COST: $74.99 (dozen).

TESTED BY: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

MODELS PLAYED: 2022 Chrome Soft, Chrome Soft X and Chrome Soft X LS

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: When Callaway introduced its Chrome Soft golf ball, it marked a shift for the company. So much so, the brand dubbed it “the ball that changed the ball”.

Later, the Chrome Soft X came along to better suit higher speed, more skilled players, and finally the Chrome Soft X LS.

Releases came at different times, and it was understandably a little confusing as to which ball was for what player. That is until now, with Callaway releasing updated versions of all three, with clear player needs in mind and a commitment to consistency.

The main takeaway from the first few hits on the putting green, around it and eventually to the tee, confirmed Callaway have remained loyal to one of the most important tenets of Chrome Soft, feel.

HOW THEY PERFORMED: The soft feel isn’t the same across the range, with the best way to explain the progression being, the more letters you add the firmer the ball feels.

Chrome Soft feels really good off the face. It’s not marshmallow soft, but it is right where most golfers will be able to compress it and produce optimal performance. Chrome Soft X gets a little firmer and is right in the wheelhouse of what I like throughout the bag and is a little softer than its predecessor. Chrome Soft X LS isn’t noticeably that much firmer than
the X, but did feel slightly harder personally.

Like the feel, each of the three models offer slightly different performance, and while Callaway says it has added some speed from the predecessors, Trackman testing didn’t produce any crazy distance gains.

When comparing to the previous Chrome Soft, the new model had a little more bite around the green, while it launches higher off the clubface and spins on the lower side of the trio. This combination makes it extremely straight, especially off the tee. Basically, a very forgiving golf ball. And although it doesn’t spin as much around the greens as the others, the slight increase in launch does help with stopping power.

The Chrome Soft X is the brand’s most popular Tour ball with good reason.

The new X spins more, especially around the green, while the softness has increased slightly.

Built for distance and control, it flat out delivers. Off the tee it managed to beat out the Chrome Soft for me, while the iron distances weren’t dissimilar. The higher spin did make it more workable with irons, albeit slightly less accurate off the tee, and around the green this ball is a real star.

The Chrome Soft X LS is slightly unique in the market in that it owns that firmer feel and ball speed of the X, with a lower spin ball flight. Callaway unofficially labelling it the “Xander Schauffele ball” as it is designed to suit the American’s preferences.

I thought this was going to be the ball for me before getting started with a couple of dozen of each, and though not sure I am done with it just yet, the X seems more my speed only as the extra spin helped keep the ball in the air longer.

The X LS has more greenside spin than the first iteration that came out in 2021, and feel has been improved. It is for only a small portion of the market that possess high clubhead and ball speeds but want to knock some spin off.

What you can likely discern is that Callaway have done a better job of identifying the needs of golfers and filling those with three varied Chrome Soft models. But the testing also revealed that Callaway’s investment to improve consistency has paid dividends after plenty of chatter about the location of golf ball cores with previous Chrome Soft golf balls.

Tighter tolerances mean substandard golf balls don’t leave the factory. And putting plenty of the new Chrome Softs through their paces on the range with Trackman and on course, it appears that the concept of effectively X-Raying each golf ball has achieved exactly what people who play one golf ball brand and model, and Tour pros, want. Reliable performance across all the key performance categories.

Finding the right Chrome Soft is a case of thinking about what you would like most performance wise from your golf ball then aligning it with the Callaway model that best suits, then of course testing it for feel. I am certain these three won’t let you down in that area.

The 2022 Chrome Soft golf ball range is Callaway’s most complete and consistent, it has produced, and without doubt, is worth a try,

CALLAWAY SAYS: Chrome Soft is better for everyone, from amateurs to major winners. Now each of these new golf ball offerings incorporates proprietary new ‘Precision Technology’ to deliver our tightest dispersion, consistently fast ball speeds and total performance.

Callaway have leveraged over $70 million (AUD) of additional investment to enhance every component, process, and measure for the highest quality golf balls. With Precision Technology, we created design techniques and manufacturing specifications up to 1/1000th of an inch.

The Chrome Soft Golf Ball is designed for a wide range of golfers who want outstanding feel, excellent distance, and incredible forgiveness. Key performance characteristics include our signature Chrome Soft feel, more distance off the tee, low spinning iron shots, and a high level of greenside control.

Chrome Soft X LS is designed for maximum distance in a fine-tuned lower spin profile. It’s especially suited for players who want to hit their longest drives off the tee, with a tremendous combination of distance and a straight ball flight. Key performance characteristics include very fast ball speed off the tee, penetrating long iron shots, straight ball flight, and excellent greenside control.

Chrome Soft X is Callaway’s No.1 ball on Tours worldwide. It’s a great option for the better, faster- swinging players who want excellent spin consistency and Tour level short game control.

Visit, www.calllawaygolf.com.au to find out more.