The golf ball that’s surprised me most this season: Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball Review

I’ve previously viewed the Chrome Soft as a redundant golf ball, but has my opinion changed thanks to their 2024 model?

When I started playing golf around 10 years ago, I wasn’t sure what the best golf ball was for my game, but I quickly fell in love with the Callaway Chrome Soft because of its soft feel and short game performance. Fast forward 10 years and I now prefer firm-feeling golf balls that spin easily. How does that impact my opinion of the Chrome Soft?

Back in 2015, when Callaway first introduced the Chrome Soft, there was a lot of optimism around the new golf ball. It was at this time that I started playing Chrome Soft, although I was unaware that in 2016 they re-introduced the Chrome Soft with a 4-piece construction.

With golfers like Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, Mr. 58, most famously playing with Chrome Soft it was perceived as being a quality premium golf ball for for Tour players. However, I feel as though when Callaway introduced the Chrome Soft X and Chrome Soft X LS the Chrome Soft started to become a redutant golf ball.

At the start of 2024, Callaway announced their new range of Chrome Tour golf balls, I thought this was going to spell the end of the Chrome Soft name. However, Callaway have continued with the Chrome Soft.

I really started to question how essential the Chrome Soft was in Callaway’s golf ball line-up having played with the ERC Soft golf ball. The ERC Soft is a golf ball for mid-handicap golfers, Callaway had the Chrome Soft X and X LS which have been replaced by the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X as premium golf balls so it led me to consider where does the Chrome Soft fit?

Having played with the 2024 model a couple of times at Cleveland Golf Club, I’ve realized that this golf ball isn’t particularly aimed at a golfer based on ability. Even if you tend to play a golf ball for beginners and high-handicappers you could easily transition into the Chrome Soft.

Based on the results from our 2024 golf ball robot test, the Chrome Soft doesn’t stand out as a particularly strong golf ball for slow swing speeds or for quick swing speeds, neither does it present itself as a high-spin golf ball or a low-spin golf ball. So who’s this golf ball for?

This is a question I’ve been asking myself ever since I stopped playing them in favor of the Chrome Soft X when they launched in 2017. However, I think I might finally have the answer!

The Callaway Chrome Soft isn’t made with a particular golfer in mind and I have my reasons for saying this…

Versatility

You might be thinking, how can a golf ball made for no one even score points for versatility, and if you are, you’re completely right. However, I awarded the Chrome Soft 3.5 because certain golfers out there will just enjoy playing with this golf ball because it’s easy to launch, easy to control, enjoyable to hit, soft-feeling, and highly durable.

However, it only scores 3.5 because it just isn’t as high-performing as the Chrome Tour or Chrome Tour X – which emerged from our 2024 robot test as arguably the best golf of 2024. Also, there isn’t a particular golfer I can think of who this golf ball suits, it’s completely based on personal preference as to whether you play with Chrome Soft or you don’t.

Feel and Response

I was expecting to be disappointed on the course, but I actually really enjoyed playing with the Chrome Soft and I was reminded as to why I fell in love with this golf ball as a novice golfer.

It feels amazing off the face and it’s incredibly easy to play with. The response isn’t as high as it is with the Chrome Tour or Chrome Tour X but this isn’t as firm as those golf balls. This golf ball cannons off my L.A.B. Golf putter face which I quickly adjusted to, but it produces a very pure roll which is always appreciated.

Throughout the bag, you’re guaranteed a soft feeling and a very nice sensation which is exactly what Chrome Soft players have come to expect. Hence why I believe the Chrome Soft isn’t made for a particular golfer, just Chrome Soft players.

Tee to Green Performance

Based on the results from our 2024 robot test, I was questioning why Callaway continued manufacturing the Chrome Soft because it didn’t excel in any area. Taking into account the tee to green performance out on the golf course I was pleasantly surprised. Distance was competitive, spin and control was high when I was playing into greens, ball flight was high and consistent, and it was easy to launch – which is exactly what I need.

Despite all these positives, I still don’t think it outperforms either the Chrome Tour, Chrome Tour X, or ERC Soft. However, I don’t think anyone is playing with Chrome Soft because of its performance, but because of its soft and premium feel.

Durability

The biggest positive for me with the Chrome Soft is how durable it is. I couldn’t believe how good this golf ball looked after being played with for a full round. You can see from the image below just how minimal (practically non-existent) the wear marks are on this golf ball after being used for 18 holes.

I know I’ve mentioned a couple of times that Chrome Soft was a very average golf ball in our 2024 robot test, take a look for yourself how it fared, and then scroll down to read my final verdict.

Robot Test Data and Verdict: Callaway Chrome Soft

Driver 85mph Swing	Callaway Chrome Soft
Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º)	123.3 / 13.2
Backspin (RPM)	2,623
Carry (YDS)	189
Driver 100mph Swing
Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º)	143.7 / 13.3
Backspin (RPM)	2,514
Carry (YDS)	240.3
Driver 115mph Swing
Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º)	163.9 / 11.8
Backspin (RPM)	2,079
Carry (YDS)	276
7-Iron
Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º)	107.2 / 21.2
Backspin (RPM)	5,173
Height (YDS)	31.4
Descent angle (º)	44.7
Carry (YDS)	154.1
Wedge
Backspin (RPM)	7,040
Shot area (SQ YDS)	3.5
Carry (YDS)	106.1
Average Shot Area
Averaged over driver, 7-iron and PW	51.4 SQ YDS (Highest)

VERDICT: Callaway Chrome Soft (2024)

Back in 2014 the original Chrome Soft undoubtedly was ‘the ball that changed the ball’, as it came at designing golf balls from a strokes gained perspective rather than focusing on pure launch monitor numbers.

The model gave golfers the softer feel they craved, which meant it was a huge success and the Chrome Soft sparked a whole new low-compression trend that has become popular among club golfers and still booms today.

But if you haven’t noticed the Chrome Soft franchise never quite hit the spot with decent golfers, hence why this year the balls aimed at tour players by Callaway have traded the ‘Soft’ marquee for ‘Tour’. As the Chrome Soft is aimed at more average club golfers, they’re inevitably compared to models like the TaylorMade Tour Response and Wilson Triad, yet at £54 a dozen Callaway would argue the Chrome Soft is a much higher spec golf ball. The issue is our data doesn’t quite support the model being a better choice.

Thanks to its lower compression the Chrome Soft has always been a low-spin golf ball. The thinking was its low spin traits helped maximize distance and improve accuracy, but also meant golfers got less spin on approaches with irons and wedges, which for many lower speed players isn’t the ideal setup.    

Our data has the Chrome Soft down as the 17^th and 16^th longest ball at 85 mph and 100mph with the driver, it was also 11^th longest with the 7-iron. Throw in below-average iron and wedge spin and we start building a picture of how there are better club golfer balls out there for less dosh.

Perhaps unfairly the Chrome Soft posted the largest average total shot area for our entire test (51.41 sq yds), as at 115mph with the driver (a speed it’s not really designed for) we saw 9.5 yds of carry distance drop off (the average was 4.76) and 18.4yds of left to right dispersion (the average was 12.7 yds) which is sizeable when using a repeatable and consistent robot tester.

Final Verdict

As you can see from our robot test data and verdict, Simon Daddow wasn’t impressed by the Chrome Soft’s performance. But what I’ve learned about the Chrome Soft from playing with it for the first time in about seven years is that it’s not a golf ball to expect amazing performance from anymore, it’s a golf ball to enjoy and appreciate.

This won’t tick the box for every golfer, but if you want a golf ball that’s easy to play with and soft then you can’t go wrong with the Chrome Soft. Obviously, there are other soft-feeling golf balls that are easy to play with on the market, but Chrome Soft players will continue to play with Chrome Soft because not a lot has changed from when this golf ball was first unveiled in 2014.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that my opinion of the Chrome Soft has changed, but I do appreciate it a lot more than I did. However, if it was to be removed from Callaway’s golf ball line-up I would understand.

I can suggest a lot of golf balls I would play with instead of the Chrome Soft, but I’ll leave you with just three premium golf balls that I would definitely game ahead of the Chrome Soft with all of the properties you love about the Chrome Soft.

Alternative options

About the author

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James Hogg is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com. He has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

James previously worked for American Golf alongside his studies as part of the sales and fitting team. Having worked in golf retail for seven years he has all the skills and knowledge necessary to review and recommend the perfect equipment for golfers of all abilities and has a strong knowledge of putters, golf balls, and golf apparel, including trousers.

Away from golf, James enjoys a multitude of sports, specifically watching Formula 1, American Football and Horse Racing. He’s also a proud supporter of Middlesbrough FC, likes cooking and reading travel literature.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.

Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Balls

RRP: $54.99 / £55.00

Colors: White; Yellow

Construction: 3-Piece

Cover: Urethane

Dimples: 332

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