Expert Review: Callaway Mavrik Max Hybrid
All photos by Nate B.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the golf club, which I purchased with my own money in October of 2020.
My take
The Callaway Mavrik 3 Hybrid is geared for all skill levels. A forgiving, playable, and fairway-finding hybrid for those intermediate and experienced players who will see about 210-235 yards off the fairway. Less-experienced players will see 180-200 yards, and will experience an all-around club for all skill levels. A pure swing with this club will have players in eagle position on a classic par 5!
About the gear
- Model: 2020 Callaway Mavrik 3 Hybrid
- Loft setting: 18 degrees
- Shaft type: KBS MAX
- Shaft flex: Stiff
About me
- Average score: 80-90
- Handicap: 15
- Experience: 10 years of golf
- Right/Left-Handed: Right
- Typical ball flight: Mid High
- Golf ball used: Srixon Z-Star
- Club swing speed: 110
Test conditions
- When I bought the club: October 2020
- Days tested: 20+ days
- Where I’ve used it: Local range and big box store simulator, TPC Craig Ranch and many other Dallas-Fort Worth courses
- Weather and wind conditions: All types of conditions (excluding snow)
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was looking for that in-between-clubs gap filler. A 3 wood goes too far, and a 4 iron isn't long enough. Plus, there is so much room for error on an iron from long-range, so the hybrid was exactly what I was looking for.
What I love about it
- Distance: The Mavrik Max Hybrid achieves great distance; for me, this club is perfect for a full swing to go 225 yards, and a 75 percent swing to go 200 yards.
- Forgiveness: There is a decent amount of forgiveness, and I see more draw than fade. For golfers who tend to slice, this club helps me keep the ball more right to left.
- Feel: There is great feel on impact. It’s smooth, with little-to-no response in terms of feel.
- Sound: There is a nice, soft “ding” sound when I hit it flush.
- Workability: There is slight amount of workability in this club. It’s more apt to hit a straighter ball.
- Shaft Feel: The flex of this club is stiff, with just a little flex in the back swing.
- Shaft Performance: Overall, this club is good and I have no issues with too much flex or it being too stiff. There is a nice kick to it as well and low spin.
- Aesthetic Appeal: I love the appeal of the all-black crown of this club.
- Grip Feel: The grip is firm and soft.
- Launch Angle: I get about an 18 degree, mid/ high ball flight. Very easy to get off the ground.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Forgiveness: I gave the forgiveness stars 3 of 5 - for the reason that this club does not help me out on non-centered struck hits. I must hit the sweet spot on every shot for max distance and performance.
- Adjustability: The club loft cannot be adjusted.
Best shot with this club
It was a par 5 straight on tee shot over a creek bunk on the right of the green, about 500 yards. I hit my tee shot about 250 yards, and I remember the rangefinder showing 237 to the flag. The green had a right-to-left downslope. I was thinking I would hit the hybrid about 220 and leave it short, aiming right to maybe catch the slope. I swing and absolutely pipe the ball! It has a nice draw to it and it's flying. It hits the slope perfectly with the spin from the draw, and rolls left-to-right on the green, setting me up for a 15-foot putt for eagle. I birdied, haha!
Value for the money vs. other options
The value of this club is great for the money, as this hybrid was sitting at just under $200 when I purchased it, which was a steal in my book. The TaylorMade SIM2 hybrid was still around $240 at the time. I think Callaway has outdone itself with the Mavrik series as a whole, and this hybrid is no exception.
Final verdict
For me, the Callaway Mavrik is a top 5 hybrid on the market in 2022. I suggest it for all skill levels of players. With the ability to create movement in my shot from a long range. The Callaway Mavrik is the hybrid for every skill level.
