OEM’s producing Clone clubs and shafts…how do you feel about it?

[BallerNate]

And just to clarify, I wasn’t trying to take away from the “Warning: Rogue ST Max scam” thread. 
 

That is a VERY important thread, and I really appreciate @martymcfly for creating that thread and trying to raise awareness of this “Rogue ST Max 24” clone.
 

Without that thread, I probably would’ve kept the clone until the Spring to test against my previous Paradym X, and by then it would’ve been too late to return it.

 

I created this thread separately in the Equipment section, and made it about ALL OEM’s that I learned have sold clone Drivers and Shafts (Callaway, TaylorMade, Cobra, and Ventus) so that it wouldn’t be targeting Callaway specifically, and to give the thread a better chance of staying in the Equipment section and reaching the most people.

[Puttersaurus Rex]

42 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

You are right.  This topic morphed from the intent to outline and inform people, and discuss a manufactures club marketing and selling practices ….to a focus on a posters actions.

you’re also right we’ve all made a bad purchase that was avoidable.  The op was trying to help others not fall into the same trap (and was successful).

 

it’s great to know we’ve spent a lot of pages better educating on them how we personally would have handled it different, whether it be through doing more research (the irony in that is he already learned and was sharing with others so they don’t make the same mistake) or in his “alarmist” post ( maybe there was some hyperbole but I can’t think of a reasons how it impacted a member negatively?) or where he posted (in the equipment section since he thought it would get more eyeballs and was relevant to be making new purchases).

 

bravo community, bravo 

 

 

 

I agree for many reasons that "hyperbole" is the core of why this is 10 pages long. 

 

It is okay that OP is informing the community, and others can also add to the thread with additional context when there is false or misleading information being presented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 9 by Puttersaurus Rex
10 pages, lol

[Pnwpingi210]

1 minute ago, Puttersaurus Rex said:

 

I agree for many reasons that "hyperbole" is the core of why this is 10 pages long. 

 

It is okay that OP is informing the community, and others can also add to the thread with additional context when there is false or misleading information being presented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, important lessons for the op to learn!

 

We are all better off now.

[Puttersaurus Rex]

2 minutes ago, Pnwpingi210 said:

Yes, important lessons for the op to learn!

 

We are all better off now.

Cheers!  Enjoy the game (if you watch)!

[BallerNate]

42 minutes ago, Puttersaurus Rex said:

Cheers!  Enjoy the game (if you watch)!

#GoEagles 

 

(I’m actually a Commanders fan, just tired of the Chiefs storyline, although I like Mahommes, and very cool that he’s a Golfer also…)

[martymcfly]

On 2/7/2025 at 7:02 AM, BallerNate said:

I can’t take the credit.

 

@martymcfly started the first thread about the “Rogue ST Max” clone, and @mtp brought that thread to my attention when I first bought the clone.

 

Without them I might have hit the clone, or even waited until the Spring to test it side-by-side outdoors with my Paradym X Driver (and then I wouldn’t have been able to return it).

 

I had absolutely no idea that OEM’s did this until last week when I bought the “Rogue ST Max 24” clone.

 

Since then I’ve just been trying to raise awareness and warn others so they don’t fall into the same trap.

 

The whole thing makes me absolutely sick to my stomach, and it’s so sad that these threads are getting buried in the “Deal or No Deal” section by moderators. But then there’s some people that say, “Do your research”, “Buyer beware”, and are victim shaming.

 

So sickening all-round…Ugh!!! 🤮🤮🤮

Had to be brought to light!

 

made me really pissed when I saw my store had ordered about a thousand of them (prob got them for 5$ a pop from cally)

 

funny thing is, the next day we got the same amount of last year’s dark speed lineup from Cobra. With the real deal linq shafts.

 

they will be priced the same and will be our budget offerings.
 

Guess which one I will be pushing 😂

Edited February 11 by 1t2golf
profanity removed

[BallerNate]

20 minutes ago, martymcfly said:

Had to be brought to light!

 

made me really pissed when I saw my store had ordered about a thousand of them (prob got them for 5$ a pop from cally)

 

funny thing is, the next day we got the same amount of last year’s dark speed lineup from Cobra. With the real deal linq shafts.

 

they will be priced the same and will be our budget offerings.
 

Guess which one I will be pushing 😂

Good to hear from you man!

 

Thanks again for creating your thread and raising awareness of this issue.

 

Extremely shady by Callaway, and like you said, the retailers are in on it too.
 

Lots of people on here are shocked and disgusted too. The consensus of most on this thread, just like your thread, is that if Callaway had just given their entry-level/budget club a different name and design, so one would have any problem with it. That they chose to make an identical clone to the Rogue ST Max is shady at best, and unethical/illegal at worst….SMDH!

[gioreeko]

that's not a clone. If it said, "Coolaway" and was a completely different company, that's a clone.

[kmay__]

^ It's also not identical. No matter how many times we type identical. When the 2 are beside each other, they are clearly different.

 

Now that does not mean I agree with the marketing strategy to take advantage of those who don't know the ins and outs of golf equipment, or do the thorough research ahead of purchase. That is a greasy thing for them to do, no doubt. But they are not identical. They are not identical. Not identical. Similar to the untrained eye? Absolutely. An attempt to take advantage of people, using the success of the previous Rouge line? Absolutely. But they are not identical. 

 

 

[cardia10]

4 hours ago, gioreeko said:

that's not a clone. If it said, "Coolaway" and was a completely different company, that's a clone.

I guess we can call it what it is then and call it fraud. Selling a product with the same name and logos that don't match with the original offering that held that name and design. With the amount of Callaway staffers as members here, it is shocking they have no response. Maybe I should say telling instead of shocking.

[BallerNate]

Rogue ST Max and “Rogue ST Max 24” be like… 

[Yoshifan151]

Callaway try not to make 19 different versions of a driver head challenge (impossible)

[ode1]

Apologies for my inept interneting, but looking for the thread with the explanation re Ventus (made for/OEM/non Velo), Ventus Velo aftermarket, and the TE Ventus 4T.  I think there was a response posted either by or from Fuji.  I attempted the search but struck out!  TIA

Edited February 23 by ode1

[J13]

On 2/23/2025 at 9:27 AM, ode1 said:

Apologies for my inept interneting, but looking for the thread with the explanation re Ventus (made for/OEM/non Velo), Ventus Velo aftermarket, and the TE Ventus 4T.  I think there was a response posted either by or from Fuji.  I attempted the search but struck out!  TIA

 

All you need to know is if it doesn't say "Velocore" on the tip section its a made for stock shaft.  

Edited February 28 by J13

[ode1]

Just now, J13 said:

 

All you need to know is if it doesn't say "Velocore" on the tip section its a made for stock shaft.  

I know it's made for and not the aftermarket shaft but there is a detailed explanation as to the TE,s made for version.  

[J13]

1 hour ago, ode1 said:

I know it's made for and not the aftermarket shaft but there is a detailed explanation as to the TE,s made for version.  

 

I doubt there is much difference other than paint.  I'd highly advise you get the Ventus with Velocore unless you don't play much golf.  Well worth the investment

[ode1]

41 minutes ago, J13 said:

 

I doubt there is much difference other than paint.  I'd highly advise you get the Ventus with Velocore unless you don't play much golf.  Well worth the investment

 Looking for info.  not a lesson or sales pitch!

[Pnwpingi210]

2 hours ago, ode1 said:

 Looking for info.  not a lesson or sales pitch!

The info is not  readily available.  The te version is made for TE.  For more info reach out to TE 🙂

Edited February 28 by Pnwpingi210

[J13]

20 hours ago, ode1 said:

 Looking for info.  not a lesson or sales pitch!

 

I think that's exactly what your looking for just from them.  As someone in the industry, I'm trying to tell you the truth.  Best of luck in your search.

[ode1]

On 2/23/2025 at 8:27 AM, ode1 said:

Apologies for my inept interneting, but looking for the thread with the explanation re Ventus (made for/OEM/non Velo), Ventus Velo aftermarket, and the TE Ventus 4T.  I think there was a response posted either by or from Fuji.  I attempted the search but struck out!  TIA

Here it is, page 14 if the link doesn't automatically take you to that page.

 

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1648170-the-new-ventus-black/page/14/#comment-22530232