Callaway Chrome Tour golf balls: New 2024 family launched to compete with the best
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Callaway steps up in 2024 to challenge Titleist’s era of Pro V1 dominance with the launch of the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X golf ball.
Jump To: Chrome Tour | Chrome Tour X | Chrome Soft
Since their conception in 2014, Callaway’s Chrome Soft golf balls have struggled to consistently live up to their original tagline as ‘the ball that changed the ball’ with all levels of golfer.
That’s not to say the Chrome Soft hasn’t been one of the best golf balls throughout this period. It was undoubtedly a game-changer in the sense that it provided club golfers with a softer premium feel than their amateur-level counterparts, focusing on scoring better as opposed to breaking records on the launch monitor.
Oddly enough, its main critique was that it flew too straight! For this reason, the Chrome Soft struggled to gain traction with Callaway’s tour stars who value workability as much as greenside control, hence why the firmer Chrome Soft X and Chrome Soft X LS were quickly introduced.
The exploits of Jon Rahm, Xander Schuffle, Sam Burns, Phil Mickelson, and Min Woo Lee are all testament to the success of this intervention, however, the two Chrome Soft X still struggled to cut through the noisy golf ball market and firmly communicate its identity to the masses.
It led to the brand underperforming in the tour ball retail sector which continues to be dominated by Titleist’s Pro V1 and Pro V1x.
Callaway has therefore gone straight for the jugular to mark the tenth anniversary of the Chrome Soft by launching two brand new models as direct alternatives to the Titleist’s market-leading products.
Introducing the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X, which Callaway says will outperform its competitor on ball speed and distance.
Quite the claim, but what makes them so bullish, and is Callaway ready to challenge the GOAT of the golf ball world in 2024?
The most advanced golf balls ever?
As per 2024’s new Paradym AI-Smoke drivers and irons, Callaway is backing their industry-leading R&D processes, innovative approach to data collection, and integration of the latest artificial intelligence to come good in this new family of Chrome Tour golf balls.
The new three-ball family, which includes a reimagined Chrome Soft model, are dressed in differing combinations of HEX geometries and circular-shaped dimples, enabling engineers to dial in the trajectories of ball flight desired by specific categories of players.
The Chrome Tour X has an aero-package aimed at high-level players seeking a penetrating, low-spinning, and low-flight trajectory, whereas the new Chrome Soft will provide some assistance for those needing help reaching higher apexes. The Chrome Tour bridges the gap between these models.
Callaway has also placed significant emphasis on creating a uniform paint job to prevent pooling within the dimples to create a smooth, consistent covering to promote optimal aerodynamic performance.
It’s a concept that Wilson advocated the importance of when launching the Staff Model and Wilson Staff Triad. Callaway is now jumping on over-painting the bandwagon in this push to redefine a new ‘gold standard’ for golf balls.
The 100 million data points collated every day from balls traveling through 3D X-rayed quality control checks at their newly updated Chicopee ball plant should give us faith that Callaway’s unwavering confidence in consistency is more than just marketing propaganda.
Let’s take a closer look at one of the most advanced golf balls money can buy.
Callaway’s 2024 golf ball lineup: The models
Callaway Chrome Tour Ball
RRP: $54.99 per dozen | Construction: 4-piece | Compression: 90
If a balance of distance and feel is your requirement, then Callaway’s hero tour ball for 2024 will likely be the model for you. It’s designed to be a direct alternative to the Titleist Pro V1, and according to Callaway will outperform its competitor on both ball speed and distance.
With a 90 compression, the Tour is slightly softer than the Chrome Soft X, making it the ideal option for those who value hitting straight above high workability.
Read our full Callaway Chrome Tour golf ball review.
Callaway Chrome Tour X Ball
RRP: $54.99 per dozen | Construction: 4-piece | Compression: 98
Designed as the alternative to Titleist’s Pro V1x, the Chrome Tour X is set to be one of the best premium golf balls of 2024. Its bespoke HEX pattern targets high-level players who require ultimate speed and control and is the choice of LIV Golf’s latest recruit, Jon Rahm.
It’s the firmest model of the family with a 98 compression and also the highest-spinning. Those gaming the Chrome Tour X will receive 300 RPM more backspin up to 50 yards from the surface of the green meaning that the ball will best suit those with the ability to modify spin.
Read our full Callaway Chrome Tour X golf ball review.
Callaway Chrome Soft Ball
RRP: $54.99 per dozen | Construction: 3-piece | Compression: 75
The remodeled Chrome Soft has the softest feel with a compression of 75 and will best suit those mid-handicap players who benefit from a higher ball flight and are perhaps just beneath the standard of those who can maximize the benefits of the Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X.
The new Chrome Soft offers more ball speed than its predecessor and is also the lowest-spinning of the family, providing a helping hand in the distance department.
How the models compare
Feel | Long Game Spin | Short Game Spin | Workability | |
Chrome Soft | Soft | Low | High | Medium |
Chrome Tour | Medium | High | High | High |
Chrome Tour X | Medium-Firm | Maximum | Maximum | High |
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About the author
Ross Tugwood
Golf Equipment Writer
Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.
Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.
He has post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.
Ross uses a Cobra King SZ Speedzone driver, Titleist TSi2 3-Wood, TaylorMade Sim2 Rescue, Callaway Apex Pro irons (4-PW), Cleveland 588 RTX wedges (52°, 58°), TaylorMade Spider Ex putter, and a TaylorMade Tour Response golf ball.