50 Words or Less
The Callaway MAVRIK MAX hybrid offers a players look to the golfer who wants a maximally forgiving hybrid. Tons of ball speed.
Introduction
For the last few years, Plugged In Golf has been stressing the idea that not all hybrids are the same. Callaway’s new MAVRIK line is a wonderful example of how true that is. With three hybrids, the MAVRIK, MAVRIK Pro, and MAVRIK MAX, Callaway is giving golfers the ability to choose the exact characteristics they need in a hybrid. In this review, I’ll examine the most forgiving of the group, the MAVRIK MAX hybrid.
Looks
As you would expect, the Callaway MAVRIK MAX Hybrid is the largest of the MAVRIK hybrids. That said, the MAVRIK MAX hybrid is not nearly the biggest hybrid out there – it’s large but not fairway wood sized. It is symmetrical, rounded, and it has a chevron on the crown to mark the sweet spot.
What’s unusual about this club is that the shape of the face is more what you would expect in a players hybrid: it’s tall with a high, square toe. This iron-like shape is much more common in players hybrids, and I applaud Callaway for bringing this option to those that want more forgiveness.
Sound & Feel
“Crisp” and “metallic” were the first words that jumped to mind when I started hitting balls with the Callaway MAVRIK MAX hybrid. Finding the center of the face produces a snappy feeling like the ball was only on the face for the briefest of moments.
What is unusual about the MAVRIK MAX hybrid is the level of feedback on strike quality. For an uber-forgiving club, it’s not hesitant to let you know when you missed. The sound and feel of mishits is quite dull.
Performance
With two other hybrids in the MAVRIK family, the most obvious question is, “What makes the MAVRIK MAX hybrid unique?” One place to start is the lofts. The Callaway MAVRIK MAX hybrid is offered in the widest range of lofts, from 19 to 33 degrees. This allows players to replace everything up to their 7 or 8 irons (depending on the lofts of their irons) with these ultra-forgiving clubs.
Another thing that makes the MAVRIK MAX hybrid different is the level of forgiveness. As the biggest of the three MAVRIK hybrids, you would expect the MAX to be the most forgiving, and you would be correct. On center, the ball speed is very high, and it stays high even when you flit about the club face. This forgiveness comes from the combination of Flash Face SS20 – a face designed by AI – and Callaway’s Jailbreak technology.
The final thing that sets the MAVRIK MAX apart is the draw bias. While this isn’t explicitly discussed in Callaway’s talking points, I found it undeniable in my testing. The MAVRIK MAX felt different during the swing – what I took as a more heel-biased CG – and the results were strongly tilted to the left. For the player – regardless of handicap – that tends to miss right and wants a lot of forgiveness, the MAVRIK MAX hybrid is an obvious choice to replace their long irons.
Conclusion
Callaway has done a great job with the MAVRIK MAX hybrid. This club puts together elements that one usually doesn’t see in the same hybrid, and that alone makes it a compelling offering. When you add in the level of technology and performance we’ve come to expect from Callaway, you have a club that golfers need to consider for their long game.
Callaway MAVRIK MAX Hybrid Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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Could you compare Mavrik irons versus Taylormade Sim irons ?
What weight graphite shaft for a bogey golfer in his 70’s
Kenneth,
I have hit the MAVRIK irons but did not review the SIM irons.
Regarding shaft weight, it depends on the individual. Every golfer should be fit to find the best weight and profile to match their swing.
Best,
Matt
Can you make any comparison to the current version of Ping hybrids?
Patrick,
The current PING hybrid, G410, is closest to the standard MAVRIK hybrid – long but versatile.
Best,
Matt
Good, precise article.
I own a Max 4 and the standard Mavrik 3 hybrids. Far and away the best hybrids I have ever owned and I’ve owned a lot. They are long, forgiving and reliable. I will say the 4 Max is easier to hit on my home courses long par 3’s where I can use a tee – the larger head for me isn’t as comfortable off of a tight lie thought ok in the rough. The 3 off the deck is $$$ – I am a 1-Hdcp and it’s a very comfortable 220 yarder, making me rethink if I even need a 3W in the bag. Callaway hit a real winner here IMO with this design and highly recommend giving them a serious look if you’re in the market for hew hybrid(s).
Hi Matt,
Thanks for the great review. I have one question. I tend to hit hybrids, generally speaking, to the left (I’m a left handed golfer). Considering that the Max has more draw bias, would this be a problem for a left handed golfer or would it, coming from a left handed golfer, favour the right (as it favours the left for right handed golfers).
Keep up the great work!
Marco,
A draw biased club will promote a draw, whether a RH or LH player swings it. In your case, that means the ball will favor the right.
Best,
Matt
Really, draw bias is a plus? Most hybrids are draw biased. I’m having trouble finding ones that DON’T have it.
Yes, please. A forgiving hybrid that doesn’t have a built in draw bias would be nice.
Hi Matt
Is the Mavrik Max Hybrid heads equivalent in size to the Rogue X hybrid range that it replaced?
Is the Mavrik hybrid much better than the Rogue hybrid?
Sudesh,
Yes, the heads are close in size. As for “better,” one generation is rarely much better – in an objective sense – than the previous but it may be much better for a particular player.
-Matt
Great article Matt. Super helpful – Grabbing a Mav Max asap!