Callaway Rouge Vs Callaway Epic Speed Drivers Comparison And Review 2023
The original Epic driver was born all the way back in 2016 & the Rogue in 2018. It’s hard to imagine that these drivers are that old – probably because Callaway keeps releasing new versions of them.
The latest iteration of the Epic Speed driver promises even faster ball speed and of course, distance.
The Rogue driver is one that always remains popular, it was released in 2018 and upgraded in 2020 and contains a lot of the newest features from Callaway at a slightly lower price point.
Both Drivers deserve your consideration if you are in the market so let’s jump in to the reviews.
Callaway Epic Speed Driver Overview
The Callaway Epic Speed driver leaves no question as to what kind of driver it is: a hands-down, a no nonsense distance driver.
The Callaway Epic Speed driver has a feature that is a staple of Callaway drivers: the Jailbreak bracing bars which add stability and consistency to the club no matter how much club speed you generate.
However, the latest incarnation of the Epic Speed features redesigned bars that expand laterally at the crown and sole.
This helps stabilize the face closer to the heel and toe. The effect is essentially the same though: allow the face to flex without losing energy on less than perfect shots.
The Flash Face design also helps increase forgiveness around the perimeter of the face.
Callaway Rogue Driver Overview
The Callaway Rogue is all business combining speed, distance and consistency with its massive head, face and sweet spot.
The Callaway Rogue driver lacks the Flash Face cup design but the face is still ultra thin and it’s distances can be compared to any driver on the market.
The Variable Face Thickness design makes this driver more forgiving when you don’t hit it exactly front and center every time.
While The Epic Speed is focussed on speed and distance, the Rogue also takes more forgiveness into the occasion, like the Epic Max range.
The Callaway Rogue also features a triaxial carbon crown (also present in the Callaway Epic Speed driver) and an older version of the Jailbreak bars which adds stability for high speed swings.
However, the Rogue features perimeter weighting stretches the sweet spot, which is great for anyone looking for max forgiveness.
Overall, if you are looking for an all rounder, we recommend the Rogue at its cheaper price point.
If you want the latest and greatest, regardless of price, the Epic speed will produce a ton of distance of performance too.
Callaway Epic Speed Drivers
In 20 Words Or Less
The Epic Speed driver is all about creating distance. It can help with all things speed including swing speed.
Callaway Rogue Drivers
In 20 Words Or Less
The Callaway Rogue driver combines lightweight design with impressive forgiveness and distance. This driver still has a lot to offer.
Callaway Epic Speed Driver – First Impressions
The Callaway Epic Speed driver has a unique design but we were a bit bummed to see that it is the only driver in the Epic family to not have an adjustable weight.
Still, the Epic Speed wasn’t really built for shot shaping. It produces very long & hopefully straight shots and is plenty forgiving with the Flash Face design.
Just don’t expect exceptional accuracy with it.
The driver is great at producing club speed, ball speed and distance. The lower spin rates allow for shots that move left to right less and less.
If you are not consistent with your swing, you would be better off going with the Max range as the speed may be prone to slicing for some.
The Epic Family
The Epic Speed is accompanied by the Epic Max and the Epic Max LS.
Both the Max and Max LS have adjustable weights (16 grams in the former and 13 in the latter). As you can imagine, the Epic Max is the most forgiving in the family.
Callaway Rogue Driver – First Impressions
At first, the Callaway Rogue has a massive head and sweet spot. The club was actually designed by Boeing so you expect serious aerodynamics with this one.
The Rogue was also very lightweight. The triaxial carbon crown feels airy but the head still feels substantial at impact thanks to the strong perimeter weighting.
The driver has a super thin face but is also variable thickness which adds to the forgiveness of the driver.
Perimeter weighting in the sole and the heel of the club stretches the sweet spot and the Rogue is one driver that does a lot in terms of forgiveness, accuracy and distance.
If you struggle with a slice, the Rogue also comes in a D style which is more offset to reduce errant strikes.
The Sub Zero form is also for those with high swings speeds looking for maximum distance.
The Rogue doesn’t go as far as the Epic Speed, but the forgiveness is comparable.
Callaway Epic Speed Selling Points
- Cyclone Aero head shape
- Triaxial carbon crown
- Adjustable hosel
- Redesigned Jailbreak bars
- Latest Flash Face version
- A.I. design
Callaway Rogue Selling Points
- Perimeter weighting
- High MOI
- Triaxial carbon crown
- Adjustable hosel
- Variable Face Thickness
- Forgiving design
Callaway Epic Speed Options
- 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees loft
- Project X Cypher 40 Graphite shaft
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke iM10 50 Graphite shaft
- Project X HZRDUS Smoke iM10 60 Graphite shaft
- Shaft weights: 40g-60g
Callaway Rogue Options
- 9, 10.5 and 13.5 degrees loft
- Aldila Quaranta 40 Graphite shaft
- Aldila Synergy 50 Graphite shaft
- Aldila Synergy 60 Graphite shaft
- Project X EvenFlow 65 Graphite shaft
- Project X HZRDUS Yellow 65 Graphite shaft
- Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 Graphite shaft
- Shaft weights: 44g-76g
Callaway Epic Speed – Who are they for?
The Callaway Epic Speed driver would be great for anyone who needs some help with their swing speed and is interested purely in distance.
The Epic Speed driver doesn’t offer much in the way of workability but then again, it wasn’t designed for that.
If you are looking for straight shots that fly farther, the Epic Speed would be a solid choice.
The head was designed with a relatively flat crown to decrease drag so this driver might even be able to help you up your swing speed.
It doesn’t produce a ton of spin off the tee but there is still some.
Epic Family
The Epic Max and Max LS are packing a lot of the same technology as the Epic Speed but are more centered around forgiveness, slice elimination and straight, higher launching, more consistent shots.
The Max is super forgiving and the Max LS is a low spin version, aimed at straight shots for slicers and hookers.
The Epic Speed is built simply for distance and straightness.
Distance: 97/10
Accuracy: 93/100
Forgiveness: 92/100
Feel & Control: 91/100
Overall Rating: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Callaway Rogue – Who Are They For?
The Callaway Rogue driver would be a good choice for anyone who has grown comfortable with perimeter weighting.
We like the fact that the VFT face design couples nicely with the perimeter weighting. This combo makes for a very comfortable and forgiving driver.
However, the Rogue driver did not play as long as the Epic Speed which is pretty much what we predicted when we started out.
We were getting about 8-9 extra yards from the Epic Speed.
Still, the Rogue’s got it where it counts: good stability from the Jailbreak bars and a decent degree of forgiveness.
Surprisingly, it was also more workable than the Epic Speed
Callaway Rogue Family
The Rogue D Type is for the slicers among us. The is offset, giving the club a draw bias which can work to eliminate your slice.
The Sub Zero, leaves some of the forgiveness behind and it aimed at high swing speeds with good control over the driver, looking to squeeze more distance off the tee.
Distance: 95/100
Accuracy: 94/100
Forgiveness: 93/100
Feel & Control: 91/100
Overall Rating: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Aidan Lehane here, I’m a Mid-low handicap golfer who has made tremendous progress in breaking 90 in just over 1 year of playing golf seriously.
I get out to the course or range as often as possible and review all the equipment I’ve come across on this blog.
