“Artificial intelligence has really revolutionized how we design clubs.”
That’s the take of Steven Sourigno, Callaway’s California-based product manager who oversees the company’s line of woods and irons. In many ways, MAVRIK is evolutionary, taking the technology that was initially introduced in Callaway’s Epic driver, and developed in Rogue, and offering some new elements, including a different titanium face. The result? More forgiving, with tighter overall dispersion on shots, and four to five miles per hour faster in the company’s testing. The driver is also significantly easier to hit than either Callaway’s Epic or Rogue drivers—with up to 30 percent higher moment of inertia, essentially the measurement of how forgiving the driver is.
“Over a two-year period, AI has really allowed us to dig down and we have a deep understanding of the data it is providing us,” says Sourigno. “MAVRIK is the total package.”
MAVRIK metalwoods are available now and will be in stores January 30. Here’s everything you need to know about Callaway’s latest:
Faster, lighter face
One of the keys to the MAVRIK drivers is the Flash Face SS20 architecture, which offers a thinner face with fast ball speeds across a wider area. Sourigno says the result is four to five miles per hour faster ball speeds (five to eight yards in distance) and the lighter face (6 grams in total) allowed Callaway engineers to move weight around, making the driver more forgiving.
Flash Face
Flash Face uses SS20 titanium that is appearing in a Callaway club for the first time. Callaway says this version of titanium is “exotic,” and is remarkably light and strong, holding up to the punishment of 120 mile per hour drives.
Jailbreak and Carbon Crown
Jailbreak was the significant breakthrough in Callaway’s Epic driver. Essentially bars that connect the top and the bottom of the club, limiting energy loss and increasing stability, Jailbreak continues to be employed in MAVRIK. Similarly, Callaway continues to use a carbon crown on MAVRIK, which has been utilized in the previous few generations of the company’s driver. The material is light and allows engineers to move weight around, increasing forgiveness.
Sound
Using AI, Callaway tuned the sound of the driver, specifically the acoustics of the clubhead. AI was used to optimize the internal structure and position of numerous ribs to create an immensely satisfying sound and feel.
Shape
Aerodynamics are a key for new drivers, as engineers do all they can to squeeze out all the possible speed. MAVRIK has a “Cyclone Aero” shape, which is a significant departure from previous Callaway drivers and promotes faster head speed. The shape is shallow front-to-back, with a noticeably flatter crown. The head’s internal and external weighting includes a single, fixed 5g weight positioned at the sole’s back-center, to promote mid-level spin and a moderate draw bias.
Available in three models, which MAVRIK—which one is for you?
MAVRIK
The standard version of the driver, Callaway expects this to be the most widely used of the three models. It features adjustability for loft, and the higher MOI should make this appeal to players who may have shied away from Callaway’s drivers in the past. “This is not just about super low spin,” says Callaway’s Sourigno. “Our engineers have found creative ways to make higher MOI without spinning too much.”
MAVRIK Sub-Zero
The low spin model of MAVRIK, this is for golfers who struggle to get shots with their driver below 3,000 rpm. While low spin isn’t the big story for MAVRIK, and Callaway expects many golfers will fit into MAVRIK or MAX, the company continues to offer this version.
MAVRIK MAX
Offering the most draw bias of the three models, this would appear to be for higher handicaps. But Sourigno says he expects the driver to be used regularly on the PGA Tour, adding the larger head shape isn’t overwhelming and MAVRIK MAX has generated a lot of interest among the company’s staff tour players.
MAVRIK Fairway Woods
Like the driver, the key here is Callaway’s use of AI and its Flash Face to optimize the head of each fairway wood. In fact, the face of each fairway – the 3-wood, 5-wood, etc. – is uniquely designed using artificial technology to ensure you’re getting the most out of every shot.
Flash Face
Similar to the MAVRIK driver, but using C300 maraging steel, Callaway says ball speed is increased across the face. The company uses AI to optimize the face of each club for its specific purpose. In other words, a 3-wood, which has to be hit from the fairway and the tee, would have a different configuration of its face than a 7-wood that would be struck more often from the fairway. Artificial intelligence was also used to enhance Callaway’s Face Cup, which provides speed across the entire surface.
Jailbreak
Callaway in continuing to use Jailbreak—which promotes distance at every impact position through positioning two internal rods that connect the crown and sole. Jailbreak stiffens that area, making it work more efficiently.
Sub-Zero
This version was created with a tighter leading edge for golfers who want to draw or cut shots into the green or off the tee.
Weighting
The weighting system provides golfers with options to optimize launch angles, spin rates, and bias settings.
Who are they for?
With three versions—standard, low-spin (Sub-Zero) and one offering more forgiveness and a larger head (MAX), Callaway says this is its fastest fairway wood yet. With its intriguing proposition of making every face unique to its loft, it is clear the company has put a lot of thought and consideration into its fairway woods.
Click here to learn about the MAVRIK iron lineup.
Callaway MAVRIK metalwoods are available now and hit stores January 30.