As a high handicap golfer, you need an affordable, low-compression two-piece golf ball to get around the golf course. This Callaway Supersoft golf balls review introduces you to one of the most consistent distance constructions on the market.

You will find that Supersoft provides optimal compression at impact to generate rapid ball speed and low spin. As a result, the average golfer enjoys a high launch for consistent carry distance in your long game.

Features

Two-Piece Ball

The Supersoft ball is a simple construction with two layers designed to deliver long distances off the tee. Given its ability to produce added length, it is known as a distance golf ball built to perform for high handicappers.

Despite their distance capabilities, two-piece golf balls are not made for greenside spin. However, Callaway overcame this challenge by producing a golf ball that offers a super soft feel on short game shots for improved feedback and ball spin. However, keep in mind that its spin rate is still well off a premium urethane golf ball.

New Hybrid Cover

The first feature you notice when inspecting Callaway Supersoft balls is their hybrid cover, which is reinforced by a Paraloid Impact Modifier. Callaway suggests that the hybrid ball covers aim is to deliver rapid ball speed and low spin on long shots and enhanced greenside control.

I certainly noticed the low spin and rapid speed off the clubface and felt it offered a supersoft feel on short game shots.

In addition, I noticed these ionomer covers produced a muted sound and spongy feel off the putter face, which was great for feedback. Plus, it elevated the durability of the design to withstand contact with bunkers and harsh surfaces.

Soft Compression Core

In my experience, the low-compression core has worked well to ensure a consistently elevated launch. They are built to maximize the energy transfer at impact to accelerate ball speed and reduce spin. As a result, you experience the ball springing off the face to launch high and long.

Low-Compression Rating

Callaway’s Supersoft golf balls carry a compression rating of 38 which sits on the lower end of the spectrum. This means that it’s best suited to slower swing speeds which require the added spring for fast ball speeds, low spin, and higher flight.

Golfers operating with faster swing speeds may find the low compression leads to excess spin and a ballooned strike. That is why I find it best suits high handicappers or seniors with slow swing speeds.

Hex Aerodynamics

The Hex aerodynamic feature is a familiar sight on a Supersoft golf ball. An added trait that high handicappers appreciate.  The dimple pattern does well to eliminate drag and elevate lift, leading to higher ball flight and optimal carry distance for slower-swinging golfers.

Supersoft Alignment Aid

You’ll notice that the ball features a supersoft alignment, which I find helps you start your golf ball on the intended putting line. As you place your ball on the green, ensure the alignment arrow is aimed along your intended path.

You will still need to strike the ball with a square putter face to start it on line, but aiming is half the battle in golf.

Colors

The final noteworthy feature of Callaway Supersoft golf balls is the six available colors. Besides your standard tour white golf ball, Callaway engineers crafted this series in green, orange, red, pink, and yellow.

Despite the color differences, these balls perform equally, giving visually-challenged golfers a range of easily identifiable golf balls. I find that the yellow balls are the easiest to spot.

Performance

Price

Before I dive into its launch, trajectory, spin, and distance qualities, let’s discuss the price. These distance balls carry an entry-level price favorable to the average golfer and those on a budget. The high handicappers prone to losing golf balls will find comfort in their affordable price.

You’ll notice one Supersoft unit runs for half that of a premium golf ball, making them more viable for a high handicapper.

Feel and Sound

It still seems strange how soft this golf ball is for a distance ball, as I am used to feeling rock harder constructions. It is a true, soft feel and provides a muted sound off the clubface on all shots.

I particularly enjoyed the sponge-like feel of the putter face, which amplified feedback, and my distance control on the dancefloor.

Low Driver Spin

One of my favorite features about this ball is the low spin off the tee, which helps high handicappers maximize long-game yardage. I found it interesting that despite its low ball spin, it still produced superior carry distance.

Rick Shiels highlights this in his test where he compared the Supersoft to the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X. Shiels found that the Supersoft spun 400 RPM less than the Chrome Soft and 600 RPM fewer than the Chrome Soft X.

Greenside Control

Unlike other ionomer-covered distance golf balls, the Callaway Supersoft range provides excellent greenside control. This ball also delivers suitable spin to help you stop your ball quickly and offers a pleasant soft feel off the face. Its spin rate is lower than premium golf balls but is sufficient for the average golfer.

Distance

The exceptionally low spin and rampant ball speed help the average golfer produce optimal long-game yardage. In addition, Hex Aerodynamics provides low-drag assistance on the way up to promote a higher launch and ball flight for maximum carry distance.

You’ll also find that the reduced spin equips your ball with maximum forward momentum for added roll after landing for a superior total distance.

What I Like About The Callaway Supersoft

Ball Speed

I appreciated the consistent ball speed produced by the Callaway Supersoft, which slower-swinging high handicappers will cherish. The soft compression rating and low spin cover help the golf ball spring off the club face on long shots prompting a powerful launch for supreme yardage.

Low Driver Spin

I found the Callaway Supersoft produced incredibly low driver spin to generate maximum length off the tee and on long approach shots. This stemmed from the soft compression core and low spin ionomer cover that reduced friction on high-impact strikes for a rapid release from the clubface.

High Ball Flight

The next element that caught my eye was the high launch and ball flight produced on all shots. Although Hex aerodynamics is responsible for delivering low-drag flight technologies, you need the support of the low-compression core and hybrid cover.

The explosive ball pace produced from the core, with the low spin ionomer cover, results in an elevated launch and flight.

Affordable Price

Everyone loves a fair deal, and the Callaway Supersoft offers excellent value for money at half the price of premium golf balls, such as the Chrome Soft. This is helpful for beginners and high handicappers who frequently lose balls and need an affordable solution for the links.

Colors

Most popular golf balls offer limited color options for the buyer. If the manufacturer is adventurous, they may design a range in yellow. However, Callaway engineers got creative and crafted the Supersoft range in six colors to suit every golfer.

The traditionalists are welcome to stay with the classic tour white, while fashionable golfers have a wealth of options. Take your pick of green, orange, red, pink, or yellow, which is ideal for golfers with visual impairments.

What I Dislike About The Callaway Supersoft

Limited Spin On Approach Shots

In my experience, the Supersoft is a menace on approach shots. Although the rapid ball speed and low spin combo deliver superb distance, the ball rolls excessively, releasing through tight greens.

Reduced Greenside Spin

Although the Supersoft feels like a sponge off the clubface on putts and chip shots, it does not deliver significant spin around the green. This is mainly due to its low spin ionomer cover, which restricts revolutions per minute for greater length in your long game.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

My Callaway Supersoft golf balls review revealed that they offer the highest value to high handicap golfers with a slower swing speed. The low compression rating of 38 causes the ball to aggressively spring off the clubface at contact for explosive ball speed.

Next, the Hybrid cover elevates the ball pace and restricts spin on long game shots for optimal distance. In addition, Hex Aerodynamics reduces drag and increases your launch and flight for a longer carry distance.

Finally, their affordable price tag will ease the pain of losing golf balls, as they are half the cost of premium offerings.

Ultimately, they are affordable, forgiving, long, and consistent golf balls that a high golf handicapper requires. If you are a high handicapper with a slow swing speed, I suggest testing the Callaway Supersoft golf balls.

Finally, if you are a novice golfer and you struggle to hit the ball, there are other options that you should consider. As an alternative, the Callaway Supersoft Max golf ball is easier to hit.

Overall Rating: 89/100

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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Callaway is no stranger to forgiving, high-launching drivers which deliver optimal yardage for the average golfer. In this post, I provide a detailed Callaway Epic Max driver review to help you determine if it suits your swing.

You’ll find this driver produces high forgiveness, rampant ball speed, and moderate spin for a consistently elevated launch. In addition, its draw bias profile helps amateur golfers fight slices for straighter drivers.

So, how does it achieve this? Read further to learn about the inner workings of the most forgiving of the Epic drivers.

Features

A.I Designed Jailbreak Speed Frame

At times I feel Mark Zuckerberg is pulling strings at Callaway, given their liberal use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in their products. I am not complaining because it takes forgiveness and consistency to another level.

Previous jailbreak architectures only stabilized the clubface vertically, while the new construction provides torsional direction stability. In my experience, this generated consistent ball speed across an expanded zone for consistent yardage on all shots.

A.I Designed Flash Face

You can see what I mean when I say Callaway engineers enjoy AI. The engineers designed the clubface with AI, to optimize the spin and speed over a wider area of the clubface. You’ll notice this prompts fast speeds, even on heel and toe mishits, to mitigate a loss of yards.

Lighter Triaxial Carbon Material

Another stroke of genius in the production of the Callaway Epic Max driver is the use of a triaxial carbon material. You’ll notice the frame is constructed with this material instead of titanium, enabling the engineers to save 19 grams of weight.

They then took this mass and applied it low and deep for a low center of gravity (CG) and high moment of inertia (MOI). I produced a consistent, elevated launch on all shots due to the CG position, while the MOI kept my clubface square for straighter shots.

Sliding Rear Weight

Sticking with mass-related features, I introduce you to the 17-gram sliding rear weight. You’ll find a simple tweak of the position alters the shot bias of your drives. Its factory setting is a draw bias to help restrict side spin and prompt straighter flight, but you can change it as you see fit.

If you find the draw bias setup is delivering hooks, you can alter the position to a neutral or fade bias. Callaway suggests the weight can correct your shot shape by 20-yards, but I achieved an average of 12-yards.

Optifit Hosel

In addition to the CG shifting rear weight, the Epic Max is equipped with an Optifit hosel, which enables you to adjust the loft and lie angle of the clubface. You’ll see that it has four adjustment settings to strengthen, weaken or keep it neutral.

I found the hosel allowed me to reduce loft by 1 degree to lower my launch and spin off the tee. Conversely, I reduced the loft by 2 degrees when I wanted a high, consistent tee shot. For example, if I acquire a 10.5-degree, I can strengthen the driver loft to 9.5-degrees and weaken it up to 12.5-degrees.

Lofts

As with most drivers, the forgiving Epic Max is offered in 3 loft profiles to cater to slow, moderate, and fast swing speeds. You’ll notice your lowest lofted option is a 9-degree driver, which you can reduce to 8 degrees or weaken to 11 degrees.

A 10.5-degree lofted design is the middle child in the series and provides the ideal platform for golfers with moderate speeds to produce a medium-level flight. However, if the flight is too high for you, you can strengthen the loft to 9.5-degrees or increase it to 12.5-degrees.

Your final option is a 12-degree setup, which is brilliant for slower swing speeds, such as seniors or beginners. In addition, you can shave off a degree and set it at 11 degrees for a lower launch. Conversely, you can increase it to 14 degrees for an easier high launch.

Shafts

A stock Callaway Epic Max driver is constructed with two shaft options from the Project X stable. The two shafts offer more choices for moderate and higher swing speeds in the form of regular, stiff, and extra-stiff shafts.

The Project X Cypher 40 shafts are the best bet for slower swing speeds, as it is the only construction offered in a senior flex. In addition, this graphite shaft carries a regular, stiff, and extra-stiff shaft. Naturally, you’ll find these flex designs are ideal for moderate and faster swing speeds.

I found the Cypher 40 shafts helped me achieve an incredibly increased apex, which higher handicappers may appreciate. In my case, I felt like I ballooned my shots and lost carry and total distance.

Contrarily, the HZRDOUS Smoke IM10 shafts are a wise choice for golfers seeking a mid-to-low launch for greater control off the tee box. You’ll find these are only offered in a stiff and regular flex which works for moderate and fast driver swing speeds.

Performance

Price

Despite its mature age in the artillery of Callaway driver releases, the Epic Max is not the cheapest pick out there. Permitted, it is lower than the latest release, the Rogue ST range, but still expensive for an older model.

However, it possesses advanced game improvement technology to offer forgiveness and consistency and is constructed with premium materials. Therefore, it is a durable, reliable golf club that will carry you in the years ahead.

Feel and Sound

I found the Epic Max provided a solid feel and I could feel my ball springing off the face. Plus, it produced a clean-sounding ping off the super strong titanium face, which every golfer will appreciate.

Spin

I produced more spin than usual, reaching 3500 RPM on average. As you can imagine, this resulted in a higher launch, perfect for slower-swinging mid and high-handicappers. However, my apex was too high for my liking, causing me to lose carry and total distance.

Let’s not get bogged down with my preferences. I feel the escalated spin will benefit those who struggle to consistently get their ball airborne. Players seeking a lower launch without sacrificing forgiveness should test the Callaway Epic Max LS driver.

Forgiveness

You’ll find this edition offers superior forgiveness compared to the Callaway Epic Flash driver, thanks to its draw bias profile and enlarged sweet spot. Although it will not eradicate your slices, it will reduce the severity of the curve.

What I Like About The Callaway Epic Max

Consistent Ball Speed

I appreciated the consistency of my ball speed provided by the A. I designed Jailbreak Speed Frame and A.I. constructed flash face. Together, helped me maintain ball speed on heel and toe strikes to produce adequate distance on all shots.

Accuracy

You’ll find the combination of a high MOI construction and draw bias profile help high handicappers combat slices. In addition, the high MOI setup is designed to help you square your clubface at impact and produce straighter ball flight.

Forgiveness

From promoting straighter shots and a high launch and maintaining ball speed on all strikes, the Epic Max is incredibly lenient. I feel it is ideal for high handicappers struggling to find fairways or produce a consistently elevated launch.

Versatility

I never suggest tinkering with your loft and weight position, but it is nice to know that you have the option. The optifit hosel allows you to alter your driver loft and lie angle to produce a higher or lower trajectory. Plus, the rear sliding weight helps you set up the driver for a draw, fade, or neutral shape.

High Launch

Finally, I must mention the high launch produced by this driver, as it is highly beneficial to slow-swinging golfers. It is not my preference, but it is easy to swing and launch high on every shot.

What I Dislike About The Callaway Epic Max

Price

Even though Callaway has released the Rogue ST range of the Epic drivers, the Max still carries a lofty price tag.

Spin

I did not enjoy the elevated spin rate because it caused me to balloon tee shots and lose carry distance. However, this will suit slower swingers. If you have the same feeling, look at the Epic Max low-spin driver.

Limited Workability

The high MOI design and draw bias profile prevented me from inducing a draw or a fade. This is not important for high handicappers who need to focus on hitting straight but may annoy you later as you enter the ranks of a mid-handicapper.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

Overall, my Callaway Epic Max driver review has revealed that I am mostly optimistic about the performance. I felt it provided exceptional forgiveness, consistent ball speed and encourages straighter ball flight.

Mid-handicappers can benefit from the forgiveness and consistency of this golf club. However, I feel it is high-handicap golfers who stand to extract the highest value from this forgiving driver.

Overall Rating: 91/100

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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TaylorMade released the Stealth driver range in 2022, kicking off the “Carbonwood Age” and moving away from the standard titanium clubface.

In this article, I conduct a TaylorMade Stealth driver review and examine the features, benefits, and downsides of this highly forgiving big stick.

You’ll notice that the Stealth is built for mid-handicappers seeking optimal leniency and a mid-to-high launch with a neutral ball flight.

If you are a high handicapper, you may prefer the draw bias profile of the Stealth HD driver. Conversely, the mid-launching Stealth Plus works for low handicappers.

Quick Overview of The TaylorMade Stealth Driver

Features

60X Carbon Twist Face

The sizeable difference between a TaylorMade Stealth driver and alternative products is its 60X carbon twist face. You’ll see that the engineers applied 60 carbon fiber layers to the clubface to enhance your feel and acoustics at impact.

In addition, I noticed that the Carbon fiber face helped me produce sufficient friction to get my ball airborne. However, the ball did not stay on the clubface for longer than necessary. Thanks to its flexible face, it generated ample ball speed because of the flexibility of the active zone.

Finally, the twist face construction resists turning during your swing to remain square to the target at impact. You’ll find that it promotes straighter shots for improved accuracy.

Nanotexture Cover

I noticed that the Stealth carried an additional protective layer on the carbon face, composed of polyurethane. TaylorMade calls it Nanotexture technology, and it helps you maintain ball speed and spin on all strikes. Plus, I felt it did well to eradicate vibrations typically experienced on off-center strikes.

Asymmetric Inertia Generator

Next, you’ll find that the Stealth packs an inertia-generating clubhead, which means it carries superior aerodynamics. I felt the driver glided through the air uninterrupted on my downswing, aiding my clubhead speed for a powerful strike.

Furthermore, the asymmetric inertia generator allowed the engineers to place a weight on the rear of the driver’s clubhead. You’ll find that this increases the offset of the driver and its moment of inertia (MOI) to encourage straighter shots.

While I have no gripe with the generator’s effectiveness, this technology is not new to the Stealth big stick. You can find it in the SIM range of drivers, predating the Stealth series.

Thru-Slot Speed Pocket

I noticed that the Thru-Slot Speed Pocket came to my aid on two separate occasions during testing after generating low-face strikes. Previous TaylorMade drivers carried this technology, and the brand obviously adopted the approach of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

The speed pocket enhances clubface flex to offer increased spring at the impact on mishits low off the face. Typically, striking the golf ball in this area leads to a drop-off in ball speed and spin, causing you to hit a short, low-spinning drive. You’ll see that you end up producing consistent yardage.

4 Degree Adjustable Loft Sleeve

As expected from a premium, modern construction, the new Stealth driver contains an adjustable loft sleeve.

You’ll notice that you can strengthen or weaken your standard loft by 2 degrees in either direction. For example, if you play a 10.5-degree loft, you can lower it to 8.5-degrees. Contrarily, you can weaken the clubface loft, to 12.5-degrees.

I suggest you refrain from tinkering with the loft excessively, as it impacts your face angle and can alter your length, trajectory, and launch. However, it is handy if you are trying to identify the correct profile for your swing.

Lofts

You’ll notice that stock TaylorMade Stealth drivers are constructed in 3 loft profiles to suit faster, moderate, and slower swing speeds. A 9-degree design is the lowest lofted creation in the Stealth range and is better suited to those with higher swing speeds.

Furthermore, a 10.5-degree profile is built for moderate swing speeds, seeking a mid-to-high launch off the tee box. Finally, you’ll find that the 12-degree design is ideal for slower swingers looking for a higher launching ball for farther carry yardage.

Shafts

TaylorMade offers golfers the choice of 4 stock shafts to suit a variety of swing speeds. However, I find that most options cater more toward moderate and high swing speeds than slower swingers.

You’ll find that if you fit into the category of a moderate swinger, there are only two options with regular flexes. The Aldila Ascent Red and the Ventus Red 5 are the way to go. The latter is also the only stock shaft with a senior flex, ideal for slow swing speed.

Finally, super fast swing speeds have the luxury of choosing the Aldila, Tour AD 12, and the Mitsubishi Diamana ZF60. These shafts offer stiff and extra stiff flex to produce straight ball flight for optimal roll, control, and total distance.

Stock Grip

The final feature to discuss is the Lamkin Crossline 360 grip with a textured feel. I felt that the tiny indents cluttered around the grip boosted my traction for superb control of the golf club. However, the standard size of the rubber may prove challenging for some golfers to keep the club on path.

Performance

Fast Ball Speed

I found that the Stealth driver delivered ball speed in line with my average on a GCQuad launch monitor. On a good day, I can generate approximately 134 mph velocity with a driver, and the Stealth driver notches up just under 133 mph. We are talking about the minor differences that had little impact on my total yardage.

Spin Rate

My optimal driver spin rate is 3000 revolutions per minute (rpm), and the Stealth is marginally a higher rate. It clocked in over 3200 rpm of spin, which did generate a slightly higher launch than usual. However, this suits the average golfer who requires increased launch for optimal distance.

Launch

In its factory settings, the Stealth driver is built to encourage a mid to high launch for consistent carry distance. I noticed that the intensified spin prompted an elevated apex on each occasion, making it a breeze to launch.

However, the higher launching nature of the Stealth may deter superior players looking for piercing flight off the tee.

Forgiveness

In my experience, the Stealth provided ample forgiveness ranging from accuracy, ball speed, and distance. Firstly, the high-MOI design of the clubface keeps it square to deliver direct flight for improved accuracy. In addition, an enlarged sweet spot maintains the ball’s pace and lowers spin for increased length.

Accuracy

I felt the combination of the Carbon Twist Face and weight distribution worked well to bolster accuracy. These features worked to keep your face square at contact to prevent a slice and induce straight accurate drives.

What I Like About The TaylorMade Stealth

Launch

The TaylorMade Stealth is an easy driver to consistently launch high and long, a trait suited to casual golfers. You’ll find that the higher launch is generated by the Nanotexture technology, which tweaks spin for optimal lift off the tee.

Accelerated Clubhead Speed

My clubhead speed is not the fastest, clocking in at approximately 85 mph. However, the Stealth earned me an extra mile per hour, up to 86 mph. You’ll notice that the Asymmetric Inertia Generator helps your clubhead glide through the air uninterrupted and accelerate velocity on the downswing.

High-MOI Design

I feel that the high-MOI design of this driver suits the needs of the average golfer prone to slicing the ball. I like that the Stealth mitigates the impact of wayward strikes, reducing the intensity of the slice. When you can square the clubface at impact, you stand a higher chance of finding the fairway.

Feel

The Feel of the Stealth driver is a double-edged sword. It impressed me and frustrated me simultaneously. I enjoyed its ability to reduce vibrations felt on off-center shots and shield my hands. However, the feeling was too muted, like I was hitting an airball.

Forgiveness

Besides encouraging accurate tee shots, the Stealth delivered a consistently high launch and optimal spin and ball speed. Its optimal approach to leniency works for the average golfer looking to preserve yardage without ending out of bounds on each shot.

What I Dislike About The TaylorMade Stealth

Price

Off the bat, I am not a fan of the exorbitant price of this driver. However, I understand that years of research and development go into manufacturing a groundbreaking product. If you are in the market for a long-term driver it is definitely worth the high price tag.

No Sliding Weight Track

Unlike the TaylorMade Stealth Plus, the standard edition does not include a sliding weight track, enabling you to adjust the center of gravity (CG). If you like the freedom of tinkering with your setup, then the Plus edition may be a better solution.

Similar Features To Previous Models

Despite the carbon wood clubface, the Stealth contains several technologies and features used in previous TaylorMade drivers. That in itself is not a negative. However, you can find older TaylorMade drivers with many of the same features at a lower price.

Shaft Options For Slower Swingers

The final downside of the Stealth is the shaft options for slower swingers. Only the Ventus Red 5 is offered in a senior flex. The remaining options are geared toward moderate and high swing speeds.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

The Stealth is the outcome of genius engineering, designed to take drivers into a new age of production. I appreciate the exceptional forgiveness, consistency, and yardage it offers the average golfer. However, its premium price point will place it beyond reach for some.

If you are looking for a premium quality driver to invest in for the long term, look no further than the Stealth for a reliable investment in your game. It promotes straighter shots, is easy to launch, and delivers consistent carry yards. Overall, I feel the TaylorMade Stealth driver is for serious mid-handicappers looking for a big stick to carry them down to a low handicapper.

Readers who appreciate the work of TaylorMade should read our review of the timeless TaylorMade M4.

Overall Rating: 89/100

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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The great thing about the Callaway Mavrik driver being out now for a few years is that we can really decide whether or not this club is worth the money. Pricing has dropped, and new models have been brought to the market, but the Mavrik is still around.

This is the driver that I currently have in my bag. Therefore, I’ve got a lot to say about it!

If you are thinking of putting a Mavrik in the bag, or maybe even thinking it’s time to take it out, here are the things you should know about the Callaway Mavrik driver.

Callaway Mavrik Driver Features

The Callaway Mavrik driver has AI Technology and some impressive internal components to help golfers improve on overall distance and accuracy. Here are the stand-out features and how they will impact your game.

High Strength FS2S Titanium

Traditional titanium no longer cuts it as a premium golf material. Golf manufacturers are looking for alternative technologies that can help them give players tremendous distance gains. Callaway chose the FS2S Titanium for immense speed and better weighting than other types of technology.

I can tell you that the face has a firm but fast feel, and the ball jumps off it. I switched from a 7-year-old Cobra driver when I purchased the Mavrik, and the very first thing I noticed was the jump off the face.

Adjustable Hosel

The adjustable hosel in the Callaway Mavrik allows golfers to fine tune the ball flight and the face angle to ensure it’s a better fit. When I first started playing the Mavrik, I felt it was really open and actually closed the face a little.

I ended up moving it back and playing with the loft. However, the bottom line is that this adjustability makes it much easier to keep a club in play for years to come.

If you change your swing, work on that dreaded slice or even start hooking the ball a bit, you can adjust the clubhead to see an improvement.

Artificial Intelligence

We got through plenty of years of golf without artificial intelligence to help us. However, now that it’s here, it’s a mistake not to take advantage of it. AI allowed Callaway to perfectly position the center of gravity, improve weighting and increase overall ball speeds in their golf clubs.

The Callaway Mavrik line features include ball speed and distance, and much of that has to do with the AI construction. Combining that with the Jailbreak and Triaxial Carbon Crown, this driver is the complete package.

Callaway Mavrik Driver Performance

Now that you have a better idea of what the technology is like in the Callaway Mavrik let’s take a more detailed look at how the golf club actually performs. I’m playing with the Standard Mavrik driver with a stiff shaft, and right now, I have it set on the neutral settings at 10.5 degrees.

Price

The Callaway Mavrik driver has dropped in price since its initial release. For the value it is now offered, it is well worth the price. Of course, when clubs age a year or two, it can be hard to find the customized shaft selections you are looking for.

However, sometimes it’s worth getting a stock shaft like the UST Helium Black or Evenflow Riptide and seeing how this performs before replacing it.

Feel & Sound

The Mavrik is loud but nothing that stands out as being obnoxious. You know, there have been some Cobra or Ping drivers in the past that had a sound that many golfers couldn’t really put up with.

However, the Jailbreak bars and Jailbreak technology must help to muffle a little of what goes on inside the clubhead because it’s a pleasing sound that you would expect from a premium club.

The feel of the Mavrik is something that initially concerned me. I was transferring from a soft-feeling Cobra driver that was tremendously responsive. In addition, I had given the Epic Flash Driver a try and felt that the feel was harsh.

However, the Mavrik had a better feel than I expected, plenty of consistency, and even with a stock shaft, had some built-in workability.

Spin

Spin robustness is something that is important to consider in any club you put into your bag. The Mavrik has low spin rates; however, not the lowest spin rate on the market. If you have the driver set properly and your swing is on, the lower spinning drives roll for quite a ways.

However, it does take a little playing around with the shaft and driver club head settings to get the spin perfect and benefit from the levels of spin you need.

Mid handicappers and below will have no trouble with the spin you get from the Callaway Mavrik.

Forgiveness

The Callaway Mavrik drive is forgiving. It’s not the most forgiving driver I’ve ever used, but I certainly consider it more of a game-improvement driver than a players club. The cyclone aero shape cuts through the air easily, and the more expansive area that Callaway considers the sweet spot gives you a lot of room for error.

I find that I can feel where I miss it (high, low, heel, toe), but the shot still ends up in the general area where I need it to be.

Distance

Distance from the Mavrik is good, regardless of clubhead speed. Slower swing speed golfers have noticed tremendous games, and higher swing speed golfers playing with the right shaft can go after this club without having to worry about it.

The new Callaway Rogue and TaylorMade Stealth are getting fast ball speeds and beating the Mavrik out a bit. However, for many players, this is a very small difference. If you haven’t upgraded your driver in the last few years, the Mavrik has some impressive distance.

The only negative I can say regarding distance is that there are times when I can hit the ball a good 10 or 15 yards further than other times when I feel like I have made a good swing. The distance control is just a bit off, but I never feel like I’m losing distance with this driver.

What I Like About The Callaway Mavrik Driver

My favorite thing about the Callaway Mavrik Driver, especially now that I have it dialed in a bit more, is the consistency. I no longer have to think about this club; when I stand on the tee box, I know where it is going.

In fact, I even know where my miss is going.

Although the distance control isn’t always great, the results of the drive are something I’m almost always happy with.

In addition, the Callaway Mavrik driver has a great feel. As I mentioned, I can feel when I miss it, but the ball still travels where I want it to. Essentially being able to get feedback but not have to deal with a disastrous shot is a huge benefit.

Lastly, the Callaway Mavrik Driver is an outstanding value right now. This club is going to stay in play for quite some time, and the technology will remain relevant. It’s a good time to buy.

What I Dislike About The Callaway Mavrik Driver

The driver sits really open.

In fact, when I went to get it regripped not that long ago, the pro there even mentioned that he feels like this driver always sits so far open. It really does.

However, it’s more the way it looks than whether or not the club is actually open to the target. If your clubface is open to the target, you will hit shots right, but I almost never hit this driver right.

The top-down look is wide open, but the driver is square. If you know this is going in, you won’t make the same mistake I did and start adjusting the driver to help it look more square. Just let this club sit as it’s designed, and you will get some really impressive drives out of it.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

If you have a driver more than four or five years old and are looking for an upgrade, the Callaway Mavrik is a great choice. I always like to try and narrow down the driver choices based on handicap, but with the Mavrik, I don’t need to.

Regardless of your handicap, there are some benefits here that you can really enjoy. Golfers will be impressed with the overall value that this driver offers. This is my first Callaway driver in more than 30 years of playing the game, and it has me excited to see what this brand comes up with next.

Overall Rating: 95/100

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Over the past few years, rangefinders have become all the rage amongst golfers.

The PGA of America even made rangefinders legal in all three of its major championships back in May of 2021. The move was made by the governing body with the hopes of speeding up the pace of play on the golf course at these events.

I’ve been playing golf for several years and I’ll be the first to admit that I was slow to come around to using a rangefinder during my rounds. However, when I purchased my last set of golf clubs, the salesman kindly threw in a Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder as part of the deal. Now I don’t know how I ever played a round of golf without it!

In the following review, I’ll go over what I like and dislike about the Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder. Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll be able to decide if it’s the best rangefinder for you and your game. So, without further delay, let’s get to it!

Quick Overview of the Bushnell Tour V4

Bushnell has been making top-of-the-line rangefinders for over 25 years, so they have stood the test of time in the golf industry. The Tour V4 was first released in 2016 and it remains one of Bushnell’s best-selling rangefinders, even though the Tour V5 has been out for quite a while. The Slope Edition lets you toggle in and out of Bushnell’s special slope feature, which automatically adjusts its yardage based on the incline or decline of the slope.

The Tour V4 provides pinpoint accuracy and gives you a yardage number that you can be confident in each time you use it on the golf course. It also comes with Pin Seeker Jolt technology, which sends short vibrating pulses when you have correctly shot the laser to the flag. With the Tour V4’s 5x magnification, you’ll easily be able to see all of the key details of each green on the course.

What I Like About The Bushnell Tour V4

Since the Tour V4 has so many key features, it’s hard to decide which ones I value the most. However, here are some of my favorite things about this particular Bushnell rangefinder. These are in no particular order.

• Pinpoint Accuracy: Before using the Tour V4, I simply used a standard golf GPS app on my phone. While this worked okay to give me ballpark yardage on each of my shots, I quickly learned that the yardage it gave me was regularly three to five yards off the actual distance. I’ve never had this problem with the Tour V4 because its accuracy is always within 1-yard. It’s so refreshing to not have to second guess my club selection anymore!
• Pin Seeker with Jolt Technology: This is probably my favorite feature of the Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder! With other brands, you may be left wondering if you correctly aimed the laser at the target. This is NOT the case with the Tour V4 thanks to its Pin Seeker with Jolt feature. Simply aim at the flagstick and the device will provide you with a tactile confirmation by lightly vibrating a few times! How cool is that?
• Fast Focus System: Some laser rangefinders or golf GPS apps can take quite a while to give you the desired yardage information. This can be due to a weak cell phone signal on a GPS app or a lengthy process on some off-brand rangefinders. Needless to say, it is super annoying when that happens! Thankfully, golfers don’t have to worry about that happening with the Bushnell Tour V4. It has a fast focus system that allows you to see your yardage number and degree of slope quickly and efficiently. No more waiting around to find your number and select your club.
• 2-Year Warranty: Let’s face it. Finding a company that stands behind its products with a solid warranty is almost a rare thing nowadays. This warranty means if you have any trouble with the Tour V4 in the way of manufacturing defects within two years of your purchase date, Bushnell will either fix the issue or send you a new rangefinder as a replacement.
• Compact Size: Some golf rangefinders are too bulky, which makes it difficult to keep a steady hand when trying to find out yardages. You won’t have this problem with the Tour V4. It’s a lightweight device with an ergonomic design, which makes it much easier to hold than other brands. Your thumb will easily wrap around the entire device and you’ll be able to easily hit the red button on top to start shooting yardages.
• Slope Mode: Being able to calculate the slope of each green is a remarkable advantage for amateur golfers. Thanks to the Tour V4’s ability to tell me the degrees of slope, I can decide the safest approach shot based on the hole layouts. This has helped me lower my handicap considerably.
• Water Resistant: This one is a biggie for me because, unlike some other golfers, I like playing in the rain (I know, I’m weird). The Tour V4 is water-resistant so you can use it without fear of damaging it. However, just to be on the safe side, I wouldn’t use it in a complete downpour though, as it’s not waterproof (only water-resistant). Be sure to keep the rangefinder in its premium carrying case when you aren’t using it.
• Access to Bushnell Golf App: Golfers of all levels will love the Bushnell Golf mobile app because of its helpful features. The app offers 3D flyovers of each hole as well as yardages to the front, to the flag, and to the back of the green. The app currently has a 4.8 rating on the App Store and a 3.9 rating on Google Play. Both of those impressive ratings just go to show that Bushnell spared no expense when it came to designing its mobile golf app.
• Extremely Long Battery Life: Another critical feature of the Tour V4 is its battery life. I’ve been using this rangefinder for over a year and haven’t needed to replace the battery. It takes a 3-volt lithium cr2 battery, which is easy to find at most shopping outlets. The battery door also easily slides open to make the whole replacement process a breeze.

What I Dislike About The Bushnell Tour V4

There’s not a whole lot to dislike about the Tour V4. The only complaint I have is that it doesn’t come with a magnet on it, which would make it easier to mount it on the side of the golf cart during a round. This would be much more convenient than having to take it in and out of the carry case throughout the entire round on the course.

However, I have heard that the new Bushnell Tour V5 comes with its new BITE magnetic technology, which allows you to just slap it on the side of the golf cart rails. It would probably be pretty easy to just slap a small magnet on the side of the Tour V4 though.

Overall Rating and Thoughts: 4.9 Stars

Bushnell has converted me into a customer for life. While I used to think rangefinders were overpriced and unnecessary, I now don’t know how I ever played a round of golf without one! If you are on the fence about which rangefinder to buy, I highly recommend the Bushnell Tour V4 Slope Edition.

Overall, I’d give the Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder 4.9 out of 5 stars for a variety of reasons. It’s insanely accurate and I love the Jolt Technology, which vibrates a little bit when you have locked on to the flag. This gives me peace of mind that I have aimed the laser in the correct spot.

The slope option is incredibly helpful because it factors in the degrees of slope for you, which tells you what the shot is actually playing. This makes a huge difference in the way of club selection. After all, most golf shots have some sort of slope involved.

If you are not a fan of the slope technology and just want the actual distance or you are playing in a tournament that doesn’t allow it, you can easily shift between modes by rotating the small notch dial on top. Again, Bushnell hits a home run with this feature.

I also love how the Bushnell Tour V4 rangefinder fits comfortably into the palm of my hand. It was designed with stabi-grip technology, which means it won’t slip out of your hand and it’s easy to handle. It’s also lightweight, so your arm and hand won’t get tired of holding it during a round.

Lastly, Bushnell is the most reputable rangefinder brand on the market. Tons of professional and amateur golfers around the world trust Bushnell to give them accurate yardage readings. If you’re in the market for a new rangefinder, you can’t go wrong with the Bushnell Tour V4 Slope Edition.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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The first time I tested the M4 driver was in 2018, shortly after its release.

As TaylorMade has launched several drivers since, I thought it would be fun to hit the range again and see how it compares to a newer model. Therefore, I have written a TaylorMade M4 driver review here to determine if it is still a force to be reckoned with.

After introducing you to the features and performance of this driver, I will assess how it compares to the manufacturer’s latest releases. In addition, the analysis will help you decide if the TaylorMade M4 driver is suited to your swing.

For readers looking for a quick summary, here are the highlights/lowlights:

Quick Overview of The TaylorMade M4 Driver

Features

Twist Face Technology

The first stand-out feature of the M4 driver is its new twist face technology. Well, it was fresh back in 2018. The revolutionary new face curvature for that time produced a corrective face angle to combat off-center strikes.

Therefore, striking the ball in the high toe increases the loft of the face. Conversely, if the clubface catches the ball off the low heel, it reduces the apex of your shot. This is done to produce a consistent spin on all drives.

Furthermore, helping you get your ball airborne, the twist face technology resists side spin on heel and toe mishits. As a result, you produce straighter shots for an improved fairway in regulation record.

Excess side spin off the club face causes hooks and slices, which is the fastest way to ruin your hole before it begins.

Speed Pocket

When we miss the center of the driver’s face, we reduce the coefficient of restitution (COR), which slows down our ball speed. The loss of velocity leads to a weaker launch and a loss of distance.

Fortunately, TaylorMade’s engineers employed Speed Pocket technology to boost speed on all shots. Therefore, you enjoy consistent ball flight and distance on all connections.

Speed pocket technology is effective when you catch the ball low off the face. It springs into action and accelerates your ball speed to produce optimal yardage. Without this technology, your driver delivers inadequate spin and velocity for adequate yardage.

Hammerhead Slot

A hammerhead slot is inserted into the driver’s sole to support the outer portions of the slot. That reduces the mass, encouraging a more flexible face through impact. This benefits you on off-center hits, where you need all the ball speed necessary to produce sufficient distance off the tee.

In addition, the increased flexibility of the TaylorMade M4 driver expands the sweet spot for maximum forgiveness. As a result, the wider sweet spot delivers ample ball speed across the face for consistent distance off the tee.

Geocoustic Technology

Geocoustic tech employs sole shaping techniques to deliver superior sound and feel at impact. Therefore, you enjoy the rewarding acoustics of your clubface, striking the ball on every tee shot.

Furthermore, TaylorMade added a recessed sole contour construction to the head, freeing up weight in the clubhead. That enabled the engineers to craft a larger flexible clubface with an enhanced sweet spot. As a result, it delivers maximum forgiveness.

Adjustable Hosel

The M4 driver features an adjustable hosel, enabling golfers to alter their loft by 2 degrees of additional or less loft. Plus, adjustments impact the angle of the clubface.

For example, strengthening the loft by 2 degrees can open your clubface up to 4 degrees. That sets your driver up to deliver a fade bias. Conversely, lowering the loft by 2 degrees closes the club face by 4 degrees. This positions the driver for a draw bias.

In addition, altering the loft impacts the level of backspin RPM you produce at impact. Weakening the loft by 2 degrees can boost your backspin by 400 RPM. That setup prompts a high launch, ideal for slower swingers.

On the contrary, strengthening the loft helps you deliver a low spin off the driver’s face for maximum distance.

To alter the loft, you need a wrench to help you loosen the screws on the sole. Rotate anti-clockwise to slacken the screws, and remove them. Then, slip the head of the shaft. Turn the hosel to achieve your desired loft.

You can follow the video below by Golfbidder for a visual representation of the procedure:

Lofts

TaylorMade crafts the M4 driver in three key loft settings. The lowest lofted design is 9.5-degrees, followed by a 10.5-degree construction. Finally, golfers with a slow driver swing speed should appreciate the 12-degree driver.

Shafts

The only stock shaft available on the M4 is the Fujikura Atmos Red 5. Fujikura constructed this shaft in stiff, regular, and senior flex. Therefore, they are designed for golfers who produce fast, average, and slow club head speed.

Performance

Price

As an older model driver, the M4 is now at a convenient price point for mid and high-handicappers. It has come down by $200 to $300 in price, making it far more attractive to the average golfer than new premium drivers from TaylorMade.

Feel and Sound

Geocoustic technology delivers a solid deafening sound at impact. Exactly the noise you expect to hear from your driver when you crush it out of the sweet spot. In addition, it offers a relatively soft feel as it drowns out vibrations on off-center strikes.

Spin

On average, I generate 2100 RPM of backspin with my driver. When I tested the M4, I averaged 100 mph less than that, clocking in at 2000 RPM. I am satisfied with this level, and it is what I expect to receive from my big stick.

Forgiveness

The M4 delivers exceptional all-around forgiveness, from accelerating ball speed on off-center strikes to minimizing side spin. This support helps you achieve optimal distance and accuracy.

Distance

TaylorMade built the M4 to accelerate ball speed and reduce spin on your drives. My average driving distance is 270-yards, and the M4 produced 274-yards in testing. Therefore, it creates slightly more distance than my regular driver.

What I Like About The TaylorMade M4

Sound

Off the clubface, the TaylorMade M4 produces a solid, explosive sound to warn your partners that a bomb is flying down the fairway. Geocoustic technology helped the engineers execute advanced sole shaping techniques. This means that the clubhead is crafted for optimal sound and feel at impact.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the crucial features of the TaylorMade M4 driver. The presence of a flexible clubface, enlarged sweet spot, and hammerhead slot ensures a forgiving driver.

Its flexible face springs into the ball at impact and accelerates velocity. This prompts a high launching, long flying ball, resulting in exceptional distance. Even when you strike the ball low off the face.

Furthermore, its face curvature construction beats off unwanted spin prompted by off-center strikes. This reduces the risk of you hooking or slicing your drive into trouble.

Low Spin

Low spin off the tee enables you to produce piercing ball flight and prompt optimal forward roll upon landing. When I create excess spin, I balloon my drives and lose distance. The ball shoots into the air and descends rapidly before coming to an abrupt halt.

The beauty of the M4 is that it contains an adjustable hosel. Therefore, you can continuously strengthen the loft of your driver to reduce backspin RPM.

Adjustable Hosel

By adding an adjustable hosel, TaylorMade allows you to tinker with the loft, angle, and your clubface lie. If you are generating excess backspin RPM you can strengthen your driver’s loft to reduce spin. Conversely, you can weaken the loft to encourage additional backspin RPM.

Moreover, the hosel alters the angle of the face. You can set your club up to induce a draw or a fade. Strengthen your loft on the adjustable hosel, and keep your clubface open and ready to prompt a fade shape.

Contrarily, weakening the loft closes the club face by up to 4 degrees, encouraging the club to promote a draw.

This feature is suited to mid and high handicappers still identifying the perfect composition for their swings.

What I Dislike About The TaylorMade M4

Shaft Options

There is little not to like about the TaylorMade M4 driver. It is forgiving, feels superb, and delivers optimal distance on all strikes. However, they are skint on stock shaft options. There is only one brand of stock shaft available.

I would like them to offer more stock shafts that cater to every swing speed and tempo.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

The TaylorMade M4 is an exceptional driver. Although it is a few years older than newer models from the equipment giant, it remains relevant. Like new TaylorMade drivers, the M4 is highly forgiving, reduces spin, and generates rapid ball speed.

Overall, it gives the average golfer everything we need off the tee; and it is at a fraction of its release price. If you are after a highly forgiving, long, and adjustable driver, you should consider the TaylorMade M4 driver.

Overall Rating: 95/100

Related Reading: Since they are a highly reputable manufacturer, TaylorMade’s golf clubs are not found in the bargain bin. However, if the price is everything to you, there are more affordable options. Find your ideal big stick among our 10 best drivers under $200.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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This Callaway Rogue St driver review seeks to analyze the qualities of the Max design.

Out of the three options in the Callaway Rogue drivers series, the Max is built for the average golfer demanding accuracy, distance, and forgiveness.

The other two golf clubs suit fast swinging low-handicap players and inconsistent high handicappers. The Rogue ST Max LS is a low spin option and accelerates ball speed for maximum distance. Conversely, the Callaway Rogue ST Max D provides a draw bias that combats sidespin for straighter drives.

As the latest Callaway Driver, the Max range is a premium product. You can expect to fork out a pretty penny. However, if you are on a budget, you should review our top 10 drivers under $200.

For readers looking for a quick summary, here are the highlights/lowlights:

Quick Overview of The Callaway Rogue ST Driver

Tungsten Speed Cartridge

Engineers at Callaway employed a Tungsten Speed Cartridge which places 26 grams of tungsten weight in the driver’s head.

The cartridge increases the stability of the Callaway Rogue ST drivers to ensure the highest MOI head. MOI stands for moment of inertia, which represents the ability of a clubface to resist twisting during your swing. As a result, it encourages a square face to prompt a straight tee shot.

Furthermore, this stable driver works to maintain ball speed on off-center strikes. This provides exceptional forgiveness levels to the average golfer to keep you long and straight on the golf course.

Jailbreak Speed Frame

Jailbreak Speed Frame technology enhances the stability of your Callaway Driver, horizontally and torsionally. The aim of this structure is to quicken ball speed on all strikes. Therefore, the club maintains velocity on heel and toe mishits and contact low off the clubface.

In addition, this construction helps you reduce spin to boost distance results. Ultimately, Tungsten Speed Cartridge and a Jailbreak Speed Frame provide the best combination of distance, low spin, and forgiveness.

Titanium Unibody Construction

Callaway relied on a Titanium Unibody Construction to bolster stability and lower center of gravity (CG). These two features collaborate to produce explosive ball speed, a high MOI, and ball flight.

The deep and low CG helps golfers with average swing speed to consistently launch their golf ball into the air, leading to maximum carry distance. In addition, the high MOI profile resists twisting to remain square at contact. This leads to consistently straight shots for optimal accuracy.

Triaxial Carbon Crown And Sole

The engineers used a Triaxial Carbon Crown to reduce the total mass of the new Rogue ST drivers. This weight is then repositioned deep into the driver’s head, which enabled the team to lower the CG.

The low positioning of the CG encourages a high launch off the tee to ensure consistent carry and total distance.

Slight Draw Bias

The stock setup of the Rogue ST driver positions the head in a slight draw bias. This helps right-handed golfers combat left to right side spin on off-center strikes, leading to slices and a poor fairway in regulation record.

Although this helps serial slicers hit straighter shots, it can be detrimental to some golfers. The draw bias construction could worsen your results if you tend to hook your shots.

Adjustable Hosel

Despite the slight draw bias profile of the Rogue ST Max driver, it contains an adjustable hosel enabling you to alter the setup. The hosel lets you change the loft and lie of the clubface to achieve your desired launch and shot shape.

Weakening the loft of this driver encourages increased spin for a higher launching shot. However, keep in mind that an open clubface can cause you to generate right-to-left sidespin, prompting a fade.

Conversely, strengthening the loft of your golf club closes the face angle and encourages a low to neutral ball flight. Furthermore, the closed clubface of this driver sets you up to produce a draw.

Lofts

Callaway offers the Rogue ST Max driver in 3 stock loft options. The strongest lofted construction is 9 degrees, while 10.5-degrees works for the average golfer.

Lastly, a 12-degree loft design is the weakest option for slow-swinging golfers.

Faster swingers should consider the strong lofted 9-degree driver, which you can strengthen or weaken. You can reduce the loft on this driver to 8 degrees for a lower launch and 11 degrees for a higher flight.

In addition, the 10.5-degree driver can adjust to 9.5 and 12.5-degrees. Finally, the weaker 12-degree club strengthens up to 11 degrees and weakens to as much as 14 degrees.

Shafts

The Rogue ST Max driver offers 4 stock shaft options to promote an optimal launch for consistent distance and accuracy. Mitsubishi dominates the shaft offering with three different ranges.

Fast and medium driver swing speeds should produce their desired ball flight with the Tensei AV Blue 55 and 65 graphite shafts. Both these options are crafted in regular and stiff flex. Regular flex works for average swing speeds, while stiff flex performs for faster swingers.

Moreover, the Tensei AV White 65 graphite shaft is set up for fast and super faster swing speeds. These shafts are offered in stiff and extra stiff flex.

The final option is the Fujikura Ventus Blue 5 and 6 shaft, which works for fast and moderate swing speeds. These shafts are constructed in regular, stiff, and extra stiff flex. Therefore, they are built for moderate, fast, and super fast clubhead speeds.

Ultimately, the stock shafts for the Rogue ST Max driver are ideal for mid, fast, and super fast golf swings. They are not designed to perform for slower swingers.

What I Like About The Callaway Rogue ST Max

Consistent Ball Speed

The stand-out feature for me was the consistency of my ball speed on shots out the middle and off-center. My average ball speed hovers around 142 mph, which is my benchmark for all driver tests.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max performed optimally in this area during the test. The lowest ball velocity that I generated was 140.3 mph, slightly off-center to the right. Otherwise, the remaining swings yielded maximum speed for my game.

Thanks to the consistent ball speed, I generated optimal distance, which is why I appreciate this asset.

Low Spin

When low spin and explosive ball speed partner, they work to produce maximum yardage in your long game. The Jailbreak Speed Frame in this driver bolsters the stability of the clubhead and face at impact. This keeps your clubface square at impact to impart extreme ball velocity while restricting backspin.

My typical backspin rpm on drives ranges from 2200 to 2300, and the Rogue ST Max delivered the goods. My average was 2275 rpm during the tests, putting me exactly where I needed to be.

Straight Flight

The Tungsten Speed Cartridge and slight draw bias encourage straight ball flight for added accuracy. The former enhances MOI to reduce twisting and promote a square clubface at impact.

In addition, the slight draw bias combats side spin, which induces slices to keep you on the fairway.

What I Dislike About The Callaway Rogue ST

Price

The biggest turn-off of the Rogue ST is its premium price. It carries a recommended retail price of $549.99, which is excessive for the average golfer. However, there is no disrespect to Callaway because their engineers have created a gem of a product.

Appearance

The Tungsten Speed Cartridge sticks out from the back of the crown at address, which is off-putting. When I looked at it the first time, I was reminded of the horrors bestowed upon my eyes by the Nike Sasquatch. Other than this issue, the rest of the club is clean and appealing.

The Wrench Is Not Included

You generally need to acquire the wrench to adjust the hosel separately. This is annoying and adds to the cost of an already expensive item. When you are forking out a premium for a golf club, the least you could expect is to receive a complementary wrench.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

Overall, our Callaway Rogue ST driver review highlights an impressive creation that helps you maximize your distance without relinquishing forgiveness. The Tungsten Speed Cartridge escalates the driver’s MOI and accelerates ball speed on mishits. Together they produce consistent distance and accurate flight for an improved fairway in regulation record.

Furthermore, the presence of a Jailbreak Speed Frame increases the zone on your clubface that accelerates ball speed. Plus, it restricts backspin rpm encouraging additional yards off the tee.

The lower CG positioning is set up to help you launch your drives higher and longer. Finally, an adjustable hosel allows you to set up for your preferred ball flight. Given its qualities, it makes an ideal driver for mid-handicappers.

I am suitably impressed with the performance features of the Callaway Rogue ST driver and applaud their engineers. However, the excessively high price point rules it out for the average golfer, especially with a looming recession. Therefore, I suggest an older, affordable version such as the Epic Speed or Max.

If money is not an issue, then I won’t stand in your way. You can take a closer look at the Callaway Rogue ST driver here.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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Despite an attempt to find a backdoor into its players earning points on the Official World Golf Rankings by aligning itself with the little-known MENA Tour, LIV Golf continues to be denied such access for the moment. In a statement released Thursday, the OWGR said it will review the developments before making a decision, though that review will not reach its conclusion before the next two LIV events are completed.

The MENA Tour (Middle East and North Africa Tour) is a fledgling league with $75,000 purses that hasn’t hosted many events since the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. It is not notable on the list of relevant tours globally, but its members can earn OWGR points. LIV Golf, which presents 54-hole tournaments with no cuts and has thus been denied access to OWGR points, this week formed a “strategic alliance” with the MENA Tour.

The concept arrived upon by LIV Golf is for the MENA Tour to present LIV tournaments as “limited field events” under its banner, thus opening OWGR points to LIV golfers, many of whom are among the biggest stars in the game that chose to leave the PGA Tour for the guaranteed riches offered by the Saudi Arabia-backed league.

OWGR points allow golfers to stay relevant in the world rankings and qualify for major championships.

The OWGR responded to the request as such:

OWGR notes that the first two tournaments in [the MENA Tour’s newly submitted schedule] appeared to be the same as the LIV Golf Invitational Series tournaments in Bangkok and Jeddah. The communication from the MENA Tour included a starting field data file for the Bangkok tournament, confirming that to be the case.

A review of the changes to the MENA Tour is now underway by the OWGR.

Notice of these changes given by the MENA Tour is insufficient to allow OWGR to conduct the customary necessary review ahead of the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok (7-9 October) and LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah (14-16 October).

Only after the review is complete will a decision be made on awarding points to the MENA Tour’s new “Limited Field Tournaments”, defined by the MENA Tour in its Regulations as “any MENA Tour-approved tournament, which comprises of a player field of less than 80 players”.

In some ways, this was a smart attempt by LIV to skirt the rules outlined by the OWGR. The top MENA Tour players get access to the Asian Tour, and the top Asian Tour players will receive spots in future LIV events, according to Sports Illustrated. The OWGR broadly requires OWGR-affiliated leagues to have mobility, and moving from the MENA Tour to the Asian Tour and then into LIV Golf would provide a mobility within tours that seemingly didn’t exist when LIV started. It’s a convoluted path, but it exists.

“I think from a player standpoint, it feels great to have everyone at LIV fighting so hard for the players and their best interests,” Phil Mickelson told SI. “I think for the World Golf Rankings, this is a great way to keep its credibility, while not bringing politics into the decision-making process. I think it’s good for all parties.”

This is certainly not a “no” from the OWGR, but it is not what LIV wanted to hear. Still, LIV is trying a variety of creative ways to obtain OWGR points. As time passes and more of the picture comes into view, it seems more possible than ever that they could obtain them. Whether that’s through the MENA Tour or the Asian Tour or by simply changing their format and their structure to better fit the OWGR stipulations, the pathway remains to be seen. However, given the caliber of players on the LIV roster, it would be surprising at this point if it did not eventually work itself out one way or another.

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If you’re still pacing off your yardages, you’re potentially losing out on shooting lower scores.

Rangefinder technology is continuously evolving. Companies like Bushnell Golf and Garmin are jam-packing their rangefinders with visual hole layover, wind direction, hazard yardage line … the list goes on.

However, there’s another company that just might be outdoing those big names when it comes to tech integration.

I present the Shot Scope LX+.

Shot Scope LX+ Product Details

For those who are not familiar with Shot Scope, they’re based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They produce high-performing GPS watches/handhelds, shot tracking and, in recent years, golf rangefinders. After testing the Shot Scope LX+, I can tell you it’s in a league of its own when it comes to technology.

The LX+ is a combination of their H4/shot tracking and the LX rangefinder. With this combination, you get GPS readouts, performance tracking, red and black dual optics, plus adaptive slope technology. Where the Shot Scope LX+ outshines the competition is with its GPS and performance tracking capabilities, in my opinion.

That’s not all. Here is a list of just a sampling of what the LX+ has to offer:

Pros

• F/M/B GPS distances
• Adaptive slope technology
• Black and red dual optics
• Performance tracking
• 36,000+ pre-loaded courses
• Strokes Gained analysis
• Personal club selection based on personal data

Cons

• Struggles to pick up target from time to time

How We Test 

The Shot Scope LX+ was part of our 2022 Most Wanted Golf Rangefinder Test. We spent 24 hours testing 24 products while using the Foresight GCQuad as our control launch monitor. The metrics used to complete this testing include accuracy, speed, optics, display and features, resulting in an overall rating.

Shot Scope LX+ Review

The new Shot Scope LX+ rangefinder scored 88 out of 100 overall.

If you ask me, the $299.99 price tag is incredibly reasonable compared to other rangefinders with less technology. For instance, Bushnell Pro XE has similar tech but you’re paying $549 for the unit. The LX+ has a lot of the same features but has something the Pro XE doesn’t: performance tracking tags to keep tracking your distances for every club and identify where your strengths and weaknesses are via Strokes Gained.

When looking at the main purpose of a rangefinder, the primary criterion is accuracy.

Accuracy

A laser rangefinder is useless if it’s not accurate. By and large, the rangefinders we tested read within five yards of each other. Lasers that consistently give the same number every time provide much-needed confidence that the reading can be trusted. We test each laser rigorously to verify that the numbers provided are accurate and consistent.

Unfortunately, the Shot Scope LX+ had a hard time picking up the flag from time to time when the background isn’t in contrast to the flag color. However, when it did pick the flag up, it was accurate within two yards of the best unit on the market.

Optics and Display

When we talk about the optics of laser rangefinders, we’re focused on the clarity of the viewfinder and the digital display. The simpler the display, the easier it is to understand—for the most part. Some rangefinders spell out the actual yardage and adjusted slope yardage to ensure there’s no confusion. Most units include a diopter adjustment to improve focus.

The clarity of the lens allows you to easily lock on a target and get an accurate yardage. The Shot Scope Pro LX+ has a separate GPS unit attached to identify front, middle and back as well as all hazards.

FEATURES

While accuracy is a rangefinder’s main priority, it’s not everything golfers look for. Many units are limited to just slope. Some have features that measure that weather, have GPS layovers on the display and track every shot.

The Shot Scope LX+ incorporates an abundance of features which provides you with all the tools to hit it close. And once your round is complete, you can dive into the data of your round using Strokes Gained.

Bottom Line 

The Shot Scope LX+ needs to be on your potential purchase list. For the price and the technology, it’s up there with the best. Yes, the LX+ can struggle with picking up the flag from time to time but even the best laser rangefinders have areas to improve.

I like the introduction of the handheld GPS device on the unit and it gives you quick and easy readouts when needed. The Dual Optics Display and Comfort Stability Grip are welcome additions.

But where the Shot Scope LX+ shines is the ability to track your yardages, GIR, FIR, the whole nine yards. Yes, it’s similar to Arccos Golf performance tracking but the LX+ tags/sensors are thin and don’t add an inch onto your club. If you ask me, this is a huge win for Shot Scope.

Shot Scope LX+ – FAQ

What are the most feature-rich rangefinders?

When testing the likes of the Bushnell Tour V5, Precision Pro NX7 or the Blue Tees golf rangefinders, the Garmin Approach Z82 ranks in the top three for features. The Z82 by Garmin includes front, middle and back yardages while projecting a hole layover on the display. It also has a scan mode for quick yardages from target to target without clicking twice. It also includes 15 hours of battery life.

Does the Shot Scope LX+ come with club tags?

Yes. It comes with 14 tags that you simply insert into the grip of your clubs, download the app and you’re ready to collect data. Just remember to tap the H4 GPS unit attached to the rangefinder to record the shot.

Does it matter what golf course I play for any rangefinder to work??

Whatever golf rangefinder you might have, it will work on any golf course around the world. If you have a slope rangefinder, the accuracy may differ depending on the brand. For the most accurate distances, you should look for Bushnell Golf rangefinders.

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We all know you have to choose to be a player’s iron kind of golfer or a game-improvement iron kind of golfer.

Or do you?

With the evolution of player’s distance irons, we are seeing the line between player’s clubs and game-improvement clubs increasingly blurred and that is certainly the case with the new Rogue ST Pro irons.

We included these irons in our 2022 Best Player’s Distance Irons test and we can tell you that, when it comes to distance, Callaway is on to something with the Rogue ST Pro.

Callaway Rogue ST Pro Details

The Callaway Rogue ST irons were a new game-improvement series in 2022. They feature some impressive upgrades from the original Callaway Rogue irons and an impressive amount of tungsten weighting. Callaway Rogue ST Pro irons are designed for the player who wants a club that looks like a player’s iron but is not ready for the harsh reality of missing the center of a clubface of a player’s iron.

With the Rogue ST irons, Callaway claims to have produced the fastest player’s irons ever. The hollow-body construction incorporates more of the urethane microsphere technology than previous releases. The microspheres allow for a thin face and hollow construction without sacrificing feel and are installed up to the sixth groove on the club.

One of the other impressive features of the Rogue ST Pro irons is the combination of the high-strength 450 Steel Flash Face Cup with the new precision tungsten weighting. We can tell you for sure that the overall ball speed off of this clubface is impressive. The top-down look is undoubtedly thicker than an Apex Blade but thinner and less offset than other irons in the Rogue ST series.

Pros

• Hollow-body construction with plenty of distance
• Patented urethane microspheres up to the sixth groove
• 48 grams of high-density tungsten
• Low-lofted with a penetrating ball flight
• AI face optimization
• Maximum speed across the entire face of the club

Cons

• It can still look a bit clunky at setup
• Overall forgiveness is not nearly as high as other Rogue ST irons
• The chrome finish is shiny

How We Test 

The Callaway Rogue ST Pro irons were part of our 2022 Player’s Distance Iron test. We spent 200 hours testing 412 products, taking a total of 11,520 shots. All data is measured using the FlightScope GC Quad launch monitor and all players use the Titleist Pro V1 ball to help minimize the variables. The metrics used to complete this testing include distance, accuracy and forgiveness. All outliers were removed before the results were calculated. 

Callaway Rogue ST Pro Review

The Callaway Rogue ST Pro had a total rating of 89.65 which put it in fourth place overall. As you will see from the individual metrics, what brought Callaway up to the top were the distance numbers. 

Distance

For distance, the Callaway Rogue ST Pro is the No. 1 option for a player’s distance iron in 2022. The distance score was 97.51 which is exceptionally high.

Accuracy 

Accuracy is where the Callaway Rogue ST Pro struggled the most. Sometimes when you see big distance gains, you also see issues with overall dispersion. This was certainly the case with the ST Pro and, as a result, it finished 10th with a score of 82.24. Although 10th may not seem all that bad, try to remember that we only tested 12 player’s distance irons.

Forgiveness 

Unfortunately, forgiveness was another weak spot for the Rogue ST Pro with a score of 83.99 and a sixth-place finish. Many testers felt that when they hit the center of the clubface, the distance was incredible but, if you missed, especially on the toe, you paid the price. It’s frustrating that the forgiveness is not here, what with the extra tungsten weighting and the AI used to design the club head.

Overall

The overall score for the Callaway Rogue ST Pro was 89.65. For comparison, the top player’s distance iron in 2022 was the Mizuno Pro 225 with a total score of 97.53. The real reason the Callaway Rogue ST Pro made it into the top five is, without a doubt, the technology incorporated into this iron head. We hope it’s just a matter of time before Callaway refines this iron to include more forgiveness and accuracy.

Tester Feedback

The overall feedback from the MyGolfSpy testers was varied but a few things stood out with each of the individual feedback notes we reviewed. 

• The chrome finish is too shiny and should have been dulled a little in what is considered a player’s iron.
• Golf balls come off the clubface very hot and overall distance performance was impressive.
• The dispersion was relatively high, especially on shots that were hit near the toe of the club.
• Aside from the chrome finish, the look at setup was very nice and led to increased confidence.
• A slightly lower trajectory was mainly viewed as positive.
• The overall feel was considered quite good, certainly better than previous Rogue irons.

MyGolfSpy Feedback  

Bottom Line 

The Rogue ST Pro irons have the best distance performance of any player’s distance iron that we tested. Overall, there are better choices for accuracy and forgiveness but, if you want a golf ball to rocket off the face, go with the Rogue ST Pro. 

FAQ

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