Lock up those Big Berthas

With a set of top-line equipment costing close to $4,000, golfers will be able to not only lock their equipment into the bag but also lock the bag to stands.

Callaway, whose highly popular Great Big Bertha and Biggest Bertha drivers are hot targets for thieves across the U.S., will introduce a bag to the market this spring using the Nib-lock system.

"When you consider eight Callaway irons and three woods run you $3,600-- and that's a conservative estimate, it's easy to understand why golfers are interested in protecting their investment," says Darcy Reynolds of Golf Plus.

Reynolds, and other local golf store retail outlets, have tightened security considerably during the past year after a number of break-ins.

"We don't leave anything on the floor anymore," says Reynolds. "We lock up everything overnight."

Golf USA had its top-line equipment rack cleaned out during a break-in last spring.

"They weren't just after Callaway product ... they wanted all the top line stuff," says Jeff Maisui. "We've tightened our security and haven't had any problems since."

Edwin Watts wishes he could say the same.

As one of the largest golf equipment retailers in the U.S., Watts is so fed up with thefts at his 40 shops that, yesterday, he posted a $25,000 reward for the conviction of those stealing from his stores.

Thieves after Big Bertha drivers have pulled off dozens of smash-and-grab burglaries, mostly in the south U.S., in recent months, and shop owners fear that competitors with problems getting the popular Callaway clubs are behind the crimes.

"Somebody big in the retail business is behind these thefts," Watts claims. "It is somebody with a retail presence."

Watts says he's had seven break-ins since June and three in Florida this month. In all, he has lost $500,000 US in Biggest Big Bertha and Great Big Bertha drivers.

"These are smash-and-grab robberies that take three or four minutes," Watts said. "The people know what they are going in after, and I believe they have buyers lined up before they go in."

The Great Big Berthas retail for about $525 and the Biggest Big Berthas for $625 or more in Canada.

"Just how long do you think it'd take a thief to sell one of those drivers for $100?" says Reynolds. "But if anyone offered you one for that kind of money, I'd think you'd have to be suspicious." Also see: golfing specialties.

Author Notes:

Wayne Guest contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-golf.com. A source of information on golf equipment, golf manufacturers, supplies, tips and more.