Ok folks, so three range sessions, an 18 hole match against an old college teammate, and another round today with my wife and son are good enough for a first impression review I feel.
The setup:
Mavrik Sub Zero
45"
9º/neutral setting
8 gram weights in both positions
Graphite Design AD XC 6x shaft, no tipping
Golf Pride Z cord standrad size grip
Looks:
Suprisingly good. The orange isn't for everyone, but I actually don't mind it.
The shape is fantastic. The Sub Zero shape sits well with my eye, and frames the ball extremely well.
I'm extremely happy with how the Graphite Design AD XC 6x looks in it as well.
Sound/Feel:
As I mentioned previously, I'm not great explaining sounds, but I also think that sound and feel go hand in hand. I realize this is personal preference, and can definitely be changed by the weights you have in the head, as well as shaft (swing weight and balance point). I would describe it as a muted but solid sound. I like the pitch it produces. You can tell where you struck it on the face, and when you hit that center....OK BYE!
Performance:
Here's what everyone came for. Might as well call this one UPS, because this thing fricken delivers! I don't recall ever hitting a driver THIS good. Into the fan, downwind, crosswind...doesn't matter. Good lunch, low/mid spin that just pisses through the wind. Repeatable ball flight.
I was weirded out at first, as my old Ping G410 LST was set all the way to 7.5º (with a Ventus Blue, and thereafter an Oban Kiyoshi HB). I initially turned the Mavrik down to 8º....and after about 5 balls, immediately switched it back to 9º. lol.
The 8 gram weights in both positions were a nice touch, and add a little more spin as well as give the head a nice balance.
As far as the on course performance goes. I had a match with my old college roommate and teammate. He was by far the longest on the team and is still very deep. He's currently gaming a 46" (!!!) SIM with a Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana S+ Limited Edition Shaft. (Sick) I was texting another teammate of ours on Friday, as it was his bday. He told me good luck tomorrow, "He hit ball far" lol!
Out on the course...I was consistently 15 yards ahead of him. I'm in places I've never been on this course. Far and Sure! He said he's never seen me hit the ball like this, and was stunned by my distance.
The early reviews are in, and I couldn't be more thrilled. With 7/14 fairways (and 3 FW miss within 1 yard...) and an opening round 68...This one is going to be TOUGH to get out of the bag. Thanks for the inspiration @DaHOF!