Golf Business News – Richard Helmstetter, designer of Callaway's first Big Bertha driver, dies at 82

Richard Helmstetter, founder of Callaway Golf's famous Big Bertha driver and other golf clubs, died in California last week at the age of 82.

Helmstetter joined Callaway Golf in 1986 and spent the next three decades at the company as senior vice president and chief innovator, building many of the most successful clubs.

His early ideas included short hosel designs to redistribute weight that were important in the early S2H2 woods and irons and subsequent clubs in all future woods and irons.

He led the development of the Great Big Bertha, Callaway's first titanium model and the most iconic driver of its time. It sold 1.8 million units worldwide and ushered in the era of not only oversized drivers but also face deflectors, moving balls at a new speed that came to be known as the 'spring-like effect'.

He also served in a number of leadership roles, including Head of New Products and director of international operations for Callaway, before moving into a consulting role in 2005.

During his extensive career, he was granted more than 700 patents worldwide for the designs he created.

“Richard Helmstetter was a legend and a true innovator in the golf industry,” said Chip Brewer, president and CEO of Topgolf Callaway Brands. “He loved his job, and making the game enjoyable for golfers. More importantly, he was a great man; he cared deeply about the next generation of team designers, mentored many of his colleagues, and treated everyone with warmth and respect.”