Expert Review: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver

Published on 03/14/2023 · 7 min readThis review is my own honest opinion of the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver, which I bought with my own money in May 2021.
David Miller, Golf Expert
By Golf Expert David Miller

Photo by David Miller

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the driver, which I bought with my own money in May 2021.

My Take

The Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero driver, the successor to the Epic Flash, is a top-tier driver that has great forgiveness and feel off the face. It was created by Callaway Golf and with the help of artificial intelligence and a new face architecture. Callaway R&D used internal jailbreak bars, and a significantly lighter carbon crown to set this driver apart. While the Sub Zero version gets spin rate down, there is extremely consistent performance from the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero model to the standard Mavrik Driver to the Mavrik Max Driver. Because of this, Callaway promises that there is a head for all types of players.

Photo by David Miller

About the Club I Own

  • Model: 2020 Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver
  • Loft setting: 9*
  • Shaft type: Rogue White 120 M.S.I. 60 (68 grams)
  • Shaft flex: Extra Stiff

About Me

  • Average score: 78
  • Handicap: 3.8
  • Experience: 12 years
  • Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
  • Typical ball flight: Cut (slight left to right ball flight)
  • Golf ball used: Titleist ProV1
  • Club swing speed: My clubhead speed is ~110 mph

Test Conditions

  • When I bought the club: May 2021
  • Days tested: 60
  • Where I’ve used it: I’ve used the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver on over 10 courses in my area, my friend's indoor simulator, and countless range sessions.
  • Weather and wind conditions: I’ve used this driver in the rain, wind, and in warm, beautiful conditions.

How it Performs

Distance
5/5
Feel
5/5
Launch
4/5
Sound
4/5
Workability
4/5
Forgiveness
3/5

What I Was Looking For

I’ve never been able to find a driver that felt right to me. Over the last few years, I’ve struggled with driver control and since then I’ve been searching for a driver that has low spin for faster ball speeds, excellent acoustics, and one that gives me the confidence I need off the tee.

Why I Chose this Club

I decided to buy the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver as it had the technology I needed at a price I could afford. It was a year old when I purchased it, which made it discounted. There were many things that got me excited about this driver. The jailbreak technology is amazing, it has an adjustable hosel, and the new Callaway Flash Face technology creates fast ball speeds. It is made from A.I. which makes the ball feel solid off the face. Off-center hits are still fine but hitting the center gives you feedback like no other driver I’ve ever hit.

What I Love About it

  • Distance: When the sweet spot of the driver is hit, the ball goes a long way. This is by far the farthest-hitting driver I’ve ever played. It gives me more distance than the Sim and Sim2, he tTSI drivers from Titleist, and the RadSpeed series.
  • Feel: The feel is dependent on your strike. It feels great on center hits, but you can tell when you’ve missed your spot on off-center strikes.
  • Sound: The Flash Face sounds solid at impact. The internal bars within the face help mute the sound while still keeping forgiveness as high as possible within the nowhere near traditional titanium face.
  • Shaft Feel: The Aldila Rogue White shaft I have in my Mavrik feels extremely solid. While it is extra stiff, it still feels buttery smooth if you have a high enough swing speed. I’ve had other extra-stiff driver shafts that feel too much like a board, but this one had a perfect mix of being solid but not too stiff for my liking.
  • Shaft Performance: The performance of the shaft is very consistent and it does not feel whippy at all. When I smooth out my swing, the shaft feels and performs the best.
  • Workability: As the face of this driver looks neutral at address, it gives you the confidence to work the ball either way with still a high MOI (moment of inertia). This is a rare combination as many drivers now do not look like they will give you a neutral ball flight. However, if you are not looking for this look, the max models of the driver will close the face slightly to help one hit a draw. Furthermore, the standard version of this driver is great for someone who does not need the remarkable combination of low spin and lower MOI that the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero models deliver.
  • Grip Feel: I have a Golf Pride MCC grip on my Mavrik. In my opinion, this is one of the greatest grips ever and I would not use anything different on a driver.
  • Launch Angle: After hitting this club in a simulator, I’ve compared the launch angles to what they should be and they are right in the sweet spot. With my 9* driver head and the Sub Zero head, the launch angle is right where it should be for my swing specifically.
  • Spin: My spin numbers on this driver are also in a good spot. They help me get the ball in the air easily but still give me the roll I should be getting to achieve maximum distance.

Issues I’ve Encountered

  • Forgiveness: While the forgiveness is not it's key selling point, this model of driver is certainly not a forgiving driver. The SZ Mavrik is made for an optimal speed of around 105 mph+ and for those looking for lower spin. If you want more forgiveness, the Mavrik Max would be a great place to go. That is another driver I highly recommend.
  • Adjustability: The Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver has two weights that can be changed. With the weights in position 1, the driver has slightly more forgiveness. However, with the weights in position 2, the driver has less spin. I play with the weights in the lower spin setting. The shaft is also adjustable, but there are no draw or fade settings on the driver itself.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: If you don’t like the color orange, you may not like the appeal of this driver. However, at address, there is no orange to see as it is all on the toe of the club head. The carbon fiber crown is beautiful as it looks shiny in the sun. I love looking at this club at address.

Photo by David Miller

Photo by David Miller

Best Shot with This Club

The first time I played with the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero Driver at my home course I was amazed at the distance I gained. While the story is different for everyone, I was gaining around 10 yards consistently while still hitting a nice fade off the tee. This is because the Su b Zero version of this driver was keeping my spin down, and increasing the ball speed simultaneously. My drives were rolling for the first time in a year and my dispersion also improved.

Value for the Money vs. Other Options

Since the Mavrik came out in 2020, it has been much cheaper than the newer options that perform similarly. I got my Mavrik used for under $250 and it was money well spent. If you are looking for something that is under $500, the Mavrik is a great place to go. Titleist drivers are another popular option that will be slightly more expensive at around $300. They are slightly more traditional in shape, and the TS3 would be the model that would compete with the Mavrik. However, I went with the Mavrik due to the head shape at address, the feel, the unparalleled sound at impact, and the interchangeable weights for customization. I thought that the Mavrik felt more solid while the TS3 felt too lightweight and tinny for my liking.

Final Verdict

If you are having trouble with too much spin on your driver, the Mavrik Sub Zero Driver may be an incredible option. However, the Callaway Mavrik Driver and, more specifically, Callaway Sub Zero models are extremely versatile drivers, regardless of what you're looking for. I’ve never enjoyed a driver more and I believe it is one that is well worth any golfer's time

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