Thanks for checking out my Taylormade Stealth irons vs Callaway Rogue ST Max irons comparison.
I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
I tested the Stealth irons on the range a couple times and I played a round of golf with them.
I tested the Rogue ST Max irons a couple times on the range and during a round of golf.
Summary: I’m buying the Stealth irons if I’m spending my money. They performed better, felt better, and were easier for me to hit. Mind you; I’m not the target market for either of these iron sets.
In this comparison of the Taylormade Stealth and Callaway Rogue ST Max irons, I discuss my experience with the clubs, unique features and benefits, my pick for which irons I’d buy, and my reasoning.
Taylormade Stealth Irons
Specs: 4-PW, AW Iron Set Men Right Hand, FST KBS Max MT 85 Steel Stiff Flex
Taylormade M5 irons are among the best mid handicap irons I’ve ever put my hands on.
Stealth irons are an upgraded version of those. They’ve got everything you look for in a game improvement iron and a few features I look for in player irons. Namely, you can flight them and work them.
Features & Benefits
1) 3D Cap Back Design & Toe Wrap Construction
- Let Taylormade use a more flexible face and move weight from the toe to deeper in the sole for an extremely low CG (center of gravity). Equals better performance in all aspects: easier to launch, more forgiving, better trajectory, more distance, and better feel.
2) Echo Damping System
- Creates a forged-like feel by channeling away harsh vibrations with a polymer-blend insert behind the face.
3) Fast Forgiving Face with Progressive Inverted Cone Technology
- 450 steel face with sweet spot specifically placed to cover the most common impact points.
4) Thru-slot Speed Pocket
- Maximizes face flexibility for more ball speed and ads forgiveness on mishits low in the face.
Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons
Specs: 4-PW Iron Set Men Right Hand, True Temper Elevate MPH 95 Steel Stiff Flex
Rogue ST Max’s are no-doubt game improvement irons. Everything about them says “forgiveness”. The heads are oversized. The topline and sole are thick. Much offset. And, jacked lofts. You got problems with elevating your ball and distance? Callaway made these irons for you.
Rogue ST Max irons Features and Benefits
1) A.I. Designed Flash Face Cup
- The face of the Rogue ST Max irons is made from 450 steel and designed by Callaway’s A.I to deliver faster ball speed across the face.
- A.I. also optimizes spin, launch, and landing angle specific to each iron as well
2) Precision Tungsten Weighting
- Callaway upped the amount of tungsten it used to optimize launch and ball speed to 62g.
3) Urethane Microspheres
- These are supposed to enhance feel AND maintain ball speed
Testing the Stealth & Rogue ST Max Irons
2 Range Sessions: I had both iron sets on the range twice. I went through two buckets of balls and tested drivers at the same time.
1 Rounds on the course: I played one round with each set of irons and did not have my best stuff for either.
My impressions of the Stealth & Rogue ST Max irons
Stealth irons are as awesome to hit as I remember the M5s being. They’re solid at impact and the ball jumps up quickly and carries a long way. The heads are oversized, but not enough to distract this single-digit handicap.
Rogue ST Max irons took work for me to hit well. The oversized heads, thick topline and sole, offset, and jacked lofts were a bit too much for me. Don’t get me wrong, I bet they’ll work great for high handicaps and higher mid-handicaps.
I started my round pulling and/or hooking my shots left. I had issues sitting the club squarely behind the ball at address. I figured this out later in the round and hit a number of quality shots into the greens.
Looks
I’m a fan of clean and minimal design, so most game improvement irons look a little over-designed to me. The exception for 2022 might be the Ping 425s.
Stealth: I’m not a fan of the design elements overall. But, the head size is fine and they set up great behind the ball at address. They look like I’m going to hit them well
Rogue ST Max: The design elements are fine, but I don’t expect much from game improvement irons. I have issues with their head size, topline, sole, and offset. My eyes had issues getting used to them.
Winner: Stealth
Sound/Feel
Stealth: Great sound and feel. None better in the game improvement category
Rogue ST Max: Not a fan. Sound and feel were harsh. There’s a loud, piercing “click” at impact.
Winner: Stealth
Playability/Ball Flight
Stealth: Default is high and straight with Stealth irons. But, you can flight and work the ball any way your talent allows.
Rogue ST Max: Default flight is high. I had issues hooking the ball off the planet until my eyes got used to them. I started hitting high draws after I got that squared away. They are not as easy to work and flight as the Stealth irons for me.
Winner: Stealth
Forgiveness
Stealth: All the mid-handicap player needs.
Rogue St Max: As mentioned above, I had issues because my eyes had trouble adjusting to them. They performed beautifully once I fixed that. I have to think these have the edge over Stealth irons in forgiveness.
Winner: Rogue St Max
Distance
Stealth: These are made to go long and do go long. But, this is distance you can control.
Rogue St Max: Very hot face, but hard for me to dial in distance.
Winner: Stealth
Conclusion of Taylormade Stealth irons vs Callaway Rogue ST Max irons
I prefer the Stealth irons because they are closer to the irons I play. But, I’m not you.
And, as I say on many pages on this site…
My #1 suggestion is to test both sets of irons before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out my comparison of the Taylormade Stealth irons vs Callaway Rogue ST Max irons.
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Editor's Pick
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Best for High Handicaps
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4.6
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4.3
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Better All-Around Performers New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
Max Forgiveness & Help with Distance New & Used clubs available Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek |
- Long & Forgiving
- Elevates ball easily
- Easy to hit
- Looks...not the best
Better All-Around Performers
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
- Long & Forgiving
- Easy to elevate
- Harsh feel & sound
Max Forgiveness & Help with Distance
New & Used clubs available
Get 8%off from Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
Hello Jamie,
How would you compare TaylorMade M5 irons vs JPX Hot Metal irons? I’m a 15 handicap but am 71 years old and trending towards a slower swing. Current driver swing is 87-93. 7 iron i high 70’s.
Thankd and good work mate!
Hey Greg,
Taylormade M5s are superb irons. But, I think Mizuno JPX Hot Metals have a couple advantages for a 15 handicapper: 1) More forgiveness 2) Better feel.
To be fair, JPX Hot Metal irons have the best feel in the game.
Why did you test with an 85g shaft in Stealth and a 95g shaft in the Rogue. Shaft weight matters.
I don’t get a full selection of shafts. I chose the stiffest & heaviest shafts available when testing.