Callaway Mavrik Driver Review

Callaway’s new Mavrik driver has the fastest head shape of the three new drivers, with a lower MOI but more accuracy than the Epic Flash.

Callaway say the three new Mavrik models are more optimised to player traits than ever before. How? Next-level Artificial Intelligence, which builds on the success of Callaway‘s 2019 Epic Flash.

A new super computer’s ability to learn quickly and efficiently has led Callaway’s engineers to ask deeper, more far-reaching questions – even factoring in the swing traits of players likely to use each model.

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Callaway say the extra computing power has led to some pretty unconventional thinking, which just wouldn’t be possible for human designers, hence the Mavrik name. It’s also led to three unconventional and completely different driver designs, which have never really been trialled before.

More familiar tech includes two internal Jailbreak bars, which connect the sole and crown to promote fast ball speeds, and a significantly lighter carbon crown allows Callaway to redistribute weight for a higher MOI.

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Callaway Mavrik driver: Key Features

Cyclone aero shape
Mavrik is really slippery when it comes to aero performance. The sweeping sole displaces less air, especially in the final three feet before impact. It reduces drag by 61% over the Epic Flash, which was considered a very aerodynamic driver

AI acoustics
Callaway’s new super computer has been put to good work and with Mavrik it was unleashed on the acoustics, too. The computer was tasked with improving sound for all three new models. And because Callaway’s engineers asked it to dial into known “pleasing” sound frequencies, the new model sounds more like an iron.

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Unconventional forgiveness
Forget everything you’ve been told about high MOI meaning more forgiveness. Callaway say that by allowing a computer to design each Mavrik face individually, they dial down spin variation which gives the effect of a higher MOI. Mavrik has a lower MOI than Epic Flash, but amazingly is 13% more accurate.

Three models, three shapes
The standard Mavrik (top) is the fastest shape; the head is a very different cyclone aero shape, which produces mid-spin with a moderate draw bias. It’s for everyone, from tour players to mid handicappers. Max (middle) is the easiest launching model with the highest MOI and most draw bias. Sub Zero (bottom) has a more traditional lower-tail design as the golfers it’s aimed at don’t lack clubhead speed.

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Callaway Mavrik driver: Verdict

We weren’t overly excited when we first saw the Callaway Mavrik. The head design looks plain, the back is shaped like drivers from yesteryear and the name, considering Top Gun II hits cinemas this summer, was a bit cheesy. We couldn’t have got it more wrong.

After learning about the reasoning behind the plain design (sole features affect sound), and how the Callaway Mavrik’s three-driver family is tailored more than ever to the types of golfer who’ll use them, Mavrik is one of the driver stories of 2020.

See our Best 2020 Drivers Test here

Callaway’s R&D chief Alan Hocknell told us about “spin robustness”, which improves accuracy and drop-offs (essentially forgiveness) – and the Callaway Mavrik absolutely delivered.

A ball speed within 0.1mph of the fastest driver of the year (which you wouldn’t expect from a more forgiving model) and within two yards of our longest carrying driver is impressive. But doing it while offering up the narrowest back and sidespin drop-offs (by 32%) as well as the tightest carry drop-offs (by 55%) of our whole test is a seriously impressive performance.

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• RRP: £469
• Lofts: 9° / 10.5°
• Stock shaft: Project X Evenflow Riptide 50g / Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI 60g / 70g
• Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
• Adjustable hosel: Yes (-1/+2°)