Callaway Rogue: An Epic Evolution

On January 27, 2017, Callaway released the Epic series drivers and, in sum, the standard Epic and Epic Sub Zero (the low-spin model) were both epic.  In fact, a majority of golfers saw ball speeds increase more than 3 MPH, all thanks to Jailbreak technology—two titanium rods that were positioned just behind the club face and connected the crown and sole together.

And barely even 2 weeks after TaylorMade’s M3/M4 series launch, Callaway has released a brand new product to help ensure it stays the #1 driver in 2018: the Rogue drivers and fairways.  And on that note, here are some of the Rogue series’ more noteworthy features:

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3 Driver Models

Ping’s engineers should be flattered because Callaway is releasing three different models, distinguished by their strategically placed weighting: (1) the standard Rogue; (2) Rogue Sub Zero; and (3) Rogue Draw.

Contrary to the standard Epic, the standard Rogue does not have an adjustable weight on a sliding track.  In fact, the only adjustable feature on the standard Rogue is loft on the OptiFit hosel.

With respect to the Rogue Sub Zero, it’s still intended for the golfer who wants lower spin (between 300-400 RPMs less than the standard Rogue) and, just like the Epic Sub Zero, the Rogue SZ has two weight ports that can be switched from high forgiveness/slightly higher spin to less forgiveness/lower spin (~200 RPMs lower).

And finally, the Rogue Draw, which is purposefully built to help the chronic slicer keep his ball off the neighboring fairway.  The tradeoff here is that the Rogue Draw is the least forgiving driver in the group, but it should help keep the ball on the intended fairway and, by reducing side spin, help maintain distance.

Increased Forgiveness: Redesigned Jailbreak in the Drivers, Along with Boeing Aerodynamics & More Carbon

Like mentioned above, the first-gen Jailbreak was a revolutionary design.  By using two titanium bars to connect the crown and sole of the club head, Callaway was able to drastically increase the amount of energy transferred into the golf ball by reducing the amount of crown and sole deflection at impact.

But if there was one downside to Jailbreak is that it shifted weight, and consequently the center-of-gravity, towards the front of the club.  As a result, this reduced the club’s forgiveness.

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So how do you increase the Epic’s forgiveness without sacrificing Jailbreak?  Simple, just redesign the Jailbreak rods.

Instead of cylinder-shaped rods, the Rogue drivers have hourglass shaped bars which are considerably lighter and, therefore, result in a more rearward distribution of weight.  Combine that with a lot more carbon (i.e., the most ever in a Callaway club head), and the Rogue is one of the most forgiving drivers on the market with approximately 16% more MOI than the Epic.

Ironically, Rogue also borrows some features from the XR series: Boeing aerodynamics.

Although Boeing’s influence is more subtle this time around, combining it with the additional lightweight carbon should help generate almost an additional 1 MPH in swing speed.  While 1 MPH isn’t brag worthy, every bit helps (remember, 1 MPH basically translates into 2 yards).

Fairway Woods with Jailbreak

The people are getting exactly what they’ve been wanting: Jailbreak in fairway woods.  Golfers will have to choose between the standard Rogue FW (available in eight different lofts: 13.5, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 25°) and Rogue Sub Zero FW (available in 13.5, 15, and 18°).

The reason why I mention the lofts is because the Rogue Fairway Woods do not have adjustable hosels.  As a result, this drastically increased the forgiveness of both the fairway woods and the decision between the two comes down to what kind of shots you’re looking to hit: the standard for higher spin/higher trajectory or the Sub Zero for low spin/lower trajectory (and as a result, more distance).

In further contrast to the Rogue Drivers, the Jailbreak Rods in the Rogue Fairway Woods are made with steel and still in the cylinder shape, instead of titanium and hourglass-shaped.

In closing, the Rogue series looks like a great follow-up to the Epic and demonstrates a clear evolution in Callaway’s tech.  Although I’ve had the opportunity to hit the Epic and Epic SZ and now look forward to comparing it against the Rogue drivers, I’m particularly excited about hitting the Rogue fairway woods.

But on a separate note, it’s worth noting the industry shift signaled by the Rogue series, TaylorMade’s M3/M4 series, Ping’s G400s, and Cobra F8: the driver/fairway wood game isn’t strictly about distance anymore.  And that’s probably because finding a way to generate more distance is going to become more and more difficult going forward and require some very out-of-the-box thinking (e.g., Jailbreak technology and milled driver faces).

Instead, I predict that the big focus going forward will be forgiveness and shot assistance (e.g., Twist Face technology and strategically placed weighting).  And that’s fine.  God knows I’d rather hit it 270 yards onto the fairway I’m playing instead of hitting it 350 yards and two holes over.

Cover Image via Instagram