Callaway Chrome Soft X Golf Balls Review
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Impressive performance from tee to green
- Very long and straight off the tee
- Exceptional spin and control when approaching greens
- Outstanding feedback from every club
- Range of alignment aids and visibility assistance -
Cons
- Not every golfer will like the soft feeling
What we say...
The most popular Callaway golf balls on the professional circuit
Callaway’s Chrome Soft X have cemented themselves as one of the best golf balls since being added to the Chrome Soft range in 2017. You wouldn’t have to look very far down the Official World Golf Rankings or the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings before finding a golfer playing with Chrome Soft X.
There may not be as many Tour players reaching for Chrome Soft X’s as they do Titleist Pro V1 or Pro V1x but they are one of the more popular golf balls. The majority of Callaway staffers opt for the Chrome Soft X over any other model, proving why they are one of the best premium golf balls.
The Chrome Soft X was added shortly after Callaway saw the success of the original Chrome Soft. This golf ball is definitely aimed at Tour players and amateur golfers with quicker swing speeds. If you swing like Jon Rahm or Rose Zhang, Chrome Soft X’s should be your ball of choice.
These golf balls aren’t only perfect for some of the best Tour players. They are much loved by amateur golfers who value high-quality, soft-feeling golf balls – something you can expect from every Callaway offering.
Key tech
Precision technology
The precision technology used in this golf ball helps you to find more fairways while sustaining ball speed resulting in longer distance and tighter dispersion.
Construction optimization
By using a new Hyper Elastic SoftFast Core, Callaway have been able to produce Tour-level spin, control, and speed from every club in the bag.
New tour aero
Incorporating a new tour aero design delivers a consistent ball flight in a wide range of conditions.
Who uses Callaway Chrome Soft X golf balls?
As already mentioned, Callaway’s Chrome Soft X golf balls are the choice for the vast majority of their Tour players. It’s the most represented Callaway golf ball on every Tour and it has helped countless players to become champions.
Chrome Soft X has won several major championships in both the men’s and women’s games. In 2023 alone, Chrome Soft has taken the spoils at the Masters and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship – thanks to Jon Rahm and Ruoning “Ronnie” Yin.
There aren’t many golf balls more successful on Tour than the Chrome Soft X’s (if you take Titleist out of the equation). With the majority of Callaway staffers wanting to play this ball, is it enough to make you think about gaming them?
Which Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls should I use?
Of the three golf balls Callaway offers in their Chrome Soft range the Chrome Soft X’s are by far the most popular on Tour. In the amateur game, they are also very desirable, but does that make them the best option for you?
Chrome Soft X are amazing for golfers with quicker swing speeds, because of the 100 compression rating. However, if you don’t have a particularly fast swing speed you can struggle with this ball. As is the case with most Callaway golf balls, Chrome Soft X is incredibly soft and very responsive.
The Chrome Soft X LS is very similar to the Chrome Soft X except it is lower spinning. This makes the Chrome Soft X LS less suitable for most golfers. However, if you have a quick swing speed and tend to generate too much spin off the tee, it might be worth trying the Chrome Soft X LS.
Rounding out the Chrome Soft range is the Chrome Soft itself. Since its introduction in 2014, this ball has been very popular – mainly among amateur golfers. The Chrome Soft has a 75 compression rating (so you don’t have to swing like Jon Rahm) and it has all the premium technology and quality performance as the Tour-preferred models.
Callaway Chrome Soft X review: Robot golf balls test verdict
| Driver 85mph Swing | Callaway Chrome Soft X |
| Ball speed (mph) / Launch angle (º) | 123.6 / 13.4 |
| Backspin (rpm) | 2,942 |
| Carry (yards) | 192.3 |
| Driver 100mph Swing | |
| Ball speed (mph) / Launch angle (º) | 145.9 / 12.1 |
| Backspin (rpm) | 2,774 |
| Carry (yards) | 241.6 |
| Driver 115mph Swing | |
| Ball speed (mph) / Launch angle (º) | 167.8 / 10.6 |
| Backspin (rpm) | 2,119 |
| Carry (yards) | 294.9 |
| 7-Iron | |
| Ball speed (mph) / Launch angle (º) | 106.4 / 21 |
| Backspin (rpm) | 5,907 |
| Height (feet) | 87.7 |
| Descent angle (º) | 46.5 |
| Carry (yards) | 146.6 |
| Wedge | |
| Backspin (rpm) | 7,967 |
| Shot area (sq yds) | 20.3 |
| Carry (yards) | 105.3 |
| Average shot area | |
| Averaged over driver, 7-iron and PW | 28yds sq |
Our hopes were high for the Chrome Soft X and we were far from disappointed! It’s instantly apparent why this ball is Callaway’s most represented golf ball on Tour. When comparing this ball to the test averages it’s above in most categories.
When approaching greens, most golfers want a ball that will stop and hold, the Chrome Soft X is definitely capable. Not only are you likely to hit and hold more greens, but you should be closer to the pin with tighter dispersion than most other golf balls in our robot test.
Off the tee this ball is quick – and not only for those with quicker swing speeds. We knew this ball was long off the tee but we didn’t think it was this fast! Regardless of swing speed, this ball ranks very highly for speed off the tee.
It’s hard to argue that this isn’t one of the best premium golf balls. There’s little to dislike about Chrome Soft X, especially when compared to the other 27 models in our robot test.
Callaway Chrome Soft X availability
If you want to play with the same ball as some of the best and biggest names in golf you can. Whether you like plain and traditional, or modern and vibrant, Chrome Soft X has you covered. Available in white and yellow you can keep the balls plain and simple or push the boat out. Callaway offers the Chrome Soft X with a range of alignment and visibility options – Triple Track, 360° Triple Track, and Tru Track.
If you haven’t already bought a dozen or more, you can do so from a number of retailers at an RRP of £50 / $55. If you’re looking for a premium golf ball that performs tee-to-green you may have just found it.
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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.
Despite nobody else in James’ family playing golf he took a keen interest as a teenager which saw him become a junior member at Saltburn Golf Club, North Yorkshire. Since returning to Teesside in 2022 James has joined his home course, Cleveland Golf Club. His handicap index is 4.7 thanks to consistent distance off the tee.
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.
James uses a Callaway Mavrik SZ Driver, Callaway Mavrik SZ 3-Wood, TaylorMade Stealth UDI 3-iron, Ping i210 Irons (4-PW), Cobra King Snakebite 50° Wedge, Mizuno S23 56° and 60° Wedges, TaylorMade Spider X Putter and a TaylorMade Tour Response Stripe golf ball.
You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.
