Chrome Soft

[RPJET]

From the reviews that are coming in, the Chrome Soft seems to be the RX with more greenside spin. I am loyal to Bridgestone too. But, Callaway was smart for pricing the CS at $37.00. If the CS performs like the RX- RXS, I have to give the CS a good look and consider a change.

[ZBigStick]

Most Callaway golf balls are also produced in the USA.

[BPetry]

Well I am going to throw my .02 worth in this discussion. I bought a couple dozen of these the other night, one dozen in yellow and one in white. I haven't played a yellow ball in over 20 years...lol, I just had to.

Here are my thoughts, but I will have one caveat to this. My back is sore and I was not hitting the ball as well as I normally do. I like this ball from 175 an in alot. Off the irons and wedges around the greens this ball is reminiscent of a Tour Professional/ Tour Balata. It just loves to spin and one hop and stop. Not too much spin, and not too little. Putting was great for me after the first 4-5 holes and I had figured out the speed because the ball does jump off the putter face a bit more than a Pro V1 that I normally play. Now for the tee shots, I had a hard time feeling the ball. The sound was more muted off my 913D2 and 915F. It was not bad persay, but just different. I hit the ball within a few yards of my Pro V1 so for me its a wash. But I do prefer the Pro V1 off the tee for the moment. I will play the CS for a few more rounds and see if I can get used to the sound and feel. I do think Callaway has hit a home run with this ball when you consider the price and performance. I will trade a few yards off the tee for the greenside manor of this ball. Most mid to high handicappers should try this ball and I really think that its a great colder weather ball as well...

Bill

[Aviador Naval]

Quick pile on - nothing new but just data for anybody counting.

BLUF: I liked it a lot for all aspects of my game except putting.

Played it alongside an XV during a full round on a damp course at 50F. Found the feel more muted on all full swings but I was still able to discern contact quality.

On average it was a little longer than the XV. The difference in length was more pronounced with irons than driver. My drives generally went a bit straighter with the Chrome Soft but I'd be hesistant to call that conclusive given the small sample size.

The reaction on the green from full shots was actually a bit of an improvement for me in typical public course soft green conditions. Ball stopped very close to pitch mark whereas I sometimes struggle to keep the XV from peeling back. Rolled out a bit more on greenside shots but very playable.

Biggest difference was putting. It felt like hitting a superball from a gumball machine. I never did get used to it. For reference, I use a 350g milled carbon steel putter.

Overall: Nice ball but there are better options for my game right now. However, if they could tweak the feel off the putter with slightly higher compression or a slightly firmer cover, I'd play it in a minute.

[bcflyguy1]

[quote name='Aviador Naval' timestamp='1423931443' post='10952127']

Overall: Nice ball but there are better options for my game right now. However, if they could tweak the feel off the putter with slightly higher compression or a slightly firmer cover, I'd play it in a minute.
[/quote]

My thoughts exactly, and why I'll be sticking with the SR3.

[Holy Moses]

Can someone speak to Callaway's claim that while the ball will spin more around the greens, it will spin less off the driver. Is it true?

[bcflyguy1]

Is that really what their marketing is claiming? They're saying that you can have the feel of a soft ball without sacrificing the distance that a firmer ball can provide. I haven't heard them say anything about the CS's spin slope being steeper.

[Holy Moses]

[quote name='bcflyguy1' timestamp='1423937876' post='10952613']Is that really what their marketing is claiming? They're saying that you can have the feel of a soft ball without sacrificing the distance that a firmer ball can provide. I haven't heard them say anything about the CS's spin slope being steeper.[/quote]

Head of marketing from Callaway was on PGA Tour Radio and said that

[bcflyguy1]

Hmm, interesting. Comparing to SR3, I didn't find CS to spin any less in the long game or more in the short game. To me, its performance was almost identical to SR3 apart from a wildly different feel at impact on every club in the bag. Not better or worse, just different (i.e. much softer). YMMV, of course.

[tbowles411]

[quote name='Holy Moses' timestamp='1423934328' post='10952373']Can someone speak to Callaway's claim that while the ball will spin more around the greens, it will spin less off the driver. Is it true?[/quote]
It does spin less off the driver. I like a left to right ball flight and the ball for me wants to go straight. Spinning more on the greens is user dependent. I personally like the spin of the C+ better, but it's still acceptable.

[Splitter]

This thread is killing me...

Like most balls, this one seems to be different things for different people..

For me:

Driver.. Felt soft, but not bad. No extra distance.. Actually waffled a couple of times and wouldn't come back for me on shots that should have. I'm going to call it: LOW SPIN.

Hybrids: Really nice. Not trying to work a hybrid.. Just want it to go straight and feel good. Done.

Irons: Feel really good off the irons. Good ball flight. About 1/2 extra distance easy. BUT... Caused some pretty bad Results by not holding the greens..

Wedges: Felt really good, no spin... It was like chipping onto 15 stimp greens...

I don't know how people are getting good spin on these off their wedges and irons... I got tired of watching good shots that would normall hop and stop roll off the back.. I got tired of watching a gap wedge that would normally stop within 2' run 8' by the hole...

This wasn't just me.. My buddy was playing them as well and had the same issues...

I was missing putts all day by 1/4 inch and going 3' by the hole. I figured it was just me, but after reading some if the comments I'm going to blame the ball (feel better anyway. (LOL).

Wrap up.. I like the way the ball feels and perform in the air. But it costs too much money for me to adjust my game for.. Going to stay with C+ and SS depending on weather...

Oh well.... It's just a golf ball. :-)

As a side note, duos were 2 for $30 at my local shop... May pick those up and relive 2 years a golf for a while.

[Konklifer]

[quote name='Splitter' timestamp='1424033748' post='10958737']
This thread is killing me...

Like most balls, this one seems to be different things for different people..

For me:

Driver.. Felt soft, but not bad. No extra distance.. Actually waffled a couple of times and wouldn't come back for me on shots that should have. I'm going to call it: LOW SPIN.

Hybrids: Really nice. Not trying to work a hybrid.. Just want it to go straight and feel good. Done.

Irons: Feel really good off the irons. Good ball flight. About 1/2 extra distance easy. BUT... Caused some pretty bad Results by not holding the greens..

Wedges: Felt really good, no spin... It was like chipping onto 15 stimp greens...

I don't know how people are getting good spin on these off their wedges and irons... I got tired of watching good shots that would normall hop and stop roll off the back.. I got tired of watching a gap wedge that would normally stop within 2' run 8' by the hole...

This wasn't just me.. My buddy was playing them as well and had the same issues...

I was missing putts all day by 1/4 inch and going 3' by the hole. I figured it was just me, but after reading some if the comments I'm going to blame the ball (feel better anyway. (LOL).

Wrap up.. I like the way the ball feels and perform in the air. But it costs too much money for me to adjust my game for.. Going to stay with C+ and SS depending on weather...

Oh well.... It's just a golf ball. :-)

As a side note, duos were 2 for $30 at my local shop... May pick those up and relive 2 years a golf for a while.
[/quote]

So you are getting better spin from the SS?

[duke2001j]

Just as a follow up to my review 2 weeks ago, I've been really happy with the CS performance so far vs my SR3. Performance had been similar, but the CS really started to separate itself the last 2 rounds at my home course - especially with the mid to long irons. A few holes in particular stand out - a long par 3 that I usually struggle on - played about 218, and I stuck a 4 iron to 2 feet. I'd say the ball only released about 5 yards on a really firm green - 1 bounce and stopped. It's a really versatile ball as well - I've had several recovery shots where I was able to either find the green or get close to it by shaping the ball around trees, or keeping it low and running it up.

I think that when you compress this ball, it really performs. Driver distance has been really good for me - iron distance is better than the SR3 for me which has been surprising - wasn't really expecting that. Is it the highest spinning ball I've played? No, but I'm a very high spin player and it works for me. Feel around the greens and putting took some getting used to after playing firm balls the last few years, but I love it. Like I said if you like a soft ball that goes, I think this is the ball for you - worth a try at the very least.

[nuthin but a hacker]

[quote name='Holy Moses' timestamp='1423934328' post='10952373']
Can someone speak to Callaway's claim that while the ball will spin more around the greens, it will spin less off the driver. Is it true?
[/quote]

The extra spin around the greens showed up in the driver too for me.

[Gauchograd99]

If it is anything like the Duo, there should be a ton less spin off the driver. I found the Duo fell out of the sky for me because I couldn't get enough spin on it, but everywhere else (approach and forward) it was solid. Granted, I am playing a low spin head (RFE) with a "board" shaft (Black Tie 7M3) to help keep my spin under 3000rpm with most balls. Your results may vary.

I am going to get out and play the CS this week pending my shoulder being 100% in some test swings tomorrow. An extra 4 days on top of the 2+ weeks should be enough to get going again. It will at least allow me to find out if I made a mistake buying a dozen. If what many have said is true (it reminds them of old school balata balls), I will love it unless I lose a ton of yardage.

[benclab]

I just tried this ball today. I usually play the TP X but the hype with this, I just had to give it a test drive. I played 18 and played 2 balls throughout the round.

I'm a plus handicap. Don't know what it is really but my worst score since August has been 76. My best 68. I'm mostly in the 71 to 73 range and I play once a week with a practice session usually on Wednesday nights. I used to be a teaching pro, then a mini tour player and now I just play for fun except for the US Open qualifier. Gotta dream, right? I'm a long, high launch hitter and driving and wedge play are my best attributes.

DRIVER: On the first hole I teed up the CS second. I piped the TP X so I didn't think the CS can catch up. Well it did, and then some! I was shocked really. Sadly though this is the only hole where it out drove my gamer. The TP X was consistently 5 yards or more all day. Even the holes into the wind.

LONG CLUBS: I felt this was a tie. With fairway woods and long irons, they seem to react the same. I could cut it, hit it low, jump on it for a few extra yards, etc.

9 THRU 6 IRONS: The CS felt nice. Not mushy and not clicky either. But I didn't get any distance gains like others have posted. It handles the wind well but so does the TP X. With the TP X though I can hit tweener shots better so that's why I give the TP X the thumbs up here over the CS.

WEDGES: It does spin. Sad thing is that's all it does. It's a consistent spin, which was a lot, but I couldn't hit check releasers on pitches and couldn't hit runners out of the bunker. Advantage again is TP X.

PUTTER: This is where the CS is hurting the most. The ball just jumps off the face. I don't understand why. TP X, Pro V1, XV, B330, even the SR3, all seem to putt the same. CS doesn't. Didn't like that at all. But it does feel nice off of the face.

Overall it's not a bad ball at all. If I was a Callaway junky, I'd game it. I do believe it's a huge upgrade over the SR3 and I would say it's better than the Pro V1 or V1x. I wouldn't say it's better than the XV or B330 or TP X. Great ball for the value just make sure you tap the putts because they fly for some reason. I'd rate it a 8 out of 10. 9's being the B330 and XV and 10 being the TP X and 7's for SR3 and V1 and V1x. That might make Pro V1 junkies mad but the ball just floats for me. I hit my 6, 5, 4 all the same distance with them and I don't get any launch with the fairway woods with them.

Hopes this helps...

[Splitter]

[quote name='Konklifer' timestamp='1424035313' post='10958889']
[quote name='Splitter' timestamp='1424033748' post='10958737']
This thread is killing me...

Like most balls, this one seems to be different things for different people..

For me:

Driver.. Felt soft, but not bad. No extra distance.. Actually waffled a couple of times and wouldn't come back for me on shots that should have. I'm going to call it: LOW SPIN.

Hybrids: Really nice. Not trying to work a hybrid.. Just want it to go straight and feel good. Done.

Irons: Feel really good off the irons. Good ball flight. About 1/2 extra distance easy. BUT... Caused some pretty bad Results by not holding the greens..

Wedges: Felt really good, no spin... It was like chipping onto 15 stimp greens...

I don't know how people are getting good spin on these off their wedges and irons... I got tired of watching good shots that would normall hop and stop roll off the back.. I got tired of watching a gap wedge that would normally stop within 2' run 8' by the hole...

This wasn't just me.. My buddy was playing them as well and had the same issues...

I was missing putts all day by 1/4 inch and going 3' by the hole. I figured it was just me, but after reading some if the comments I'm going to blame the ball (feel better anyway. (LOL).

Wrap up.. I like the way the ball feels and perform in the air. But it costs too much money for me to adjust my game for.. Going to stay with C+ and SS depending on weather...

Oh well.... It's just a golf ball. :-)

As a side note, duos were 2 for $30 at my local shop... May pick those up and relive 2 years a golf for a while.
[/quote]

So you are getting better spin from the SS?
[/quote]

I played another round with them today.

At first run, I would say "yes", but I think we dialed in the issues today. So, I'm going to back off and say "maybe".


1. The ball comes off hot and I'm losing iron spin for sure. Which isn't horrible since I'm high launch, high spin.
2. The ball comes out lower and has a lower flatter ball flight.

Both of those contribute to the extra distance and roll out on the greens. I blasted at least three geens today that I would have hit and held easy with the chrome.

So, I' don't feel like I'm getting the same spin as I do from the Crome and C+. I don't play the SS as often but, again, after two rounds, it just feels like the SS hold better. It could be that they all come in higher

[tbowles411]

[quote name='Splitter' timestamp='1424172040' post='10969605']
So, I' don't feel like I'm getting the same spin as I do from the Crome and C+. I don't play the SS as often but, again, after two rounds, it just feels like the SS hold better. It could be that they all come in higher
[/quote]
For me, this is the only complaint about the CS than the C+. I'd be happy with either ball, especially since the CS knocks off a bunch of sidespin, but I'll keep my C+ just the same. The CS is a solid ball for sure.

[Aviador Naval]

Yesterday I was in Richmond and stopped by GS to demo the new Vapor Pro driver (thankfully it did not perform as well for me as it looks...) and noticed they had Chrome Soft balls in their putting area. I spent about 15 minutes hitting putters of all different shapes and face material and could not find one that allowed the ball to feel right (or even tolerable) off the putter. I was actually a little disappointed because in thinking back on the round I played with them last week, it was a very nice fit for my game everywhere but the green and I was hoping that at the current price point it was something to which I could adapt.

[GolfpunkVT]

I am gaming the soft and there is already a new prototype of this ball being offered to the tour players. I saw one staffer at my club today playing a chrome soft Dot. He told me it is slightlyou firmer

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='GolfpunkVT' timestamp='1424214405' post='10973867']
I am gaming the soft and there is already a new prototype of this ball being offered to the tour players. I saw one staffer at my club today playing a chrome soft Dot. He told me it is slightlyou firmer
[/quote]

The retail offering is either too soft, too springy off the putter, or doesn't generate enough spin for the tour. Not surprising that they had to make another ball in order to get them to put one in play.

[skyking]

Thanks for the confirmation Golfpunk. Rep told me a different CS would be out in February. I like the soft feel of the CS but my SS isn't 100+ either.

BTW, cracked another Supersoft in the sim today with a 7 iron comparing to the CS. That makes at least 4 SS I've cracked. I know that doesn't correlate to durability on a golf course but it still freaks me out. Comparing the 2...at some point I realize the distance is a lot less on the SS and it must be getting ready to crack.

[storm319]

[quote name='GolfpunkVT' timestamp='1424214405' post='10973867']
I am gaming the soft and there is already a new prototype of this ball being offered to the tour players. I saw one staffer at my club today playing a chrome soft Dot. He told me it is slightlyou firmer
[/quote]

USGA list now has the Chrome Soft "dot" listed. Construction is listed as O-SC-2c meaning it must be a 4-piece with dual cores.

[nbg352]

[quote name='skyking' timestamp='1424216327' post='10974077']
Thanks for the confirmation Golfpunk. Rep told me a different CS would be out in February. I like the soft feel of the CS but my SS isn't 100+ either.

BTW, cracked another Supersoft in the sim today with a 7 iron comparing to the CS. That makes at least 4 SS I've cracked. I know that doesn't correlate to durability on a golf course but it still freaks me out. Comparing the 2...at some point I realize the distance is a lot less on the SS and it must be getting ready to crack.
[/quote]
Very common to crack any premium ball in a Sim. There is not a brand or model that has not eventually cracked in my simulator.

[ZBigStick]

Lee Janzen won with the CS!

[lewisgl]

Not surprising to hear that the CS is being tweaked on tour. I really like the golf ball but Callaway is gong to tweak it and probably make it even better. I have a feeling the pros want a little lower ball flight around the greens with maybe slightly more spin. A little more compression and maybe another layer might help keep the ball a little lower off the wedges for the Tour guys and might help with the driver too. It is quite playable the way it is right now for a lot of amateurs and Lee Janzen won a tournament with one, possibly a tweaked version of it.

[ZBigStick]

[quote name='storm319' timestamp='1424216553' post='10974103'][quote name='GolfpunkVT' timestamp='1424214405' post='10973867']
I am gaming the soft and there is already a new prototype of this ball being offered to the tour players. I saw one staffer at my club today playing a chrome soft Dot. He told me it is slightlyou firmer
[/quote]

USGA list now has the Chrome Soft "dot" listed. Construction is listed as O-SC-2c meaning it must be a 4-piece with dual cores.[/quote]

Cool, if they release a Chrome Soft + that could be special.

"The next ball to change the ball after the ball that changed the ball."

[GolfpunkVT]

I was not at the course today but hoping to find out more as he gets more time in with the ball. I am still amazed that I get so much more out of this ball compared to anything else.

[dpb5031]

Should be noted that this golf ball feels and sounds differently at impact when hit indoors into a net or simulator versus outdoors. I'm just saying it's probably not a great idea to draw conclusions from an indoor only test...

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='dpb5031' timestamp='1424311145' post='10982073']
Should be noted that this golf ball feels and sounds differently at impact when hit indoors into a net or simulator versus outdoors. I'm just saying it's probably not a great idea to draw conclusions from an indoor only test...
[/quote]

Great point. I don't put much confidence into any indoor test whether it be clubs or balls. There's no substitute for real turf if you want to see the entire picture.