TAYLORMADE STEALTH HD IRONS VS CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX IRONS COMPARISON AND REVIEW 2023
2022 saw the TaylorMade Stealth and Callaway Rogue ST irons range release.
In this post, I guide you through the features and performance of these irons to highlight which golfers they are better suited to.
The Stealth HD irons are a draw bias design, built to help high handicappers fight slices and produce straighter golf shots. Conversely, while still forgiving, the Callaway Rogue ST Max irons generate a neutral flight and slightly lower apex to perform for mid-handicap golfers.
CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX OVERVIEW
Launched in 2022, the Rogue ST Max carries a moderate club head profile and produces ample forgiveness and consistency.
In addition, it launches high but reaches a lower Apex than the Rogue ST Max OS and Rogue ST Max OS Lite.
Added to its launch and forgiveness, I found the Rogue ST Max delivered a superb feel. Its urethane microspheres dampened vibrations on off-center strikes. Moreover, its stable club head preserved velocity and optimized spin for a desirable launch, flight, and landing.
TAYLORMADE STEALTH HD OVERVIEW
The Stealth HD irons are one of two sets in the Stealth iron family and are geared toward high handicappers.
The HD stands for “High Draw” and symbolizes its intentions to fight slices and promote a straighter golf shot for less skilled players.
Compared to the standard Stealth and Rogue ST Max irons, the HD is chunky and carries a wider sole and oversized head shape. While it is not the prettiest-looking club, this spreads the weight around the perimeter of the club face to expand the sweet spot for increased forgiveness.
Besides its high draw and forgiving antics, the HD generates an effortless launch and improved peak apex for consistent carry distance.
OVERVIEW CONCLUSION
The Stealth HD irons are crafted for high-handicap golfers requiring assistance to hit straighter shots.
The draw bias profile combats mishits and promotes a straight flying ball for improved accuracy off the tee.
However, the Callaway Rogue ST Max irons are ideal for mid-handicappers seeking distance, feel, and spin without relinquishing leniency.
CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX IRONS FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Rogue ST Max are game improvement irons that feature a moderate profile and sole for a more attractive look and generate maximum distance.
In addition, these irons produce a mid-high launch, are consistent, and feel soft.
Although they are forgiving, they offer less than the Max OS or Max OS Lite editions, which a mid-handicap golfer can appreciate. Finally, it promotes a neutral flight path and produces clean turf interaction.
CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX KEY TECHNOLOGY
A.I. Designed Flash Face Cup
Callaway combined high-strength 450 steel with A.I. to identify common contact points on the clubface. This enabled the engineers to expand the active zone of the clubface to accelerate ball speed and optimize spin on all shots.
A.I. Face Optimization
Sticking with A.I., Callaway optimized the performance of the clubface across an expansive area for spin consistency. This proved effective when I struck the ball low off the clubface as the added spin and loft enabled ample airtime for desirable results.
Precision Tungsten Weighting
A 62-gram tungsten weight is inserted low and back in the clubhead to maximize stability. The added reinforcement helped me level the clubface at impact to maintain ball pace and consistent spin for a mid-to-high launch across the board.
Patented Urethane Microspheres
The patented microspheres provided excellent protection for my palms on off-center hits. Its genius design took one for the team and drowned shocks experienced on mishits to ensure a soft, pleasant feel.
Strong Lofts
Compared to other game-improvement iron sets, the Rogue ST Max lofts are strong. As a result, you should hit each club further than you usually would. However, that does not mean your distance has increased.
For example, the 9-iron is 36.5 degrees, equivalent to an 8-iron or weak 7-iron. Therefore, you may hit the 9-iron further than any of its peers, but you are striking an 8-iron in reality.
TAYLORMADE STEALTH HD IRONS FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The TaylorMade HD irons carry a draw bias profile, oversized clubhead, and broader sole, which screams forgiveness from every angle.
In addition, these irons launch high and fight slices to deliver consistency to the average high-handicap golfer.
After playing with the lower lofted Callaway Rogue ST Max irons, I welcomed the normality of the Stealth HD lofts.
TAYLORMADE STEALTH HD KEY TECHNOLOGY
Draw Bias
The most significant feature of the Stealth HD irons is their draw bias profile. The clubheads carry a substantial deal of offset, which helps the average golfer square the clubface at contact to promote straighter ball flight.
Ultra-Low CG
TaylorMade positioned the CG of the HD irons, low and deep, to promote a higher consistent launch on all shots. This is ideal for slower swing speeds struggling to get their ball airborne.
Cap Back
The admired Cap Back design by trade performance takes stability and feel to new heights. The multi-material construction allowed engineers to distribute mass around the perimeter to expand the sweet spot for increased forgiveness.
In addition, the Cap Back design boosted MOI, which resisted twisting during my swing to square up at contact.
Echo Damping System
The Echo Damping System worked wonders for my feel and acoustics. It softened the blow of each mishit by dampening the vibrations while amplifying the acoustics for a superior experience.
CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX LOFTS AND LIES
Callaway Rogue ST Max |
Loft |
Lie |
4 Iron |
18.5° |
60.5° |
5 Iron |
21.5° |
61.25° |
6 Iron |
24.5° |
62° |
7 Iron |
27.5° |
62.5° |
8 Iron |
32° |
63° |
9 Iron |
36.5° |
63.5° |
Pitching Wedge |
41° |
64° |
Approach Wedge |
46° |
64° |
Gap Wedge |
51° |
64° |
Sand Wedge |
56° |
64° |
TAYLORMADE STEALTH LOFTS AND LIES
Stealth |
Loft |
Lie |
5 Iron |
23.5° |
62.5° |
6 Iron |
26.5° |
63° |
7 Iron |
30° |
63.5° |
8 Iron |
34° |
64° |
9 Iron |
38.5° |
64.5° |
Pitching Wedge |
44.5° |
65° |
Approach Wedge |
49° |
65° |
Sand Wedge |
54° |
65° |
Lob Wedge |
59° |
65° |
WHO SHOULD BUY THE CALLAWAY ROGUE ST MAX IRONS
The Callaway Rogue ST Max irons proved ideal for me as a mid-handicapper.
The clubs look appealing, provide an air of forgiveness, and still promote maximum distance and consistency. Plus, they produce a mid-high launch to increase your control and workability on each approach shot.
Distance: 97/100
Forgiveness: 87/100
Workability: 92/100
Overall Performance: 93/100
Value: 86/100
Overall Score: 91/100
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WHO SHOULD BUY THE TAYLORMADE STEALTH HD IRONS
The high draw design of the TaylorMade Stealth HD irons proved to benefit high-handicap golfers the most.
Its slice-busting design improves launch, and the broader sweet spot helps less skilled players produce ideal launch, consistency, and accuracy on approach.
Distance: 86/100
Forgiveness: 96/100
Workability: 82/100
Overall Performance: 90/100
Value: 87/100
Overall Score: 88.2/100
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Hi, I am Matthew, a mid handicap golfer who likes to play as much as possible. I love trying out new gear and this blog is where you can find all the gear I have tested over the years!
