Narrowing down the never-ending list of golf irons on the market can be exhausting. Some golfers like to expedite this process by selecting one company to purchase from. Because of that, we have reviewed the Big Bertha B21 vs. Mavrik Irons in a ultimate comparison!
If Callaway’s golf irons have always stood out to you like some of the best, then you may be stuck choosing between the Callaway Big Bertha B21 and the Mavrik.
These are both fairly new releases, and if we are honest, they have a lot in common. For an average golfer looking to upgrade, understanding the differences between B21 and Mavrik can be quite confusing. Luckily that is what we are here for.
We have put together some of the most up-to-date information and key features for the B21 and Mavrik irons. After reading this guide, you will have a much better understanding of which iron set is the proper choice for your game.
Our Comparison – Overview
Features and Benefits of the Big Bertha B21 Irons
The Big Bertha B21 irons are perhaps the most forgiving that we have seen from Callaway. There are several features that make this golf equipment a perfect option for the higher handicapper and beginner golfer. Let’s take a look at some of the features of the B21 that allow the game to become more fun again.
A.I. Designed Flash Face Cup
The Flash Face technology is something that Callaway started using in their woods and hybrids a few years ago. The idea was that the face was so fast the ball would actually just off. With the Big Bertha B21, they have learned to incorporate that same technology into the face of an iron.
The result is a much higher ball speed. The B21 is a bit like having a five wood type impact even though you have an iron in your hand. The only reason Callaway was able to do this with their Big Betha B21 irons is with the use of artificial intelligence.
AI has revolutionized what golf manufacturers can do with game improvement irons.
Deep Center of Gravity
If there is a theme or word of the year when it comes to golf clubs and golf technology, in 2021, it would be tungsten. Most and more golf manufacturers are finding ways to incorporate tungsten weighting into the club head.
The tungsten allows for a redistribution of weight and eventually a much lower center of gravity. The end result is more ball speed, higher ball flight, and a spin rate that works for most higher handicap players.
Urethane Microspheres
Urethane microspheres are incorporated into the Big Bertha B21 club head. The idea with the urethane microspheres is to decrease vibration at impact. Most golfers that need forgiveness will be used to a bit of an unstable feel at impact. With the addition of the urethane microspheres, hitting the ball will feel more pure.
Traditional Big Bertha Shape-Modern Performance
If you are a Callaway golf fan and have been around the game for quite some time, you may remember the original Big Bertha golf irons. Although these didn’t have tungsten weighting or modern technology, they were good looking, and they were high performing.
The idea with the Big Bertah B21 irons was to bring back a bit of this feel and technology to the game of golf with the addition of AI technology. The result is pretty impressive, and if you have been a loyal Callaway fan, these clubs will stand out as some of the best around.
Features and Benefits of the Callaway Mavrik Irons
The Callaway Mavrik irons are also a game improvement iron, but they are geared more towards the middle handicap player. With the Mavrik irons, you will again see the use of AI to help make these clubs higher performing and more appealing to the average golfer.
Artificial Intelligence For the First Time
The Callaway Mavrik irons featured the release of AI used in a set of irons for the very first time. Although Callaway had been developing these features for several years and had used them in some of the woods and fairways, this was the first time we have seen AI in a set of irons. Truly, the use of AI has changed what the golf iron is capable of.
The biggest difference between the Mavrik and the previous Rogue irons is how each loft is customized to be a good fit for the individual club. You are no longer playing with a nine iron that is just a few degrees different than a pitching wedge; now, the entire club head is optimized between lofts.
Unique Face Architecture
The unique face architecture made possible by AI has helped the Mavrik family of clubs be some of the longest and most forgiving that Callaway has ever produced. With a set of 8 Callaway Mavrik golf irons, you are no longer getting one club head slightly adjusted for loft between clubs. Instead, you are getting 8 individually made clubheads that are optimized for their loft.
This means that the center of gravity placement and tungsten weighting in each club head is unique, certainly a change in technology from the past.
Higher Ball Speeds
With the use of AI, Callaway was able to test out numerous materials and weighting positions to help golfers struggle with swing speed. If you are a player that knows a bit more speed could make all the difference in your game, the Mavrik irons are a great option to choose from.
We see higher ball speeds across the entire Mavrik series of irons than we saw in previous releases from the Rogue.
Strong Lofts
Mavrik irons have very strong lofts. This means that you will get quite a bit more distance with the Mavrik irons than other golf irons on the market. The strong lofts can sometimes be a problem if the ball flight gets too low.
However, Callaway could lower the center of gravity enough to help increase the loft and give players the higher ball flight that they need.
Callaway Big Bertha B21 vs. Callaway Mavrik
Now that you have a better idea of the key features and benefits of the Callaway Mavrik and the Callaway Big Bertha B21, it’s time to take a look at the major differences between these irons. When it comes to the club head and the technology, you may feel as though these are similar, but there are some distinct differences between the clubs.
Technology
As you probably noticed, machine learning and artificial intelligence were a feature in both the B21 and the Callaway Mavrik iron face and club head. Mavrik came out first and sort of brought Callaway’s use of AI to the market.
Each of the irons features the Flash Face Cup technology and the urethane microspheres that we have come to know. To be totally honest, the technology between the two club heads is very similar.
Both have tungsten weighting and an impressive feel, especially in the game improvement category. If you are trying to choose an iron based on the better technological features, you will have a hard time deciding between these two.
Distance
Distance is so important in a set of irons. The further you can hit a club, the quicker you can get around the golf course. The Mavrik irons will be a bit longer than the Callaway Big Bertha B21, but this has everything to do with the strong lofts.
For instance, a pitching wedge in the Mavrik set will have 41 degrees of loft, but the Big Bertha B21 will have 43. Clearly, something with 41 degrees is going to travel a bit further than that with 43 degrees.
The issue for some players is that the lower loft on the Mavriks ends up causing issues with the overall ball flight and height of the shot.
Forgiveness
Although both the Mavrik and the B21 are forgiving golf irons, we find that the Callaway Big Bertha B21 is more forgiving. The sweet spot is a bit larger; the club is more offset, and overall this is equipment made for the highest handicap player. For pure forgiveness, go for the B21.
Player Handicap
The Callaway Mavriks are made for the average golfers. If you have a handicap between 12 and 22, this is an iron that will fit your game perfectly.
The Callaway Big Bertha B21 seems to be a better fit for the player with the 18 and up handicap. With the extra forgiveness and offset, the B21 tends to fall more into the super game improvement iron.
Mavrik irons are offered in a standard Mavrik, Mavrik Max, and the Mavrik Pros. Each has some different characteristics and lofting as well. If you want a Mavrik that pairs very similarly to the Big Bertha B21, it would be the Mavrik Max series.
Pricing
The pricing of the Callaway Mavriks has recently dropped as they are no longer the newest set on the market. Callaway has now released the Apex series that is catching quite a bit of attention. This has brought the pricing of Callaways’ Mavrik series down a bit, which is a nice change.
Overall the Big Bertha B21 and Callaway Mavriks are in similar categories when it comes to price; the B21 just happened to be released a bit later.
Pros & Cons
Here the pros and cons of both irons in comparison.
Callaway Big Bertha B21 Irons
Pros
- Flash Face Cup technology
- Created with the use of artificial intelligence
- Easy launching irons
- It helps golfers produce straighter shots
- Lower spin on the longer irons
- Offset design
- Urethane microspheres for improved feel
- Very little vibration at impact
- Face architecture changes for each loft
- High ball speeds
Cons
- Iron head is a bit bulky looking
- Thick top down line
- So forgiving that they make it hard to hit a draw or a fade
Callaway Mavrik Irons
Pros
- Very high ball speeds
- Even stock shaft options are premium choices
- Increased spin on iron shots used to approach greens
- Mavrik Irons debuted the use of artificial intelligence
- Urethane microspheres for increased precision
- It comes in a Mavrik, Mavrik Max, and Mavrik Pro series
- Tungsten infused weights in the iron club head
- 360 Face Cup with flex
- Higher launch even with stronger lofts
Cons
- Strong lofts increase distance, but some will struggle with ball flight performance.
- Callaway Mavriks is not the most forgiving of the Callaway line up golf clubs
Frequently Asked Questions
With the similarity of the Marik and B21, there are quite a few questions that come up about performance and which is the best club to choose. Here are a few of the most common questions that we are asked.
Is The Callaway Big Bertha B21 Driver Better Than The Mavirk?
If you are comparing the irons between these two lines of clubs, you may as well look at the driver as well. The B21 driver is one of the most forgiving choices in the game; it is without a doubt a great choice for higher handicappers and beginners.
Must like the irons; the Mavrik driver will be better for average golfers. IF you choose the Mavrik irons for your game, you will be best suited to match it with the Mavrik driver.
Are B21 Irons Good For Low Handicappers?
Low handicappers will not enjoy the technology of the B21 golf irons. Although these clubs have a good feel, higher lofts, and plenty of forgiveness, they do not have excellent workability. Lower handicap players like to hit shots that draw and fade on demand. With the forgiveness of the B21 irons, this is almost impossible to do.
Should Women Golfers Use Mavrik or Big Bertha B21 Irons?
Women golfers have the option to play with both the B21 or the Mavrik irons as well. For most women golfers, ball flight and launch can be an issue. With the B21 irons, the higher lofts tend to help with this issue. Depending on player handicap and ball flight preferences, women should choose between the B21 and the Mavrik, the same way the men do.
Conclusion: Which Is Better, Big Bertha B21 or Mavrik Irons?
As you can see from this comparison, the B21 and Mavrik are designed for two different players. If you are a higher handicapper or a beginner, the B21 is the smarter choice. The offset technology, large sweet spot, wide sole, and higher lofts make the B21 a perfect choice.
For the mid handicapper that is looking for extra support and distance from their iron set, the Mavrik golf clubs could be the better option.
The great news about both the B21 and the Mavrik is that the performance is impressive. Either iron set will bring a great feel and forgiveness. The trick is to choose something that most closely matches your goals and aspirations as a player.
