Equipment

GolfWRX Spotted: Callaway Mavrik drivers and fairway woods for 2020

Published

4 years ago

Dec 2, 2019

Say hello to Callaway Golf’s newest driver and fairway woods for 2020—Mavrik and Mavrik Sub Zero.

We just spotted the new Callaway Mavrik drivers on the USGA Conforming List, which for those that don’t know, is a publicly available database that allows tournament committees to check the conformity of any club that might be put into play during an event. Every single OEM has to submit each variation of a club to the USGA before it gets deemed legal for competition.

For the new Callaway Mavrik to show up on the USGA List on an “off week” for the PGA Tour, beyond the Tiger Woods’ hosted Hero World Challenge, means that there is a very good chance we could be seeing this in a few bags this week, not just in the Bahamas but on the European Tour as well.

What’s New With The Callaway Mavrik Line?

First up, there is the confirmed continuation of the now traditional Callaway “standard” model along with a lower-spinning, lower-MOI Sub Zero version. What is difficult to tell on either head is the geometry compared to the Epic Flash. If Callaway is going to work along what has been their standard practice over the last couple of years, the new Mavrik should be slightly shallower and longer heel to toe like the Rogue which would offer a total boost to overall forgiveness.

Callaway’s JailBreak face technology is predominately featured on the sole, and again this is an assumption, but with the success of last year’s A.I. designed Flash Face, it would be hard to believe that the team at Callaway would be abandoning that.

The most noticeable difference so far compared to the 2019 Epic Flash is the lack of any movable weight track along the back of both Mavrik driver models. They look to have the same adjustable hosel but no adjustable CG, beyond the potential of move a heavier weight to the rear of the Sub Zero head.

I must admit that compared to the Callaway Epic Flash the new Mavrik drivers look to be trending towards a slightly more subdued overall graphic scheme but that has very little to do with the technology and is just an observation. We have heard unconfirmed rumors that the main accent color will be orange, but until we have a clubhead in hand, this is just a rumor.

Mavrik Fairway Woods

Just like with the drivers, any technology included in the Mavrik fairway woods beyond what we can see are up to the imagination.

We know that we will have a standard and a Sub Zero model, and that unlike the previous Epic Flash fairway woods, the Mavrik heads will NOT be adjustable at the hosel. The interesting thing about the hosel is that Callaway has been producing non-adjustable versions the standard retail (adjustable) heads on tour for a few years now, and this could mean that as far as fairway woods go, there is potential for increased forgiveness from freed up mass when the adjustability is removed—at that point it becomes a fitting want versus a performance need with either one being the better option depending on the player.

Keeping You Updated

Until more details emerge we will have to continue to speculate, but you can see what other golfers are saying about the new Callaway Mavrik driver and fairway woods in the GolfWRX forums here: GolfWRX Forums: Discussion the All New Callaway MAVRIK

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Forum Thread of the Day: “Players on the move in 2020?”

Ryan Barath

Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

35 Comments

Jim

Jan 10, 2020 at 2:23 pm

Looks like a$149 driver from Wal-mart. Unappealing and not the driver you’ll
See at country club or tour player bags….

Reply Report comment
Ro

Jan 7, 2020 at 3:55 pm

I tested the new Mavrik Driver today and it is Orange & Black and very forgiving, omg…couldn’t miss. I was hitting indoors but I was very pleased with the response. The sweet spot is huge. I currently have the Rogue driver, but have not ordered this new toy

Reply Report comment
- Ro
  
  Jan 7, 2020 at 3:56 pm
  
  Typo, I have ordered the Mavrik Driver
  
  Reply Report comment
need my fix

Dec 17, 2019 at 10:16 am

i was wondering if anyone had any opinions on matt kuchar

Reply Report comment
- george
  
  Jan 5, 2020 at 8:04 am
  
  He’s a douche
  
  Reply Report comment
JAS HERRINGTON

Dec 17, 2019 at 7:08 am

I`d buy it, if it wood stop my hook. Gosh I hate 2c it go lef.

Reply Report comment
Trevor Green

Dec 6, 2019 at 3:45 pm

Introducing, the new Callaway M2

Reply Report comment
Charlie Waffles

Dec 6, 2019 at 12:19 pm

Let me guess…

1. longer
2. more forgiving
3. better sounding
4. increased MOI
5. less spin

Now let me go and read the column and see if I’m right. #justchasingafewyards

Reply Report comment
Low Tier God

Dec 4, 2019 at 3:09 pm

No APW. So, this is the Rogue’s replacement?

Reply Report comment
Jerkeejoe

Dec 3, 2019 at 10:27 pm

Gotta love the hard on for names and color schemes on here. Who cares what it’s called or what color it is if it performs?

Reply Report comment
joe

Dec 3, 2019 at 5:53 pm

The author of the article doesn’t know that the color isn’t rumored to be orange. It IS orange. The Callaway representative has been bringing them to retailers around Denver for almost 2 months and every single person I know has hit this club. It’s definitely orange. A bit more muted than the flash… And looks cheap as hell.

Reply Report comment
Joe

Dec 3, 2019 at 2:10 pm

Total Callaway, Pick a terrible name and mis-spell it in a block sans-serif font. Are we sure this isn’t their second-tier line which they sell at Sam’s Club?

Reply Report comment
gurn

Dec 2, 2019 at 9:55 pm

SHHHH My used Epic Flash just dumped in price

Reply Report comment
- JP
  
  Dec 3, 2019 at 2:40 pm
  
  Your Epic Flash just appreciated in price! This mavrik driver isn’t going to move the needle at all imo.
  
  Reply Report comment
Andrew M Prutsok

Dec 2, 2019 at 6:01 pm

Grayscale was a bold move.

Reply Report comment
- JP
  
  Dec 3, 2019 at 5:33 pm
  
  Seriously? Haha. That’s the pic from the USGA conforming list. That’s not how the clubs will look. Haha.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Joe
    
    Dec 3, 2019 at 5:49 pm
    
    Seriously, the joke went right over your head and you’re laughing at him?
    
    Reply Report comment
Rich Douglas

Dec 2, 2019 at 1:01 pm

Given the physical limitations placed on clubs by the USGA, it would seem manufacturers are running out of potential performance improvements. If that’s the case, a normal market would be saturated with competing clubs, all performing in a similar manner.

If this is becoming the case–and I think it is–the choice will come down to two factors: fit and price. Which club is best for you and how much does it cost? Even the first factor will become largely irrelevant to the second–fit will not drive cost.

Will costs come down? Two forces act against this: an unfair marketplace and perceptions driven (and distorted) by advertising, commerce’s propaganda arm.

As we know, there is no real competition at the retail level. Prices are set by the OEMs and enforced with supply agreements. There is also very little competition on price between OEMs; they function as a cartel.

Couple this with factors like reputation and advertising and you get a skewed market with a huge informational imbalance (between OEMs and consumers). Retail outlets don’t help–they make things worse.

I used to blindly go with one TM driver after another–until the SLDR showed to be a real dud. Then I finally got fitted. Thinking I was going to buy another TM or the latest from Callaway, I instead went with a Titleist 917D3 and a custom-fit shaft–something I would not have predicted. I won’t switch because (a) this club fits and (b) there really is no compelling reason to switch.

I did the same with irons, going to Wishon Sterlings. Never going back. And as we know, there really hasn’t been a lot of innovation, nor improvement, in iron design since multiple-material and slotted designs became the norm.

If I ever switch from the Titleist driver, it will be to go to a shorter shaft, something I could do in any club. So I’ll get fit with the latest because I’m switching anyway, and that will be that.

Reply Report comment
- Tryhard
  
  Dec 5, 2019 at 9:36 pm
  
  Holy. Is there no character limit on comments? Dude just went off and wrote his own article.
  
  Reply Report comment
Val K

Dec 2, 2019 at 12:51 pm

I want an Iceman model.

Reply Report comment
- Realist
  
  Dec 2, 2019 at 2:00 pm
  
  I was looking for the “Goose” model myself…haha
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Gibson888
    
    Dec 3, 2019 at 8:30 pm
    
    The tried to do a Goose model but it was dead in the water.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Gibson888
      
      Dec 3, 2019 at 8:31 pm
      
      *They
      
      Reply Report comment
- Arnie
  
  Dec 6, 2019 at 1:21 pm
  
  I want an Mr Freeze model
  
  Reply Report comment
Marshall

Dec 2, 2019 at 12:36 pm

Not to be negative, but these couldn’t look more “blah” and uninteresting. I’ve been a fan of the last few iterations of drivers from Callaway, but these definitely have a less-than-premium vibe to them.

However, I guess that matters only little if they play better than what is currently out there.

Reply Report comment
John

Dec 2, 2019 at 12:28 pm

Pretty basic looking. Should come with a goose neck hosel.

Reply Report comment
HDTVMAN

Dec 2, 2019 at 12:26 pm

Here we go again…$500+++…get you platinum cards out!

Reply Report comment
- Jack Nash
  
  Dec 2, 2019 at 2:46 pm
  
  You got it. Was thinking the same myself. Guess they just want to beat Taylormade to the punch.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - jgpl001
    
    Dec 3, 2019 at 4:45 pm
    
    Surely there isn’t an M5 or M6 replacement due already…
    
    Reply Report comment
dat

Dec 2, 2019 at 12:08 pm

MEH-vrick

Reply Report comment
Cody Reeder

Dec 2, 2019 at 10:48 am

You guys really should start giving credit in your articles to the forum individuals that post this info. Its the right thing to do.

Reply Report comment
DJ

Dec 2, 2019 at 10:30 am

It is the new Rogue – same design

Reply Report comment
Eric Hutchens

Dec 2, 2019 at 10:12 am

Terrible Name. Is it a Top Gun product placement. Not a fan at all, even if it’s a good driver. Where are you Harry Arnett?

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

11 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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