Looking for a Direct Comparison between Callaway Rogue ST Max and Ai Smoke Max

Kai Slater · Tuesday at 04:30 PM

The title basically says it all. Can any of ya'll that have owned these drivers give me some feedback. I currently have the Rogue ST Max and hit it quite well (for me). What am I missing out on by not upgrading to the new Ai Smoke max?

Yes, I have done some searching on here and the world-wide-web, but can't seem to find a direct comparison between these two. And yes, I know most of you will tell me to go get "fitted" instead of giving me a response on here. I'm just looking for some personal experiences from wrx'ers

SwingBlade · Tuesday at 11:06 PM

I have both and should traded or sold the Rogue long ago when I went to the Paradym. Then I went to the Smoke and it is just that much more of a fairway finder for me. But, that is just me. The Rogue is still a great driver.

Edited Wednesday at 07:05 AM by SwingBlade

Kai Slater · Tuesday at 11:46 PM

38 minutes ago, SwingBlade said:

I have both and should traded or sold the Rogue long ago when I went Paradym. The Smoke is just that much more of a fairway finder for me. But, that is just me. The Rogue is still a great driver.

A fairway finder is exactly what I"m looking for, although the Rogue ST Max has been pretty good for that. But, if the Smoke is an upgrade, I may look into it. Thanks for your feedback....

Smokey227 · Wednesday at 01:39 AM

I went from the Rogue St Max to the AI smoke Max D. I don’t see much of a difference on center strikes, but the AI smoke retains ball speed on my misses significantly better. It was worth the switch for me. I did not feel like the paradym was worth the upgrade.

muniman · Wednesday at 03:07 PM

I have had the Rogue ST Max, Paradym, and AI Smoke Max. Personally, I never saw enough of a difference between the three to change from the Rogue ST Max. For me, distance was almost the same, and even with the newer AI face technology, the ST Max is just as forgiving.

Kai Slater · Wednesday at 05:07 PM

1 hour ago, muniman said:

I have had the Rogue ST Max, Paradym, and AI Smoke Max. Personally, I never saw enough of a difference between the three to change from the Rogue ST Max. For me, distance was almost the same, and even with the newer AI face technology, the ST Max is just as forgiving.

Thanks for you input here on these drivers. My current Rogue ST Max is the best driver I've ever used and I was just wondering how much better could a driver possibly get; or, what am I missing out on by not upgrading to the Smoke. Now, on the other hand, if the newer driver could somehow find me 15-20 yards of extra distance.......

Streuner · Wednesday at 05:54 PM

I have the same setup. I use a Rogue ST max with 10gr more weight under the golden cap on the back side and a full inch shorter shaft. This setup is better than everything before I was using.
last week we had a Callaway demo day at our club. I had the opportunity to test the AI max, AI TDmax. All of them I did I use with the recommended shaft at first and with my shorter shaft 2nd. On the AI max the Cally guy did change the sliding back weight into a 6gr heavier one for me. And none of the settings and new drivers worked better enough to justify the buy.

my usual miss is low heel, I am sure the results will be different if your usual miss is on a completely different spot.

Kai Slater · Wednesday at 06:35 PM

12 minutes ago, Streuner said:

I have the same setup. I use a Rogue ST max with 10gr more weight under the golden cap on the back side and a full inch shorter shaft. This setup is better than everything before I was using.
last week we had a Callaway demo day at our club. I had the opportunity to test the AI max, AI TDmax. All of them I did I use with the recommended shaft at first and with my shorter shaft 2nd. On the AI max the Cally guy did change the sliding back weight into a 6gr heavier one for me. And none of the settings and new drivers worked better enough to justify the buy.

my usual miss is low heel, I am sure the results will be different if your usual miss is on a completely different spot.

My Rogue ST Max driver has a "ladies" shaft in it that is shorter and lighter. I also adjusted the loft/hosel to 11.5* and I have found this combo to be really good for me. Plenty long enough and hitting more fairways than ever.