Expert Comparison: Wilson D9 Forged Irons vs Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons

Published on 02/11/2024 · 6 min readCompare Wilson D9 Forged Irons and Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons. Get expert insight below!
Zachary Mohr, Golf Expert
Blake Goshorn, Golf Expert
Dalton Ellis, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert Zachary Mohr, Blake Goshorn, Dalton Ellis, Jonathan Belanger, Kyle Emery and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Wilson D9 Forged Irons
Runner up
Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons
Price
from:$799.99
24% off
from:$499.95
30% off
The Curated Take

Best for golfers seeking maximum speed and distance with exceptional feel.

Best for mid to high-handicap golfers seeking increased distance and forgiveness.

User rating
--
4.84(175)
Player type
Players distance
Game improvement
Used (Y/N)
No
No
Model year
2022
2022

In the world of golf, the Wilson D9 Forged Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are two top-tier products that have been making waves. Both sets of irons are designed with the latest technology and offer a unique blend of performance, forgiveness, and control. However, they cater to different types of golfers and have distinct features that set them apart.

The Wilson D9 Forged Irons are known for their sleek, compact shape and soft forged feel. They offer a high level of forgiveness and are designed for better players who consistently find the center of the club face. On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are designed for mid to high-handicap golfers. They offer more distance and higher launch with a thinner sole.

While both sets of irons are top-notch, the Wilson D9 Forged Irons are best suited for experienced players who want a combination of feel, playability, distance, and control. The Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons, on the other hand, are perfect for golfers who need a bit more forgiveness and distance.

The Wilson D9 Forged Irons are a tremendous set that combines the nuanced feel of a forged head with higher launch angles for incredible stopping power and pinpoint accuracy. These irons are designed using a generative process that compares hundreds of Power Hole layouts. The result is a sleek, compact shape with an amazing soft forged feel, but with a high level of forgiveness on your less-than-perfect swings.

The premium, carbon forged heads combine exceptional feel with a thin topline and minimal offset for irons that look as good as they play. The new, asymmetrical Power Hole arrangement is optimized for forged heads and is biased towards the heel of the club, opening the face and increasing contact time with the ball for maximum speed and distance, all in a sleek player's profile.

The lower center of gravity provides a higher launch, increased peak trajectory, and a steeper descent angle. That means more carry and greater stopping power on the green. However, these irons are best suited for better players who are consistent at finding the center of the club face.

So this is Wilson Staff's newest release and let me tell you that this club has it all. Distance, playability, forgiveness, soft feel, and even a pretty sexy look. I could go on and on about this one but it's a seriously nice piece and Wilson's prices are much better than some of the other manufacturers.

Zachary Mohr
Golf Expert

The Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are a major upgrade from the previous Mavrik Series. They offer more distance and higher launch with a thinner sole. These irons are designed with a traditional hollow back design and are ideal for mid to high-handicap golfers.

The Rogue ST Max Irons feature a little bit of offset, tungsten weighting around the perimeter, and a cavity to help with forgiveness. These features help maintain distance on toe strikes and heel strikes. The wider sole helps with shots that you hit fat and get through the turf so that you're not losing as much distance.

The face of the Rogue ST Max Irons is a thinner face that they designed with the help of AI to help you retain ball speed. Because the 7-iron, for example, is at 27 and a half degrees of Loft, they are a little bit stronger lofted to give you again a little bit more distance.

I have hit these irons for almost a year now, and my favorite aspect of these irons is their overall versatility. They're great for those with a slower swing speed, as the added tungsten in the clubface adds noticeable distance. I have a bit of a slower swing, and I used to get frustrated with my iron distance. I switched over from a beginner set to the Rogue ST Max, and I immediately noticed the change in distance.

Blake Goshorn
Golf Expert
Best seller

Similarities

Both the Wilson D9 Forged Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are designed with the latest technology to optimize speed, launch, and spin. They both offer a high level of forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers who may not always hit the ball perfectly.

Both sets of irons also focus on providing distance. The Wilson D9 Forged Irons achieve this through their asymmetrical Power Hole arrangement and lower center of gravity, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons use a thinner face designed with AI and stronger lofted clubs.

In terms of aesthetics, both sets of irons have a sleek, compact shape that appeals to many golfers. They both also offer a great feel, with the Wilson D9 Forged Irons boasting a soft forged feel and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons using urethane microspheres to enhance the feel and sound of the irons.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both sets of irons offer forgiveness and distance, they cater to different types of golfers. The Wilson D9 Forged Irons are best suited for better players who are consistent at finding the center of the club face. These players will appreciate the exceptional feel of the premium, carbon forged heads and the control offered by the thin topline and minimal offset.

On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are designed for mid to high-handicap golfers who need a bit more forgiveness and distance. These golfers will benefit from the offset, tungsten weighting, and cavity of these irons, which help maintain distance on off-center strikes.

In terms of aesthetics, the Wilson D9 Forged Irons have a sleek player's profile, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons have a bit of a chunkier look, which is typical for a game improvement iron.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to Forgiveness, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons take the lead. They are designed with a bit of offset, tungsten weighting, and a cavity to help with off-center strikes, making them more forgiving for mid to high-handicap golfers.

In terms of Distance, it's a close call, but the Wilson D9 Forged Irons edge out slightly. Their asymmetrical Power Hole arrangement and lower center of gravity provide more carry and greater stopping power on the green, which can translate to more distance.

For Feel, the Wilson D9 Forged Irons are the clear winner. Their premium, carbon forged heads offer an exceptional feel that better players will appreciate.

Finally, for Aesthetics, it's a matter of personal preference. The Wilson D9 Forged Irons have a sleek player's profile, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons have a chunkier look. However, both sets of irons have a sleek, compact shape that many golfers find appealing.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Wilson D9 Forged Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are top-tier products that offer a unique blend of performance, forgiveness, and control. However, they cater to different types of golfers and have distinct features that set them apart.

The Wilson D9 Forged Irons are best suited for experienced players who want a combination of feel, playability, distance, and control. The Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons, on the other hand, are perfect for golfers who need a bit more forgiveness and distance.

Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your skill level and what you're looking for in a set of irons. Both sets of irons are top-notch, and you can't go wrong with either one. So, get out there, give them a swing, and see which one feels right for you!

Curated experts can help

Have a question about the article you just read or want personal recommendations? Connect with a Curated expert and get personalized recommendations for whatever you’re looking for!

Shop Golf on Curated

Wilson D9 Forged Irons
$799.99$999.99
Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons
$499.95$714.30
Mizuno JPX923 Hot Metal Irons
$900.00$1,099.95

Browse more Golf

Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons
$914.24$1,257.12
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Single Iron
$85.71$114.28
TaylorMade Stealth Irons
$914.28$1,142.85
TaylorMade SIM2 Max Irons
$599.99$799.99
Callaway Rogue ST Max Single Iron
$99.99$142.86
Callaway Rogue ST Max OS Irons
$699.99$999.99
Callaway Apex AI300 Irons
$1,400.00

Browse more Golf

Read next

New and Noteworthy