Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Balls: A Comprehensive 2024 Review
Callaway say their new 2024 Chrome golf balls are ‘The New Gold Standard’ for Tour golf balls – big words! With control, distance and feel at the forefront we put these balls to the test and test that claim from Callaway. We compare the new 2024 range of Callaway golf balls to the best premium balls out there. We look at the tech, player experiences and are they right for your game.
2024 Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Balls Key Facts
- Chrome Tour is a four-piece construction with new base polymer in core for precision. Low long game spin, high short game spin and better aerodynamics than the market leading Titleist Pro V1.
- Chrome Tour X is for advanced players with higher swing speeds. Firmer feel and tighter spin profile than the Chrome Tour. Hyper Fast Soft Core technology from Callaway for more control and speed off the tee.
- Chrome Soft is a premium performance golf ball for average golfers. Soft feel, low long game spin and high short game spin. More forgiving than the Tour and Tour X but less workable.
Callaway’s R&D team focus on using high quality materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to produce consistent and performance optimized golf balls for different skill levels and swing speeds.
Callaway Chrome Tour: For Tour Professionals
Imagine holding a tour ball, designed with precision and crafted with expertise. The Callaway Chrome Tour is that ball. Known for its tour status, the Chrome Tour is Callaway’s attempt to beat the Pro V1.
This four-piece ball has a new base polymer in the core, medium feel, low long game spin, high short game spin and more workability. A ball for performance, with improved aerodynamics and higher ball speed than the Pro V1!
Whether you’re a tour player or low handicapper the Chrome Tour has a medium feel with less spin so you can play the ball aggressively without having to reduce your spin rates.
Performance
In performance terms the Chrome Tour stands out:
- High energy core designed to maximize energy transfer for more distance, we saw very good ball speed across the club range.
- HEX dimple pattern with circular shaped dimples, reduces drag and improves lift for more stable and consistent flights in all weather conditions.
- Soft urethane cover for great contact with the club face, more workability and feedback and feel.
Premium Build
Callaway have gone all out in the design and production of this ball – to produce a tour ball to match the biggest stage. The 2024 Chrome Tour has a softer urethane cover for more control and higher spin into the greens.
The new Urethane Tour Aero Cover enhances the feel around the greens while still maintaining the balls flight characteristics at higher speeds. This softer cover provides more consistent spin, especially in wet conditions, so golfers have more control as they play closer to the green.
Callaway Chrome Tour vs Titleist Pro V1
So the question everyone is asking, after all the development – has the Chrome Tour knocked the Pro V1 off it’s throne?
In short, no but it’s very close! We started testing the Chrome Tour around the green and it’s feel was incredibly good. Spin was high, what you’d expect from a tour quality ball, especially from tight lies. You can see the high spin on the ball and it really gripped the green, particularly on that second bounce. Around the greens it’s very similar to the Pro V1.
With the irons there’s a small but noticeable difference in flight of the Chrome Tour which flies higher than the Pro V1. The Pro V1 is a bit more workable with an iron which is probably why tour pros prefer the Titleist. But, the Chrome Tour gives you that extra ball speed and great forgiveness for a premium ball.
Off the tee is where the Chrome Tour really shines, it’s arguably better than the Pro V1 with the driver as it produces more ball speed and a more penetrating mid flight trajectory. So a few more yards off the tee and again the forgiveness must be mentioned. Hits that were slightly off center still flew a good distance.
Chrome Tour X: More Speed and Spin
Callaway have the Chrome Tour X for players with higher swing speeds. This is the ball for the advanced player. More workability and control with a tighter spin profile than the Chrome Tour. Like the Chrome Tour it has a Hyper Fast Soft Core for maximum ball speed and distance. This ball is all about performance.
For better players the Chrome Tour X offers:
- More penetrating flight
- Better greenside performance
- Seamless Tour Aero package for performance
- Core design for ball flight
- For better players with higher swing speeds
Flight and Spin Control
The Chrome Tour X golf ball is for tour pros. Mid handicappers and casual golfers are not the target market for this ball. It produces uncompromising high spin with all irons – amazing stopping power on the greens. The Chrome Tour X produces some spin with the driver which will suit top golfers who want to shape their tee shots.
The Hyper Fast Soft Core that Callaway spent millions developing produces incredible ball speeds, if you have a fast swing and hit this ball well you’ll get it a long way! Naturally it’s firmer than the Chrome Tour due to the higher compression and although my swing speed is not the fastest it still felt good. Couple the distance capabilities and high spin profile – this ball is performance in the right hands.
Who Should Play the Tour X?
Who is the Tour X for? The Chrome Tour X is for skilled players who:
- Can use its advanced spin technology
- Like a firmer feel
- Want more spin on iron shots
- Want to be able to control and shape their shots
Players that fit these will like the Chrome Tour X.
In my opinion the Chrome Tour X takes Callaway to the next level.
Chrome Soft: Soft Feel, Serious Game
Chrome Soft golf balls are for golfers who want soft feel without sacrificing performance. This ball adds distance for all players while keeping the soft feel of the ball. The 2024 is all new and keeps the name from the previous generation of balls from Callaway. It’s 3 piece construction compared to the 4 piece Chrome Tour and Tour X balls.
The feel of this ball is its biggest selling point and it suits many types of golfers. During our Chrome Soft review we had very positive feedback from low to high handicappers and various swing speeds. Compared to the Chrome Tour and Tour X, the Chrome Soft has less spin, higher flight and is more forgiving. The Chrome Soft also has the new Hyper Fast Soft Core for high ball speed – this is great for average swing speeds like mine. I got a bit more yardage with this ball than the Titleist AVX.
The Soft Advantage
When it comes to golf balls the soft feel is key. Soft golf balls are preferred by new and experienced players alike because of the feel and performance. The Chrome Soft’s urethane cover has a feel and sound that says control and softness and overall feel for the player.
Consistency Across Clubs
This ball has a higher launch trajectory when using mid irons like 3-wood to 5-iron. The ball stays stable after apex and the flight path is true across all clubs which is key for shots where precision is important.
For short game shots the Chrome Soft’s softer cover allows for controlled shots that skip and stop and proves its worth in performance around the greens.
Chrome Soft vs the Competition
How does the Chrome Soft compare to the competition? As Callaway’s competitor in the premium soft feel golf ball market the Chrome Soft goes head to head with balls like the TaylorMade Tour Response and Titleist AVX. The Chrome Soft excels in feel, sound and ball speed. For me it’s less workable than the AVX and the Tour Response depending on what you want in a golf ball and where your game is at the Chrome Soft may be for you. This ball is for mid handicappers looking for spin performance balanced with feel and forgiveness. The Chrome Soft firmly cements itself as one of the top balls for mid handicappers.
From Bag to Green: Choosing Your Chrome
Choosing the right golf ball is a big decision for a golfer. Callaway has several options in the Chrome range to suit different swing speeds, spin, workability and personal playability. But how do you choose the right one?
What’s Your Ball Need
What’s your ball need? The first step in choosing the right ball is to identify your needs. Consider:
- Compression
- Construction
- Performance
Golfers should choose a ball based on their short game shots, priority of distance or consistency with irons and value of distance or accuracy with drivers.
The balls available are:
- Chrome Tour which is for the broad audience with balanced performance and 90 compression
- Chrome Tour X which is for the advanced player who wants control and speed
- Chrome Soft which is for the aspirational player who wants Tour quality
Try different balls with the same specifications to see which one fits your game.
Matching the Ball to Your Swing
Next match the ball to your swing. This means find a compression rating close to your driver swing speed in mph. Soft balls are good for slower swing speeds to maximize loft and distance. Lower compression balls will give you more distance and straighter shots for slower swing speeds.
Depending on your handicap different balls may be better for you. Here’s what we recommend:
- Handicappers above 15 should look for balls that fly straight and forgiving on mishits, prioritize distance.
- Handicappers 5-15 should look for balls that give distance through the bag and on higher launching iron shots.
- Handicappers 5 or better should look for balls that give the right spin off the tee and control with scoring clubs.
The Chrome Tour X with 98 compression is for players who need more precision and control due to higher swing speeds. Players with higher swing speeds generally benefit from multi layered golf balls for more control. The Chrome Soft with lower compression is for lower speed players or those who want more spin reduction than Chrome Tour.
Summary
Thousands of hours and millions of dollars of research and development has gone into the 2024 Chrome range of golf balls. Callaway have branded this range “The New Gold Standard”. Callaway’s R&D on these balls was extensive – they focused on creating balls that deliver premium ball feel and performance, optimized for spin and control features. So are these balls the “Gold Standard”?
They have certainly moved on from their previous premium balls. I think the Chrome Tour X will impress many pro’s looking for high spin and high ball speed. The Chrome Tour has a great feel, distance, spin profile and workability – it’s in the same conversation as the Titleist Pro V1 and TaylorMade TP5. The Chrome Soft is the perfect ball for mid handicappers who want performance and forgiveness. Based on these three balls maybe they are the gold standard, time will tell.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the Chrome Tour and the Chrome Tour X?
The Chrome Tour is for the broad audience with soft feel, low long game spin, high short game spin and more workability. The Chrome Tour X is for the elite player with higher swing speeds with more control and tighter spin.
What’s the advantage of soft balls?
Soft balls give you better feel and performance, good for slower swing speeds to maximize loft and distance.
How does the Chrome Soft compare to other soft feel balls in the market?
The Chrome Soft ball gives you soft feel and good distance and control for golfers of all levels. It’s trying to compete on feel but has better performance.
How do I choose the right Chrome ball for me?
To choose the right Chrome ball for you, consider your swing speed, ball flight and personal playability and feel preferences. Try different balls with similar specs to find the best one for your game.
What does Callaway R&D do to the balls?
Callaway R&D puts premium ball feel and performance, optimized for spin and control features and feedback and prototype testing to make the balls better on the course.
