Maxvert 1 Driver: Unofficial Review

[tdc1]

In January I asked MGS Forum members about the Maxvert 1 driver that I had seen in advertising and on the USGolfTV YouTube channel.  The description of the club reminded me a bit of the old Cleveland VAS clubs from the mid-1990s.  

As an aging (almost 73-year old) with a moderate-to-slow driver swing speed (low-to-mid 80s), I am always interested in ways to maintain/increase distance and accuracy.  However, I am skeptical about being able to buy my way to those goals.  

About 7 weeks ago I was able to get a Maxvert 1 in hand for some on-course testing.  Below are my reactions divided into 3 categories:  Aesthetics/Quality (5 points), Sound/Feel (15 points), and Performance (50 points).

Aesthetics/Quality — 3.5/5

Nothing about the look of Maxvert 1 struck me as offensive nor was the overall quality of the club apparently or markedly subpar.

The standard headcover is certainly adequate for the task.  It clearly (proudly?) states its name for all to see, is easy to put on/take off but holds securely in place, and has a soft, fleece-like lining.  I’m not sure what material the exterior of the cover is, possibly a dyed/treated heavy-duty muslin.  I do not know how it will repel rain.

Both the grip and shaft are VLS branded.  The standard-sized grip is a generic take on the Gold Pride Tour Velvet, while shaft is labeled with “Flex Regular” and “Mass 60 Grams.”  There is a small sticker on the shaft that says “Designed/Engineered in USA, Made in China” — I do not know enough about shaft manufacturers to speculate about the source of the shaft.  The branding on both grip and shaft face up at address so some may find this distracting.

The club head is slightly under 440cc and looks it.  It also where the “technology” in the club first becomes apparent.  The face sits slightly closed at address, and the shafts joins the club ever-so-slightly forward of the heel.  The graphic design of the club face is relatively simple although some may find the hexagonal target in the center a bit much.    The bottom of the club again advertises the branding but also the 25 gram internal heel weight (or, in VLS terms, the size and location of the slice-fighting “Perimeter Payload”).  If on a display rack with other OEMs I doubt the sole of the Maxvert would draw much attentions but it faces away from the user when in use so it isn’t a distraction on course.

The top of the club is where things might get a little more polarizing.  Rather than a simple little alignment aid (e.g., a dot or tiny logo), the Maxvert opts for a bold, 3-line pattern designed to both guide the user to the center of the face and give a reminder to swing in-to-out to square up the face.  Traditionalists will probably find the top busy (at best) to garish (at worst).

Overall, I found the aesthetics and quality to be average — it met my minimum expectations.  Nothing about the club looked/felt like a buyer would be paying less than or more than for what they were getting.

Sound/Feel — 12/15

I admit to not being sure what to expect in this category.  I had visions of a tin can at the end of a piece of licorice.  Neither of these were the case.

The best way I know how to explain the sound of the Maxvert is as a solid thud, sort of like using a hammer to hit a 2 x 4 but through a thin pillow.  The sound was consistent across the club face and, after the first few hits, was not terribly disconcerting.  If you want distinct aural feedback, especially on mishits, the Maxvert will disappoint.

According to VLS, the shaft is intended for those with swing speeds of 75-90 mph and/or driver distance of 200-240 yards — in am well within the swing speed range but only just into the distance range.  The feel of the club was very stable throughout the swing.  The same was true regardless of where I struck the ball on the face — twisting of the club head was minimal.

I found the sound and feel of the Maxvert to be more than acceptable.  While I would appreciate more aural feedback on the mishits if the choice is between a low-pitched thunk and a high-pitched ting, I’ll take the former.  As I said, the feel of the Maxvert was consistently solid — I certainly appreciated this during the swing but I think more feedback on mishits would make it easier to determine their cause although ball flight is also another indicator.

Performance — 37.5/50

I have been using the Maxvert for about 7 weeks.  For me, my home course has 8 legitimate driver holes from Gold tees (5600 yds) and 12 from the White tees (6100 yds) — the Gold tees bring hazards in to play that are beyond my reach from the Whites.  I have played a mixture of those tees while testing.

Compared to my current Ping G425, the Maxvert has a smaller head (436cc v. 460), shorter shaft (44.5” v. 45.75”), more loft (11º v. 10.5º), sits more upright (62º v. 59º), slightly lighter head weight (204g v. 206g), and a slightly heavier shaft (60g v. 55g).

The Maxvert aspires (in my words) to be a driver that would:  (1) significantly reduce, if not eliminate, a slice; (2) increase distance for amateur golfers, especially those over 40-years old; (3) be as accurate, if not more so, than “mass-market” drivers; (4) forgive mishits; and (5) make lining up to the target extra simple.  

Here is how my 120+ on-course drives with the Maxvert stack up.

(1)  “Significantly reduce is not eliminate a slice.”  I would say that this is generally true of the Maxvert.  The few slices I have hit with it have been the result of egregious operator error — high toe, almost sky balls, struck with mostly an arms-only swing.  That said, however, I should also say that it is fairly easy to block a shot out to the right or to pull a shot to the left — not fades or draws/hooks but straight blocks and pulls.

(2) “Increase distance for amateur golfers, especially those over 40-years old.”  My overall distance (carry+roll) increased by 3-5 yards total.  The majority of this increase occurred during the first three weeks when my course was running firm and fast.  As temperatures have cooled and the ground gotten softer, that distance increase has disappeared.  I attribute this to an unexpectedly low launch from the 11º head — hard and firm = more roll, soft = more mud/plugs.  I have what I would consider a medium ball flight with my driver but the Maxvert is significantly lower based on the eye test and what my usual golf partners have observed (I do not have any launch monitor data).

(3)  “Be as accurate, if not more so, than ‘mass-market’ drivers.”  Setting aside for the moment the lack of definition for “mass market”, I can say that the Maxvert was more accurate my current driver.  My fairways hit % was not significantly better but my misses (right and left) were more manageable.  Overall, I would say that the Maxvert saved me 1-2 strokes per round.  (I have been using the SwingU app to help track distance and accuracy.)

(4)  “Forgive mishits.”  As I said in point (1), the Maxvert did turn some probable slices into straight blocks, and some probable duck hooks into straight pulls.  Does this mean it was “forgiving mishits”?  Maybe.  Loss of distance on those blocks and pulls kept them in bounds but I don’t think that is what is meant by “forgiving mishits."

(5)  “Make lining up to the target extra simple.”  The alignment aid on the crown of the club most certainly helps even though some might find it too busy/distracting to look at.  The center line of the alignment aid is red and bracketed by two white lines so there is no mistaking it.  The not-so-subtle reminder to swing in-to-out was also helpful.  However, an alignment aid is only as useful as the golfer is at ball position and body alignment.  Helpful — you bet; a cure for your alignment issues — not so much.

Overall — 53/70

Ultimately I would call the Maxvert a respectable, average driver.  Aesthetics and quality were on par with many of the box sets from big name companies that can be found online or in general sporting goods stores.  Sound was not offensive and the feel was stable throughout the swing.  While I think on-course performance fell short of what VLS aspires to with the Maxvert 1, I would not hesitate to recommend it as a lower cost option especially to beginning golfers or to older occasional golfers looking for a cheaper way to upgrade equipment they may have have for 10+ years.  

As with all equipment reviews, please remember that this is only one person’s experience — YMMV.

 

[1puttpar]

Interesting observations and review. I too have been playing a Ping G425. I completely agree with all your assessments of the Maxvert. The one difference for me, I had an aftermarket Oban shaft put into my Ping and play it to a 44.5” length, so, when I tried it, it really was very close to an “apples to apples” comparison. My Maxvert was returned. 

[JEFF1]

Glad I read this article, I hit my G400 220 yards ( I am 84 years old). 20 to 30 yards more would have put me in iron range of greens. Hitting this club 240--250 yards is pure fiction.

My order was canceled to slow delivery, which saved me trying to return. Maybe a Hi handicapper. will pick up a few yards. Like stated a CHEAP starter driver. Better than paying $400.00+. It is hittable according to all I read

 

 

 

[DrRob1963]

Nice review, thank you.

My first question was "Is this a legal - conforming - golf club???