Callaway Mavrik Vs Callaway X Hot Driver Review & Comparison

Callaway Mavrik Vs Callaway X Hot Driver Review & Comparison

Having cause to be in the market for a new driver can be an exciting and stressful situation.

Exciting because you know you’re going to get your hands on a new driver. Stressful because it can be hard to determine how much you need to spend.

Callaway drivers are known for performance – that’s a given. But do you need to spend a lot on a newer model?

Do older models perform just as well in 2021? To answer this question we are going to pit a modern Callaway driver against one of yesteryear to see how they compare.

 

Overview Of Both Drivers

Right off the bat, the central thesis behind both of these drivers is the same: produce more ball speed for longer drives.

Where these 2 drivers diverge from each other is how they produce ball speed.

There is always some overlap – they are both Callaway drivers after all.

But the Mavrik obviously has more modern features while the X Hot driver takes a more analog approach to ball speed.

 

Quick Comparison

	Callaway Mavrik	Callaway X Hot
Adjustable weighting?	No	No
Lofts	9, 10.5 and 12	9 and 10.5
Key Technology	A.I. face design	Variable Face Thickness
Weight	D2	D3
Price	$400	$250
Overall Rating	95/100	92/100

 

Callaway Mavrik Key Features

The Mavrik features FS2S titanium which is 6 grams lighter than normal titanium.

A.I. helped Callaway sort through millions of drive scenarios to come up with the face architecture to accommodate more varying situations.

The Mavrik also features Jailbreak bars to stabilize the incredibly thin, hot face.

 

Callaway X Hot Key Features

The Callaway X Hot driver features one of the earliest iteration of Variable Face Thickness.

The face is thinner around the perimeter and thicker in the center or sweet spot. The result is straighter shots across the expanse of the face.

 

Similarities

The Mavrik has come a long way from the X Hot driver so there are very few spec similarities.

The main similarity is that they both feature an adjustable hosel that allows you to tweak loft and lie.

 

Differences

The list of differences between the Callaway Mavrik and the X Hot drivers is longer.

Callaway stepped away from VFT for the Mavrik series – opting instead for titanium Flash Face which, is thinner, lighter and more resilient.

The Mavrik also has a different, more elongated and aero dynamic head shape than the X Hot driver.

 

Callaway X Hot Vs Callaway XR

The XR driver is essentially a more advanced version of the X Hot.

With the XR, you get an 8-point adjustable hosel, a crown with a leading edge and a lighter, thinner face.

When you swing these 2 drivers side by side, you can also tell that the XR driver has a lower CG than the X Hot, hits the ball further and justifies the extra price.

 

 The Mavrik Family

The standard Mavrik was released alongside the Mavrik Max and Mavrik Sub Zero.

The standard Mavrik is the only one with the elongated “Cyclone Aero” head shape.

While all 3 versions feature Jailbreak bars and SS20 Flash faces, the Max and Sub Zero are the only ones with interchangeable weights.

 

Callaway Mavrik Options

• Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI 60 Graphite shaft
• Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI 70 Graphite shaft
• Project X EvenFlow Riptide 50 Graphite shaft
• Project X EvenFlow Riptide 60 Graphite shaft
• UST Mamiya Helium Black 4 Graphite shaft
• Light, regular, stiff and extra stiff flex

 

Callaway X Hot Options

• Project X Graphite shaft
• Ladies, light regular and stiff flex

 

Who is Each Driver For?

The Callaway Mavrik driver manages to reach a level of feel and distance that the X Hot simply doesn’t.

This is probably because the jailbreak bars help stabilize your drive and contribute to feedback.

If you are a player who emphasizes feel, the Mavrik’s will be more to your liking.

That being said, the good old fashioned Variable Face Thickness of the X Hot driver actually made it more forgiving than the Mavrik. The X Hot would be much more congenial to high handicappers.

 

Distance & Feel Comparison

We’ve already mentioned that  the Mavrik has a nicer, stabler feel to them.

What about distance though? Testing these drivers side by side revealed a lower spin rate in favor of the Mavrik.

This resulted in drives that were about 7 yards longer than the X Hot.

 

Accuracy & Consistency Comparison

Neither of these drivers were great for shot shaping. The VFT of the X Hot produced straight shots and nothing more.

The fewer moving parts of the X Hot head seemed to play more consistent than the Mavrik, though.

 

Price Comparison

• Callaway X Hot – $250 (average)
• Callaway Mavrik – $400 (average)

 

 

 

X Hot Pros & Cons

Pros:

• More forgiving
• More consistent
• Cheaper
• Simple design
• Good for high handicappers
• Straight shots

Cons:

• Fewer shaft options
• Not as long as the Mavrik
• Poorer feel
• Old model

Overall Score 92/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Mavrik Diver Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Plays longer
• More advanced features
• Aerodynamic head shape
• A.I. face design
• Titanium face
• Better feel

Cons:

• More expensive
• No interchangeable weight
• Less consistency
• Not as forgiving

Overall Score 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Other Drivers To Consider:

 

Big Bertha B21

The Big Bertha B21 driver doesn’t mess around. It’s about distance, forgiveness and can be considered, super game improvement.

We’re talking an average of about 9 yards more than the Mavrik. The forgiveness is kicked up as well thanks to the oversized head and bigger face.

Overall Score 93/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Taylormade SIM Max

The SIM Max driver features the “Inertia Generator” which, is essentially a panel on the sole that juts out past the back of the head.

This helps generate more momentum at moment of impact and helps increase club head speed.

Overall Score 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Ping G425

The Ping G425 is features an adjustable weight that can accommodate neutral, draw or fade swings.

The internal dragonfly bracing pattern also helps stabilize the thin titanium face.

Overall Score 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Final Assessment

The Callaway Mavrik outperformed the X Hot driver in almost every arena except one very important one: forgiveness.

The only thing the X Hot driver had on the Mavrik was that it was more forgiving – and that can be a deal-breaker for some players.

If you need help with accuracy from the tee, the cheaper X Hot may be the better option. If you are looking for more distance, better feel and faster club head speed though, check out the Callaway Mavrik.