A new year brings resolutions for most people but for the golf world – it means new golf equipment! Anything to help our game and shoot lower scores, right?
One of the newest and hottest drivers out on the market is the Callaway Rogue series. It’s already been added to the 2022 Golf Digest Hot List and looks to be yet another hit for the manufacturer.
But is it worth upgrading from your Mavrik or Epic Max? And is it worth switching from Titleist, TaylorMade, or different drivers?
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the latest driver from Callaway.
2022 Callaway Rogue Driver Review
This isn’t the first time that Callaway has offered a Rogue driver. In 2018, they had something similar in both the Rogue and Rogue Subzero drivers. Both were very popular with golfers worldwide and had a sleek, black and blue design.
In 2022, Callaway revamped the Rogue name for drivers, new irons, woods, and fairway woods too. While it’s a clear upgrade from the technology in 2018 with the original Rogue driver, how does it compare to the latest ones?
Let’s review…
Editorial Update: The all new Callaway Paradym Drivers have been released. We have a full hands-on review of the Callaway Paradym Drivers here.
Callaway Rogue vs. Epic Speed Driver – Worth The Switch?
If you’re like most golfers, I’m sure you’re wondering if this new Rogue ST is even worth the switch. Which is a great question because club manufacturers aren’t making these clubs any more affordable.
Let’s review the differences between this new model and their 2021, Epic Max series. Like the Rogue, the Callaway Epic Max and Epic Speed were awarded the Golf Digest Hot List in 2021.
Golf fans said they were forgiving, long, and easy to hit. Tour players like them because there were two different triple diamond models and plenty of workability.
Design wise, there are a lot of similarities between the two. Both use their patented jailbreak speed frame to help straighten out off center hits. Both use A.I. and Flash Face technology to create a forgiving, easy to hit face.
Appearance wise, these new drivers remind me more of the Callaway Mavrik driver from 2020. Ditching the white and green for the black and gold design on the bottom of the club. One thing is for sure, Callaway makes some great looking clubs without any gimmicks.
There is one big difference in design between the two – the Rogue ST does not have a sliding weight feature. This might be a deal killer for some players who prefer to adjust the weight.
Both the Epic Max and Epic Max LS from 2021 had a rear sliding weight to help with fine-tuning your preferred shot shape. But it still does have an adjustable hosel so you can change loft and lie angle.
Now, let’s get into some of the new technology in the Callaway Rogue drivers.
The Tech Behind the Rogue ST Drivers
Here are some of the main design features behind the latest clubs from Callaway.
Tungsten Speed Cartridge
One of the biggest changes with these drivers is the use of the “Tungsten Speed Cartridge.” This helps with off center hits and provides maximum forgiveness thanks to its high MOI.
The amount of the cartridge changes on each model and the function of each one. For example, the Max has the most (26 grams) while the Triple Diamond has the least as it’s made for more advanced golfers.
Jailbreak Speed Frame
Like previous models, including the Epic Flash and Mavrik, these drivers have their A.I. Speed fame. These are two bars that are both horizontal and vertical directly behind the face. They’ve been updated to add more speed, regardless of where you make contact on the face.
New A.I. Clubface
One thing is for sure, Callaway isn’t changing what’s working for them. They’ve used A.I. technology since the Epic Flash and they didn’t change that with this driver either.
They used A.I. to help optimize spin so that spin gets lowered off the face and adds even more forgiveness than previous models.
1. Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver
Starting off is the original Rogue ST Max driver. This is the most all-around driver of the four versions offered and great for most golfers and on our list of best golf drivers for beginners.
The Rogue ST Max has a high launch with a mid-spin profile, making it great for the everyday golfer. It also has a built-in, semi draw bias to help you hit more fairways and get the most out of each drive. It’s important to note that this is a semi-draw bias, not a max draw.
You also get to choose from four different stock shafts without any price upgrades.
- Project X Cypher Black 40 Graphite: This is the lightest of the stock shaft options and will help increase launch for those with slower swing speeds. It has a low kick point and only weighs 40 grams. Available in light or regular flex.
- Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue 55 & 65 Graphite: For those with more moderate swing speeds, opt for the AV Blue shaft. This stock shaft is available in 55 or 65 gram options. The lighter 55 gram shaft has a mid-launch, mid-spin profile, while the 65 gram is slightly less. Both are available in regular or stiff flex.
- Mitsubishi Tensei AV White 65 Graphite: If you want a shaft that offers even less spin and torque, opt for the AV white. It has the highest kick point and is ideal for faster swings. Available in S or X flex.
This model is available in 9, 10.5, or 12 degree loft options.
Click here to learn more about this driver now.
2. Callaway Rogue ST Max D
An alternate pick to the Rogue ST Max is the Max D version.
As the name implies, this club has a built-in draw bias to help you hit it straighter and longer off the tee. This is an anti slice weapon! Like the first option, it also has a high launch, mid-spin and the only difference is the draw bias.
As Callaway said, “Rogue ST MAX D is built for a high level of draw bias, with high MOI, a more upright lie, reduced face progression, and a stretched profile at address. All these features promote maximum shot shape correction, especially for players who tend to slice the ball.”
Callaway reengineered the weight so that more of it is placed on the heel to help square up the clubface at impact. The Rogue ST Max D has 20 grams of the “Tungsten Speed Cartridge Structure” while the original design has 26 grams.
Don’t worry though, it’s still very forgiving and should help you find the fairways more often with the weight adjustments. You get the same shafts to choose from and an extra one too. You can opt for the Project X Cypher shaft in 50 grams for a lower ball flight than the 40 gram option.
This Callaway driver is available in 9, 10.5, or 12 degree loft options as well. Click here to learn more about this driver now.
3. Callaway Rogue ST Max LS
The third option in the new Callaway line is the Max LS driver which has some changes from the first two. The Max LS driver has a low launch, low spin profile, making it ideal for players with faster swing speeds and don’t want excess spin to reduce total distance.
This driver also has a neutral ball flight, which is great if you like to work the ball both ways. Whether you want to hit a high draw or a low cut, this club is very versatile and made for shot shapers.
The Max LS also has the same clubhead size but does have a lower lie angle (57 degrees). Meaning, you won’t have as much “slice protection” as the other two models. Luckily, it still has the same amount of forgiveness as the other two previous models.
Unlike other manufacturers, there aren’t any different shafts with their “players” club. The only change with the Max LS is that you can grab a heavier, 75 gram version of the Mitsubishi Tensei AV white. This is much heavier than most stock driver shafts so make sure you have plenty of swing speed before option for this one.
Needless to say, the Max LS is made for consistent golfers with faster swing speeds and one of our favorite drivers this year. It’s available in 9 and 10.5 loft options.
Click here to learn more about this driver now.
4. Callaway Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS Drivers
The last driver option for men is the Rogue ST Triple Diamond LS driver. Callaway started the “Triple Diamond” trend in 2019, with the Epic Flash, and it’s geared toward Tour players and elite golfers. This style of driver is a favorite among PGA Tour players as the smaller design yields more playability and shot shaping.
Unlike the other three models, this driver is slightly smaller, at 450CC. This is the lowest spinning driver offered from Callaway and features a neutral to fade bias in this compact clubhead. The Triple Diamond is available in 9, or 10.5 degree loft options.
For a club that is geared toward high-level ball strikers, I’m surprised an 8 degree isn’t available but you can always adjust the loft manually. All four Callaway Rogue drivers come with a matching headcover and multiple grip options, depending on where you purchase the club from.
Unfortunately, and for reasons I still can’t understand, they don’t include an adjustable wrench. For $500 plus per driver, you figured they could include the $10 accessory but for some unexplainable reason it’s not included. If you have a previous Callaway driver wrench, don’t worry, it will work if you’d like to adjust and customize the loft/lie setting.
Click here to learn more about this driver now.
Callaway Rogue Women’s Driver
Ladies can choose from two drivers – the Rogue ST and Rogue ST Max. The regular Rogue ST has all the same features and look of the men’s version.
It’s nice to offer multiple options as not every company does. For example, the TaylorMade Stealth has three models for men but only one for women.
The only difference is with loft and shaft. Ladies can select from an adjustable 10.5 or 12 degrees of loft. Currently, there is only one shaft available with the Project X Cypher Black 40 gram weight.
Callaway Rogue ST Max D Women’s Driver
Aside from the main Rogue ST driver, ladies can also select from the Max D driver as well. Just like the men’s driver, this club is the most forgiving and geared towards creating a draw ball flight. Or, at the very least, a power fade instead of a nasty slice.
Both options come with a Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 black and silver grip.
Go here to see some of our other favorite women’s drivers.
Callaway Custom Drivers
Also, another cool perk with these drivers is the ability to customize it and make it 100% your club. TaylorMade does something similar and it seems to be a growing trend among golf club manufacturers.
You can customize any of the four drivers to your liking with over one million combinations! That’s right, you can choose between eight different colors in five different zones. This club will be 100% unique and unlike anything you’ll see on the course.
Check out Callaway’s website for more information on complete customization.
Callaway vs. Ping, TaylorMade & Titleist Drivers
While this new Callaway driver has a ton of perks, there is stiff competition when it comes to picking out the big stick. Here’s how the newest driver line from Callaway compares with other big names in the driver world:
- Callaway vs. Ping: With Callaway’s latest color scheme, both of these drivers look very similar. There are more options to pick from in Ping as well as they have the G425 line which is their more forgiving driver (three choices total). Or, you can go with the less forgiving 410 clubs as well.
- Callaway vs. TaylorMade: TaylorMade mixed up their driver line big time in 2022. While their previous model, the SIM2 was very successful, the new Stealth series looks to be a hit as well. It’s the first driver to not use titanium for the face and instead, use carbon for a more lightweight design. Plus, it has a bright red face that makes it stand out as well.
- Callaway vs. Titleist: Titleist and Callaway now both offer four driver options to fit any type of player. They’re both sleek, with titanium faces, and tons of technology to help you add distance and forgiveness to the long game. The only difference is that one of the Titleist drivers, the TSi4, has a sliding weight track. Click here to read our full review on the Titleist TSi drivers.
Final Thoughts on Callaway Rogue Driver
The Callaway Rogue driver is a nice upgrade for 2022. While it’s not a complete overhaul to appearance and technology like the TaylorMade SIM2, it’s still a great option to help you off the tee.
If you’re still playing the Mavrik from 2020, this is a great upgrade and has a very similar appearance. Plus, it’s a great option for players wanting to switch to Callaway as there are four club heads and multiple shaft choices that are great for any player.
For the majority of golfers, you can’t go wrong with the Max version. It’s high-launching without too much spin and has a built-in draw bias. For higher handicappers or if you want more accuracy by straightening out your slice, switch to the Max D.
Meanwhile, lower handicappers should go with the Max LS or the Max LS Triple Diamond. Both of these drivers are designed to help elite players shape the ball both ways to improve overall driving performance.
