Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver Review

Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver

Last year, Callaway introduced their first drivers using a face designed through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). After a year of further AI development, the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero driver has a new AI-designed face called the Flash Face SS20. Through stronger metals, and a more refined design, the Mavrik drivers are meant to be faster and more forgiving. Pairing the updated Flash Face SS20 with tried-and-true Callaway technologies makes for a hot driver if you’re in the market this season.

The Looks

First and foremost, Callaway made a change to the Sub Zero version of the Mavrik series that I’m absolutely in love with. The Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero driver comes in a 450cc head size. While only a 10cc difference from the previous Sub Zero model, it looks perfect at address with a slightly compact profile and a classic shape. Tradition continues with the Triaxial Carbon crown seen previously, and it still looks slick.

Ok, time to address the elephant in the room. Yes, the orange on the club is a different look, but up close you’ll notice a sparkle in the paint and it looks pretty sharp. Let’s face it, except maybe the Rogue, all Jailbreak-era Callaway woods have received initial criticisms for their interesting color choices. At the end of the day, the orange is on the sole, and if it REALLY bothers you that much, you don’t have to look at it or you can get a different color from Callaway’s Customs program. Personally, I’m good with it!

How Does it Feel?

As expected with the combination of Jailbreak, carbon fiber, and a titanium face, the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero driver felt very solid and powerful. Well-struck shots feel nice and tight at impact with a lot of jump. The sweet spot is a touch smaller as the Sub Zero is geared toward better-ish players, but the MOI and forgiveness are still relatively high. Callaway also helped this solid feel through the use of Jailbreak bars – a staple of their recent metal woods. These bars are located right behind the face and connect the crown and sole to keep the head more rigid for better energy transfer at impact.

If you recall, last year’s Epic Flash Sub Zero had a sliding rear perimeter weight. The Mavrik went back to two static weights in the sole that can swap positions to influence your trajectory in spin. With the heavier (14g) weight forward, the spin and launch are supposed to be lower. With the weight back, the spin and launch angle are supposed to be higher. This also changes the balance of the club which could impact the feel a bit. I personally didn’t feel it altered the balance too much and the club felt faster with the weight forward. My testing would confirm that by an impressive 1 mile per hour.

It’s worth pointing out that the carbon fiber crown is a lighter weight than before allowing for Callaway to strategically place additional weight in other areas for improved balance and higher MOI. I found the head to be very well balanced and stable throughout the swing.

How Does it Sound?

Man, does the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero driver put a slap on the ball. Out of the four Jailbreak-era Sub Zero drivers, the Mavrik definitely has the most solid sound of the group. Finding the sweet spot gives you a nice “smack” sound. While the titanium face gives the tone a hint of a metallic character, the rigid body and carbon fiber crown tone it down for a nice muted, yet assuring, “lightning crack.” Get away from the sweet spot and the sound is similar just much more toned down.

If you fall into the camp that thought the Epic Flash Sub Zero was a little too loud and metallic, the Mavrik has the correction you’re looking for. Mine sounded great.

On-Course Performance

Weight Back

Club Speed	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Spin	Carry (Yds)	Total (Yds)
115.5	170.9	12.8º	2550	281.7	303.7

Weight Forward

Club Speed	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Spin	Carry (Yds)	Total (Yds)
116.1	173.4	11.9º	2447	285.3	309.3

As you can see from my data above, the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero’s weight location only made a slight impact for me. Yes, the data technically tells the higher/lower story, but to the blind eye on the course, these don’t look too different. Let me be clear – I’m sure the difference will vary plenty between different players so it’s certainly worth testing before committing. For me, it came down to two things:

Which weight position felt the best to me?
Which weight position was I most accurate with?

In my case, it was with the heavier weight in the forward position for both questions. I was more accurate and able to control the ball better. Regardless of weight location, the Mavrik Sub Zero is a very versatile driver that can play any shot. If you have the weight forward, you can still easily launch the ball a little higher and put a little more spin on it when you need to. Vice versa with the weights swapped. This driver is very playable and great for shotmakers off the tee.

Final Thoughts – Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver

Here’s where I think the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero driver fits into the story… The Mavrik Sub Zero seems to me (not claimed by Callaway) to be an updated version most comparable to the Rogue Sub Zero driver from a few seasons back. In my opinion, it’s much improved and a better driver which is a solid accomplishment. That Rogue SZ was nice! If you’re an Epic Flash SZ driver player, the Mavrik is quite a bit different experience and an option for a player that wants more simplicity and a smaller profile.

Overall, the Mavrik Sub Zero is a nice little player’s driver with a lot of speed, strong feel, and great playability. The look from address is very classic and well executed by Callaway, which I think will appeal to a lot of players. Especially if they want to hit BOMBS! Ok, I’ll see myself out now…