Callaway Rogue ST Max D Driver Review

This is Golfer Geeks’ Callaway Rogue ST Max D driver review.

Summary: The Rogue ST Max D has stellar forgiveness, distance, sound & feel, and looks. I normally play a draw and my good swings produced a nice gentle draw or straight drive down the fairway. My marginal swings still went and gave me good looks at the green. Exactly what I want out of a driver. 

In this review of the Callaway Rogue ST Max D driver, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, as well as customer reviews and potential alternatives. 

About Me

• Average score: 85.9
• Handicap: 8.3
• Reviewing Clubs Since: 2015
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
• Typical ball flight: Mid-High Tight Draw
• Golf ball used: TP5x, TP5, ProV1x, ProV1
• Club swing speed: 104 mph

Club Tested

• Model: 2022 Callaway Rogue ST Max D
• Loft setting: 10.5 Degree
• Shaft type: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue 65
• Shaft flex: Stiff flex

How I Tested

I tested the Rogue ST Max D during 1 range session and 3 rounds of golf over the course of 2 weeks in July of 2022.

My swing was not good until the third round on the course. As soon as my swing straightened out a little, the Max D sang for me and I fell in love.

Average Launch Monitor Numbers

Launch Monitor Data	Carry Yards	Ball Speed	Swing Speed	Smash Factor
Rogue ST Max D	252	148.6	104	1.43

Performance Review of the Rogue ST Max D Driver

Category	Grade
Looks	A
Sound/Feel	A
Distance	A
Forgiveness	A
Launch/Flight	A

Looks (A) I’m a fan of the mat black finish on the crown. The face graphics are fine, but nothing to write home about. The sole is reminiscent of the original rogue, but with copper-colored accents. It sits nicely behind the ball at address and I feel confident looking down at it. 

Sound/ Feel (A) Solid and muted at impact. Just the way I love it. It reminds me of the Mavrik driver, but it’s not quite as awesome. 

Distance (A) Plenty – It’s as long as you would expect over a large part of the face. You don’t need perfect impact. I sure didn’t. 

Forgiveness (A) Loads of it. It fought hard to keep my marginal swings in play and gave me a nice distance boost too. 

Flight / Accuracy (A) I hit high piercing draws once I got my swing back. My natural shape is a draw, so I expect to see one. I didn’t suffer from over hooking or too much draw at any point with decent swings.   

Callaway Rogue ST Max D Driver Overview

The Max D is made to promote a draw but is also made to be more forgiving than most draw-biased drivers. The face is hot and forgiving and it looks premium. Any average player would be happy to play this driver.

Why Consider the Rogue ST Max D Driver

It’s long, forgiving, premium-looking, and does much to move your slices closer to the fairway and back into play. Low handicaps – talking to you too. I’m one and the Max D performed well for me when I put any kind of decent swing on it. 

Rogue ST Max D Tech

1) Tungsten Speed Cartridge

Callaway placed 26 grams of tungsten low and deep in the head to increase forgiveness & MOI on mishits. Which I took complete advantage of for most of my testing (see a small portion of my range session in the video below).

My swing was off, and I never made solid center contact. Still, I carried the ball around 250 yards consistently.

2) Jailbreak Speed Frame

Provides added stability for more speed across the face.

Again, I took full advantage of this tech for most of my testing. And I really took advantage of it in the last round I played, where I nailed driver after drive.

3) A.I. Designed Flash Face

Reduces spin and increases forgiveness. Launches the ball easier and faster. I live with ball contact just off the center of the clubface toward the toe from wedge to driver.

And, that was exaggerated during my testing. No way I should be carrying the ball in the 250-yard range with an average smash factor of 1.43.

4) Precision Unibody Frame Construction

The frame is made of titanium and the crown and sole are proprietary Triaxial Carbon. The weight savings from using these materials are distributed elsewhere in the clubhead to increase forgiveness, improve launch, and give a slight draw bias.

5) Maximum Shot Shape Correction

Callaway built the Max D with high MOI (moment of inertia – stability), an upright lie, plus other stuff I don’t quite understand. All of which, deliver draw bias. 

I didn’t get to experience the shot shape correction the way Callaway describes it until my swing straightened out. I was hanging on for dear life before that.

But, when I did start to swing o.k., I hit drive after drive in the fairway or just off with a great shot into the green. This is all I ask for from a driver.

Testing the Rogue ST Max D Driver

The bulk of my testing for the Rogue ST Max D came on the course over 3 rounds. My 1 range session accomplished nothing. 

My Experience with the Callaway Rogue ST Max D Driver

My range session was garbage because my swing was ALL over the place. I would’ve made any driver look like poo poo.  

Looking at this video for the first time in over a year, I think every one of those drives is likely playable on most of the courses I play. I hit the driver very well in 2022 so I had high standards for my driving.

I ended up playing 3 rounds with the Rogue ST Max D for one reason…My first two rounds were TERRIBLE with a capital TERRIBLE. Not the driver – me. I was terrible.

So, I got to work on a couple of drills at home so I could re-locate (find) the slot. And, I found it. I murdered the ball in that third round. Long, high draws almost on repeat and beaucoup good looks at the green. 

Customer Reviews

91% of buyers would recommend the Rogue ST Max D to a friend. Two main comments from callawaygolf.com

• Helped their slice
• Was longer than whatever they were playing before

Who’s the Rogue ST Max D driver for?

I see any golfer who wants a little help hitting a consistent draw or fighting a slice playing this driver.

Low handicaps (Yes) Put your pride down for a second. Not all low handicaps are good drivers (ask me how I know). This driver is good anti-slice medicine and as long as you need. Always worth testing. 
Mid handicaps (Yes) See above
High handicaps (Yes) Make sure you test the regular Max version. It has more forgiveness than this one.

Potential Alternatives

Our Verdict

The Rogue ST Max D ended up being an excellent driver for me. It helped with all but my worst swings.

It needs to be on the list for any golfer who wants a forgiving driver, help with distance, and a little help fighting a slice.

My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it. 

Thanks for checking out our Callaway Rogue ST Max D driver review and let us know how they work for you.