ToddKolbGolf
VLS Maxvert 1 Driver Review: The Game-Changer
The New VLS Maxvert 1 Driver Promises to Ease Tee Trauma With a Design Tailored for You.
The brand new VLS Maxvert 1 Driver begins with one compelling question:
Could your driver be sabotaging your shots?
The designers of this revolutionary new club think many of your problems on the tee are the fault of a driver that was designed for the skill set of world-class players.
As for the Maxvert Driver?
This driver was designed with golfers over 40 in mind.
Now, that’s not to say the Maxvert doesn’t come with perks for all golfers. It absolutely does. This club was created for:
- Easier clubface control
- Better distance
- Improved accuracy
- More forgiveness on miss-hits
- Fewer slices
- More draws
…all without changing your swing. As far as we’re concerned, those are pluses in anyone’s book.
But the question is: does the VLS Maxvert 1 Driver actually follow through on its promises?
And why is it necessary in the first place? Also: who’s idea was this?
Stick with us. All those answers are coming your way.
What the VLS Maxvert 1 Driver Claims to Do
If you know Todd Kolb, you won’t be surprised to learn that the VLS Maxvert 1 Driver was his idea.
If you don’t know him, we’ll dig deeper into his background in a moment. For now, we’ll just tell you this:
No one in the industry is more passionate about helping older golfers reclaim distance, accuracy, and confidence on the course than Todd Kolb. (Kolb prefers to call these older golfers “experienced golfers.” Seems fair to us.)
In recent years, he’s released multiple courses and products designed to fill the gaps in an industry that’s downright obsessed with what the pros are doing.
See, traditional golf instruction is based on what works best for professional athletes. Golf equipment is designed with the assumption that all golfers want to emulate the techniques of Tour players.
The problem, Kolb says, is that those techniques require the kind of flexibility, strength, and balance that are simply not possible for most amateur golfers. Traditional instruction also tends to be complicated, demanding precision timing that can only be mastered with loads of practice.
So Kolb developed an entire system introducing golfers to new strategies for generating speed and finding stability. These are simple, body-friendly tactics anyone can master. His system is called the Vertical Line Swing System.
Now, with the help of Golf Digest Hot Lister Josh Boggs (more on him later, too), Kolb has designed a driver tailored to the abilities of the average golfer.
But what does that mean exactly? And how is your current driver failing you?
The answer is actually pretty interesting.
The Case Against Your Current Driver
Kolb claims that the Maxvert Driver is necessary because standard drivers are made to suit the abilities and swing styles of world-class athletes.
Not only does this mean that your driver isn’t doing you any favors (assuming you’re not a world-class athlete). It also means your driver might be making your slice and other miss-hits even worse.
Here’s how.
Your Current Driver is Too Long
It’s no secret that your driver is the longest club in your bag. And longer means harder to control.
If you find that your aim is always way worse than you thought it was, a likely culprit is the club shaft.
For one thing, the length forces you to stand farther from the ball, which throws off your eyeline. This kills both your alignment at setup and your ability to find the sweet spot at impact.
For another, the more shaft there is between your hands and that clunky clubhead, the more torque you need to keep the clubface square. A lot of golfers set up with a square clubface but lose it during their swing.
The Flat Lie is Killing Your Distance
You see the angle of the hosel on your driver? The way it meets the clubhead at a flatter angle than on, say, your irons?
That feature, combined with the long shaft, create a flat, horizontal lie on the shaft. This forces you to swing around your body—a distance killer for experienced golfers.
See, a flat backswing only works if you’ve got a ton of flexibility… or at least a massage therapist on call. Most of us can’t get enough length in our swing just by twisting.
For experienced golfers, Kolb recommends a vertical swing path. An up-and-down motion helps you achieve a longer swing without all the insane contortions.
Shaft Placement and Weight Distribution are Destroying Your Aim and Release
Another thing you’ll notice if you take a close look at your hosel:
The typical driver shaft enters the clubhead pretty much on the heel. That’s nowhere near the clubhead’s center of gravity.
This means there’s no direct connection between the center of gravity and your hands as you’re swinging the golf club. And if you’re a chronic slicer, you know exactly what that means.
Zero control. Runaway aim. And your driver is doing absolutely nothing to help you release the club at impact.
Tiny Loft Isn’t Doing You Any Favors, Either
Most drivers come with minimal loft. This naturally creates a low launch angle, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re swinging at pro-level speeds. But as we know, the average golfer starts losing speed and distance as early as their thirties.
Plus, the lower the loft, the higher your odds of a slice.
It’s a painful formula, but it’s an accurate one.
So, how does the Maxvert Driver address these pain points?
The Design of the VLS Maxvert 1 Driver
First, let’s talk about the minds behind the Maxvert Driver design.
As you already know, creating a club that would serve the needs of experienced golfers was Todd Kolb’s idea.
Kolb is a PGA Teaching Professional with over 25 years of experience coaching all levels. Literally all levels. Kids to seniors, beginners to an LPGA Major winner. He’s landed on the Golf Digest Best-in-State Instructor list four times.
In recent years, Kolb has been completely transforming the everyday golfer’s game with his Vertical Line Swing System; his groundbreaking book, The Bad Lie; and a line of trading aids and other gear designed to make practice easier and improvement faster.
He’s also the Director of Instruction for your favorite source for no-nonsense golf instruction: USGolfTV.
One thing Todd is not: he is not a golf club designer. So he took his knowledge of what casual golfers need to succeed at the tee to Josh Boggs and asked how they could design a club that met those needs.
Josh Boggs is a big deal in the golf technology world. His work at Nike has won him a dozen Golf Digest Hot List medals.
So when Kolb presented him with a wishlist for this driver, Boggs had a wealth of insight to draw from. Here’s the result.
Maxvert Playability Tuned Specs
Loft – 11 degrees
Lie Angle – 62 degrees
Length – 44.5″
Shaft Flex Options
– Stiff: 70 grams
– Regular: 60 grams
– Senior: 50 grams
– Ladies: 50 grams
Shaft Shift Technology
Remember that shaft issue with your current club? All that business about the shaft entering the clubhead back at the heel and throwing everything out of whack?
Boggs immediately recognized the challenges that positioning presents for the everyday golfer. In fact, it’s not just amateurs who struggle with this.
“When I’m watching pros, their swings look gorgeous until they hit a driver,” Boggs says. “And then you can see them fighting to close the clubface.”
He fixed that problem for you with shaft shift technology, nudging the shaft a little closer to the center of the clubhead and more in line with the center of gravity.
Boggs also made the clubhead itself slightly smaller (436cc versus the standard 460cc) so you’re not struggling to control that outsized head.
We tested the Maxvert Driver to see how these features pay off, and the honest truth?
It almost feels like swinging a hybrid. Squaring the clubface is that much easier.
Perimeter Payload
Boggs added 25 grams of weight to the heel of the Maxvert Driver. This is the “Perimeter Payload.”
So what’s the benefit?
For one thing, it lightens the load in the toe, which in turn makes it easier to release the club at impact.
Second, the extra weight in the heel provides more stability and a higher moment of inertia. This means the clubhead is more resistant to twisting. Translation: you get more forgiveness on those off-center shots.
Now, if you’re wondering if those extra 25 grams will slow your swing, this next feature will clear that up.
Shorter Shaft
The Maxvert Driver has a slightly shorter shaft than typical drivers. It measures 44.5”, versus the standard driver length of 45.5” – 46”. This shorter shaft makes the clubhead feel less heavy in the hands, effectively canceling out the extra weight on the heel.
Now, you’ve likely been told that a longer shaft equals better distance. After all, longer shaft, longer swing, right?
Again, this is a theory that applies to top-level golfers. For the rest of us, a longer shaft means less control and a higher chance of off-center contact.
In other words, slicing. It means slicing.
So far, the trend among experienced golfers who’ve tried the Maxvert seems to be an increase in carry distance. This is likely because they’re having an easier time getting solid, center-of-the-face contact.
More Upright Lie
Remember that flat lie that forces you to swing around your body instead of along a more vertical swing plane?
Well, Boggs fixed it. The VLS Maxvert 1 features a more upright lie that helps you find more length in your swing with a vertical motion.
Fairway Finder Alignment Guide
Once we learned about this feature, we realized how absurd it is that our current drivers don’t have it.
The Maxvert Driver has a Fairway Finder Alignment Guide: three crisp lines on the crown of the driver to help you square the clubface.
For a little extra help, the inside line angles out at the back of the crown—a subtle reminder to create that in-to-out swing path.
Such a simple, no-brainer feature, and it was a favorite among the golfers who tested the driver pre-release.
TruHex Face
Aim is one thing. Finding the sweet spot is another.
The Maxvert’s TruHex clubface features a hexagonal target that helps you center the ball in the sweet spot at setup so you can find it again at impact.
Proprietary Graphite Shaft
Finally, the VLS Maxvert 1 Driver is made with a proprietary graphite shaft. When you order a Maxvert, you can choose from different flex options to get the precise weight and torque needed to make the most of your specific swing speed.
How Does the Maxvert Compare to the Teton and Monza Hybrids?
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’ve recently endorsed two hybrids that also help get results off the tee: the Teton Hybrid and the Monza Fairway Hybrid.
So what makes the Maxvert different?
For starters, the Maxvert is an actual driver. The Teton and Monza help casual golfers nail those tee shots in part because they’re hybrids—a club that’s just easier to hit than a driver.
Meanwhile, the Maxvert is a true driver that’s simply been adapted to suit the swing of the everyday golfer—a concept that’s truly unique in the industry.
It’s also worth noting that the Maxvert is the only one of these clubs to have been designed by a major champion coach. While the Teton and the Monza have been promoted by the guy you trust to help you play your best game, the Maxvert was actually created by him.
Todd literally wrote the book on mastering your golf swing as an experienced golfer. Now he’s designed a club that doesn’t just forgive your imperfect shots but also improves your swing and aim in the process.
As for results, our money’s on the Maxvert for finding more distance, accuracy, and consistency off the tee. The Teton and Monza have their strengths as well, but they just can’t match the results we’re already seeing from the Maxvert.
Price and Guarantee
So what do you have to pay for this revolutionary technology?
Right now, the VLS Maxvert 1 Driver is going for $249.
Worth it, right?
As long as it works, anyway.
Fortunately, your purchase comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, and you’re encouraged to give the club a full workout. You can use it as much as you want in those thirty days. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can return it for a refund, no questions asked.
Does the Maxvert Driver Conform to the Rules of Golf?
The VLS Maxvert 1 driver conforms to the Rules of Golf.
We Tested the Maxvert Driver. Here’s Our Take.
We absolutely love the Maxvert 1 driver.
It was way easier to control, got incredible distance (especially when used with the Vertical Line Swing method), and still managed to get the ball fairly on target even when we hit it off-center.
Most importantly, hitting this driver was super fun, and as far as we’re concerned, that’s the whole point of the driver. Few things in this world feel as thrilling and empowering as launching rockets off the tee.
And with the Maxvert, we found ourselves doing that a lot.
Considering the fact that the price is pretty modest for a reliable driver and the money-back guarantee makes it virtually risk free, we’d encourage the average golfer to give it a shot.
For more fun and more confidence on the tee, this one’s a winner.
If you’re ready to give it a whirl, you can find it here.
What Do You Think?
So that’s our take. What’s yours?
Does this seem like a club that could help your golf game? Have you tried it already? How about checking out IRT-5 Hybrid? What’s your relationship like with your current driver?
Drop us a line in the comments and let us know what’s on your mind!
And if you’re interested in more tips and products designed specifically for casual and experienced golfers, check out vlsgolf.com!
How does distance compare to a mainstream driver?
Is the club conforming?
More info n the specs please. Especially weight of shafts.
Nowhere did I find the loft, nor did I find the shaft weight.
Is the Maxvert Driver available in UK?
Bob,
Yes it is. However the shipping cost are very high which is out of our control sadly.
David,
The loft is 11 degrees which we have found is ideal for golfers in the swing speed category. Shaft is 60 grams, light for more speed.
Leonard,
The club is designed specifically for slower swing speeds with the built in loft. Also the Fairway Finder alignment has shown to drastically improve aim which is key with longer clubs. Club is conforming and the shaft is 60 grams.
Todd, I am interested in this club. I am 77 and play to a 10 handicap. I was a 2 or 3 in my younger days. My swing speed is 7o-80 depending on the day. Drives are 190-230My current driver which was fitted has an Ozik MFS series 55 white TIE X4 shaft. I think it is R. My driver is a Calloway XR that I play at 11.5 degrees with a draw bias. What shaft should I use in your new club. Thanks and I love your VLS
Jim,
Appreciate the kind words. Congrats on your game and your continued efforts to keep improving. Based on your information I would go with the regular flex shaft. Be sure to let us know if you like the club…thanks!
I purchased this driver and have heard nothing about the order status. How does one get status information?
The driver sounds just up my alley, but living here in Thailand, I think with the shipping it would be one hell of a gamble.
What happens to amateur golfers that buy the MaxVert1 driver, but have a regular swing vs the vertical line swing?
Todd,
I live in Massachusetts where our courses are closed. If the winter and snow is not too severe in March our courses begin to open in April. Heavy snow in March means we open even later.
My dilemma: If I buy the Maxvert driver now the 30 day trial will expire long before I hit a ball. If I wait until April your price may increase or you may be out of stock of the first production run.
Any suggestions? Thank you!
Jack,
Understand your situation. What I can tell you is our company does right by our fellow golfers in the end. I am confident you will like the MaxVert as it is the first club we actually designed from ground up.
Robert,
Please check your email for updates. At times the emails will go to the spam folder. If you have further questions please contact us at info@usgolftv.com
Kevin,
The MaxVert driver works for all swing styles as it is built with the experienced golfer in mind. Yes, we do like to see golfers use the Vertical Line Swing, however it is not required to get the most out of your MaxVert driver. Hope that helps…
This is just a skill and usage question for Todd as I enjoy a lot of his comments.
I am 78 years old. My handicap has “grown” from 1-2 in my youthful era to 11-12 currently. My average drive is about 225-230 yards carry, and I have a normal swing speed of around 90mph (85-95). That speed has decreased from a high of around 115 mph in my 20s and 30s. I have what you might call a “power” fade, although I might delete the word “power” today. I still play in some competitive type events.
I have been sizing my drivers at a more normal 44.5″ playing length. for several years now. And I agree that shortening the driver shaft length makes it much easier to square the face and hit the sweet spot. Do you think I would find any improvements with your driver?? Also, does your driver have a 60 gram shaft with a stiff flex? Which shaft company makes your shafts?
I live in Michigan, so actual golf is still a few months away. I wish there was an opportunity to try your club against my existing driver, a Ping 425 with a Ping Tour regular flex shaft. It has been more consistent and forgiving than many of the other brand drivers I have or have had. So, I use it in several competitive events.
Any advice you have would be helpful. Thanks.
Todd, My swing speed is somewhere in the low 80’s and I am 70 years old. My driver distance is 190 or so. Do I need a senior shaft. I have always wanted to hit a draw but I do fade the ball. What are my chances of being able to hit a draw with the MaxVert driver. Thanks for your help and I sure do like the way the MaxVert driver looks.
Ken, thank you for asking. Great to see you playing this game at 70 and still looking to improve. I would go with the senior flex in the MaxVert. Yes, the MaxVert is built to help golfers hit a nice “baby” draw. Have you watched out Tour Draw series? If not, check out our YouTube channel as we have many great videos on how to hit a draw. Lastly, my book, The Bad Lie https://www.badliegolfbook.com/ is a great resource. Hope this helps…
I bought the MaxVert 1 Driver and hit is pretty well the first time out and when I did hit it well it was at least 20 yards longer and a couple of times over 30. I have a couple of complaints, though. 1) The head cover is horrible. It fits so tight that it is unusable on the course. Also, it doesn’t have a shaft cover to protect the shaft from irons in the bag. 2) I hate the grip. It is too small for my hands. I use oversized grips on all my other clubs. You should add grip size to your options during the purchase process.
Still, I believe this driver will be better than either my Callaway X-Hot or my Taylormade Slider. I look forward to using it more.
John,
Appreciate the feedback and your results are amazing! Early reports are coming in quickly producing longer and more accurate ball flight…this is great to see. We will be sure to pass along the headcover feedback to the team. It is nearly impossible to carry all the different sizes of grips as there are just too many options and variables. Best suggestion is to take your MaxVert to the local club repair shop and have the put a new grip on. Thanks for the purchase and input. Fairways and Greens.
when can I expect delivery if I ordered today.🏌️😃
Al,
You should have received an email with tracking. At times it goes into your spam folder. Thanks for the purchase!
hello there…tried the Maxvert for the first time yesterday…hit a few drives 20-30 yards further than before. a couple of questions,where do i put the ball in my stance forward, middle back.., and how high on the tee..i have a marked spot i noticed yesterday i had to put it lower…also noticed with the face square it seemed i hit it better when angling the shaft forward not straight up and down…….so Todd your recommendations, please
Jim,
Thanks for the purchase and great news on the first few shots. Awesome! Here is a good place to start on your questions https://youtu.be/HuGq4q9_pSs
Is there a version suitable for a senior lady?
Yes, we do have a ladies shaft also available! It’s half an inch shorter than the other shafts as well. You can find more info here: https://vlsgolf.com/pages/maxvert1
Todd, I’m a 72 yr old “experienced golfer” playing to a 12 handicap, don’t hit the ball over 200 (most around 180), but lack consistency. I’m always skeptical when a new product promises amazing results. I know you have a money back guarantee, does the guarantee include any shipping charges incurred if I need to return the MaxVert 1?
I have been following your VLS articles, and the Teton club and now the VLS Maxvert driver. I am 70 y/0 very slow swing speed hi handicapper, but love the game. I play with those expense clubs designed for better players as you have indicated. What is the size of the club face of the maxvert compared to a say callaway rogue? Any comments and recommendations are needed. Thank you, Eric Lagstrom
Thank you for reaching out Kenneth, happy to help. We are currently offering free shipping when you purchase the club, but we do not cover the cost if you choose to return the club. Hope the info helps!
Thanks for the comment Eric, happy to help. The face of the Maxvert is not much smaller than the face of a traditional driver. The weight of the head is just a few grams more to help you “feel” the club better, the length and stabilizing shaft-shift technology are going to help you get more control through impact, and you’ll likely notice a little more loft to help you get better launch for maximum carry – especially for swing speeds under 100mph. Hope the info helps!
I am considering purchasing the Maxvert driver. I have not found what material the driver head and face are made of (I.e. carbon, titanium). Can you please let me know?
Bob,
The heads are made out of a lightweight steel. Earl reviews have been better than anticipated. Hope that is helpful.
Hi i wonder if you can possibly let me know when it comes legal for competitions then I will purchase one i don’t want to purchase one just now incase i get disqualified form future medals
Kind regards Ian
When will the new 22 degree hybrid be released
Thomas,
We just released them last week. They have been flying out the door. Are you on our email list? Contact us at info@vlsgolf.com
what is the clubhead size of the malvert driver
Leslie,
436cc which is slightly smaller than traditional driver heads today. This allows for better control and more fairways.
I saw your add for your driver and it was priced at $239. I was going to make my purchase this week. Now I see the price is $289. Here in the Northeast the season starts in mid April and purchasing golf equipment when I can’t try it out it seems to me that people in my neck of the woods are penalized. So I have to pay $50 dollars more for a driver just because I waited a couple of weeks.
Vincent,
The MaxVert driver has been at $289.00 since the initial launch. We did just introduce our new hybrid which you may have seen at a lower price. The early feedback on the MaxVert is beyond expectations. Hope you give it a try.
I purchased the MAXVERT driver on 2/26/2023 online and received it on 3/2/2023. I returned it on 3/21/2023 to the address listed for returns. Verified delivery by FedEx on 3/24/2023. Guaranteed refund has not been received as of this date 4/3/2023. Still waiting for my money!
Hi Mike, your return was processed today, so you should see it in 1-2 business days. If you have further questions feel free to contact info@vlsgolf.com.
I received my driver today. The driver was damaged in the box. Broken shaft. I’ve sent emails to the company it’s been a full day and I haven’t heard a word from any customer service person. I’m very disappointed. There is no phone number to call to speak to a live person. Todd. I thought I could expect more from your company. Not a happy customer.So far.
Todd, how does one know what their swing speed is for ordering a shaft? Please advise.
Victor,
Good question. Here is a general guideline, Driver distance over 275 clubhead speed 105+, Driver distance 250-275 clubhead speed 100, Driver distance 225-250 clubhead speed 95, Driver distance 200-225 clubhead speed 90, Driver distance under 200 clubhead speed 85.
Todd, if I am driving the ball around 200+ yards; but would like to hit the ball farther with a better club. I am in really good shape for 65. When younger I hit my driver consistently 260 yards. What shaft would you recommend for the Maxvert driver?
Victor,
I would go with the stiff flex based on what you have shared.
Todd, I ordered a regular shaft earlier today. A 200 yard hit from the tee box is a good hit. Again, my goal is to hit the ball farther. If you still think the stiff shaft is the best, can I have my order changed from Regular to Stiff?
Victor,
Give the regular shaft a try as they do tend to run a little stiff, I think you will be ok. Let us know how it goes, fairways and greens.
Do have use clubs
Todd, I am 65 years old. I’m 5’4″. I never slice. I play a Ping g400 with a regular shaft. I’m down the middle almost every time. Most ball flight is dead straight or with a slight draw. My distance is about 200. My swing has gotten shorter in the past 5 years so I obviously have a slower swing speed. I did try a senior flex driver recently but I was hooking it so I’m thinking of staying with the regular flex. Would you agree? Do you think I could get a bit more distance?
Thanks,
Mark
Mark,
Agree on staying with the regular flex based on what you have said. It sounds like the Ping is working well for you. My suggestion would be to fist look at the Vertical Line Swing system and my book The Bad Lie (you can find it on Amazon). The system is geared toward “experienced” older golfers. Hope that helps.
Hi Dennis, thanks for reaching out. You can reach out to info@vlsgolf.com and we can notify you if any Certified Maxverts come available.
Will the top or the toe of this club Easily dent if it is not hit directly on the club face? I have shattered several high end drivers when I hit off the toe or had it teed too high, including a Stealth and a Rogue. I’ve also dented a number of metal drivers. Also, should this be hit like a normal driver or more like a hybrid or 3 wood. Thanks.
Yes it is possible if you have done it with other clubs, it is possible to dent the toe. However we have not seen this happen in our initial release of the club. The MaxVert is designed to be used and played as a driver. Hope that helps.
I am 84 years old and still enjoy hacking. I have a decent short game but have lost a lot of distance on my drives–now typically 130 to 150 yards, with an occasional longer outlier. Would you recommend your super senior shaft for me? Just what is the Super senior.
Don, thanks for asking. Yes, the super senior shaft would be the best option for you.
Todd,
I ordered my Maxvert Driver on Saturday 8/12 I provided contact info including e mail address and still have not received any confirmation nor have i received my order however my credit card has been charged. How long does shipment generally take? Any info is appreciated. Thank you
Ken,
Thanks for the support and purchase. Check your spam folder as time the confirmation will go there. If you have other questions, drop us a note at info@vlsgolf.com