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Callaway Rogue Hybrid Review

April 2018
callaway-rogue-hybrid-review

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.

Pros

  • Very solid feel for an all stainless steel clubhead. This can be further dampened by adding hotmelt into the port in the side of the clubhead.
  • Produces a high and consistently straight launch with a hint of workability should you need it.
  • Very little dispersion in distance and accuracy on mishits thanks to the Jailbreak Technology.
  • Available in many different lofts to either replace higher lofted fairway woods or your long irons.

Cons

  • Quite a large and chunky clubhead that can be distracting for better players.
  • No loft adjustability in the hosel.
  • Produces a very high launch that can be held in the wind.
  • An expensive fairway wood considering there is no adjustability and the clubhead is entirely stainless steel.

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

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.

About the author  Jason Mylroie

Been hooked on golf since I was 12 and lived on a golf estate while at school. Began to work in Golf Industry during university and spent a year on the Sunshine Tour as a media operator. Subsequently became deputy editor of Compleat Golfer in South Africa for 5 years, specializing in equipment and travel reviews. After that I became a consultant to a major golf chain, testing and reviewing all equipment. Also a Callaway custom fitter and play off a 2 handicap when actually getting the chance to play!

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