Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls Review

The new Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls come in a variety of performance and feel options. There are significant differences between each model.

Introduction

Callaway has not only updated their two current Chrome Soft golf balls for 2021, but they've also added a third. The Low Spin performance of the Chrome Soft X LS gives it its name. Experts were excited to compare the three models to see how much of a difference recreational golfers may expect.

Chrome Soft is rated "Softer" by Callaway, while the other two are rated "Soft." They found this to be accurate off the putter.

The Chrome Soft is still one of the fluffiest Tour golf balls, generating a dull "thud" at the touch and a low contraction touch. Both the Chrome Soft X and the Chrome Soft X LS have a compressive feel off the putter and provide a sharper sound on impact. After a few putts, they noticed that the Chrome Soft X is a little firmer than the LS, but it's a minor change.

The distinction between Chrome Soft and the X and LS remains in wedges and irons. Chrome Soft has a low-pitched sound and a delicate impact experience. The Chrome Soft X and LS are significantly louder, producing a crisp, snappy sound. Surprisingly, the Chrome Soft LS combines a clean sound with a slightly weighty feel on the wedge face — an unexpected combination.

● A short game

Consumers can compare the performance of Callaway's three Tour-level golf balls on a detailed chart provided by the company. The Chrome Soft X will spin more than the Chrome Soft or Chrome Soft X LS on full wedge shots, according to Callaway. Chrome Soft X is the most spinny on greenside shots, followed by Chrome Soft, while Chrome Soft X LS is the least spinny of the three.

The Chrome Soft X was ranked as the highest spinning around the green on the chart, which mirrored what experts experienced in their testing. With full or pitch bullets, the Chrome Soft X's highest spinning shots outspan the others by several hundred RPM. Their spin numbers were the most constant with the Chrome Soft, which could be attributable to A) swing variance and/or B) the Chrome Soft being "more forgiving" according to Callaway. Callaway is a type of chrome.

With a wedge, the Chrome Soft LS was the lowest spinning ball, but it was still within the range of premium balls.

● The Long Game

The Chrome Soft comparison chart from Callaway delves even deeper into the long game. My overall conclusion is that the three balls do not follow a clear, linear trend. The Chrome Soft, for example, is slower than the two Chrome Soft X variants, but it has the same minimal driver spin as the Chrome Soft X LS. The Chrome Soft is rated first in terms of launch, followed by Chrome Soft X LS, and then Chrome Soft X. Callaway is also the only OEM that talks about forgiveness with their golf balls that they are aware of (Chrome Soft is rated most forgiving).

Experts' results differed slightly from Callaway's predictions, emphasizing the significance of trying things for yourself. First, they didn't detect a change in ball speed between the three balls with my swing speed. This could be something that affects faster players or something more noticeable for an incredibly consistent driver. Similarly, there was no discernible difference in launch angle. However, when it came to spin, they found the Chrome Soft LS to be as low spinning as any tour ball that has been never tested. The Chrome Soft X spun somewhat faster than the Chrome Soft, while the Chrome Soft spun slightly faster than that.

Professionals noticed tiny but consistent changes between the three Chrome Soft balls during their iron testing. The Chrome Soft gave me the most spin, while the Chrome Soft LS gave me the least.

In comparison to other Tour balls, they would grade all three as being on the lower end of the spin spectrum. As always, keep in mind that some of them are low-spin players, so the gaps between these models may be wider (or different).

Conclusion

The new Callaway golf balls family, which comes in white or yellow and with or without Triple Track, gives players a lot of options. Almost any golfer will be able to find a Chrome Soft suit for their game, ranging from soft to firm, moderate spin to very low.