WARNING! PSA about Rogue ST max 24 Scam

[circa3182]

Nothing to see here in my opinion. No one should confuse this with the older version and it serves an entirely different demographic. This is nothing new for callaway and other brands. Use similar branding and offer a more budget friendly option to warehouse and big box stores for people just getting into the game. They did this with XR and Mavrik lines as well. 

[martymcfly]

19 minutes ago, circa3182 said:

Nothing to see here in my opinion. No one should confuse this with the older version and it serves an entirely different demographic. This is nothing new for callaway and other brands. Use similar branding and offer a more budget friendly option to warehouse and big box stores for people just getting into the game. They did this with XR and Mavrik lines as well. 

People who aren’t gearheads will easily confuse this with the OG if they aren’t told what is different. Yes it’s cheaper but still very overpriced if you take it for what it is, a very sub-par driver. The the thing that pisses me off the most is how it ruins the second hand market.

[JMB3]

1 hour ago, martymcfly said:

People who aren’t gearheads will easily confuse this with the OG if they aren’t told what is different. Yes it’s cheaper but still very overpriced if you take it for what it is, a very sub-par driver. The the thing that pisses me off the most is how it ruins the second hand market.

Yeah, this is worse than Fentus to me.  Callaway already has the Edge line for newbies.  Faking a prior line with inferior materials and tech is crazy deceptive to me.

[JAM01]

Yes, at $199, fine. At $349, borderline fraud. Oh, and thumbs down to Carls on this one too. Sorry. They are a top notch retailer. Why????

Edited January 25 by JAM01

[third-times-a-charm]

3 minutes ago, JAM01 said:

Yes, at $199, fine. At $349, borderline fraud. Oh, and thumbs down to Carls on this one too. Sorry. They are a top notch retailer. Why????

Because they sell golf clubs and this is a golf club?

[JAM01]

1 minute ago, third-times-a-charm said:

Because they sell golf clubs and this is a golf club?

Oh, they could still pass on this, and let Dick’s sell these. 

[martymcfly]

8 hours ago, JAM01 said:

Yes, at $199, fine. At $349, borderline fraud. Oh, and thumbs down to Carls on this one too. Sorry. They are a top notch retailer. Why????

Because the margins on these clubs are insane I tell you

[bballchester24]

I guess I’m kind of confused because I play the original and the crown looks exactly the same.  
 

also, everyone claiming this is highway robbery, they are selling it at $349, which is half of a new driver in 2025.  Doesn’t that count for something? 
 

Let Callaway fall apart with it, drop the price to $199 which apparently is acceptable, but really isn’t worth all the fuss.  Shady comments are funny as you most likely bought a Cyber truck thinking it got you from A to B faster than my mini van….

 

Really, anyone believing that a $700 driver will do more than a $250 driver from 3 years ago is kinda hilarious.  They can’t make the ball go farther, so it really comes down to fitting and personal preference that gives confidence to hit the ball solid.  

[JMB3]

35 minutes ago, bballchester24 said:

I guess I’m kind of confused because I play the original and the crown looks exactly the same.  
 

also, everyone claiming this is highway robbery, they are selling it at $349, which is half of a new driver in 2025.  Doesn’t that count for something? 
 

Let Callaway fall apart with it, drop the price to $199 which apparently is acceptable, but really isn’t worth all the fuss.  Shady comments are funny as you most likely bought a Cyber truck thinking it got you from A to B faster than my mini van….

 

Really, anyone believing that a $700 driver will do more than a $250 driver from 3 years ago is kinda hilarious.  They can’t make the ball go farther, so it really comes down to fitting and personal preference that gives confidence to hit the ball solid.  

How does Cyber truck versus Mini Van come remotely close to Callaway faking the Rogue ST?  I think you’re missing some facts about what is going on here.

 

Callaway makes the ‘24 model look exactly the same as the original but removes all the performance-enhancing tech.  $350 for a driver released 4 seasons ago would be fine, especially because the actual Rogue ST does perform quite similarly, if not better than, Callaway’s subsequent releases.  $350 for a far inferior knockoff of a four year old driver, though, is nuts.

[circa3182]

1 hour ago, JMB3 said:

How does Cyber truck versus Mini Van come remotely close to Callaway faking the Rogue ST?  I think you’re missing some facts about what is going on here.

 

Callaway makes the ‘24 model look exactly the same as the original but removes all the performance-enhancing tech.  $350 for a driver released 4 seasons ago would be fine, especially because the actual Rogue ST does perform quite similarly, if not better than, Callaway’s subsequent releases.  $350 for a far inferior knockoff of a four year old driver, though, is nuts.

Production costs of the old driver aren’t any less than the new as it’s primarily the same materials and process. They can sell the old version for less to get rid of old stock but they can’t produce it and make a profit at that price. 

[JMB3]

32 minutes ago, circa3182 said:

Production costs of the old driver aren’t any less than the new as it’s primarily the same materials and process. They can sell the old version for less to get rid of old stock but they can’t produce it and make a profit at that price. 

Then sell more Edge or other cheap brand alternative with a new name.  The deception lies in calling into the same thing “Rogue ST” and making it look the same.  What’s the point of producing an identical knockoff if not to capitalize on the goodwill associated with the original Rogue ST?  

[BYK]

56 minutes ago, JMB3 said:

Then sell more Edge or other cheap brand alternative with a new name.  The deception lies in calling into the same thing “Rogue ST” and making it look the same.  What’s the point of producing an identical knockoff if not to capitalize on the goodwill associated with the original Rogue ST?  

That’s what sucks. 
It’s not like Callaway needs to do that.  
Seems almost hypocritical to fight the counterfeit game and then do this? 
lol I’d like to see a head to head matchup.  This rogue vs a cheap fake. 

[circa3182]

2 hours ago, JMB3 said:

Then sell more Edge or other cheap brand alternative with a new name.  The deception lies in calling into the same thing “Rogue ST” and making it look the same.  What’s the point of producing an identical knockoff if not to capitalize on the goodwill associated with the original Rogue ST?  

Yeah. That is kind of the whole point. Callaway doesn’t care what’s best for the golfer, they’re now all about pleasing shareholders by doing what the consultants tell them to. Hence the whole sponsoring of a LIV team and trying to get Xander to jump. 

[PJE]

https://www.carlsgolfland.com/callaway-rogue-st-24-max-driver
 

I’m not sure what the hub bub is about this driver.
It’s labeled as a different model than the original. The description is clear about its features and the shaft (see link).
Note: The description claims a carbon crown but not sole. 

The price is different than the original Max models which are still for sale. 
Callaway has done this with other line(s), the XR I think (?).  I recall Nike doing it with at least one iron model, Covert 2.0.  I think  Taylor Made also did it with SLDR (?). 
I stay away from Callaway because I don’t like the hosels on the woods but I don’t see this as false advertising. 

[jlevitt9]

It's scummy but not a scam.

[JAM01]

Will there be a Rogue ST Max Good Good version, powder blue Tensei CYA, selling for $449? Come on Callaway, need to squeeze that turnip. 

[BallerNate]

Jeez…just seeing this thread now.

 

Bought one of the new Rogue ST Max versions today thinking I got a great deal.

 

Now reading this thread is making me sick to my stomach and feeling like I got robbed by Callaway.

 

I bought it today with no hesitation because of my previous experience with the OG Rogue ST Max and other Cally drivers, but this makes me lose a ton of respect for them….SMFH!!! 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[MickeyTankBank]

20 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

Jeez…just seeing this thread now.

 

Bought one of the new Rogue ST Max versions today thinking I got a great deal.

 

Now reading this thread is making me sick to my stomach and feeling like I got robbed by Callaway.

 

I bought it today with no hesitation because of my previous experience with the OG Rogue ST Max and other Cally drivers, but this makes me lose a ton of respect for them….SMFH!!! 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

 

It's not they were hiding it. It would be obvious to notice in person and it's called a "Rogue ST '24" on all the online sites. 

[JMB3]

49 minutes ago, j4663535 said:

 

It's not they were hiding it. It would be obvious to notice in person and it's called a "Rogue ST '24" on all the online sites. 

Are these sold in store?  If so, doesn’t matter how it’s listed online. 

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, j4663535 said:

 

It's not they were hiding it. It would be obvious to notice in person and it's called a "Rogue ST '24" on all the online sites. 

 

25 minutes ago, JMB3 said:

Are these sold in store?  If so, doesn’t matter how it’s listed online. 

Yeah, I bought mine at Golf Town in Canada, which is our biggest Golf retailer.

 

There was no special signage whatsoever, they were listed as “Rogue ST Max” on sale for $399.99 plus tax.

 

If I had known it was a stripped down discount version, I wouldn’t have considered buying it for a second. 

 

[BallerNate]

Man, the more I think about this, the more I feel taken advantage of, and cheated.

 

I had a lot of trust built up in Callaway, which is why I bought this club off the shelf without any hesitation and was excited about it.

 

And now I read this thread, and see that the club that I bought doesn’t have “Jailbreak”, “Flash Face”, “Speedframe”, or any other typical Callaway markings on it so that they can defend themselves in court??!!!

 

Like f*#k man, all the faith that I had in Callaway is pretty much gone…what a sleazy move just to cash in on what was a stellar product and a previously stellar brand. 🤮🤮🤮

[BallerNate]

On 1/24/2025 at 5:19 PM, martymcfly said:

Hit the real one and this s*** side by side today, 6 mph in ballspeed difference @112 club. Spin was also about 1100 higher on average 2500 vs 3600. Reaaally nasty tactics from Cally.

 

basically gave me perfect 4 wood numbers….

This is so crazy.

 

This thread should definitely be in the main Equipment section, and the WRX community should be made aware of this.

 

If both Callaway and TaylorMade do this, I might not buy another club from them ever again.

 

Clearly these are not the same products, so not sure why they’d be allowed to market them as such.

 

Imagine BMW re-releasing an M3 from 2022 in 2024 and the engine and drivetrain are similar to a KIA??! Shocking man…absolutely shocking.

[WristySwing]

I'm not really upset about this, but I can see why some people could be. As others have said, it does have a weight and it has a shaft. Nobody said it had to be a premium no-charge upgrade shaft. The potentially fake carbon is the issue, but I don't think that has been confirmed. @BallerNate can you stick a magnet to the crown? If so, its likely a fake stainless steel crown, however, if it does not, it could be carbon, titanium, or some other alloy. Without popping the crown off we won't know for sure. If you want to take one for the team 😉

 

I was actually thinking about this the other day about why OEMs don't just bring out 5 year old models at a cheap price? Callaway could relaunch the Rogue at $299.99/$349.99, stick a Tensei or Project X whatever in it that they can buy for $1 each and a cheapo stock grip on it and call it a day. They aren't losing any market share to their Paradym/Elyte products because the people who buy the Paradym/Elyte probably already have/had a Rogue or hit it before and didn't buy it then. In fact, they may actually sell extras because someone may want a backup driver or have nostalgia even though their current club is fine. Most people who want to buy a $300 driver aren't concerned that they might be losing out on a few yards of carry relative to the new models, they just want a club that they feel like they are getting a deal on, and is still better relative to what they currently have.

 

The fact that the OEMs already have the schematics and infrastructure to do this, but don't, confuses me and would rather bring out cheaper models that cost more in R&D and production costs to change some aspect of it makes little sense from a consumer aspect. 

[BYK]

11 hours ago, j4663535 said:

 

It's not they were hiding it. It would be obvious to notice in person and it's called a "Rogue ST '24" on all the online sites. 

Doesn’t look like the club itself has max 24 anywhere on it.  It’s just a bad look for callaway and I just don’t get it.  And honestly the non wrx folks buying it would likely have zero idea it was different than the real one. 

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, WristySwing said:

I'm not really upset about this, but I can see why some people could be. As others have said, it does have a weight and it has a shaft. Nobody said it had to be a premium no-charge upgrade shaft. The potentially fake carbon is the issue, but I don't think that has been confirmed. @BallerNate can you stick a magnet to the crown? If so, its likely a fake stainless steel crown, however, if it does not, it could be carbon, titanium, or some other alloy. Without popping the crown off we won't know for sure. If you want to take one for the team 😉

 

I was actually thinking about this the other day about why OEMs don't just bring out 5 year old models at a cheap price? Callaway could relaunch the Rogue at $299.99/$349.99, stick a Tensei or Project X whatever in it that they can buy for $1 each and a cheapo stock grip on it and call it a day. They aren't losing any market share to their Paradym/Elyte products because the people who buy the Paradym/Elyte probably already have/had a Rogue or hit it before and didn't buy it then. In fact, they may actually sell extras because someone may want a backup driver or have nostalgia even though their current club is fine. Most people who want to buy a $300 driver aren't concerned that they might be losing out on a few yards of carry relative to the new models, they just want a club that they feel like they are getting a deal on, and is still better relative to what they currently have.

 

The fact that the OEMs already have the schematics and infrastructure to do this, but don't, confuses me and would rather bring out cheaper models that cost more in R&D and production costs to change some aspect of it makes little sense from a consumer aspect. 

Well, I’m still furious, but the anger is starting to die down little by little.

 

My issue is the branding…if it doesn’t have the same technology and performance as the original Rogue ST Max, they shouldn’t be allowed to market it as a Rogue. To me that’s very misleading.

 

But this experience is opening my eyes to the way Callaway operates, and I just see now that it’s not a company built on excellence and high quality like I thought it was.

 

Now I think about the XR and X-Hot equipment that I see in big box stores everywhere from Callaway, and the Edge package sets at Costco. I guess the Rogue ST line is now the next mass produced discount product that will be blasted out there.

 

I did the magnet test though, and no the magnet didn’t stick to the head anywhere that I placed it.

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, BYK said:

Doesn’t look like the club itself has max 24 anywhere on it.  It’s just a bad look for callaway and I just don’t get it.  And honestly the non wrx folks buying it would likely have zero idea it was different than the real one. 

Correct…that’s the shady part.

 

The club is designed to look identical to the real Rogue ST Max, and there is no signage that lets people know it’s a stripped down replica without the same features and performance.

 

If it’s similar quality to their Edge sets in Costco, then they should be sold as Edge, not put in costume to look like a Rogue ST Max that is in discussions as the best Driver released in the last 5 years.

[BYK]

49 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

Correct…that’s the shady part.

 

The club is designed to look identical to the real Rogue ST Max, and there is no signage that lets people know it’s a stripped down replica without the same features and performance.

 

If it’s similar quality to their Edge sets in Costco, then they should be sold as Edge, not put in costume to look like a Rogue ST Max that is in discussions as the best Driver released in the last 5 years.

Yup 

 

got no problem with watered down versions.  But even if you “change” the name by adding 24 it still seems shady.   And you’ve just showed it’s not just non wrx folks who will buy this and not notice.  
 

I said it before it seems odd for Callaway to fight counterfeits and then slide this in there.   And as I also said I’d like to see a head to head fake vs this watered down version.  

[WiscoLefty]

I think this is shady business from the brands that do this. I’m fine with a watered down affordable version that would be serviceable for the weekend hackers looking to save money but it’s BS to have it look the same and be named the same. It muddys the resale market.  There needs to be a clear difference in name or look. 
 

Cobra has done this as well. Rick Shiels tested it and was losing 11+ yards vs the original one that had the tech. 
 

 

[BallerNate]

Just letting you guys know I just returned the knock-off “Rogue ST Max” to my Golf shop (Golf Town), and they apologized and felt bad about it.

 

I called Callaway Canada afterwards, and I’m waiting for a call back from them.

 

The way @Callaway Golf Official handle that conversation will determine whether I will be able to buy Callaway clubs again in the future or not. Right now I feel like the respect and trust is broken, but we’ll see if they can make it right and try to keep my business.

 

If not, I’ll be a “Free-Agent” for a go-to Woods manufacturer unfortunately…Smh.

[scott406]

Note to self:

DO NOT buy a Callaway Rouge ST Max Driver off of eBay

No matter what the description says

 

 

I am sorry for those that ended up buying these and I thank you for posting about this and giving everyone a heads up

I play regularly and buy equipment all the time and this is the 1st time I have ever heard of Callaway doing this

This should be sold at Dick's or Academy not a golf store like Edwin Watts or PGASS

 

This is super shady IMO