In general, when creating a set of irons, there is a ratio between distance and feel that is unsolvable. The key is to make that ratio as close to 1:1 as possible so that adding distance does not take away feel and adding feel does not take away distance.
The problem is that to add ball speed, you need a thinner face. To get a thinner face you almost inevitably add vibration which destroys the feel of the club.
Some companies added a soft material behind a thinner face, but that material adds weight which takes away from clubhead speed and you see the issue.
With the Rogue series of irons, Callaway believes that they have made the distance:feel ratio as close as possible with a really long club that also softens impact.
The Rogue series of irons was born, and while the Rogue and Rogue X are similar irons, there are some key differences that will be described in the following Callaway Rogue vs Rogue X comparison.
Callaway Rogue Irons
The name “rogue” means “to take a different path or defy convention,” and that is what these irons attempt to do with supreme technology and supreme speed. The Rogue irons feature a combination of 360 face cup technology and variable face technology (VFT) that help to make these irons really long and really forgiving.
(check out this article to get an in depth review of the Rogue irons)
The weight saved in the face allowed Callaway to get the center of gravity right in the center of the club head and they move it around for optimal performance for every loft.
They have an average size club head and produce enough spin to add some carry or for a little workability around the course.
They feature traditional lofts and shaft lengths and produce the bulk of their distance and forgiveness with weighting, face technology, and strong design features.
Pros
- These irons create a lot of speed, a lot of distance, and a lot of forgiveness while launching the ball high and straight.
- It is a very technologically advanced club that maintains feel and softness even with the extra distance that they produce.
- They features a mid sized club head and some spin that allows decent workability around the course.
- The center of gravity sets up for each loft differently and produces a high ball flight for each loft.
Cons
- They are expensive for a distance iron.
- Even with much of the same technology, the Rogue X are faster and longer.
Callaway Rogue X Irons
The Callaway Rogue X are irons built for the majority of golfers who want clubs that are long and easy to hit. The combination of 360 face cup technology and variable face thickness (VFT) make these clubs as long and as forgiving as any irons you will find.
(For a more in depth review of the Callaway Rogue X irons and how they compare to Callaway’s more recent offerings click here.)
The Rogue line was built to be different, and not to conform to the normal “iron rules” in golf. These technologies allow the club face to have shallow and flexible rim surrounding the face flexes and releases at impact. The VFT allows affects how the face flexes to promote maximum ball speed and accuracy even on off center strikes that would normally end up in the woods.
If you are a beginner, the forgiveness is necessary. It will help to tighten up your shot pattern and increase your distance.
If you are a seasoned vet, the distance you gain is worth the lack of shot shaping ability. One of the problem with the new distance clubs that are out there is that they produce a lot of vibration and a hollow sound that negatively affects feel.
These Rogue X irons include urethane microspheres which both dampen the vibration and give it that solid feel and sound at impact.
If you are a beginner or high handicapper, there is just not much not to like about these clubs, and if you are a low handicapper you have to decide is the distance worth losing some feel and workability. Callaway set out to produce a forgiving and long iron and they accomplished that with the Rogue X.
Pros
- Very long and very forgiving golf clubs.
- They have a really high launch, but their finishing distance is just as good as any other irons out there.
- They feel solid and sound great because of the urethane microspheres behind the club face.
- When you focus on forgiveness like Callaway did with VFT, then accuracy and increased distance is not far behind.
Cons
- They do not provide a lot in terms of shot shaping and workability.
- Not as strong of an option for low handicappers.
Features Face To Face: The Callaway Rogue Vs Rogue X
Construction
Head
The face construction of the 2 clubs are very similar. They both share the VFT and 360 cup face technologies that add to distance and forgiveness for both iron sets. The weighting is similar as well as each iron features a center of gravity close to its center but changing depending on the loft and purpose of the club.
The major difference in the head construction is the size. When you place the Rogue X right next to the Rogue, the size difference is noticeable and large. The Rogue is slightly larger than the Rogue Pro, as should be the case, but the step up in size to the Rogue X is even greater. It is a large, oversized head which will definitely increase your confidence standing over the ball.
Shaft
This is a major difference between the 2 clubs. Not in the name, material, or construction, but in the length of the shafts. The Rogue X irons slightly extend the standard length of each club which automatically gives them a little extra distance over the Rogue X irons. Even though the extra length is less than an inch, the added arc of the swing is increased which leads to an increase in speed and distance.
Looks
The main difference in looks is the very noticeable increase in size you see between the Rogue and Rogue X irons. The Rogue X irons are just bigger. This size makes them more forgiving because they have a larger sweet spot, but it also makes them look more formidable. It is a downside for many lower handicap players but a plus for many high handicappers.
Club Specs
The difference in specs of the 2 clubs is where you see the biggest contrast. I will list the lofts and shaft lengths of each so that you can see the difference and then we will discuss how these differences affect performance. The first graph will be the shaft length of each iron and the second graph will be the loft of each iron.
| Iron | Rogue | Rouge X |
| 3 | 39.5 | N/A |
| 4 | 38.875 | 39 |
| 5 | 38.25 | 38.375 |
| 6 | 37.625 | 37.75 |
| 7 | 37 | 37.125 |
| 8 | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| 9 | 36 | 36 |
| PW | 35.75 | 35.75 |
| AW | 35.5 | 35.5 |
| SW | 35.25 | 35.25 |
| LW | 35 | 35.25 |
| Iron | Rogue | Rouge X |
| 3 | 18.5 | N/A |
| 4 | 20.5 | 18.5 |
| 5 | 23 | 21 |
| 6 | 26 | 24 |
| 7 | 30 | 27 |
| 8 | 34.5 | 31.5 |
| 9 | 39 | 36 |
| PW | 44 | 41 |
| AW | 49 | 46 |
| SW | 54 | 51 |
| LW | 59 | 56 |
The differences in length are subtle and they end with the 8 iron. This extra little bit of arc produces higher swing speeds and distance, but they are not that dramatic. Coupled with the strong lofts listed above, however, the added distance is noticeable and big. The Rogue X squeeze as much distance as possible from each club starting with a very strong 18.5-degree loft on the 4-iron and ending with wedges that maintain that same strong loft pattern. Almost all of the extra distance comes from the lower lofts and longer shafts.
Performance
Distance
The Rogue X are longer and straighter than the Rogue irons. The oversized club heads are very forgiving and have one of the biggest sweet spots on the market. The strong lofts give you extra distance while the longer shafts produce a bigger arc and a pretty similar launch to the Rogue irons even with the difference in loft. If you are looking for pure distance, the Rogue X irons far outpace the Rogue irons.
Launch
The launch of the 2 clubs are similar though the extra loft in the Rogue irons gives them a slightly higher trajectory than the Rogue X. The Rogue X irons do produce more swing speed which means the ball flies a little higher if the lofts were equal, but the extra speed does not make up for the extra loft.
Spin
This is another big difference between the 2 clubs. The spin rate of the Rogue irons is considerably higher than that of the Rogue X. This hurts the Rogue in distance, but it gives them more workability and carry while also allowing them to stick on the green a little better. Again, the lack of spin in the Rogue X irons increases distance but takes away a little in control and ease.
Sound/Feel
The edge here goes to the Rogue clubs. They both feature the urethane microspheres that reduce vibration and light enough to not affect swing speed. These microspheres add to the feel and softness of the club at impact. The smaller size and shorter shafts of the Rogue irons give them a little extra softness and better sound at impact.
Cost
There is no difference in cost between the 2 clubs. They are both on the very high end of distance irons, but when compared to each other, they are the same.
Standout Features Of The Callaway Rogue Vs Rogue X
Specs
The specs listed above along with the size of the club heads are by far the biggest differences in the clubs. They maintain similar technology and the overall design is the same, but the loft, shaft length, and club head size are very different. The Rogue X has very strong lofts on each club and the stronger lofts automatically increase distance. They also have longer shafts which increases the arc and subsequently the swing speed increases. Finally, the club head of the Rogue X is considerably bigger which adds to forgiveness and gives you confidence standing over the ball.
Distance
While both clubs focus on distance at the expense of everything else, the Rogue X go a little further in their pursuit of a few additional yards. The Rogue X are some of the longest irons on the market and for all of the reasons listed above.
Spin
While neither iron is overly focused on spin and workability, the spin rate of the Rogue irons are considerably larger than the spin rate of the Rogue X. While they are not the most workable and shapeable irons on the market, they add some ability to draw and fade the ball which the Rogue X irons do not have.
Final Thoughts on The Callaway Rogue Vs Rogue X
The Rogue irons are probably a slightly better overall club than the Rogue X because they offer some workability and a higher ball flight while maintaining many of the same features and technology.
The problem is that the Rogue X are longer and a little more forgiving, and for many golfers those 2 features trump anything else that you can offer.
Some of the added distance comes from the stronger lofts and longer shafts, but regardless of where it comes from, it is there and people want it.
We would suggest playing a round with both clubs to see which suits you better, but in general the Rogue irons will be a little more playable and the Rogue X will be longer and more forgiving.
