Last year Callaway launched the latest iteration of the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X golf balls. Immediate feedback from golfers on the THP Forum suggested that both balls were high in performance to go along with the tech story. Today a third member of the family is here called the Chrome Soft X LS (CSX LS).
Despite what is mentioned around the internet, distance is not just pure speed. That is one component of what you are looking for in a golf ball to create maximum length and consistency. Spin, launch angle and a number of other factors are included in this equation as well. For many golfers, choosing a ball starts at the green and works backwards, and while that equation works just fine, the difference between golf balls with full swings differ quite a bit (we saw 10 yards with an 8 iron). We tested this out in a recent video you can find here.
The Callaway golf ball line was already fairly robust, and at the top of that lineup was the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X. On one end of this two ball spectrum you have low spin off the tee and solid speed and spin around the green, while on the other end of the spectrum you have one of the fastest golf balls on the market that is also higher in spin. Enter Chrome Soft X LS.
The Chrome Soft X LS is a 4-piece single core construction that is in some ways a compromise between the two. Although compromise is probably not the right word since there were no compromises used to create the CSX LS. What this offers is speed. Very fast speed while also maintaining low spin.
Large SoftFast core was designed to deliver high speeds, but not just with the driver, throughout the bag. The mantle layers are fairly unique in that the inner mantle is quite soft, while the outer mantle is more firm and together they create…you guessed it, SPEED! The CSX LS is then wrapped in a very thin urethane cover that in our testing is pretty darn durable.
As faster swinging golfers search for distance without the increase in spin, the CSX LS delivers that, yet makes no compromises around the green. Is low spin and distance throughout the bag necessary for everybody? No. In fact, many golfers will fit squarely into Chrome Soft or Chrome Soft X in the Callaway lineup. This third option is best suited for better players that are looking for spin reduction on full swings, especially with longer clubs such as off the tee, without losing control green side.
For those that wonder about the usage breakdown, it goes something like this. Chrome Soft is the number one selling tour ball from Callaway. Chrome Soft X is their most used ball on tour. While Callaway expects most tour pros to stay with Chrome Soft X, the initial conversion to CSX LS by a few has already taken place. Marc Leishman, Akshay Bhatia and Wesley Bryan all have made the switch to the lower spinning option.
Which one of the three options is best suited for you? Give us your thoughts below.
The Details
In Stores: March 18th, 2021
Cost: $47.99
Options: White, Triple Track and Yellow with Triple Track
That’s awesome of the pro-shop. I wish some of ours would do that.
Oh we’re still on this hahahaha
LS over regular Chrome Soft though? Interesting banter awaits us.
I will be curious about this test, because lower spin off the tee will be similar, but in hte irons, it might rise a bit for the LS.
It will be fun to follow though.
Speaking from my fitting using launch monitor data and comparing the 3 CS golf balls. I will not speak to how it compared to others. These are just my results. Forgive my lengthy post.
My SS is between 110 and 115.
Driver
1. There was a 5 yard difference between each ball CS add 5 yds CS X LS add 5 yds CS X
2. Apex height went from CS highest, CS X LS lower and CS X lowest
3. Spin CS X highest CS X LS about 200 lower (avg) CS about 150 lower than CS X LS
4. Dispersion CS and CS X LS very similar CS X wider (left to right)
5. softness CS softest then CS X, then X LS
Irons
1. Same as above but the spin number reduction changed about another 100RPM
2. CS Checked and rolled with 7 iron, CS X checked and rolled backwards past pitch, CS X LS Checked and stopped or rolled back a little.
Wedges
Same as irons.
1. The CS X LS definitely felt VERY firm with wedges
2. More of a click with CS X and CS X LS off wedge
Putter
1. CS duller thud, CS X and CS X LS more of a click off face
2. Could be just a feel, but I felt like the CS X and CS X LS traveled a little longer for the "same stroke".
In all instances I am not a professional, nor a scratch golfer. These were relative trends from testing.
When I went to the practice facility and used all the balls to see how they interacted with 50yd wedge play that’s where it was most appreciable in a difference.
A great ball fitting must be done side by side and comparing the results of 1 ball to another from shot to shot. I was amazed at the difference to be honest.
I am a huge fan of the CSX. When I first tried the CSX LS I thought it felt too hard. My game was a mess at that point and I went back to what I knew I liked. Locally, Callaway balls are extremely difficult to find. So, when I went into the shop for some more CSX, all I could get was the LS. So, I decided to give them another try. Still found them to be firmer than the CSX but my results were pretty damn good. I agree with what you were seeing especially in irons. I am a low spin iron guy so the CS just wasn’t consistent enough in carry distance as I can struggle to generate enough spin out of the cabbage. The LS seems to be a happy medium for me. If someone put a gun to my head and made me choose, it would still be CSX. But the LS is no slouch. A little longer off the tee which I don’t mind at all haha.
Great feedback! It is definitely more firm and spins more than the CS. We will see how it does this winter when I get to play. Will it be the same feel as it is now, or will it feel like I am hitting a piece of river gravel…. I plan to keep a few in my pocket when I play to keep them warm
I have thoughts on the Callaway line going into the fitting from what I see on the course and wonder if I am correct.
Haha, I meant firm relative to the others. Shouldn’t quite Feel like River rock haha.
you never know
Enjoy the fitting! Seeing the side by side was very eye opening for me. I tried 6 different golf balls + the CS family. Normally wouldn’t have been 9 total, but I gave the fitter a little extra for more time with them so I could gain a better understanding of the ball fitting process and how other balls stacked up vs my perceptions.
So the real q is, what will you be playing this season?
I’m playing the Callaway CS X LS! 100% love the ball and the fitter agreed it was best for my atrocious golf game. ???
What we learned was this, even amateurs should be fit for a golf ball because there is a VERY high probability it’s not the ball that’s best for your game your scores and wallet will reflect it.
Don’t box yourself in to what marketers tell you, you might be surprised what ball actually works for you.
@oumagic how’d the fitting go?
Thanks!! @V14_Heels @Carolina Dundee @jfox789 @Tenputt @Bernoulli @BigDill
Let us know how you like the LS.
Excited to hear what you think. I played a dozen of the LS this year but went back the CSX.
– both fee pretty similar off the tee but the CSX felt les firm to me
– distance off the tee appeared to be the same and I noticed I was getting more rollout with the CSX LS
– off the irons similar to the tee in terms of feel. Didn’t notice any big jumps in distance gains and the main standout was the XLS didn’t have the spin I was used to seeing from the CSX.
– for some reason I felt the XLS was a lot more firmer off the wedges and putter. Again purely subjective, but based on my last year or so with the CSX,I noticed the difference.
I think overall if I had no choice I would put the XLS in play and be ok, but for me the CSX just checks all the boxes and the spin into and around the greens is what separates these two. If there is a golfer that doesn’t need the spin help like I do, then the CSX LS is probably a better fit.
I really enjoyed your review! Sounds like you had a lot of fun!
All your points are spot on! Your feeling on points 1 and 4 mayyyyy change for 22 though
point 3 may or may not be closer together as well
Can’t wait for the ’22 Chrome Soft family!
You can say that again ?
Can’t wait for the ’22 Chrome Soft family!
Can’t speak for the ’22, but the ’21 family was definitely really good!
?
firm believer in the 22 LS
Interesting. I can’t wait to hear more. CSX is my ball because our greens our very unreceptive. I get a lot of spin from it. I could get a little more distance off the tee and with the irons with the LS but don’t want to give up stopping power.
I’m not saying the LS and the X are going to be identical. There’s a reason Rahm still plays the X. But it’s going to be a harder choice than it was in 21
I have no doubt I’m going to be trying both next year. Most likely alternate based on course conditions.
I’m hoping all these maybes make it an easier choice in 22. I like all 3 for different reasons. This year was a tough call.
This comment reeks of ball fitting innovation ????
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