It is also a battle with the release of new clubs almost every year to try and better each product to make the price increase worth it.
Overall, TaylorMade wins this battle for technology. With the addition of the Twist Face, Thru-Slot Speed Pocket, and adjustable hosel, there are many customization options to get the best performance out of the club. The adjustable weights also add a nice touch.
The Big Bertha mainly includes the A.I. designed club face and Jailbreak system. The performance is definitely there, and but TaylorMade has focused more on the technology in its mini driver.
Winner: TaylorMade BRNR Mini
Price
The TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver retails for $449.
The Callaway Big Bertha retails for $499.
This is where you will have to make the tough decision.
At $449, the BRNR Mini is a pretty expensive club, especially if you purchase it as a glorified fairway wood. A standard fairway wood usually retails for $200 or so, which puts the BRNR Mini driver a lot higher.
The Big Bertha is relatively cheap compared to other brand-new drivers released in 2023. This decision all depends on what type of club you are looking for.
Winner: Callaway Big Bertha
Where I Like the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Better
I like the added technology better with the BRNR Mini Driver. TaylorMade added everything it could to make this club perform on the course, and they succeeded.
With the adjustable weights, you can swap them around depending on the shot you want to hit. If you struggle to hit fairway woods, this could also be a great alternative due to the increased club head size.
Some golfers out there may prefer the smaller head drivers anyway. If that sounds like you, the TaylorMade BRNR Mini is an excellent club for you.
Where I Like the Callaway Big Bertha Driver Better
The Callaway Big Bertha is a more traditional driver and relatively inexpensive than the other brand-new drivers released this year. The club head size is large, which instills confidence in your swing.
The Big Bertha is known for being one of the easiest golf clubs to hit.
The new Stealth and Paradym drivers have more technology added, but the price is double what the Big Bertha retails at. The Big Bertha will be an excellent option for amateur or recreational golfers looking for a brand-new driver packed with a punch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the battle between the TaylorMade BRNR Mini and the Callaway Big Bertha drivers comes down to personal preference, budget, and specific needs on the golf course.
The TaylorMade BRNR Mini stands out with its innovative technology, nostalgic design, and adjustable weight. It is perfect for golfers who prefer a smaller driver head and want maximum customization.
On the other hand, the Callaway Big Bertha offers a more traditional driver experience, boasting a massive club face with A.I. technology, a lightweight Jailbreak system, and a budget-friendly price point. It is the perfect club for average golfers.
Ultimately, both drivers have unique strengths and can significantly enhance your golf game depending on your requirements and preferences. Weigh your options carefully and choose the driver that best aligns with your golfing style and objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
BRNR Mini vs Big Bertha, which driver is better for slow swing speeds?
The Callaway Big Bertha driver is the better option for slow swing speeds. The larger head size means a more prominent sweet spot in the center of the face. The ball will launch off the XL Face even with a slow swing speed and travel a long distance.
BRNR Mini vs Big Bertha, which driver is easier to hit?
The size of Big Bertha’s club face makes this driver easier to hit. The BRNR Mini takes a little more finesse due to the face being smaller, so the sweet spot is smaller. The Big Bertha offers maximum forgiveness on top of maximum distance.
BRNR Mini vs Big Bertha, which driver has more distance?
The Callaway Big Bertha driver will offer more distance off the tee than the TaylorMade BRNR Mini. This inexpensive driver is an excellent option for golfers looking to grip and rip off the tee.
BRNR Mini vs Big Bertha, which club is easier to hit off the fairway?
The BRNR Mini is an oversized fairway wood and is suitable for hitting off the fairway. The Big Bertha club head is too large to hit anywhere else but off your tee shots.
Does Callaway sell a Big Bertha mini?
Callaway has not sold a Big Bertha mini driver since 2015.
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
