Callaway Mavrik Drivers Review
Our first-hit verdict on the new Callaway Mavrik drivers
Mavrik doesn't appear to represent a big leap forward from Rogue, nor does it noticeably outperform Epic Flash, but these drivers certainly made finding fairways a little easier without having to sacrifice distance and the different models in the range mean every player type is catered for.
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Surprisingly user-friendly while producing competitive distance. Varying launch and spin characteristics across the three models to suit different swings.
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Limited gains over Rogue and Epic Flash. No ability to significantly alter shot shape.
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Callaway Mavrik Drivers Review - Joel Tadman tests the new Callaway Mavrik and Mavrik Sub Zero drivers and delivers his opinion on the performance
Callaway Mavrik Drivers Review
Rogue was an underrated driver range and surpassing it was always going to be tricky for Callaway. Its replacement, Mavrik, has an updated Flash Face designed by a super computer (you can read more about the new technology here), so it promised a great deal... and delivered, to a degree.
It's worth noting that the new Rogue ST driver has now been launched in place of the Mavrik, bringing back the Rogue name from 2018.
Watch our full video review below:
We tested the standard and Sub Zero Mavrik drivers indoors on the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor in 9° loft and the new Aldila Rogue 60x shaft, which is one of the stock options. We'll be sure to add in the performance of the Max driver to this review once we have tested it, as it's arrival was delayed.
On first inspection, the orange colour pops certainly catch your eye on the shelf. Some may say it cheapens the look, but it's certainly preferable to all black. At address they look modern with the carbon fibre weave pattern visible, a traditional shape without too many elements to distract you. The Sub Zero model is shorter from front to back while the standard is a little larger and the Max has the most stretched out look of all three.
The Mavrik drivers feel incredibly solid, like almost no energy is lost between the collision of club and ball, with a powerful thud sound we really enjoyed.
We were expecting the cyclone shape of the standard model to give us more clubhead speed compared to the Sub Zero, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, we swung the Mavrik Sub Zero driver nearly 2mph faster, perhaps due to the smaller size.
The Sub Zero, in its more forgiving weight setting with the heavier 14g weight at the rear, performed the best for us while also being playable on the course. While it didn’t quite give us the ball speed of the standard model, the lower spin helped us achieve carries that were four yards longer on average.
The standard model is unquestionably more forgiving and easier to hit straighter, was faster and more efficient off the face, and will benefit slower swing speeds or golfers that need more spin to maximize distance – it gave us 300 rpm more spin on average.
Out on the course, we were surprised at how easy it was to control direction with the Mavrik Sub Zero without losing out on distance. Distance with control is always a winning formula and this seemed to deliver it, especially on slight mishits. It can't save a really bad strike or swing, but it's certainly more user-friendly than Rogue.
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Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.
One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.
Joel's current What's In The Bag?
Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9°
Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°
Irons: Ping i230 4-UW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind
Putter: Evnroll ER2V
Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x
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