Chrome Soft X LS

[belh22]

Any further updates?

[belh22]

they had dozens out at local store but only yellow triple track so I passed.  

[95124hacker]

Does anyone know if any site is selling the LS at Buy 3, Get 1 free? I already checked golfballs.com, rockbottomgolf.com, tgw.com, and callawaygolf.com

[jds101086]

Maybe I'm jaded but isn't this a Callaway branded solution to better balls that already exist? TP5x and Bridgestone BX as well as Left Dash are top tier solutions to this problem. I loathe every iteration of Chrome Soft(hence the jaded reference) and that feeling is just solidified by the fact no pros and even some staff pro's don't even play the retail models. Unless you are a Callaway loyalist why wouldn't the player this fits just play a better ball and call it a day?

[belh22]

Whether you’re a callaway loyalist or not maybe this ball is better for someone. You play what works for you and maybe this one will for someone else. I have played Tp5x and left dash but I am going to try this ball to see if it is equal or better than those two. And I am not a fanboy at all. 

[ryan.pager]

So I got out this morning to try these out. For fairness, I have played 6 rounds with TP5X (2021), and 100+ with the left dash pro v1x. Swing speed for me is between 103 and 111 when I go after it. My natural shot shape is a 5yd draw.

 

Distances (carry)

Driver - 255

7I - 165-170

PW - 125

60* - 75
 

Here are my impressions,

 

Driver - 10/10

 

This was going about 3-5yds longer than the left dash, and a good 10 past the tp5x. Pretty good feel, was able to hit cuts and draws no problem. The left dash seems the hardest, then csx-ls, then tp5x (2021). Nothing to complain about.

 

Mid to Long Irons - 8/10

 

The ball does great, not much to say here. My one gripe is that on my 4i and 7w it skipped forward a little more than I was used to. The left dash and tp5x definitely spin a little more. It takes a little adjustment, but nothing thats unbearable. I could see this being an issue on stupidly firm greens, but I normally play bent so not much of an issue.

 

Wedges & Short Irons - 8/10

 

Overall, not much difference between the three balls. Everything was good high flight, instant stoppage on greens, all 3 get good spin on wedges; but not to the point where Im sucking it back 25ft...very controllable.

 

Putter - 10/10

 

Man, they feel so much better than left dash. About the same maybe slightly softer than the TP5X. Taylormade did a great job softening up their offering — honestly no complaints. This is the area that drove me nuts with the left dash — you lose all fee because they are so hard.

 

Overall - 36/40

 

What sells me on the ball is that it performs super close to the left dash, but its not obnoxiously hard like the left dash. I could easily play this, and manage what I need out of it, and be a whole lot happier on the greens with a softer ball.

 

Ill probably keep these in the bag, but you honestly can go wrong between the left dash, tp5x or csx-ls. It comes down to feel for me, and off of forged clubs, the csx-ls feels great and performs how I need it to.

 

 

 

[Stanks]

21 hours ago, jds101086 said:

Maybe I'm jaded but isn't this a Callaway branded solution to better balls that already exist? TP5x and Bridgestone BX as well as Left Dash are top tier solutions to this problem. I loathe every iteration of Chrome Soft(hence the jaded reference) and that feeling is just solidified by the fact no pros and even some staff pro's don't even play the retail models. Unless you are a Callaway loyalist why wouldn't the player this fits just play a better ball and call it a day?

You're jaded.

5 hours ago, belh22 said:

Whether you’re a callaway loyalist or not maybe this ball is better for someone. You play what works for you and maybe this one will for someone else. I have played Tp5x and left dash but I am going to try this ball to see if it is equal or better than those two. And I am not a fanboy at all. 

Played both myself and have some CSXLS ready to go for tomorrow. I already really like the yellow they used.

[MattM97]

Grabbed a box of CSX and CSXLS and noticed the LS has a bit of a click to it when putting, definitely the firmest feeling out of the higher end balls. Not a big deal for me and probably won't notice it when on the course and outside. I'm more curious to see how they perform overall just something odd I noticed. 

[Professor E]

Got a chance to try out the Chrome Soft X LS (CSX LS) yesterday. I use a Triple Track 10 putter so I’m partial to the Callaway TT Golf Balls in general. I have tried the Chrome Soft (2020), Chrome Soft X and ERC Soft as well.

 

A quick note about me before I share my thoughts. I’m 52 yrs old. 15 handicap. 95-100 mph swing speed. My miss is a slice and I’m a high spin kinda guy so I need a low spin, highly forgiving ball to help me out on bad swings. I play Cobra F7 One Length irons (4i-SW); Callaway B21 Driver and 3w. Ok... on to my review: 

 

The CSX LS off the driver is louder than the Chrome Soft X but less clicky at the same time. I much prefer the feel of the CSX LS vs Chrome Soft X. The latter just feels like a brick to me. The ERC Soft is my gamer and I will occasionally play the Chrome Soft, so I’m used to a more muted sound and less clicky feel. The CSX LS is firm but still has a good feel to it. More solid than stiff. 
 

Ball flight was consistently straight. Very straight. I never lost one right with the Chrome Soft X LS. It gave me a ton of confidence. By comparison, I tend to launch the ERC high with a baby fade. Bad swings with the ERC veer right with a bigger curve but don’t slice on me. On the other hand, the regular Chrome Soft and the Chrome Soft X will turn hard right on me when I put a bad swing on them. The CSX LS was dead straight on all five driver swings today. The only fore right today was with the Chrome Soft X. 

 

Carry distance with the CSX LS was good but not as long as the ERC Soft. Average for the five driver swings with the CSX LS: 220yds. I tend to fly the ERC Soft more like 230. I tested out the ERC Soft on two holes today and both measured right to that 230 mark. The 3w and 4 hybrid hits I measured with Golfshot GPS were on par with my standard distances but irons (approach shots) with the CSX LS were about 1/2 a club longer for me. [Note: the Chrome Soft carries about the same distance as the CSX LS; and I clearly don’t have the swing speed to compress the Chrome Soft X because it’s easily the shortest Callaway ball for my swing]
 

I didn’t hit a lot of greens in regulation yesterday so the CSX LS got a lot of reps with the wedge. Put simply, the Chrome Soft X LS was pretty amazing. Again, I’m a mid/high handicap who usually plays once per week. I don’t zip the ball back or anything like that. So, what I’m saying is that the CSX LS was crisp off the club face, launched low-mid and checked up nice on everything I hit 50 yds and in.  
 

The CSX LS off the putter is way more solid feeling as compared to the ERC soft/Chrome Soft.  But, the feel of the CSX LS is really good in my view: firm as opposed to the distinctly harder feel of the regular Chrome Soft X. 
 

So, when all is said and done, the Chrome Soft X LS really performed well yesterday. Will it replace the ERC Soft as my gamer? No, not just yet. Both go straight for me—their low spin characteristics clearly work as advertised—but the ERC is longer and  I simply prefer the feel and sound of the ERC Soft. I have 3 more sleeves of the CSX LS so I’m curious to see how it plays when the weather heats up a bit more here in the Pacific NW.
 

In sum: The Chrome Soft X LS made a really positive 1st impression on me. If you need to take some spin off of tee shots and irons but want more spin around the green, I definitely recommend you give the LS model a try. 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2021 by Professor E

[phil75070]

4 hours ago, Professor E said:

The ERC Soft is my gamer

Have you tried the new version of the ERC Soft? I found it even longer, maybe a touch more spin but still soft in feel. I had switched from the original ERC Soft to the 2020 CS because the CS was longer. Now the new ERC Soft is at least as long as the 2020 CS for me.

[Professor E]

I haven’t had a chance to try the new ERC yet. I’ll have to give it a try. 

[Professor E]

7 hours ago, phil75070 said:

Have you tried the new version of the ERC Soft? I found it even longer, maybe a touch more spin but still soft in feel. I had switched from the original ERC Soft to the 2020 CS because the CS was longer. Now the new ERC Soft is at least as long as the 2020 CS for me.

About how much length are you picking up with the new 2020 ERC Soft as compared to the original 2018 ERC? 

[phil75070]

14 hours ago, Professor E said:

About how much length are you picking up with the new 2020 ERC Soft as compared to the original 2018 ERC? 

Compared to the original ERC? Tough to say as conditions under which I played it were cold and windy with damp fairways. If I had to guess, on average about 3-5 yards off the driver when compared to the original ERC and as long as and maybe a couple of yards longer than the 2020 CS for me. This is what I get. As always, YMMV.

[AcesAndHoles]

On 3/7/2021 at 9:03 AM, awtryau89 said:

I was all set to go all in with Callaway balls this year. Triple Track on the ball has been a game changer for my putting and alignment. I played a dozen regular CS during the colder winter months and was fine with them. Was going to try this and the regular X for my warmer weather ball. Got a sleeve of X Triple Tracks and played 1 ball this week. It had to be one of the worst balls I have tried for durability. Half way into the round normal play it was chewed up. Never saw this with regular CS. Back to the Titleist LD for me and my stencil.

Is the triple-line stencil as effective as the manf'r version? 

[awtryau89]

2 hours ago, AcesAndHoles said:

Is the triple-line stencil as effective as the manf'r version? 

 

For the alignment and my eyes, yes. I actually like it better as it is a bit wider than the Triple Track. For play, my issue is hitting the ball in the area marked causes smears and the lines to come off. I've tried Sharpies and Milwaukee but both come off easily. Going to order some Sharpie Extremes and try those.

[MPAndreassi]

 

Played the ball for about a week and a half. Did a little write up of it in my WITB thread. 

[Qegurezi]

Found one on course today. So many Cally balls have felt clicky to me but this thing feels great. I like the TP5x and this thing would certainly compete. Really nice ball. 

[phil75070]

22 hours ago, AcesAndHoles said:

Is the triple-line stencil as effective as the manf'r version? 

From what I understand of the science behind Triple Track, the colors, thickness and spacing of the lines is critical. The stencil gives a reasonably good approximation and I doubt that anyone's ability to properly line the ball up would really be affected that much.

[AcesAndHoles]

34 minutes ago, phil75070 said:

From what I understand of the science behind Triple Track, the colors, thickness and spacing of the lines is critical. The stencil gives a reasonably good approximation and I doubt that anyone's ability to properly line the ball up would really be affected that much.

Oh wow, it's more than just convenient then. I 'bayed a stencil but will have to get a dozen to try out and compare. 

[awtryau89]

18 hours ago, AcesAndHoles said:

Oh wow, it's more than just convenient then. I 'bayed a stencil but will have to get a dozen to try out and compare. 

 

I tried both and preferred the wider look of my stencil. I also do not use multiple colors. I am sure there is science behind the Cally version. I do know I tried a TT putter with the ball together for a round and couldn't stand it. It made me feel I had to be too precise and it took forever for me to line everything up. I couldn't make my playing partners go through that very often.

[AcesAndHoles]

2 hours ago, awtryau89 said:

 

I tried both and preferred the wider look of my stencil. I also do not use multiple colors. I am sure there is science behind the Cally version. I do know I tried a TT putter with the ball together for a round and couldn't stand it. It made me feel I had to be too precise and it took forever for me to line everything up. I couldn't make my playing partners go through that very often.

 

So I bought a TT 2-ball blade/mallet hybrid and got some of the CSX and CSXLS balls last night to try out. Funny you say that but I had a similar experience. It actually bothered me that I wasn't "lining" everything up perfectly. 

 

 

Dug out 2 Chrome Softs to try against the Chrome Soft X and LS for some practice putting. Definitely a difference in feel between the three. The CS has a pretty solid "thunk" at impact and feels noticeably softer. There's a big jump from CS to X with more of a "click" in the X and a firmer feel. The difference between the X and LS is less, but still there. Outside with distractions and noise I don't think I'd really notice it, or it would bother me. Both rolled nicely.

 

If I had to choose I would putt with the Chrome Soft regular 

[SwingBlues]

❤ this ball!

 

It reminds me of the earlier Srixon XV, probably the 2012 one where the ball was DEFINITELY lower spin off driver and irons and the Pros were whining about it until SpinSkin came along. But this CSXLS is better.

 

Picked these balls up last evening. I was actually looking for the Gen 7 XV yellows but Roger Dunn did not have any instock. But they did have the CSXLS, so I heard good reviews from this thread and bought them.

 

Did the saline test and the 2 sleeves tested perfect. I just simply put into play this morning and it flat out performed. No IFs or Buts.

 

Great off the driver. Matched to my Epic Max LS and the Black Velocore, it is just magic. Drives were dead straight, some were a little "poppy" but thats my swing not-so-right but hell, it still got out there.

 

Irons were fantastic. I am a high spin player and it just kills me with the high ball and I really just need some spin reduction and the CSXLS provides it. Also, I tend to overdraw the ball as my miss but this ball was spot on. I hit some great shots today.

 

Chipping/Pitching. Did not chunk any pitch or chip shots so the ball did exactly what I asked of it.Wasn't super soft and it felt like my XV.

 

Putting. Not my best day. A lot of chances for birds but there was always something on the green that threw off the ball, typically an unseen fork in the path. No problem adapting to the ball to the putter. Just not going in, thats all.

 

74. 2 over round with 1 bird and 3 bogeys.

 

Durability - hit one massive branch but other than that, it was just grass. I looked at the ball and no issues. No scaling like I typically see of the Callaway balls of the past (ala the Hex Tour).

 

Well, I got 2 dozen to use. The CSXLS is off to an impressive start IMHO. Great ball Callaway!!!

[ShowMe]

Bought a dozen.  Played 3 rounds with them so far.  I would call them lower spin (than the Chrome Soft or Chrome Soft X), but not low spin.  

[herbert7890]

8 hours ago, ShowMe said:

Bought a dozen.  Played 3 rounds with them so far.  I would call them lower spin (than the Chrome Soft or Chrome Soft X), but not low spin.  

 it actually spins between the regular Chromesoft and the X, based on all trackman reviews and callaway's own video posted on YT a few days back.  In essence, callaway said the regular Chromesoft is low spin for slow swing speeds, while Chrome soft X LS is low spin for high swing speed players (but still a bit higher spinning than the regular),  and then X is higher spinning for high swing speeds.

Edited April 4, 2021 by herbert7890

[sevenfourate]

1 hour ago, herbert7890 said:

 it actually spins between the regular Chromesoft and the X, based on all trackman reviews and callaway's own video posted on YT a few days back.  In essence, callaway said the regular Chromesoft is low spin for slow swing speeds, while Chrome soft X LS is low spin for high swing speed players (but still a bit higher spinning than the regular),  and then X is higher spinning for high swing speeds.

Great info 👍 

 

Is this what we all genuinely expected ? **Bet this ‘revelation’ bursts at least a few people’s bubble.....

 

Has there been any scientific tests of LS Versus V1X, TP5X,  Bridgestone B X or left Dash ?

[phizzy30]

Just got me a box of Chrome Soft X LS balls from the local golf store.  The Cally rep was there surprisingly.  He told me they're quite firm and to expect a slightly lower flight and 200-300 rpm less spin.  I'm playing a local muni tomorrow.  Will report findings. 

Edited April 4, 2021 by phizzy30

[AcesAndHoles]

20 hours ago, sevenfourate said:

Great info 👍 

 

Is this what we all genuinely expected ? **Bet this ‘revelation’ bursts at least a few people’s bubble.....

 

Has there been any scientific tests of LS Versus V1X, TP5X,  Bridgestone B X or left Dash ?

TXG is releasing one today, I beleive

[AcesAndHoles]

15 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

Just got me a box of Chrome Soft X LS balls from the local golf store.  The Cally rep was there surprisingly.  He told me they're quite firm and to expect a slightly lower flight and 200-300 rpm less spin.  I'm playing a local muni tomorrow.  Will report findings. 

I think this is a fair assessment.

 

I played 36 this weekend and alternated between sleeves of the X and LS and they both play great, and are definite candidates for when I play serious rounds. The morning round had a lot more wind involved and the LS really surprised me. I'm a high spin, high launch player off anything that's not an iron. I played the 5 holes with a TP5 Pix and a Kirkland ball that were floating around my bag and the rest with the Chrome Softs. The LS cut the wind better and reduced the tendency for my ball to drift a bit more than the X and significantly more than the other balls I played. It paired incredibly well with my 3H which flew long and true all weekend. The X performed well too but has a softer feel especially hitting irons. I'd say it was more confidence inspiring for 9i and under.

 

So far If I were forced to choose I'd take the X on an average day and the LS on a windy one. X for the shorter game and the LS for the long game. Once temps warm up I may deviate more towards the LS. 

 

My only gripe so far is that the Chromesoft line are a little more delicate than anticipated. I noticed the LS picked up a few embedded sand grains after a small scale battle with one bunker, and a dramatic cut exposing the core after I overshot a green to the cart path. The X survived admirably even though I abused it a bit.

 

[sevenfourate]

3 hours ago, AcesAndHoles said:

I think this is a fair assessment.

 

I played 36 this weekend and alternated between sleeves of the X and LS and they both play great, and are definite candidates for when I play serious rounds. The morning round had a lot more wind involved and the LS really surprised me. I'm a high spin, high launch player off anything that's not an iron. I played the 5 holes with a TP5 Pix and a Kirkland ball that were floating around my bag and the rest with the Chrome Softs. The LS cut the wind better and reduced the tendency for my ball to drift a bit more than the X and significantly more than the other balls I played. It paired incredibly well with my 3H which flew long and true all weekend. The X performed well too but has a softer feel especially hitting irons. I'd say it was more confidence inspiring for 9i and under.

 

So far If I were forced to choose I'd take the X on an average day and the LS on a windy one. X for the shorter game and the LS for the long game. Once temps warm up I may deviate more towards the LS. 

 

My only gripe so far is that the Chromesoft line are a little more delicate than anticipated. I noticed the LS picked up a few embedded sand grains after a small scale battle with one bunker, and a dramatic cut exposing the core after I overshot a green to the cart path. The X survived admirably even though I abused it a bit.

 

Nice review. Helpful.
 

Thanks.

[youngunz5840]

I just played 18 with the ls. Last year I played a prov1 with some rounds with the left dash. I am a high spin player but also don’t like overly firm golf balls. The left dash played well for me since it knocked spin off but the feel just wasn’t good and would get clicky. Same issue I would have with tp5x. After watching txg say the chrome soft x ls was lower spin but still had a softer feel I wanted to give the ball a try. 
The ball met all expectations. Low spin on driver and enough on irons and wedges. I could spin wedges back on greens if I wanted to. Felt good on the putter and the triple track was a nice alignment aid without being annoying.