2020 Chrome Soft + Chrome Soft x vs. Pro v1 and x?

[Funger]

Last year the chrome soft would be cheaper than the tp5s or the prov1s but the new chrome soft is just as expensive ($64 cad). Is this due to a covid supply and demand thing or are they saying that the ball should be worth just as much as a prov1?

 

Anyone get a chance to play either the chrome soft or the x and could tell me the difference compared to previous gen? I know the ball got a lot harder but does anyone know if the numbers improved on either one etc.?

[monks66]

chrome soft 2020 is nice ball....i was able to get some cheaper on ebay

[phil75070]

I played the previous version of the Chrome Soft. The 2020 version I find a little firmer, a little longer with more spin around the green. Supposedly with their massive investments in the facility, quality (off-center cores) isn't supposed to be an issue. Not sure if durability is better or worse.

[groach]

I've played all four of those balls this year, plus the BX, BXS, TP5, TP5x, V1, and V1x. For me, the 2020 chrome soft is the best ball they've ever made. I have been playing the CS for 4 years now. This is the best feeling and performing of all the models. The only other ball I thought was close was the TP5.

Most of the other balls all felt way more firm, or were too 'clicky' off the putter and wedges. I realize that X balls are supposed to feel like that, but to me, even the Pro V and BXS felt firm and clicky. Also, off the driver, all of the balls are very close in distance. The TP5x might have been the longest, but not by a ton. However, and again this is for me, I actually LOST yardage on irons and wedge shots when playing 'X' balls. I must not compress them enough or something, and my SS is 106-108. I would ball test, side by side, and every time it felt like an X ball would be half a club short or check up a few feet shorter, etc.

If you're looking for a 'value' ball, you should be looking at DTC like Vice, Snell, etc. If you want a ball that performs best, regardless of price, you need to do the hard part - buy a sleeve of everything and test them. It's a pain and a hassle, but you'll never know if you don't.

[jons1]

ProV1 and ProV1x are much better balls than the Chrome Soft.

Take this test as you will, but Chrome Soft was one of the worst balls on their robotic testing: 2019 Golf Ball Buyer's Guide | MyGolfSpy

 

[phil75070]

That test was done with the previous version of the ball. The 2020 Chrome Soft is much improved!

[jons1]

 

The takeaway from the test is soft = slow. Not sure a new version of the ball will overcome those findings.

[phil75070]

I don't remember if it was in this thread or not where I concede, soft IS slow, but that is not the only determining factor when it comes to distance. The Today's Golfer test had the Callaway ERC Soft in the top three s[pots distance wise in the two lower swing speeds and that was the softest ball they tested!

[groach]

@golfpros1 .. I'm a huge fan and believer in the website that does all the data driven testing. Love their stuff. All I can say is that for me, soft is fast. My SS is 106-108, and I'm just as long with the CS off the driver as everything else. There are exceptions every now and then.
Edited - picture from my driver fitting back in February. Fitting done with Chrome Soft.
[img]https://s3.amazonaws.com/golfwrxforums/uploads/Y284FMXZ7RMT/trackman.jpg[/img]

[Funger]

I was just curious what the story is with them. They used to be cheaper than the prov1 which was nice but now with the same price I'm wondering if performance actually went up. I know they got firmer but like are the CS and CSX spinning more and giving more distance off tee?

[RWbloom]

Soft(er) may very well equal slow(er) but it does not necessarily equal shorter in distance especially for the average weekend golfer. I wouldn't put much stock in any robot test, unless you swing just like the robot the data isn't necessarily transferable.

BTW, the Callaway balls performed better with the PXG robot than the MY*** Robot...but they still weren't stand outs.

In terms of selling price, perhaps Callaway feels their 2020 ball can sell at the same price level as Titliest now...just a guess.

[platgof]

I think there was some bias in the testing by Espy. I wonder why they dropped their 85 mph tests, as I can't find those tests??? I think the 85 test would be more revealing for mere humans. They stated compressing the ball is not important, really!! That has to be one of the worst statements I have seen in a while. 

[storm319]

7 minutes ago, platgof said:

I think there was some bias in the testing by Espy. I wonder why they dropped their 85 mph tests, as I can't find those tests??? I think the 85 test would be more revealing for mere humans. They stated compressing the ball is not important, really!! That has to be one of the worst statements I have seen in a while. 

They haven’t dropped anything, the Tableau table simply defaults to the 115 mph results. 
 

The idea that a softer ball deforming more equals higher energy transfer that had been previously perpetuated by some OEMs is untrue from a physics standpoint. As an object deforms during an inelastic collision, energy is lost (hence the “softer is slower”). 

[platgof]

That depends on the smash factor, and tossing the 85 test looks misleading. An 85 mph swing does not create the same smash factor as a 110 mph swing.

[platgof]

But there is one thing about softer golf balls, they feel great when hit, and feel is a big part of golf.

[Vinsanity23]

I've recently found this link to testing done on the PXG swing robot when I was digging for info on the new Chrome Soft to draw comparisons. Phenomenal information/comparisons. Do with it what you will.

 

https://Not allowed Per Todaysgolfer's UK request/features/equipment-features/2019/september/robot-tested-which-golf-bal-suits-my-game/

Edited September 4, 2020 by vstensrud23

[ShaunPJourdan]

Pro V1 and BXS are neck and neck IMO.

[Stanks]

On 7/20/2020 at 10:39 AM, jons1 said:

ProV1 and ProV1x are much better balls than the Chrome Soft.

Take this test as you will, but Chrome Soft was one of the worst balls on their robotic testing: 2019 Golf Ball Buyer's Guide | Not allowed because of spam

 

Funny thing is, we aren't robots and if the ball sucks, chances are it's more of the golfer than the ball. 

That being said, after having played all of these balls, you can't go wrong with any of them. It'll come down to feel because no one on here is good enough to notice a difference in 200 revs off a wedge, me included. 

Chromesoft and X compared to the previous gen, they are definitely a little firmer (little) and seem to fly a bit lower in the air. They behave how I expected them to. 

[Blackman911]

 For my swing I don’t see any significant differences between Pro V1 19 vs, Chrome Soft 19.

As I got 4 boxes of Chrome Soft End of last season for almost half the price of the V1 I went with those... now it is time for a new test.

2020 chrome are ordered...

 

[Wardman]

How did the test go?  I have Chromesoft and Chromesoftx and was liking CS but noticed that misses were worset than the CSx.  My swing speed is about 110 with driver.   To your point, there are some good CS deals out there and i'm not sure as a 12 that I will really see much difference with ProV1 vs CSx

[Hat Trick]

I was a TP5 - Pro V1x guy.  But I have been playing the 2020 Chrome Soft this season and it feels great, spins great and actually goes a little farther than the other 2 for me.  My driver SS is mid 90s and I continue to carry a fairway bunker that is 227 every time.  Never thought I would play a Callaway ball - but its in the bag.

[davidsloftin]

Fellas, You can find 2020 Chrome Soft at just about any Sporting Good store (not sure if Im supposed to mention one particularly with a "D" as the first letter) for $46.99/doz. It is a bit cheaper than the Titleist ball, and performs just as good. 

[tsecor]

the 2020 Chromesoft is really good as is the new prov1.....both have been excellet this year...the V1X is not for me as it balloons off my driver.....i am trying the CSX today and hope it works for me