When you are looking for a driver, you will likely test a Callaway or TaylorMade Driver. Callaway has been lending the average golfer a hand off the tee, ever since they released the Big Bertha in 1991. While TaylorMade drivers are used by 40% of the top 10 players on the PGA Tour, in terms of strokes gained off the tee.
Given the popularity of both companies, we decided to conduct a Callaway Mavrik vs TaylorMade Sim review. Our aim is to determine which driver offers the best, in terms of performance, value for money, and look and feel.
Contents
1. Callaway Mavrik Driver Review
Pros
- Faster ball speed promoted across the perimeter of the face
- Forgiving
- Enhanced Moment of Inertia (M.O.I)
- Provides faster clubhead speed
- Reduces drag
Cons
- Very little difference in performance results over the Rogue and Epic drivers
- The slight draw bias of the Standard Mavrik may be a turn-off to players looking for optimal shot-shaping
The Mavrik family replaces the Rogue range
While the Mavrik drivers contain the same Jailbreak Technology found in the Rogue’s, Callaway upgraded the X-Face VFT technology with Flash Face SS200, designed by A.I. The new technology helps to generate accelerated ball speeds across a wider area of the face.
As they did with the Rogue range, Callaway has designed three Mavrik drivers to cater to a broader category of golfers. The options in this range include the Standard Mavrik, Sub Zero, and the Max.
Furthermore, there is also the option of acquiring Mavrik irons and fairway woods if you are in the market for a full new set. This may be appealing to those of you who prefer uniformity and like to have the same brand throughout your bag.
Callaway Mavrik Features and Benefits
AI Designed Flash Face
Callaway went a step further, from their X-Face VFT technology in the Rogue Range applying AI-designed Flash Face SS20 technology to the Mavrik drivers. The process enabled the manufacture to provide accelerated ball speeds across an expanded area of the face compared to previous drivers.
Hank Haney, the former coach of Tiger Woods, and Mark O’Meara say that ball speed is the most important factor in determining how far your ball will carry. So, if you strike your drive in the heel or toe, your ball speed will be reduced. Limiting your carry ultimately impacts your total distance.
Callaway has mitigated this problem through their Flash Face technology to help every golfer achieve consistency off the tee, whether you strike it in the middle or off-center.
FS2S Titanium Architecture
Callaway employed the use of FS2S titanium to construct the frame of the Mavrik driver. This titanium is a popular material used in the aerospace industry due to its enhanced ductility and fatigue strength.
The use of FS2S titanium in the Mavrik driver helped to reduce the weight by 6 grams, enabling the manufacturer to distribute that weight in the heel and toe of the club, for increased ball speed, even on mishits.
Jailbreak Technology
The jailbreak technology used in Mavrik is designed to promote accelerated ball speed and increased MOI. Two titanium rods
Cyclone Aero Shape
The cyclone aero design of the Mavrik driver helps to reduce the drag of your clubhead. Reduced drag paves the way for increased clubhead speeds, which lead to increased total distance off the tee.
Shaft Options
The two stock shaft options for the Callaway Mavrik driver are from Aldila and Project X. These shafts are available in stiff and regular flex. Based on the flex options available. This driver would typically suit players with moderate to fast tempo swings. I have put together a table below to show the exact shaft options available.
| Aldila | Project X |
| Rogue White 130 MSI 60 | EvenFlow Riptide 50 |
| Rogue White 130 MSI 70 | EvenFlow Riptide 60 |
Loft Options
The Callaway Mavrik is available in three loft options to satisfy the needs of fast, moderate, and slow swinging golfers. The faster swingers may consider the 9.5-degree option, while the 10.5 is better suited to those with moderate swing speeds. Finally, the Mavrik is available in 12.5 degrees of loft, which will likely appeal more to the slow swingers among us.
Price
Because a Honma Beres 4-Star driver will set you back $1875, the Callaway Mavrik is a mid-priced option just under $400. Of course, this all depends on what grips and shaft options you opt for.
Pros
- Delivers optimized clubhead speed
- Produces straight shots on off-center strikes
- Reduces drag on your downswing
- Decreases your side spin
- Adjustable sliding weights for trajectory and ball flight preferences
Cons
- Smaller face size than the other drivers in the Max stable
- The natural low launch with this driver may be off-putting to players that struggle to get the ball airborne off the tee
The TaylorMade Sim family of drivers are the successors of the popular M5 driver. While TaylorMade maintained the use of speed injected resin and twist face technology from the M5, they implemented several unique additions to the Sim range.
The most notable enhancements include Inverted Cone Technology and Thru-Slot Speed Pocket. I will dive into more detail on these features in the next section.
Similar to the Callaway Mavrik, the TaylorMade Sim drivers are available in three choices, the Standard, The Max, and The Max D driver. The standard option is best suited to players that enjoy a lower launch and a medium-size face.
The Sim Max is well suited to the average player, who could do with a medium level of launch but enjoy a larger face size. Finally, higher handicappers and beginners may prefer the higher launch with the Sim Max D.
TaylorMade Sim Features and Benefits
Asymmetric Sole Design
One of The Sim’s core features is its asymmetric design. As a result, the clubhead delivers amplified aerodynamics to help increase your clubhead speed on your downswing.
Inertia Generator
To ensure the Sim delivers optimal forgiveness. The inertia generator places weight at the extreme rear of the sole. This setup strategically angles the clubhead to minimize drag on your downswing.
Speed Injected Twist Face
The speed injection administered by TaylorMade delivers optimal ball speeds. Ensuring consistent carry, even on off-center strikes. Furthermore, the curvature of the face limits sidespin and produces straighter shots on heel and toe mishits.
Sliding Weight Technology
You can adjust the ball flight bias of the Sim to your preference for more consistency. Adjustments are enabled up to +/-20 yards of a draw or fade bias.
Loft Sleeve Technology
If you feel that the standard loft of your Sim driver is not delivering the desired results. You can adjust the lie and face angles. You can alter the loft to +/- 2 degrees with TaylorMade’s Loft Sleeve technology.
Inverted Cone Technology (ICT)
TaylorMade’s ICT helps to enhance the coefficient of restitution (C.O.R) area on the clubface, resulting in a wider sweet spot. This means that a more consistent transfer of energy occurs between clubface and ball, even on mishits.
Shaft Options
The Sim comes with the choice of two stock shaft options. These are the Mitsubishi Diamana S Limited 60 and the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 70. The Diamana S shafts are available in extra stiff, stiff, and regular flex, while HZRDUS Smoke Green 70 shafts, are available in stiff and regular flex.
These shafts certainly cater more towards the moderate and faster-swinging players. If your swing is on the slower side you should look to fit this driver with
| Mitsubishi | Project X |
| Diamana S Limited 68g | HZRDUS Smoke Green 72g |
| Diamana S Limited 65g | HZRDUS Smoke Green 72g |
| Diamana S Limited 62g |
Loft Options
The loft options on the TaylorMade Sim are strengthened when compared to the Callaway Mavrik. You can acquire the Sim in three different standard loft options, 8,9, and 10.5 degrees. Based on the standard lofts, these drivers would likely suit fast to moderate swinging golfers the most.
Price
The Sim is the same price as the Callaway Mavrik. And, as we established previously, that means it is a mid-range product.
Callaway Mavrik vs TaylorMade Sim Drivers – Benefits
In terms of benefits, there is not much to separate these two drivers. Both the Sim and the Max, deliver exceptional clubhead speed, ball speed, forgiveness, and distance. As an average golfer, it gives you everything you need to keep in play off the tee.
Verdict
Given that both drivers deliver exceptional benefits to the average golfer, I feel it is only fair that they tie this round.
Callaway Mavrik vs TaylorMade Sim Drivers – Head To Head
Club Speed
| Callaway Mavrik | TaylorMade Sim Driver |
| 113.4 mph | 115.8 mph |
The TaylorMade Sim delivered an average clubhead speed of 2.4 mph quicker than the Mavrik. That would explain why I achieved more total distance with the Sim on average.
Ball Speed
| Callaway Mavrik | TaylorMade Sim Driver |
| 160.1 mph | 161.3 mph |
Very little separates the average ball speed that I was able to generate with both drivers. Although the Sim was 1.2 mph faster on average, it could go either way.
Spin
| Callaway Mavrik | TaylorMade Sim Driver |
| 2132 rpm | 2415 rpm |
On average I managed just under 300 rpm more spin with the Sim Driver off the tee. However, these differences are insignificant..
Carry Distance
| Callaway Mavrik | TaylorMade Sim Driver |
| 277 yards | 279 yards |
While 2 yards more carry is minor, it is still 2 yards, which the average golfer should capitalize on, any day of the week.
Total Distance
| Callaway Mavrik | TaylorMade Sim Driver |
| 292 yards | 296 yards |
Yet again, the difference is relatively small between the Sim and the Mavrik. Bu,t 4 extra yards of total distance could be the minor difference between being in a position to hit a Par 5 green in two or having to lay up.
Verdict
It is clear from our Callaway Mavrik vs TaylorMade Sim performance test that these drivers are evenly matched. However, because of the extra distance offered by the TaylorMade product, it takes this round.
Final Thoughts
The Callaway Mavrik vs TaylorMade Sim review provided solid competition between two evenly matched drivers. While both drivers offer amateur golfers a variety of distance, forgiveness, and clubhead speed benefits, I would instead opt for the TaylorMade Sim. My reasoning is simple, anything that can give me a few extra yards, I will take.
If you are looking for an affordable driver that provides optimal clubhead speed, forgiveness, and distance, then you can check out the customer reviews of the TaylorMade Sim driver.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
