The Callaway Rogue driver represents a significant evolution in driver technology, building upon the success of the Epic driver. It features Callaway's revolutionary Jailbreak Technology with hourglass-shaped titanium bars that are 25% lighter than previous versions, allowing for better energy transfer to the ball and increased ball speed. The Rogue has a larger, more forgiving 460cc head shape with a triangular design that's longer from front to back than the Epic, enhancing forgiveness and stability. It maintains a tall face that inspires confidence at the address.
What truly sets the Rogue apart is its incredible stability and forgiveness. It retains ball speed on mishits remarkably well and keeps drives in play consistently. While it doesn't have the sliding weight adjustment that the Epic offered, it still features an adjustable hosel for tweaking loft and lie angle. The driver comes with various stock shaft options including Aldila Quaranta and Synergy, and Project X EvenFlow and HZRDUS Yellow, ranging from 40 to 70 grams.
The Rogue combines a gloss black/carbon fiber head with eye-catching blue accents. Sound-wise, it produces a rock-solid "thwack" on center strikes, though mishits create a more hollow, metallic "crack" sound. Despite this audio feedback, the club feels remarkably stable regardless of where you hit it in the face.
I'm obsessed with the Callaway Rogue Driver. It's a game-changer. The performance and forgiveness are unmatched, and it's now a permanent fixture in my bag.
Key Features
As with the Epic, the Rogue also includes Jailbreak technology which improves ball speed by optimizing the performance of the head at impact. This is achieved through stiffening the connection between the crown and sole of the head of the club.
The X-Face technology in the Rogue is a Variable Face Thickness that strategically increases thickness in the middle and decreases it around the edges of the face of the club to resemble an x-shape. This results in faster ball speeds for off-center hits, complementing the Jailbreak feature.
Callaway collaborated again with Boeing on the aerodynamic Speed Step technology for the geometry of the head of the Rogue driver to optimize the aerodynamics of the leading edge, improving airflow and promoting faster swing speeds.
Callaway Rogue Drive
Indulge in the premium Callaway Rogue Draw Driver, where cutting-edge tech meets style.
Design and Technology
To get the most out of each drive, the Rogue’s design and technology is primarily targeted at getting faster ball speeds and faster swings. Jailbreak and X-Face VFT work together to promote faster ball speeds, even for off-center hits. The aerodynamic Speed Step design helps optimize the airflow around the leading edge of the club face, increasing the swing speed.
Jailbreak technology was introduced in 2017 for the GBB Epic. Callaway used vertical metal rods to connect the crown and sole of the head of the club. The effect is to make the body stiffer and allow the face to create higher ball speed by taking on higher loads. This same technology is present in the Rogue drivers, but has changed slightly. Now the rods are hourglass-shaped titanium rods that are 25% lighter and also make the X-Face VFT technology possible.
For X-Face VFT, Callaway strategically altered the thickness of the face of the head to improve forgiveness for off-center hits. Callaway analyzed simulated ball impacts at over 100 different locations on the face and adjusted the thickness at those points accordingly. The result helps the face to flex faster on off-center hits, which increases forgiveness allows for increased ball speed even when the ball is hit off-center.
Callaway first partnered with Boeing for the XR 16 driver. Engineers from both companies worked together to analyze the path of the club head on the downswing through impact, including acceleration points and clubhead rotation. Then they used Boeing’s advanced modeling software to optimize the air flow over the crown and reduce drag by utilizing a Speed Step trigger near the top edge of the face. The same Speed Step aerodynamic design is found in the Rogue and has been refined to be even more efficient and increase the club head speed.
On the Rogue, Callaway also utilizes their largest ever Triaxial Carbon Crown to further strengthen and reduce weight. The weight is redistributed to the perimeter to significantly improve the moment of inertia and forgiveness on the Rogue from the GBB Epic.
Callaway Rogue Drive
Indulge in the premium Callaway Rogue Draw Driver, where cutting-edge tech meets style.
Our Experience
The Callaway Rogue driver is an exceptional offering that delivers on its promises of increased forgiveness and stability. Its unique triangular shape and high MOI design provide an incredibly forgiving and stable feel at impact, even on mishits. The face height appears taller than typical drivers, inspiring confidence at address.
The sound and feel of the Rogue driver are truly impressive. While initial strikes may produce a hollow metallic sound, pure center strikes result in a powerful, rock-solid "thwack" that feels like it could tear through the net. Remarkably, the driver is so stable that off-center hits feel indistinguishable from pure strikes through your hands.
In terms of performance, the Rogue driver excels in forgiveness and stability, retaining impressive ball speeds even on mishits. It keeps every drive in play, producing a consistent draw bias with tight dispersion. The adjustable hosel allows you to tweak loft and lie angle, but you cannot adjust the center of gravity.
Callaway offers a variety of premium stock shaft options, including the Aldila Quaranta, Synergy, Project X EvenFlow, and HZRDUS Yellow, catering to different weight preferences. Working with a fitter is recommended to find the optimal shaft for your swing.
Overall, the Callaway Rogue driver surpasses expectations, delivering exceptional forgiveness, stability, and distance retention on mishits, making it a standout choice for golfers of all skill levels.
Is the Callaway Rogue Driver Worth It?
Absolutely, while the Callaway Rogue Driver is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:
Pros:
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Draw Bias: Helps golfers with a slice by promoting a right-to-left ball flight.
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Advanced Technology: Features Jailbreak and A.I.-designed Flash Face for increased ball speed.
- Forgiveness: Offers superior forgiveness on off-center hits.
Cons:
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Draw Bias Overpowering: This may be too pronounced for some golfers.
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Adjustment Period: Requires time to adjust if switching from a different driver.
- Sweet Spot Location: Draw-biased drivers have a sweet spot toward the heel, which can affect toe strikers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Specific Loft and Weight Options Available for the Callaway Golf 2020 Rogue Driver?
I can choose from various loft and weight options for the Callaway Golf 2020 Rogue Driver, allowing for customization. The driver also features Speed Step technology for improved airflow and faster head speed, with accessories included.
Can the Callaway Golf 2020 Rogue Driver Be Customized to Fit an Individual Golfer’s Swing and Preferences?
I’d say, the Callaway Golf 2020 Rogue Driver offers a range of customization options for individual golfer’s preferences. This results in enhanced performance benefits, such as improved distance and forgiveness, making it a top choice for golfers.
How Does the Speed Step Technology, Developed by Boeing and Callaway, Contribute to Improved Airflow and Faster Head Speed?
The Speed Step Technology, developed by Boeing and Callaway, enhances airflow, increasing head speed. With improved aerodynamics, the driver reduces drag, allowing for faster clubhead velocity, contributing to longer and more powerful drives.
Are There Any Additional Accessories or Tools Included With the Purchase of the Callaway Golf 2020 Rogue Driver?
Yes, the purchase of the Callaway Golf 2020 Rogue Driver includes additional accessories and tools. It came perfectly packaged, with a tool and head cover. The inclusion of these extras was a pleasant surprise.
What Are the Specific Differences and Improvements Between the 2018 and 2020 Models of the Callaway Golf Rogue Driver?
The differences and improvements between the 2018 and 2020 Callaway Golf Rogue drivers lie in enhanced technology, performance, and customization options. The 2020 model boasts updated features, providing better overall performance and more customizable options for golfers.
Conclusion
Callaway builds on the smashing success of the GBB Epic to create an even better driver – the new Rogue. The Rogue uses an improved Jailbreak technology with carefully engineered X-Face VFT to increase ball speed and forgiveness. Callaway also aerodynamically designed the Rogue driver to improve head speeds by optimizing the air flow and reducing drag.
The result is a driver that avoids a complete redesign of the highly acclaimed GBB Epic, and instead improves upon what made that driver so good. The Rogue is an excellent choice for any golfer, but mid to high handicap golfers will find the most benefit with increased forgiveness and ball speeds.
Paul Liberatore
As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry.
