Big Bertha — a staple name in Callaway’s line of golf clubs across four decades.
Having initially launched the Big Bertha driver in 1991, Callaway expanded the range with game improvement irons that continue to be updated to this day.
In this article, you’ll find a comprehensive list of Callaway’s Big Bertha Irons by year.
Ready? Let’s get into it!
Big Bertha Irons By Year
In 1994, Callaway released the original set of Big Bertha irons. Since then, there have been around 13 iterations of the popular game improvement set. In 2022, the Great Big Bertha 23 was released — designed to deliver distance, feel, and ultimate forgiveness for the average golfer.
Here is a full list of every Big Bertha iron release:
| Image | Callaway Iron Model | Release Year | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Great Big Bertha 23 | 2022 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha B21 | 2020 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha 2019 | 2019 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha OS | 2016 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha | 2014 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha | 2008 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha | 2006 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha Fusion | 2004 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha | 2002 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha X-12 | 1998 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha Tungsten Titanium | 1997 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha Gold | 1996 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha 96 | 1996 | Buy on Global Golf |
 | Big Bertha 94 | 1994 | Buy on Global Golf |
Big Bertha Irons: 1990-1999
Back in the 90s, Ping Eye 2 irons dominated the golf scene. Not only did they assist Tiger Woods in winning his first US Amateur before the sponsorship deals swept in, but they helped an enormous number of amateurs consistently find more greens.
In 1994, Callaway set out to contest this with the launch of the Big Bertha irons.
Having enjoyed success with releasing the Big Bertha driver in 1991, Callaway targeted the launch at the everyday golfer seeking forgiveness on the course.
Featuring a very thick topline and a deep cavity in the back of the club, the Big Bertha 94 irons provided high MOI to maximize the level of forgiveness. The extra wide sole helped to increase playability, while a bore-through shaft improved feel.
Callaway enjoyed success with the original Big Bertha irons, and in 1996 they released an updated version with a few subtle modifications to improve performance.
That same year, Callaway also introduced the Big Bertha Gold Series iron. Based on the original Big Bertha design, the Gold version featured a repositioned sweet spot, a new contoured sole, and redistributed weight in the head.
In 1997, Big Bertha Tungsten Titanium was released. This iron featured a titanium head with a tungsten insert to produce a club that worked in almost all conditions. Despite taking up just 15% of the volume of the club head, the tungsten insert represented 40% of the overall weight. This helped to accurately position the center of gravity.
Next, Callaway released Big Bertha X-12 in 1998. Featuring a lower center of gravity than previous models, this design helped golfers get the ball airborne.
Essentially, adding more weight closer to the sole helps increase the launch angle. This is the same reason why some golfers use lead tape on their irons.
Check out the video below by The Vintage Golfer, where he discusses the original 1994 version of the Callaway Big Bertha iron:
Big Bertha Irons: 2000-2009
At the turn of the millennium, Callaway released the Steelhead X-14 irons in 2000. These swiftly became the best-selling iron in the company’s history.
Nevertheless, the Big Bertha range continued throughout the decade. And, in 2004, the Callaway brand released its latest iteration: Big Bertha Fusion.
Featuring a newly refined design along with a large insert on the back of the club, Big Bertha Fusion represented a sleeker design than was produced in the 1990s.
With perimeter weighting and redistributed weight in the club head, the design enabled reduced twisting at the point of impact, providing better forgiveness.
The sleek design continued into the updated versions released in 2006 and 2008 —both marketed as “game improvement irons that provide forgiveness and style.
Big Bertha Irons: 2010-2019
Following a 6-year hiatus, Callaway launched the latest Big Bertha iron in 2014.
Designed for distance, this version featured “360 Face Cup” technology. Taken from the Big Bertha woods, it allows the weld joint to be behind the face, rather than on it.
In effect, this allowed the face to be thinner across a larger area. Not only does this produce higher ball speeds, but it gains up to two club lengths in distance.
In 2016, Callaway launched the Big Bertha OS iron. Featuring revolutionary “Exo-Cage” technology, the new structure allowed for better perimeter weighting for stability.
The Big Bertha 2019 edition arrived three years later, with a bold black color scheme and a low center of gravity to help launch the ball higher and further.
Big Bertha Irons: 2020-Present
Since 2020, Callaway has released a further two Big Bertha models.
First came Big Bertha B21 in 2020. Designed to boost confidence over the ball, these irons produce fast ball speed, high launch, straight shots, and great forgiveness.
Most notably, these irons were the first from the Big Bertha range to be designed using Artificial Intelligence. The AI helped maximize performance in the face and distribution of weight, allowing for better and more consistent ball striking.
Most recently, Great Big Bertha 23 Irons launched in late 2022. With this set of clubs, Callaway transitioned Big Bertha into the premium market at a higher price point.
The club head combines titanium and tungsten, going back to the roots of the Big Bertha launched back in 1997. Once again, this helps with weight distribution across the head for ultimate forgiveness, as well as ball speed performance.
The Great Big Bertha 23 irons are lightweight, with plenty of technology to help any golfer get the ball up in the air — along with loads of distance to boot.
Great Big Bertha 23 Irons
PROS
– High density
– Easy to cut & stick
– Durable & stays well-stuck
CONS
– Slightly thicker than some versions
Final Thoughts
Callaway’s Big Bertha range of game improvement irons has enjoyed great success with amateur golfers over the years, with numerous iterations across a 30-year timespan.
Since the original Big Bertha iron was first launched in 1994, the focus has remained on maximizing feel, performance, and forgiveness for the average golfer.
Despite the latest iteration being positioned at a higher price point than before, these irons remain an excellent choice for any golfer looking for ultimate forgiveness.
