Callaway Hex Chrome review

[trapsmv15]

I just realized that I never posted a review of the Hex Chrome balls that I tried this fall; sorry about that! I am a high handicapper but don't actually carry a cap. I tested the e6 and '13 20XI along with the Chrome for comparison. I hit the driver around 200-220, 7 iron at 145 this past fall with stiff shafted clubs. I've dropped down to regulars due to health issues and hope that'll boost my distance and flight pattern. Anyhow, let's get to it!

 

Driver: (Nike Covert 1.0 set at 11.5 neutral, Kurokage stiff at the time...)

 

I'm a low ball hitter in general, but the Chrome had a nice medium-high ball flight for me. Doesn't jump hot off the face like the e6 can at times, doesn't feel somewhat clunky like the 20XI. The Chrome was very consistent in its distance, just a couple yards ahead of the 20XI and just a couple behind the e6 on average.

 

Woods/Hybrid: (Nike VR Pro 3/5/3 hybrid, Project X graphite 5.5)

 

Much like with the driver, the Chrome had a nice medium-high flight for me. It was again in the middle in terms of distance. The height helped it land fairly soft on greens, but here is where I noticed the lack of spin in comparison to the 20XI. 20XI can stop dead or almost dead in its tracks on even woods for me while the Chrome moved front to back some 10-20 feet at times. e6 is hit or miss here as it always is - 10-20 feet is its average, too, but it can get hot and bound over a green at times.

 

Irons: (Nike VR Pro Combo, S300)

 

Here, the 20XI and Chrome were about equals, the Chrome only very slighter higher and a yard or two longer on carry at max. 20XI stops dead; Chrome takes two or three hops. e6 jumps off irons a full club length at times, mostly a half club length - very inconsistent. The 20XI and Chrome are both very consistent with distance control.

 

Wedges: (Nike VR Pro, S400)

 

I'll get the e6 out of the way and say that it jumps high and is very inconsistent on full and green-side wedges. The 20XI is a spin machine. Insanely consistent like you have the ball on a string. The Chrome is nowhere near the 20XI on wedges, and this is where the two seem to differ the most for me. It's about average in it's tier ($30/dozen balls) and miles above the e6, but it's just average in general.

 

Putter: (Nike Method Core Drone Mid)

 

Not to skimp on the putter feedback, but with the insert in my stick, it feels just like everything else. Consistent roll, a little hotter off the face than the 20XI but barely so.

 

Feel/Durability:

 

The feel of the Chrome is great. It's not necessarily muted, but it's dull compared to the 20XI and that is a welcome thing. It has a nice consistent jump off the face to it, and I don't get true jumpers like with the e6. The durability is a huge issue, however. The raised edges of the hex dimples cracked on me several times with new balls off the first shot with a mid iron. After three holes or so, I would swap out one for another to test and the same issue arose. Now, don't get me wrong, the balls are certainly still playable, but this scuffing was immediate, consistent, and confusing. The 20XI has very good durability in comparison, and the e6 has all of the durability (don't think I've ever scuffed one of them except off a path or tree or something).

 

Final Thoughts:

 

When I bought the Chrome, I wanted an e6 replacement that could spin just enough to work on the greens. The Chrome does not deliver e6 distance for me, so I can't overlook its shortcomings when it comes to wedge play. If it spun green-side the way it does now and had that half to full club distance increase over the 20XI like the e6 does, I would play the ball in a heartbeat. But it doesn't. I paid $25 a dozen for the 20XI, so that was a steal, and the added spin around the greens just makes it a no-brainer for me. So, the search continues...

[ChrisGio315]

I just picked up 4 dozen 20xi 2013 balls and cant wait to try them out... Did you find that they spin a lot off the driver? Thats the only thing I am worried about.

[Shadrach]

[quote name='trapsmv15' timestamp='1387815508' post='8339295']
The durability is a huge issue, however. The raised edges of the hex dimples cracked on me...
[/quote]

That cracking happened to me when I first tried the Chrome in the summer of 2012. When I found a nice one on the course last summer, I gave it another try and the same thing happened. I seem to recall reading here that others have had the same thing happen. I may be done experimenting with this otherwise nice performing ball.

[James Thomas]

First of all, very nice review, my friend.

Second, I, too, play the E6 on occasion. My favorite ball is the high visibility Titleist NXT Tour. I've tried the Chrome and generally like it, but I had the same durability issues with it. It did not hit my wallet too badly as I scored 2 dozen for $25 early this year on eBay.

[trapsmv15]

[quote name='ChrisGio315' timestamp='1387820617' post='8339695']
I just picked up 4 dozen 20xi 2013 balls and cant wait to try them out... Did you find that they spin a lot off the driver? Thats the only thing I am worried about.
[/quote]
Yes, but with my slow swing speed, the yardage loss is negligible. If you're a fast swinger, you may see an impact.

I do love them, though! The feel is clicky and tinny kind of like the older Callaway balls, but I got used to it. My bag obviously shows a Nike bias, but if I had the money it would look a lot different. Nike doesn't hold value on the used market.....good for buyers.

[kess13]

Played the chrome for the first time yesterday at the UNC course at Chapel Hill. Great course. I found them to be fine off the driver and putter. I backed up a few shots into the green but most were about 3 feet beyond the pitch mark. Normal wedge shots were reliable and distance was easily controlled on bump and runs. I thought one had cracked along the edges, then I washed it and it was just fine. Durability was not srixon yellow like but I found it acceptable for a $30/dozen ball. I could play this ball and be happy but there was no wow factor to get me away from my srixons and honestly at the $30 mark I'd be more apt to spend my money on the Maxfli U4 line. I really wanted to like the callaway too, oh well.

[backtees]

I played the HEX Chrome half of last year and never had an issue with durability or spin off the tee.

The only thing that I questioned was the amount of spin 150 yards in. Golf Digest showed in their golf ball issue that the HEX Chrome generates the same amount of spin on half-wedge swings as some of the tour balls. Not for me.

All in all a great value for money ball that cuts through the wind without any problem.