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

Published on 02/14/2024 · 7 min readCompare Wilson D9 Irons and Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons. Get expert insight below!
David L. Brown, Golf Expert
Ari T, Golf Expert
Jonathan Belanger, Golf Expert
Contributed By Golf Expert David L. Brown, Ari T, Jonathan Belanger, Michael V, Laura Kinsman and others

VS

 

Side by side comparison

Out of stock
Wilson D9 Irons
Runner up
Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons
Price
from:$399.99
47% off
from:$499.95
30% off
User rating
4.86(7)
4.84(175)
The Curated Take

Ideal for mid-high handicappers seeking distance and high launch

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

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

In the world of golf, the Wilson D9 Irons and Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are two top contenders. The Wilson D9 Irons are a solid choice for mid to high-tiered handicappers looking to gain more distance in their mid-range game. They offer good forgiveness, a simple sound, and a consistent shaft performance. However, they fall short in terms of distance, feel, workability, and aesthetic appeal compared to other irons on the market.

On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are a game-changer for those seeking forgiveness and distance. They feature an AI-designed face for optimized speed, launch, and spin, and tungsten weighting for optimal launch. However, they may not be suitable for beginners or slicers who struggle to get the ball in the air and those with slower swing speeds.

Both irons have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between the two ultimately depends on the golfer's skill level, preferences, and needs. The Wilson D9 Irons are great for the basic golfer looking to improve their game, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are ideal for players seeking distance, forgiveness, and all-around performance.

The Wilson D9 Irons are a solid option for golfers looking to improve their mid-range game. These irons are designed for mid to high-tiered handicappers who want to take their game to the next level. The clubs tested had a loft setting of 7 iron - 27 degrees, 9 iron - 37 degrees, with a steel shaft type and regular shaft flex.

The Wilson D9 Irons offer good forgiveness due to their power sole and head design. Off-centered hits still travel a considerable distance and rarely deviate 10-20 yards off the target line. The sound is simple, with a normal tinging noise, and the regular steel flex irons allow for solid, consistent contact. The shaft performance is good overall, allowing for consistent ball striking and a consistent spin rate of around 7,500rpms.

However, the Wilson D9 Irons have their drawbacks. The distance is comparable to older models like the TaylorMade Racs, but they fall short when compared to the Callaway Rogues and TaylorMade Stealths, averaging 5-10 yards less with each shot. The feel is average at best, with the face not offering much feedback on mishits. The workability is basic, and the aesthetic appeal is lacking, with a rather boring design. The default grips were also found to be slippery, which could be a concern for some golfers.

Despite these issues, the Wilson D9 Irons are a good option for someone who does not want to break the bank on an iron set. They would be great for someone just starting or a basic golfer looking to improve their game.

The Wilson D9 Irons are great for the basic golfer looking to improve their game or would be great for someone just starting. However, I would look elsewhere at the TaylorMade Stealths or Callaway Rogue series for the more serious golfer.

David L. Brown
Golf Expert

The Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are a game improvement iron set that offers forgiveness and distance. They feature an AI-designed face for optimized speed, launch, and spin, and tungsten weighting for optimal launch. These features make the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons a great choice for players seeking distance, forgiveness, and all-around performance.

The Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are designed with a high-strength 450 steel and an AI-designed Flash Face Cup, which delivers more ball speed and better ball speed consistency. They also feature a high launch with a more controlled landing angle, which helps to hold more greens. The precision tungsten weighting is used for optimal launch, and urethane microspheres are used to enhance the feel and sound of the irons while maintaining fast ball speeds.

However, these irons may not be suitable for beginners or slicers who struggle to get the ball in the air and those with slower swing speeds. They also may not be ideal for players who prefer to shape their shots or prefer a more traditional iron design.

Despite these potential drawbacks, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are a great iron for someone who is looking for more distance, forgiveness, and a great performance.

These are fantastic game improvement irons that are very forgiving and easy to hit. They launch nice and high and easy and are easy to use. They have a very solid feel and sound for a game improvement club. They do have a lot of offset which could be off-putting to some people. They also hit the ball very far, most players will hit these a club further than their current clubs or more.

Ari T
Golf Expert
Best seller

Similarities

Both the Wilson D9 Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are designed with the mid to high-tiered handicapper in mind. They both offer a high level of forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers who are looking to improve their game. Both sets of irons are designed to provide increased distance, with features such as strong lofts and optimized face designs.

Both sets of irons also prioritize feel and sound. The Wilson D9 Irons use a regular steel flex for a solid, consistent contact, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons use urethane microspheres to enhance the feel and sound while maintaining fast ball speeds. Both sets of irons also have a focus on launch, with the Wilson D9 Irons offering a low, consistent ball flight and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons featuring tungsten weighting for optimal launch.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both the Wilson D9 Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are designed for mid to high-tiered handicappers, they cater to slightly different personas. The Wilson D9 Irons are great for the basic golfer looking to improve their game or someone just starting out. They offer good forgiveness and a consistent shaft performance, but they fall short in terms of distance, feel, workability, and aesthetic appeal compared to other irons on the market.

On the other hand, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are ideal for players seeking distance, forgiveness, and all-around performance. They feature an AI-designed face for optimized speed, launch, and spin, and tungsten weighting for optimal launch. However, they may not be suitable for beginners or slicers who struggle to get the ball in the air and those with slower swing speeds.

In terms of differences, the Wilson D9 Irons have a simpler sound and a more basic workability, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons have a lot of offset and hit the ball very far. The Wilson D9 Irons also have a rather boring design, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons have a more modern and appealing aesthetic.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When comparing the Wilson D9 Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons, we can look at four key dimensions: forgiveness, distance, feel, and aesthetic appeal.

  1. Forgiveness: Both sets of irons offer a high level of forgiveness, but the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons edge out the Wilson D9 Irons with their AI-designed face and tungsten weighting.

  2. Distance: The Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are the clear winner in terms of distance. They hit the ball very far, and most players will hit these a club further than their current clubs or more.

  3. Feel: While both sets of irons prioritize feel, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons come out on top with their urethane microspheres that enhance the feel and sound while maintaining fast ball speeds.

  4. Aesthetic Appeal: The Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons also win in terms of aesthetic appeal. They have a more modern and appealing design compared to the rather boring design of the Wilson D9 Irons.

Overall, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are the winner in this comparison. They offer superior forgiveness, distance, feel, and aesthetic appeal compared to the Wilson D9 Irons.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Wilson D9 Irons and the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are solid choices for mid to high-tiered handicappers looking to improve their game. However, the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons come out on top in terms of forgiveness, distance, feel, and aesthetic appeal. They offer an AI-designed face for optimized speed, launch, and spin, and tungsten weighting for optimal launch, making them a great choice for players seeking distance, forgiveness, and all-around performance.

On the other hand, the Wilson D9 Irons are a good option for someone who does not want to break the bank on an iron set. They offer good forgiveness and a consistent shaft performance, but they fall short in terms of distance, feel, workability, and aesthetic appeal compared to other irons on the market.

Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the golfer's skill level, preferences, and needs. The Wilson D9 Irons are great for the basic golfer looking to improve their game, while the Callaway Rogue ST Max Irons are ideal for players seeking distance, forgiveness, and all-around performance.

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