Callaway Rogue X Irons Review
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What we say...
The new Callaway Rogue X Irons are seeking high launch with added distance, and we proved they are an all-out assault on distance
The new Rogue X golf Irons embody the Rogue philosophy to break away from established protocols to develop new ways to extract maximum performance from a golf club.
Callaway say these irons “feature a premium multi-material construction to combine new technologies with advancements to our industry-leading technologies that have helped us become the #1 Iron Brand in Golf.”
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By combining our revolutionary 360 Face Cup and VFT with lighter weights, longer lengths and stronger lofts, they’ve created a groundbreaking new iron that’s fully geared to max out distance.
Rogue X are an all-out assault on distance. The lofts are strong, the shafts are longer and they’re lighter than the standard iron. The 7-iron is 27°, which is only half-a- degree from a 6-iron in other brands.
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Callaway says the lighter, stronger, longer trend has spread over from Japan, so Rogue X are specifically designed to perform at average and above-average swing speeds. They’re unashamedly aimed at golfers who just want more iron distance… so lots of us.
By placing key performance ingredients into an oversized Rogue X head with a longer blade and wider sole (pushing CG deeper and further back from the face), and coupling this to lighter shafts with stronger lofts, design experts have unlocked incredible ball speed and distance capabilities.
REVIEWED: Longest 2018 irons Click here
Callaway Rogue X Irons: You need to know
Callaway say Rogue X are an all-out assault on distance. Their lofts are unashamedly strong, the shafts are longer and they’re lighter than the standard Rogue iron. The 7 iron is 27 deg which is only 0.5deg from being a 6 iron in a set of Ping G400s. Callaway say the lighter, stronger, longer trend has spread from Japan, so Rogue X are specifically designed to perform at average and above swing speeds. Callaway insist they’re not for everyone but are essentially aimed at golfers who like and/or want distance, and let’s face it most golfers don’t often have too much of it.
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Callaway Rogue X Irons: We say
Callaway reckon Rogue X are an all-out assault on distance, and our data completely supports their claim, we tested it in our longest irons of 2018 test and it proved to be a worthy long distance winner. Plenty will argue the seven-iron (thanks to a strong loft) was almost a six iron, but ‘loft-jacking’ is a game Callaway didn’t start. If you need validation of the X’s credentials in the hands of average golfers, it was the flat out longest iron we hit for all three testers. Even at Simon’s average swing speed Rogue X went 8 yards further than the next longest iron on test.
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To see all 2018 Top Gear irons ranked by forgiveness Click here
Callaway Rogue X Irons: Verdict
An all-out assault on distance. Their lighter, stronger, longer design philosophy ensures every detail is set up to make them the most powerful iron available (they’re our longest 2019 model – see page 108). You have to realise they’re not for everyone, and especially not those who struggle to launch irons high enough to maximise carry. If, though, you don’t have di culty ighting shots from the turf and want to rinse every last yard from your swing, they are a revelation.
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Callaway Rogue X Irons: Key Features
360 Face Cup and VFT
Rogue X Irons combine our renowned 360 Face Cup Technology with Variable Face Thickness (VFT) Technology to dramatically expand the portion of the face that delivers fast ball speed. Face Cup employs a shallow, flexible rim around the perimeter of the face that flexes and releases at impact to increase ball speed. VFT also influences how the face itself flexes to promote more ball speed on off-centre hits. The combination of these two technologies promotes ball speed and distance.
Tungsten Weighting for Optimal Flight and Control
Tungsten Weighting allows us to position the CG in each of the long irons with extraordinary precision, promoting optimum launch and control at each individual loft. The tungsten, twice as heavy as steel, concentrates significant weight into a small space in the form of an intricately shaped part, which is key to precisely controlling CG location.
Urethane Microspheres for Phenomenal Sound and Feel
The upside of a thin clubface is faster ball speed and more distance, the downside is excessive vibration that generates an unpleasant sound and feel. Urethane can be used to dampen vibration to improve sound and feel, but it can also greatly reduce the face’s ability to flex, lowering COR and ball speed. Our elastic-urethane microspheres provide the sound and feel benefits of urethane without compromising COR or ball speed.
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A Total Distance Overhaul
Lighter, longer, stronger: Compared to Rogue Standard, Rogue X is lighter in weight and longer in length, with stronger lofts. Wide sole pulls the CG low and deep for easy, high launch and long carry. Add 360 Face Cup and VFT for more average ball speed and you have an iron designed for a total distance overhaul.
Callaway’s Senior Vice President of R&D Alan Hocknell explains the technology in the Rogue irons. . .
Standing wave tech
By injection-moulding dense tungsten into intricate shapes, we positioned the centre of gravity carefully and individually for each Rogue iron. The tech also helps control impact vibration, improving feel and sound and giving an optimum launch to each set.
Seven yards further
Our testing saw a seven-yard increase for Rogue X irons over the standard iron. The distance gain is consistent throughout the set, and it’s very noticeable.
Thin, faster faces
The Rogue’s Face Cup employs a shallow,flexible rim around the perimeter that flexes and releases at impact to increase ball speed. Variable Face Thickness (VFT) technology dramatically expands the portion of the face that delivers fast ball speed, giving you more distance on off-centre hits.
