Along with the highly popular and successful Rogue drivers and fairway woods for 2018, Callaway has also launched the Rogue hybrids that include the regular version and the Rogue X. And once again the brand has managed to incorporate Jailbreak Technology into yet another category of golf club with great results too.
For the sake of clarity this review is only about the regular Rogue hybrid and not of the Rogue X. The regular Rogue hybrid is slightly smaller in clubhead size, features different loft options and offers more spin for increased control. The Rogue X hybrid is built for distance and therefore spins less and launches slightly higher.
Callaway Rogue Hybrid
Our Assessment
The easiest way to assess the Rogue hybrid is to compare it to its predecessor the GBB Epic hybrid and in this instance it’s quite difficult to do this due to so many differences in the construction of the Rogue versus the Epic hybrid.
Having said this the Rogue is definitely an easier to hit hybrid and offers more distance and forgiveness thanks to the many differences in design and construction. It is suited to mid to low handicappers, but the better golfer looking for more control and workability will be more suited to the GBB Epic, especially since it is adjustable and therefore has the ability to serve as more than just one club.
The Rogue hybrid is basically an entirely new beast in the Callaway line-up and is stated to be the longest and most forgiving hybrid to date produced by the brand. Having tested this against the GBB Epic it is safe to say that the claims are true. This is thanks to a thinner Face Cup design and the addition of Jailbreak Technology, which is finally available in a hybrid.
The two rods that connect the crown to the sole behind the face reduce the contorting effect of the clubhead at impact on mishits creating more stability and allowing the face to be thinner overall. Essentially this increases the size of the sweetspot as the area around the face is more rigid.
When all elements combine in the design of the Rogue hybrid you get a high launch, reasonably high spin and plenty of ball-speed to produce consistently longer shots.
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Pros
Cons
Key Facts
Features | Details |
|---|---|
Launch RRP | $250.00 |
Gender | Mens & Women's |
Handicap Range | Low to High |
Hand Availability | Right & Left |
Swing Weight | Men’s – D2, Women’s – C4 |
Lofts | 17° (men’s only), 19° (men’s only), 21°, 24°, 27° (right hand only for men), 30° (women’s only RH), 33° (women’s only RH), 36° (women’s only RH) |
Length | Men’s – 39-41”, Women’s – 37-39.5” |
Shaft Type and Name | Aldila Quaranta Women’s 40, Aldila Synergy 60 HYB |
Manufacturer's Website |
Official Video
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Callaway Rogue Hybrid Detailed Review
Design & Appearance
As mentioned a few times before the clubhead of the Rogue hybrid is slightly larger, however the aerodynamic curves and the less obvious Speed Step on the crown help to give the clubhead a relatively compact appearance at address behind the ball.
This less obvious speed step and lack of visible carbon weave on the crown is much less distracting too.
The Rogue hybrid sits very square, almost closed at address and the dark face helps to hide the loft very well.
And despite being an all steel construction the sound and feel is still relatively dull but solid and definitely not as high pitched as the Steelhead XR hybrid.
Build Quality
The entire Rogue hybrid clubhead is made from high-strength stainless steel, a change from the carbon crown found on the GBB Epic hybrid.
Callaway was able to make this change by removing the adjustable hosel system, which moved weight away from the clubhead. With an all stainless steel clubhead this weight is shifted to the sole more effectively and allows for the slightly heavier crown.
This all stainless steel clubhead is also more rigid and therefore allowed for the addition of the Jailbreak Technology in such a small clubhead. The results of this is well documented in the popularity and success of the Rogue drivers and fairway woods that also feature this revolutionary technology.
And in the Rogue hybrid it certainly shows an improvement in performance too.
Control & Performance
The clubhead of the Rogue hybrid is slightly larger than its predecessor the GBB Epic and this would make one think that it is then less workable and more forgiving. And this is the case, although it still offers some workability for the better player.
The big difference comes in the launch and spin that the Rogue produces and despite this being higher than the GBB Epic it carries further on average and therefore produces longer shots.
The added spin works perfectly with the increased forgiveness from the larger clubhead and Jailbreak Technology to produce a consistently straighter ballflight that works really well when attacking greens from further out, as you can be more confident in your accuracy knowing the ball will land soft and hold the green more often.
Value for Money
Much like the Rogue fairway woods the hybrids are quite pricey. As a club that you buy individually to replace either higher lofted fairway woods or long irons it can be quite a chunk of change used up, but if you are looking for more distance and forgiveness in an easier to hit package you can’t go wrong with the Rogue hybrids.