This is Golfer Geeks’ review of the Callaway Rogue ST Max driver.
I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
I tested the Rogue ST Max during 4 range sessions and one round of golf. Three were dedicated to just driver testing and I hit driver intermittently for the fourth session. I’m not exactly a great driver, so it takes a bit for me to pile up good shots.
Summary: The Rogue ST Max driver looks and plays like a premium driver. It’s long and forgiving – as you would expect. I hit a ton of long draws with my good swings and a bunch of pushes and a few slices with my bad swings. Most importantly, it kept my marginal swings in play.
In this Callaway Rogue ST Max driver review, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, as well as customer reviews and potential alternatives.
New & Used Clubs Available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Long & Forgiving
- Premium Looks
- Great Sound & Feel
- Expensive
- Not a big improvement over Epic Max
Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver Overview
Callaway bills the Rogue ST Max as their fastest, most stable driver ever. Emphasis on “stable.” It’s designed to give you tighter shot dispersion without giving up distance. I found this to be the case. It’s as long as any driver I’ve tested this year and I had waaaay more playable misses.
Why Consider the Rogue ST Max driver
The Rogue ST Max driver made a decent driver out of me. I do not drive consistently well and too many of my rounds get wrecked because of it. I drove as long as I have in years with it and kept a lot more drives playable. Consider trying out the Rogue ST Max if long and playable appeal to you.
Features & Benefits
1) Tungsten Speed Cartridge
- 26 grams of tungsten are placed low and deep in the head to increase forgiveness thanks to a high MOI and increase speed on off-center hits.
2) Jailbreak Speed Frame
- Provides added stability for more speed across the face
3) A.I. Designed Flash Face
- Reduces spin and increases forgiveness.
- Launches the ball easier and and faster
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 is distributed elsewhere in the clubhead to increase forgiveness, improve launch, and give a slight draw bias.
Testing the Rogue ST Max Driver
Simple, warm up with 10 or 20 iron shots, then switch to driver. I switched out between the Rogue ST Max and the Epic Max for the 3 days of driver testing.
I hit every drive in front of my Swing Caddie launch monitor and I recorded all drives. I threw out severe mishits because they told me nothing about the Rogue ST Max’s performance.
I probably hit 45 or so drives during my testing.
My Experience with the Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver
The VERY first drive I hit with the Rogue was a playable pull and carried 265 yds with ball speed of 155 mph. (using range balls) I’ll take that all day long. The next two drives carried 264 yds with similar flight.
I hadn’t read much about the Rogue ST Max before I started testing. I would have realized it has a draw bias built in. I absolutely found that to be the case in my testing.
I find the Rogue surprisingly easy to hit (as a marginal driver of the golf ball).
Rogue ST Max | Carry Yards | Ball Speed | Swing Speed | Smash Factor |
---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 257.5 | 151 | 105 | 1.43 |
Day 2 | 244 | 148 | 103 | 1.43 |
Day 3 | 249 | 149 | 104 | 1.43 |
Review of the Callaway Rogue ST Max Driver
Looks: I give it a B+. 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 has copper colored accents. It sits nicely behind the ball at address and I feel confident looking down at it.
Sound/ Feel: A-. Reminds me of the Mavrik driver, but not quite as awesome. I dig… really dig a muted sound and feel.
Distance: A+. All you want
Forgiveness: A+. I don’t know how much more you could ask from a driver. (guess we’ll see next year)
Flight / Playability: A+. Medium-high to high launch and flight. Built in slight draw bias wants to keep my ball away from the junk on the right.
Customer Reviews
97% of buyers would recommend the Rogue ST Max to a friend. Sample comments on the club are from callawaygolf.com
- More stable on off-center hits
- Consistent
- Long
- Forgiving
- Helps with hitting a draw
- Longer on mishits
- Instills confidence
Who’s the Rogue ST Max driver for?
Low Handicap – (Yes) If you have higher swing speed and are fighting spin and want to flight the ball lower, you will want to check out the Rogue ST Max LS (low spin)
Mid Handicap – (Yes) Great choice for you
High Handicap – (Yes) Great choice for you too.
Potential Alternatives
Primary Rating:
5.0
|
Primary Rating:
5.0
|
Primary Rating:
5.0
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
Description: New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
Description: New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
Description: New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
- Excellent Distance & Forgiveness
- Great Sound & Feel
- Easy to hit
- Not the best looking
- Premium Pricing
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Excellent Distance & Forgiveness
- Great Sound & Feel
- Easy to hit
- Premium Pricing
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Excellent Distance & Forgiveness
- Awesome Sound & Feel
- Easy to hit
- Cheaper than last year, but still not cheap
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
Our Verdict
The Rogue ST Max driver is packed with forgiveness and distance… at a hefty premium price. Just like the competition.
If you struggle with consistency and could use help with distance, this is a driver worth trying.
My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of the Utry program at Global Golf. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out our Callaway Rogue ST Max driver review and let us know how they work for you.
New & Used Clubs Available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Long & Forgiving
- Premium Looks
- Great Sound & Feel
- Expensive
- Not a big improvement over Epic Max