Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver Review

The Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver is the latest driver in Callaway’s already Epic lineup of woods (see what I did there?).  The new Rogue line comes in a standard, Sub Zero, and Draw models, with the Sub Zero being the lowest launching, lowest spinning of the three.  The whole Rogue lineup also features the improved X-Face VFT and Jailbreak technology, which uses hourglass shaped bars (compared to straight bars in the Epic) for even more ball speed off of the face, equaling more distance gains and added forgiveness.

First Impressions

The Callaway Rogue Sub Zero driver has a similar look to last year’s Epic Sub Zero in regards to club setup.  The Rogue Sub Zero brings back the Triaxial carbon on the club head, which gives the back half of crown a carbon-fiber finish.  The sole of the club features the same two movable weight options as the Epic Sub Zero, with the heavier weight in the back for more forgiveness and higher launch, or in the front for lower launch and lower spin.  The also has more of a round, compact shape versus the regular Rogue driver.  The smaller head with a deeper face helps promote the lower launch and spin as well.

The Rogue has a deep turquoise blue and black color scheme, which I’m a big fan of.  Don’t like the color combo?  You can customize the color options on Callaway.com as well through their “Customs” program.  I thought the look of the Epic lineup was stunning, and Callaway didn’t disappoint with this year’s Rogue lineup either.

How Does it Feel?

One word: solid.  The Callaway Rogue Sub Zero driver has a solid feel at impact, and doesn’t give you that “airy” hollow feel that you seem to get with a lot of drivers in modern times.  Shots off the center of the face are some of the most solid feeling driver shots I’ve felt in a long time.  As you move away from the center, you do get more of a hollow feel to the Rogue SZ, but it’s not as bad as some of its competitors.  This is one of the specific purposes of the Jailbreak tech.

Moving the adjustable weights definitely has an impact on feel.  With the heavy weight in the back, the feel is very similar to the standard Rogue driver, especially on mishits.  When I switched the weights, the Rogue Sub Zero had even more of a “solid” feel on center-struck shots, but also made off center shots more noticeable.  In both positions, I could always feel the head throughout the swing, and felt very in-control of the club.  The weight-forward position did make the club head feel heavier during the swing, and may take some adjusting if this is a feel you aren’t familiar with already.

How Does it Sound?

I’ll be the first to admit it: I HATE loud drivers.  The loud, exploding cracks that make a driver sound like an exploding tin can is awful to me, and I can’t stand hearing it at the range. I think it’s just obnoxious and I can’t get over it, sorry.  Well, add another item to the list of why I love the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver.  It lets off a fairly muted “crack” at impact, but it gives enough sound feedback so you really know when you hit one on the screws.  Mishits give off more of a “ting” sound, and let you know that you’ve missed the face.  Overall though, the sound isn’t overly loud, and provides great feedback.  Check off another box for the Rogue Sub Zero driver.

On-Course Performance

So far I believe my feelings for the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero driver are fairly clear.  The feel is great, and the sound is basically perfect.  All of that aside, the performance is what would cemented the Rogue SZ driver’s place in my bag.  If you’re looking for a lower launching driver with less spin, look no further than the Rogue Sub Zero.  With that said, you may need to dial in the weights to make it just right for your swing.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a high ball hitter and my spin is pretty high (like 3000+ high), but my swing speed still gets me good carry.  Yes, I need to work on my swing, I know.  With that, with the heavier weight in the back, my trajectory went down a touch to about a 12º launch angle, and gave me a nice reduction of spin by a few hundred RPM.  The nice thing was that mishits didn’t lose a ton of ball speed or distance.  With the heavier weight in the back, even mid-handicappers shouldn’t have any huge problems with the Rogue Sub Zero driver.

When I switched the heavy weight to the front, that’s when I started seeing some really good numbers.  My spin rates dropped another few hundred RPM, and my launch angle was down to about 9 degrees.  The lower launch angle with less spin equated to much better distance gains and overall better numbers.  Mishits, however, were noticeably worse.  Ball speed reductions lead to more significant distance loss, and they definitely drifted further from center than if the weights were flipped.  The heavy weight forward setup is likely going to be for those better ball strikers out there.

Make sure you test with the weights to see what fits best for your swing.  I feel that my ball striking is consistent enough to where I’d get more benefits from the lower launch and spin.  Others may benefit more with a little extra forgiveness in lieu of the spin/launch reductions.  I will say, compared to the Epic Sub Zero, the Rogue model did offer more forgiveness between the two weight positions regardless.

As with any club in your bag, getting fit for the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero is going to result in your optimal setup, and thus, optimal performance.

Final Thoughts

I won’t try to hide it:  I LOVE the Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver.  I loved the Epic lineup as well, but the Rogue Sub Zero driver just checks all of the boxes for me – feel, sound, and performance.  If you get the right shaft that fits you, the Rogue Sub Zero can kick out any gamer that may be in your bag today.  While many will see the Rogue Sub Zero as a “better player’s” driver, that may not always be the case.  It’s definitely worth testing out during a fitting.

My old driver held it’s spot in my bag for the last two and a half years, but the Rogue Sub Zero will be in play for me this season.

Stock Callaway Rogue Sub Zero Driver Specs

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