Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls get new core and cover for 2022

The Callaway Chrome Soft, Chrome Soft X and Chrome Soft X LS golf balls have all been given an update for 2022.

Callaway reveal 2022 Chrome Soft, Chrome Soft X and Chrome Soft X LS golf balls with a new core and cover.

When Jon Rahm signed for Callaway this time last year, there was no schedule to make a switch to their Chrome Soft golf ball. Yet he chose to put it in play in his first week out on tour with the brand, and ended up having a stellar 2021; winning his first Major, getting to World No.1 and banking more than $7.5 million.

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Along with Phil Mickelson’s age-defying PGA Championship victory and Xander Schauffele’s Olympic Golf gold, plus a record year under their belts (Callaway say they now own a 20%+ share of the ball market in the USA, where no brand, bar Titleist, have passed 14% for years) Callaway haven’t taken their foot off the gas.

The 2022 Chrome Soft balls have a new Hyper Elastic SoftFast Core, which is softer yet stronger, so it offers more ball speed from the tee with softer feel at slower speeds with an iron and wedge.

A new aero design will also optimise drag and lift, in a ball that was already coveted for its wind stability and performance by Rahm, Xander, Mickelson and co.

Chrome Soft fans will notice the price has crept up from previous years, but Callaway will have a ‘buy three dozen, get a dozen free’ promotion throughout 2022. Take up the offer and it means the cost (from the previous £39.99 a dozen RRP) drops from £3.33 to £3.13 per ball.

Let’s take a close look at the three new models, which will be available from February 18.

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Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball 2022

RRP £50 per dozen | Construction Three-piece with urethane cover
Compression 75 | Options White, Yellow, Triple Track, Truvis Red, Truvis Yellow

Unlike previous Chrome Softs, the 2022 version has become a three-piece (previously four). Callaway say the switch is due to the benefits the new SoftFast core brings to the party.

The brand say this model is Callaway’s Titleist Pro V1 equivalent, where previous generations were very much aimed at golfers with sub-100mph driver swing speeds: it will make up 75% of Chrome Soft sales.

Golfers can expect to see a 0.5mph ball speed gain with 130rpm less backspin with the driver, plus 330rpm less 7-iron spin, which Callaway say equates to a five-yard carry distance gain across the board.

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Callaway Chrome Soft X Golf Ball 2022

RRP £50 per dozen | Construction Four-piece with urethane cover
Compression 100 | Options White, Triple Track, Triple Track Yellow

Callaway’s most played tour ball is a natural equivalent to Titleist’s Pro V1x, but thanks to being faster, longer and a touch softer, they expect plenty of converts.

The X should account for 18% of Chrome Soft sales, and it offers a slightly lower ball flight over the previous model. You can expect a 0.7mph ball speed gain with the driver (over the previous generation), while iron spin will remain the same.

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Callaway Chrome Soft X LS Golf Ball 2022

RRP £50 per dozen | Construction Three-piece with urethane cover
Compression 100 (but with a softer core than the Chrome Soft X) | Options White, Triple Track, Triple Track Yellow

The new Chrome Soft LS has a new urethane cover blend, so expect more spin separation to the X ball and more greenside spin over the previous version. A new aero package also helps straighten flight, so expect the LS to be less workable.

This is a bomber’s ball, which means it will account for 12% of Chrome Soft sales. Compared to the previous generation you can expect 0.8mph more ball speed and 130rpm less backspin (which adds distance) with the driver, and 120rpm less iron spin, which equates to an average gain of four yards through the bag.

How the three 2022 Chrome Soft golf balls compare

READ NEXT: Callaway Chrome Soft vs Titleist Pro V1

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Jerram is the Digital Editor of todaysgolfer.co.uk
He has been a journalist for more than 20 years, starting his career with Johnston Press where he covered local and regional news and sport in a variety of editorial roles across ten years.
Rob joined Bauer Media in 2010 and worked as the Senior Production Editor of Today’s Golfer and Golf World magazines for ten years before moving into the Digital Editor’s role in July 2020.
He has been playing golf for almost three decades and has been a member at Greetham Valley Golf Club in Rutland for eight years, playing off 12.