Are you ready to go Rogue? 2018 introduces the all new Rogue family to the star-studded Callaway lineup of clubs. Just one year removed from changing driver clubhead design for good with the GBB Epic, Callaway is at it again, incorporating the next evolution of Jailbreak technology into ALL their woods and hybrids.
The Rogue driver comes in two head shapes and three versions. The standard Rogue and Rogue Draw versions have a confidence-inspiring oversized head shape while the Sub Zero version features a Tour-inspired head shape preferred by better players that is still loaded with forgiveness and designed for lower spin and better workability.
Callaway Rogue Driver
Club Tested: Rogue Driver & Rogue Draw Driver Shaft: Project X EvenFlow 60; Flex: Stiff; Loft: 9°
The Takeaway
Callaway gathered valuable real-world data from players using the GBB Epic driver and applied the findings to create the all-new, super-charged Callaway Rogue driver. Hourglass-shaped titanium bars achieve the same “Jailbreak Effect” as the Jailbreak bars in the Epic, but significantly reduce the weight of the bars without affecting their ability to minimize sole and crown deflection at impact.
There is quite a bit of forgiveness engineered into the Rogue driver. The enhanced X-Face architecture strategically thickens and thins out the face to promote higher ball speeds on off-center hits. With the help of Boeing engineers, Callaway redefined the leading-edge geometry to increase the Speed Step’s efficiency for better airflow and increased club head speeds. Finally, the ultra-light triaxial carbon crown allows more weight to be distributed into the head’s perimeter increasing MOI and stability on off-center hits.
Who’s It For?
Everyone should come and hit it! Players of all skill levels will benefit from the technologies in this driver. Better players looking for a bit more workability may want to check out the Rogue Sub Zero version, and players looking for help drawing the ball will want to give the Rogue Draw version a try.
Final Take
After a couple swings it was hard to find a fault with this driver. In terms of the shot results, I consistently produced a penetrating ball flight with excellent distance and a slight draw. On the day of testing I was hitting into a head wind and had no issue keeping up the ball speeds to easily carry the back net of the range over 235 yards away. If a power fade is more your thing, you’ll have no issue bombing cuts down the fairway. The Callaway Rogue driver has a lager footprint at address than the Epic driver and the forgiveness the Rogue produces off the heel and toe is uncanny. Well struck balls hit off-center still produced long distances and near optimal ball flights.
The Callaway Rogue driver has a wonderfully subtle, yet powerful look to it. The softer teal accents work really well with the triaxial carbon crown fade-in styling. Looking at the clubface head on it looks a bit busy with the scoring lines and the X-Face design, but I didn’t notice any clutter while the chevron on the crown helped align the ball at address. One challenge manufacturers face with carbon composite crowns on drivers is a more muted smack at impact, and the Callaway Rogue driver passes with flying colors.
Rogue Draw Version
The Callaway Rogue Draw driver features all the same technologies as the standard Rogue driver, but added weight in the heel moves the CG inward to combat slicing-spin and promote a draw ball flight.
Shop Callaway Rogue Driver Shop Callaway Rogue Draw Driver
Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver
Club Tested: Rogue Sub Zero Driver Shaft: Project X EvenFlow 60; Flex: Stiff; Loft: 9°
The Takeaway
The Callaway Rogue Sub Zero driver has the same technologies as the Callaway Rogue driver, but in a more compact head design designed to appeal to better players and Tour pros. Interchangeable 2g and 14g weights can modify the spin-rate by 200 rpm. Lower spin with the heavier weight in the forward position and with the heavier weight positioned to the rear increase forgiveness and promote higher launch and longer carry.
Who’s It For?
The Callaway Sub Zero driver is geared towards Tour pros and lower handicap amateurs, but the increased MOI and greater forgiveness makes this a good option for any player looking for lower spin and longer carry from their driver.
Final Take
The Callaway Rogue Sub Zero driver is as advertised, a more compact head engineered for the better player who produces consistent ball striking. Players will enjoy the workability of this driver as well as how much forgiveness is built in for off-center hits. I saw a penetrating ball flight with long carry from Rogue Sub Zero driver that was just a tad more driven than the standard Rogue driver. Once again, I had no problem peppering the back net at the range with each swing. The looks of the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero were a success, too. It features the same fade-in triaxial carbon crown, soft teal accents around the driver toe and trailing edge, but in a more preferred compact players shape.
Shop Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver
Keith Schneider
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1 Comment
Tested the Rogue driver at the range, the face is very hot. Great review!