Expert Comparison: Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons vs Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons

Published on 02/13/2024 · 6 min readCompare Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons and Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons. Get expert insight below!
Billy Estes, Golf Expert
Brady Maag, Golf Expert
Ari T, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert Billy Estes, Brady Maag, Ari T, Jonathan Belanger, Vincent P. and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Runner up
Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons
Top pick!
Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons
Price
from:$771.42
25% off
from:$857.13
23% off
User rating
4.96(57)
4.77(151)
The Curated Take

Best for low to mid-handicap golfers seeking workability and forgiveness.

Ideal for players wanting a balance of forged feel, forgiveness and extra distance.

Iron Set Type
Iron Set
Iron Set
Player type
Players distance
Game improvement
Used (Y/N)
No
No

In the world of golf, the Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are two top-tier products that have been making waves. Both irons are designed with advanced technology and offer unique features that cater to different types of golfers. The Rogue ST Pro Irons are perfect for mid-handicap players who need extra distance and the ability to work the ball, while the Apex DCB 21 Irons are ideal for golfers seeking a balance of feel and forgiveness. However, the Rogue ST Pro Irons stand out for their superior workability and distance, while the Apex DCB 21 Irons shine in terms of forgiveness and feel. In the end, the choice between these two irons comes down to the individual golfer's needs and preferences.

The Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons are a mid-handicap distance iron that boasts extra weighting in the perimeter to add ball speed to the clubhead and increase distance. These irons are designed with new face technology that provides a good overall feel coming off the face. The Rogue ST Pro Irons are perfect for golfers who need some extra distance and a club where they can feel comfortable working the ball.

These irons are equipped with a True Temper Elevate MPH 115 shaft in X-stiff flex, which is a mid to low-launching shaft that is standard with the set. At 115 grams, it's a lighter shaft that can still provide a good trajectory. The Rogue Pro irons have very strong lofts to aid in distance, but the weighting in the clubs still launches the ball very nicely.

The Rogue ST Pro Irons are surprisingly forgiving for a mid-handicapper club. They have a pretty thick top line for that look of forgiveness. With 48 grams of tungsten weighting in this club, it keeps the spin low to moderate—making it a tad difficult to really hit the ball largely off line.

However, these irons do have some issues. The feel of the club was lacking; there is not a very soft face or feeling at impact. It was a very muted feel that didn't help the golfer to know whether they had hit it in the center of the face, heel, or toe. The sound was a very muted, more solid sound and not that crispy click of a pure strike.

The Callaway Rogue St Pro iron set is a mid-handicap distance iron that has extra weighting in the perimeter to add ball speed to the clubhead and increase distance. I love the new face technology, as it had a good overall feel coming off the face. Overall, it is a club for those needing some distance, and a club where one can feel comfortable working the ball.

Billy Estes
Golf Expert

The Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are a game improvement iron from the Apex line. They offer maximum forgiveness and distance but lack a bit of workability. These irons are designed for golfers who want a premium feel but are still looking for as little punishment as possible on those mis-hit shots.

The Apex DCB 21 Irons are the most forgiving Apex iron Callaway has ever made. The deep cavity back and enhanced sole width are engineered for easy launch and solid turf interaction out of a variety of lies. Now golfers of all abilities can play a forged iron with confidence.

The unique A.I. face architecture in each iron creates high ball speeds and increased spin robustness. They're engineered for impressive distance and more control than you've ever had. For the first time, Callaway has implemented their Tungsten Energy Core into Apex irons. The long and mid-irons feature up to 50 grams of tungsten per iron, so Callaway can precisely position the Center of Gravity to promote outstanding launch throughout the set, and more forgiveness on off-center shots.

However, these irons may not be suitable for low handicap players or those who prioritize workability and shot shaping. These irons are designed to provide maximum forgiveness, making them less ideal for players who prefer more control over their ball flight.

The Callaway Apex DCB 21 irons are the game improvement iron from the Apex line. They offer maximum forgiveness and distance but lack a bit of workability. They aim at the player who wants a premium feel but is still looking for as little punishment as possible on those mis-hit shots.

Brady Maag
Golf Expert

Similarities

Both the Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are designed with advanced technology to enhance performance on the golf course. They both feature a unique face architecture that creates high ball speeds and increased spin robustness, leading to impressive distance and more control. Both irons also utilize tungsten weighting to improve launch conditions and maximize speed across the face.

In terms of aesthetics, both irons have a sleek and attractive design that appeals to a wide range of golfers. They both offer a premium feel and are engineered for easy launch and solid turf interaction out of a variety of lies.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While the Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons share some similarities, they cater to different types of golfers. The Rogue ST Pro Irons are perfect for mid-handicap players who need extra distance and the ability to work the ball. They offer superior workability and distance, making them ideal for golfers who want to improve their game without sacrificing distance.

On the other hand, the Apex DCB 21 Irons are designed for golfers seeking a balance of feel and forgiveness. They are the most forgiving Apex iron Callaway has ever made, making them perfect for golfers who want a premium feel but are still looking for as little punishment as possible on those mis-hit shots. These irons are less ideal for players who prefer more control over their ball flight.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons, the winner depends on the specific needs and preferences of the golfer.

  1. Distance: The Rogue ST Pro Irons take the lead in terms of distance. They are designed with extra weighting in the perimeter to add ball speed to the clubhead and increase distance.

  2. Forgiveness: The Apex DCB 21 Irons win in terms of forgiveness. They are the most forgiving Apex iron Callaway has ever made, offering maximum forgiveness on off-center hits.

  3. Workability: The Rogue ST Pro Irons are the winner in terms of workability. They offer superior workability, allowing golfers to shape their shots with ease.

  4. Feel: Both irons offer a premium feel, but the Apex DCB 21 Irons have a slight edge due to their forged construction, which delivers exceptional sound and feel at impact.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Callaway Rogue ST Pro Irons and the Callaway Apex DCB 21 Irons are top-tier products that cater to different types of golfers. The Rogue ST Pro Irons are perfect for mid-handicap players who need extra distance and the ability to work the ball, while the Apex DCB 21 Irons are ideal for golfers seeking a balance of feel and forgiveness.

The choice between these two irons ultimately comes down to the individual golfer's needs and preferences. If you're a mid-handicap player looking for extra distance and workability, the Rogue ST Pro Irons are the way to go. However, if you're seeking a balance of feel and forgiveness, the Apex DCB 21 Irons are a fantastic choice.

Remember, the best iron for you is the one that helps you play your best golf. So, whether you choose the Rogue ST Pro Irons or the Apex DCB 21 Irons, you're sure to be making a great choice. Happy golfing!

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Shop Golf on Curated

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