New for Callaway in 2018 is the Rogue family of drivers and they are already attracting a lot of attention. 2017’s Callaway’s GBB Epic was hugely successful and the Rogue is the next evolution in Callaway drivers that builds on that success. The GBB Epic has been a proven and successful driver. According to Callaway, it is the #1 selling driver in the US. In fact, in a GolfWRX Members’ Choice poll the GBB Epic Sub Zero version and GBB Epic standard version were chosen as the #1 and #2 drivers for 2017.
Likely due to this success, Callaway decided not to go for a radical redesign for the new Rogue drivers. Two of the critical features of the Rogue, Jailbreak and Variable Face Thickness (VFT) technologies, were used by Callaway before; however, they really worked on tweaking them in the Rogue Driver to get them to work together providing even greater ball speed and distance . Jailbreak technology in the Rogue uses titanium rods in an hourglass shape rather than the vertical rods found in the GBB Epic. This increased the stiffness and improved the weight by 25%. The new VFT feature, X-Face, strategically varies the thickness of the face of the driver in the center and perimeter to improve forgiveness for off-center hits and increase ball speed for longer drives.
Golf Digest justifiably chose the Rogue as one of its 2018 Hot List Gold Medal winners. The Rogue improves on the GBB Epic to provide even faster ball speed and more forgiveness. These performance features make this driver ideal for golfers who have mid to high handicaps and are looking for more ball speed off of the tee .
The Rogue Driver comes in 3 versions – the Rogue, the Rogue Draw, and the Rogue Sub-Zero. The Rogue is the standard version. The Draw differs from the standard by including an additional weight in the heel that adjusts the center of gravity and creates a draw bias to combat slices . The Sub-Zero has the same features but in a smaller form and with interchangeable weights to create lower spin and more forgiveness. The Sub-Zero is aimed more at the low handicap golfer and tour pros, but many average golfers also prefer it.
To learn more about the Rogue family lineup, we have performed a comprehensive review on each of the various versions, including the Rogue Driver , Rogue Draw Driver , and the Rogue Sub Zero Driver . Please take a look and let us know what you think about these amazing clubs
Key Features
The Rogue Sub-Zero includes GBB Epic’s Jailbreak technology for increased ball speed. Jailbreak optimizes performance of the head at impact by stiffening the connection between the crown and sole of the head of the club with improved hourglass-shaped titanium rods to improve energy transfer to the ball.
X-Face VFT strategically varies the thickness at over 100 points across the face to resemble an x-shape, with the thickest part in the center and reduced thickness around the outside. This feature promotes faster ball speeds on off-center hits and is complemented by the Jailbreak technology.
Callaway and Boeing again collaborated on the aerodynamic Speed Step technology for the geometry of the head of the Rogue Sub-Zero driver. They optimized the aerodynamics of the leading edge to help with faster swing speeds.
Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver
Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver delivers low-spin power with extreme forgiveness and explosive distance.
Design and Technology
Callaway wanted to get the most out of golfers’ drives by focusing on faster ball speed and faster swing speed when designing the Rogue Sub-Zero. The combination of Jailbreak and X-Face VFT stimulate faster ball speeds for both on and off-center strikes. The aerodynamic Speed Step design increases the swing speed by optimizing airflow around the leading edge of the club face. For low handicap and consistent golfers, the Rogue Sub-Zero comes with interchangeable weights to customize spin rate and launch angle for each unique golfer.
Callaway first introduced Jailbreak technology with the GBB Epic in 2017. The Epic used vertical metal rods to connect the crown and sole of the head of the club to stiffen the connection allowing the face to take on higher loads, leading to higher ball speeds. Callaway went with titanium hourglass-shaped rods in the Rogue which provides increased strength, 25% less weight, and makes X-Face VFT technology possible.
Callaway’s X-Face VFT tactically alters the face thickness across various point on the club face to improve forgiveness for off-center hits. Callaway analyzed ball simulated ball impacts at over 100 locations on the face to calculate the necessary thickness at those points for straighter drives. With X-Face VFT, the club face flexes faster on off-center hits. This increases forgiveness when the ball is struck off-center and promotes faster ball speeds.
In 2016, Callaway first partnered with Boeing for the aerodynamic design of the XR 16 driver. The collaboration focused on the club head’s path during downswing and through the ball impact. They also analyzed various acceleration points in the downswing and clubhead’s rotation. Boeing’s advanced modeling software was used to optimize air flow over the crown and reduce drag. The solution they came up with was a Speed Step trigger near the top edge of the face. The Rogue family uses a refined version of that same Speed Step design. The new Speed Step is more efficient and further increases club head speed. On the Rogue, Callaway also incorporates their Triaxial Carbon Crown to add strength while reducing weight. The weight is redistributed around the perimeter, significantly improving the moment of inertia and forgiveness.
Unlike the Rogue and Rogue Draw, the Rogue Sub-Zero has a smaller form factor and includes two interchangeable weights to help golfers tailor the spin rate and launch angle to their unique strengths and weakness. The 2g and 14g weights can either be positioned with the 14g up front for the lowest spin, or near the back to improve forgiveness by increasing the moment of inertia and launch angle. The lowest spin setting reduces spin for the Rogue Sub-Zero by about 200 rpm, which is also about 300 rpm less than for the standard Rogue and the Epic Sub-Zero.
Our Experience
The Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver is a standout for those seeking low spin and high performance. During our testing, we observed that this driver delivers exceptionally low spin rates, which is ideal for players who naturally generate high spin. With the weight positioned in the back, we noticed a significant increase in forgiveness without sacrificing distance. This setting also provided a more stable and balanced feel during the swing, which is beneficial for maintaining control and consistency.
When we shifted the weight forward, the spin rates dropped even further, which resulted in some incredibly long drives. However, this setting also made the driverless forgiving, and the mishits were more noticeable. This configuration is best suited for highly skilled players who can consistently strike the ball well.
The sound of the Rogue Sub Zero is slightly muted compared to the standard Rogue, producing a solid "crack" at impact that is satisfying without being overly loud. The feel of the club changes noticeably with weight adjustments. With the weight back, it feels similar to the standard Rogue, providing a familiar and comfortable sensation. Moving the weight forward, however, requires an adjustment period as the club feels less stable on off-center hits.
Visually, the Rogue Sub Zero is stunning. The gloss black and carbon fiber crown, combined with the unique blue accents, make it one of the most aesthetically pleasing drivers on the market. The head shape is more compact and rounded, which should appeal to better players who prefer a traditional look at address.
Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver
Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver delivers low-spin power with extreme forgiveness and explosive distance.
Is the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver Worth It?
Absolutely, while the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:
Pros:
Low Spin and High Distance: Ideal for players seeking low spin and maximum distance.
Adjustable Weights: Allows customization of spin and launch conditions.
Forgiving Design: High MOI for better stability and forgiveness.
Cons:
Less Forgiving with Forward Weight: Reduces forgiveness when the heavier weight is positioned forward.
Higher Skill Requirement: Best suited for experienced golfers with faster swing speeds.
Limited Spin Control for Beginners: May not be ideal for those struggling with high spin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary design focus of the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver?
The Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver is designed to deliver extremely low spin while maintaining high forgiveness and ease of use, making it suitable for both Tour professionals and amateur golfers seeking lower spin.
What technology does the Rogue Sub Zero use to enhance performance?
The Rogue Sub Zero features improved Jailbreak Technology with hourglass-shaped titanium bars, X-Face VFT for faster ball speed across a larger part of the face, and a triaxial carbon composite crown for increased MOI and reduced spin.
How does the weight distribution system work in the Rogue Sub Zero?
The driver includes two interchangeable weights (typically 2g and 14g) that can be positioned in the front or back of the sole to adjust spin rate and launch angle. Placing the heavier weight forward reduces spin, while placing it in the back increases spin and launch.
What benefits does the triaxial carbon composite crown provide?
The triaxial carbon composite crown is both light and strong, allowing weight to be redistributed to the perimeter of the head, which increases MOI and helps position the CG for lower spin and higher launch.
Is the Rogue Sub Zero suitable for golfers with slower swing speeds?
While the Rogue Sub Zero is designed for lower spin, it is generally more beneficial for golfers with higher swing speeds (over 100 mph) who need to reduce spin. Golfers with slower swing speeds might find it less forgiving on off-center hits.
Conclusion
The Rogue Sub-Zero is getting a lot of excitement as the follow up tour-level driver for the hugely successful Epic Sub-Zero. The Rogue Sub-Zero builds on the proven successes of the Epic to provide faster ball speeds, faster swings, and adjustability in a slightly smaller form factor from the rest of the Rogue family. The Rogue Sub-Zero includes advanced Jailbreak technology with carefully engineered X-Face VFT to increase ball speed and forgiveness. The aerodynamic design of the Rogue Sub-Zero driver also improves head speeds by optimizing air flow and reducing drag. The adjustable weights further allow golfers to tailor the spin and launch to their individual game. The Rogue Sub-Zero improves upon what made the Epic Sub-Zero driver so good and rather than attempt a complete redesign of the highly acclaimed driver, Callaway was able to make advances in proven technologies. The Rogue Sub-Zero is likely best for lower handicap consistent amateurs and pros, but even average golfers looking for lower spin and longer drives are already hot for the Sub-Zero.
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.
