Callaway Rogue ST Max Vs Epic Speed Driver Review & Comparison

Callaway Rogue ST Max Vs Epic Speed Driver Review & Comparison

The Callaway Epic drivers have been heralded for their breakthrough face construction and design elements. But it’s 2022 now. How does the Epic Speed hold up to the new Callaway Rogue ST Max driver?

Both the Callaway Epic Speed and the Callaway Rogue ST Max have similar technologies like the Flash Face design that we will get into shortly. The main question we wanted to answer in this comparison article though was, ‘has anything significantly changed in the time Callaway released the Epic Speed to now?’

The Callaway Rogue ST Max is the latest driver offering from Callaway so how does it compare to a tried and true model like the Epic Speed? One thing that is certain is that the Callaway Rogue ST Max is the more forgiving driver and it also comes in 4 different flavours to suit every golfers needs.

It should be noted that you will need a decent swing speed to get any kind of significant distance from the Epic Speed driver. It’s the only one in the Epic family that doesn’t have an adjustable rear weight too (the Epic Max has a 16 gram sliding weight and the Epic Max LS has a 13 gram sliding weight).

These are the starkest differences between these two Callaway drivers – drivers that really have more in common than they have differences. A lot of the same kinds of design elements are used in both these drivers so let’s start getting into the specific performance features of each.

Callaway Rogue ST Max Vs Epic Speed Overview

The Callaway Rogue ST Max would be the better choice for beginners and high handicappers.

Right from point of address, you can tell that the Callaway Rogue ST Max is the more forgiving driver. The head of the Rogue ST Max has a larger profile than the Epic Speed. The Epic Speed driver also bears the cyclone aero shape design.

It’s a pretty distinct head design and it’s meant to reduce drag. Even for some of our lower handicap testers, the shape of the Epic Speed’s head took some getting used to. But after a few swings they were getting drive distances of about 230 yards.

This was pretty impressive overall but our higher handicap testers were only getting an average of 201 yards out of the Epic Speed whereas with the Callaway Rogue ST Max, their average drive distance waas 220 yards.

Quick Comparison – Key Facts

	Callaway Rogue ST Max	Callaway Epic Speed
Adjustable weight?	No	No
Key Technology	26 gram tungsten cartridge	Flash Face SS21
Lofts	9, 10.5, 12	9, 10.5, 12
Weight	D3	D2, D3, D4
Price	$550	$530
Overall Rating	93/100	94/100

Callaway Rogue ST Max Key Features

The Callaway Rogue ST Max driver features the updated Flash Face SS22 design.

The Flash Face design is unique in that as opposed to being thicker in the center of the face, it’s actually thinner. Callaway uses A.I. technology to sift through thousands of face architecture combinations to land on the one that is optimal for forgiveness and distance.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max also features an adjustable hosel and a jailbreak frame that help stiffen the head and increase stability. It also has the added benefit of giving a superb sound when you hit it clean. New for Callaway, the Callaway Rogue ST Max also has a titanium, low-weight chassis.

We can attest that the new chassis gives these drivers a very solid feel and doesn’t compromise the weight. And that’s a good thing since this driver needs all the weight savings it can get thanks to the massive 26 gram tungsten cartridge.

This cartridge is placed so that it gives the driver an ever so slight draw bias. Again, very good for players who are struggling against a slice.

Callaway Epic Speed Key Features

The Epic Speed has a very unique head design with a flat crown that’s supposed to increase club head speed.

In reality though, only the testers in our group with swing speeds over 100MPH were seeing any increases in club head speed. For them, the Epic Speed was great. For our other testers, not so much.

The SS21, made from stainless steel, was also almost identical to the SS22 face of the Callaway Rogue ST Max driver in terms of feel. Like the Callaway Rogue ST Max, the Epic Speed also features a partially carbon fiber crown to help keep weight down.

Similarities And Differences

These drivers have very similar faces in terms of feel.

Not much has changed from the SS21 Flash Face. The feel of the Callaway Rogue ST Max is almost identical to that of the Epic Speed. However, the Callaway Rogue ST Max driver has a lower CG and produces higher-arcing drives.

Callaway Rogue ST Max Options

• Mitsubishi Tensei AV Blue graphite shaft
• Project X Cypher Black graphite shaft
• Mitsubishi Tensei AV White graphite shaft
• Light, regular, stiff and extra stiff flex

Callaway Epic Speed Options

• Project X Cypher graphite shaft
• Project X HZRDUS Smoke IM10 graphite shaft
• Light, regular and stiff flex

Who is Each Driver for?

Either of these drivers would be good for anyone trying to correct a slice.

However, the Callaway Rogue ST Max would be the better choice if you are also trying to break out of high handicap territory. It’s more forgiving and better if you have a sub-average swing speed.

Performance Comparison

We liked the lower, penetrating trajectory of the Epic Speed driver.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max has a broader face so it will be more congenial for beginners and high handicappers. But low handicappers will like the increased workability of the Epic Speed driver.

Price Comparison

The Callaway Epic Speed driver is only slightly cheaper than the Callaway Rogue ST Max at $530. The newer Callaway Rogue ST Max will cost you $550.

Callaway Rogue ST Max Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Very low CG
• Very forgiving
• High-arcing shots
• Premium shaft options
• Good ball speed all around the face
• Looks great

Cons:

• A bit bulky
• Not much difference between it and the Epic Speed
• Expensive
• Not great for low handicappers

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Callaway Epic Speed Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Good ball speed on low-face strikes
• Feels stable at impact
• Relatively low spin rates
• Feels light
• Premium shaft options
• Adjustable hosel

Cons:

• Still expensive
• Not great for beginners
• Awkward head shape
• No adjustable weight

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Other Drivers to Consider

 

Callaway Big Bertha B21

The Big Bertha has a massive footprint and internal draw bias making it one of the most forgiving drivers on the market.

Pros:

• Plays long
• Great for high handicappers
• Surprisingly lightweight
• Extremely Straight

Cons:

• Hollow sound
• Not workable at all

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Cobra Radspeed

The Radspeed produces almost no spin off the tee. But while it plays long, you will still need an accurate and powerful drive to get the best use out of it.

Pros:

• Split radial weighting
• Milled face
• Adjustable weights

Cons:

• Not very forgiving
• A bit pricey

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Taylormade SIM2

The SIM2 driver is on par with the Callaway Rogue ST Max in terms of forgiveness. It’s also great for producing straight shots.

Pros:

• Very high MOI
• 16g extreme rear weight
• Twist Face technology

Cons:

• A bit heavy
• Low launch

Overall Score: 93/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Final Assessment

In the end, there just isn’t enough of a difference between these two drivers.

So what has changed from the Epic Speed to the Callaway Rogue ST Max driver? Not enough to turn any heads. The Callaway Rogue ST Max is plenty forgiving but the technology and features are just too similar to the Epic Speed for our liking.

Still, the Callaway Rogue ST Max would be the better choice if you’re looking for max forgiveness.