2026 Callaway Chrome Tour Golf Balls: More Speed, Tighter Consistency

[CoyExotic]

What a day! As an analytics and spreadsheet nut, I have taken part in a lot of testing and research on all types of equipment but I have not seen one piece of equipment “wow” not only myself but everybody in my group as much as the new CTX has.

Went out and played a round with my buddies this afternoon. Temps in the 60s with almost no wind during the front 9 while slightly picking up on the back as a cold front started to push through.

I had told each of my buddies about the new ball(CTX) and played it against the prior gen CTX. By the 3rd hole, they were tossing jokes about my “special ball” as I was playing pretty good with it. Went to the old CTX for a couple holes to see the difference and nobody batted an eye(I did play consistent between the two balls). Pulled the new CTX back out on a par 5 and let it rip. No doubt the longest drive I have ever hit. Everybody was wowed as I was sitting 170 out when most(including myself) are typically 200-230 out. Que more of the “special ball” jokes!
Again, par 4 I usually drive to maybe the front of the green, I flew 10yards long. By the time we got to the back 9, everybody was doing research on how this ball can be so massively different from the prior gen I was playing it next too.

As we turn to head back towards the clubhouse on the final 3 holes, we pull up to an into the wind par 4. Stepped up and crushed it to 15yrds short of the green. It was as if the wind had zero effect on the new CTX. The group and I were all astonished. By this time, my buddies were all playing to 20+yrds of hurt and I was playing to 10yrds max.
Off the irons and wedges, I never felt the need to hit knockdowns to stay out of the wind. Full shots on every swing without a worry of it being pushed around. The CTX launches high and lands soft with ample spin. So much control.

The sorcery that Callaway put into this ball is absolutely bananas. I can 100% say that the new CTX has shown larger gains across the board than any other equipment change I have ever made. I have had to add 5-10yards to every club in the bag and I honestly have no clue my where my driver is sitting as it was easily touching 300+ today.

 

[K.P.]

What a day! As an analytics and spreadsheet nut, I have taken part in a lot of testing and research on all types of equipment but I have not seen one piece of equipment “wow” not only myself but everybody in my group as much as the new CTX has.

Went out and played a round with my buddies this afternoon. Temps in the 60s with almost no wind during the front 9 while slightly picking up on the back as a cold front started to push through.

I had told each of my buddies about the new ball(CTX) and played it against the prior gen CTX. By the 3rd hole, they were tossing jokes about my “special ball” as I was playing pretty good with it. Went to the old CTX for a couple holes to see the difference and nobody batted an eye(I did play consistent between the two balls). Pulled the new CTX back out on a par 5 and let it rip. No doubt the longest drive I have ever hit. Everybody was wowed as I was sitting 170 out when most(including myself) are typically 200-230 out. Que more of the “special ball” jokes!
Again, par 4 I usually drive to maybe the front of the green, I flew 10yards long. By the time we got to the back 9, everybody was doing research on how this ball can be so massively different from the prior gen I was playing it next too.

As we turn to head back towards the clubhouse on the final 3 holes, we pull up to an into the wind par 4. Stepped up and crushed it to 15yrds short of the green. It was as if the wind had zero effect on the new CTX. The group and I were all astonished. By this time, my buddies were all playing to 20+yrds of hurt and I was playing to 10yrds max.
Off the irons and wedges, I never felt the need to hit knockdowns to stay out of the wind. Full shots on every swing without a worry of it being pushed around. The CTX launches high and lands soft with ample spin. So much control.

The sorcery that Callaway put into this ball is absolutely bananas. I can 100% say that the new CTX has shown larger gains across the board than any other equipment change I have ever made. I have had to add 5-10yards to every club in the bag and I honestly have no clue my where my driver is sitting as it was easily touching 300+ today.

So good to hear the excitement about the ball! Sounds like its the perfect fit for you!

 

[WIB081]

Let’s be real. We all wish we could be @THE BOV

i was happy with 4 until he went and 1 upped me right away!

 

[TrapGodEvan]

What a day! As an analytics and spreadsheet nut, I have taken part in a lot of testing and research on all types of equipment but I have not seen one piece of equipment “wow” not only myself but everybody in my group as much as the new CTX has.

Went out and played a round with my buddies this afternoon. Temps in the 60s with almost no wind during the front 9 while slightly picking up on the back as a cold front started to push through.

I had told each of my buddies about the new ball(CTX) and played it against the prior gen CTX. By the 3rd hole, they were tossing jokes about my “special ball” as I was playing pretty good with it. Went to the old CTX for a couple holes to see the difference and nobody batted an eye(I did play consistent between the two balls). Pulled the new CTX back out on a par 5 and let it rip. No doubt the longest drive I have ever hit. Everybody was wowed as I was sitting 170 out when most(including myself) are typically 200-230 out. Que more of the “special ball” jokes!
Again, par 4 I usually drive to maybe the front of the green, I flew 10yards long. By the time we got to the back 9, everybody was doing research on how this ball can be so massively different from the prior gen I was playing it next too.

As we turn to head back towards the clubhouse on the final 3 holes, we pull up to an into the wind par 4. Stepped up and crushed it to 15yrds short of the green. It was as if the wind had zero effect on the new CTX. The group and I were all astonished. By this time, my buddies were all playing to 20+yrds of hurt and I was playing to 10yrds max.
Off the irons and wedges, I never felt the needed to hit knockdowns to stay out of the wind. Full shots on every swing without a worry of it being pushed around. The CTX launches high and lands soft with ample spin. So much control.

The sorcery that Callaway put into this ball is absolutely bananas. I can 100% say that the new CTX has shown larger gains across the board than any other equipment change I have ever made. I have had to add 5-10yards to every club in the bag and I honestly have no clue my where my driver is sitting as it was easily touching 300+ today.

Love this review! This ball flat out performs, glad you were able to see it as well.

 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

i was happy with 4 until he went and 1 upped me right away!

Bro you probably got 6 with the 3 wood on day 2. That ball went farrrrrrr.

 

[WIB081]

Got back on the sim today and while the driver was not friendly the 6 iron and 4H were and the fairways were interesting. Working on my swing from the GolfTec lesson this week and man this ball like to be moved! Working on a better into out and it’s easy to move it left with them to the point that I’m over doing it so have to work on that.

With the 6 iron i was seeing around 5200 spin, carrying around 195 (with a 199 in there) and descent angle of 47. With the 4h 225 less movement that the fairways but enough that I was happy with it! This CT X is so freaking good and with the continued swing lessons better is a possibility.

 

[WIB081]

as someone who rarely makes full wedge swings I would be interested in seeing how it performs in partials. Not worth doing just for my benefit but if others are interested as well might be some value.

This is on my list of things to practice next week so remind me and I’ll grab some of the range data.

 

[WIB081]

Bro you probably got 6 with the 3 wood on day 2. That ball went farrrrrrr.

I dunno about 6 but I did hit at least one 3w pretty dang good.

 

[Kmench]

My testing will start tomorrow. I'm exited to see if I get my 3mph.

View attachment 9403477


For reference, after months of data collection and hundreds of shots with driver my average ball speed is 157.5

Did you find these local somewhere?

 

[Papa 3-Putts]

Some more fascinating information about these golf balls.



Everyone had 2-3 mph faster ball speed - and there are some interesting launch and spin conversations as well.

 

[KEV]

I went to the simulator again to do some more testing. I've been swinging so much lately I unfortunately ended up tearing my thumb up a bit so my swings kind of went to garbage.

I did have a few takeaways though on the 7 iron information I got between the Chrome Tour and ProV1:
- I'm seeing slightly more ball speed which is resulting in roughly a 2 yard increase.
- In addition to the slight increase in yardage, I'm getting a few hundred more RPM in spin.
- Launch has been slightly lower by 1-2* typically.

In full transparency, I have been in the simulator 5-6 times testing this ball and have not been seeing the massive gains some others have.

However, I am seeing gains. With driver I'm seeing slightly higher ball speeds and smash factor compared to the ProV1 and the previous generation Chrome Tour.

Mishits with driver seem to fare slightly better as well. The consistency of the spin numbers has been very impressive and is hitting that 2,200-3,500 (depending on strike) window I like to see.

Irons have generally been that 2ish yard carry gain, but I'm getting better spin. This is something that I am really happy to see.

Wedges I have seen a little better spin as well.

I feel like these gains have come without having to sacrifice in any other areas. Typically there's some kind of give and take but so far, I'm not seeing anything.

 

[Bertie Pots]

What a day! As an analytics and spreadsheet nut, I have taken part in a lot of testing and research on all types of equipment but I have not seen one piece of equipment “wow” not only myself but everybody in my group as much as the new CTX has.

Went out and played a round with my buddies this afternoon. Temps in the 60s with almost no wind during the front 9 while slightly picking up on the back as a cold front started to push through.

I had told each of my buddies about the new ball(CTX) and played it against the prior gen CTX. By the 3rd hole, they were tossing jokes about my “special ball” as I was playing pretty good with it. Went to the old CTX for a couple holes to see the difference and nobody batted an eye(I did play consistent between the two balls). Pulled the new CTX back out on a par 5 and let it rip. No doubt the longest drive I have ever hit. Everybody was wowed as I was sitting 170 out when most(including myself) are typically 200-230 out. Que more of the “special ball” jokes!
Again, par 4 I usually drive to maybe the front of the green, I flew 10yards long. By the time we got to the back 9, everybody was doing research on how this ball can be so massively different from the prior gen I was playing it next too.

As we turn to head back towards the clubhouse on the final 3 holes, we pull up to an into the wind par 4. Stepped up and crushed it to 15yrds short of the green. It was as if the wind had zero effect on the new CTX. The group and I were all astonished. By this time, my buddies were all playing to 20+yrds of hurt and I was playing to 10yrds max.
Off the irons and wedges, I never felt the need to hit knockdowns to stay out of the wind. Full shots on every swing without a worry of it being pushed around. The CTX launches high and lands soft with ample spin. So much control.

The sorcery that Callaway put into this ball is absolutely bananas. I can 100% say that the new CTX has shown larger gains across the board than any other equipment change I have ever made. I have had to add 5-10yards to every club in the bag and I honestly have no clue my where my driver is sitting as it was easily touching 300+ today.

That is awesome to read!

 

[e1iterate]

Took a look at the Chrome Tour after my 9 holes today.
View attachment 9403669
View attachment 9403670
Pretty much the same little knicks that I saw with the CTX, maybe a few less. Still nothing of concern to me. Getting two plays out of a ball is more than I get from any other ball so I will take the win on durability.

View attachment 9403671

What are conditions like out there by you? Similar to what we had at The Hideaway?

 

[Coulter]

Also try another long club. The 26 CTX will be lower spin in all the long clubs. Not just the driver. Finley said longest iron to driver.

It’s crazy to me how this works. Less spin with long clubs but plenty of spin everywhere else. Seems magic lol

 

[Nappy]

Alright, here we go. The two shots that were statistically the closest I had for both the 2026 Chrome Tour and TP5, with impact photo included. Simply put, the proof is in the pudding.

First, the TaylorMade TP5. Impact location photo is from the first listed swing.

View attachment 9403299

Club Type

Club Brand

Club Model

Carry Distance

Total Distance

Ball Speed

Launch Angle

Apex

Club Speed

Smash Factor

Descent Angle

Attack Angle

Club Path

Spin Rate

21*

Callaway

Apex Utility Wood

193.6​

196.9​

133.6​

18.7​

130.8​

98.6​

1.36​

52.7​

-1.5​

5​

5534​

21*

Callaway

Apex Utility Wood

195.8​

198​

136.3​

19.5​

139.7​

97.4​

1.4​

54.2​

-2.2​

7.3​

5620​

Average

194.7​

197.5​

135.0​

19.1​

135.3​

98.0​

1.4​

53.5​

-1.9​

6.2​

5577.0​

Next up, we have the 2026 Callaway Chrome Tour. Impact photo again is from the first listed swing.

View attachment 9403300

Club Type

Club Brand

Club Model

Carry Distance

Total Distance

Ball Speed

Launch Angle

Apex

Club Speed

Smash Factor

Descent Angle

Attack Angle

Club Path

Spin Rate

21*

Callaway

Apex Utility Wood

204.6​

207.9​

135.9​

19.1​

136.6​

96.8​

1.4​

52.6​

-0.7​

6.5​

4661​

21*

Callaway

Apex Utility Wood

195.8​

198​

137.8​

18.5​

138​

97.4​

1.42​

54​

-1.2​

5.7​

6036​

Average

200.2​

203.0​

136.9​

18.8​

137.3​

97.1​

1.4​

53.3​

-1.0​

6.1​

5348.5​

That is 2 mph of ball speed faster with the Chrome Tour than the TP5, with average swing speed nearly one full MPH slower. I also bolded the carry and total distances of both balls, with the CT coming in nearly SIX YARDS LONGER. Launch, apex, smash and descent are all nearly identical, as is attack angle and club path. Spin variance is 223 rpm, so not a huge difference, but could play a role in the distance disparity. however, it is not a jarring number.

However, there is no disputing the evidence here. The ball is fast. Very fast. And your game will benefit from it.

This is the kind of stuff that gets me excited.

 

[0dom]

As mentioned earlier I had my simulator session this morning and used a 2026 Chrome Tour X for testing today. The testing protocol I used is:

• 5 - 50y shots with a Cleveland RTZ 58º wedge
• 5 - Full shots with a Mizuno 243 Pitching wedge
• 5 - Full shots with a Mizuno 243 7 iron
• 15 - Full shots with Cobra Adapt Max K driver (yes I know I hit more driver than planned I like hitting it, sue me haha)

Full disclosure I hit 2 extra shots with each set, so I could take out the best and worst of the set.

(Trackman IO so all spin is real, not estimates btw)

Ok, let's get into it.

Driver:

View attachment 9403653

As mentioned earlier I didn't have an awesome driver swing day today. I cobbled it together. Usually, I don't see those right-side balls. I believe that contributed to the bump in spin. But 2300 is still a pretty good spot to be in. My usual driver spin is low, I'm lucky to hit 2k due to my path and shot shape. I don't mind this extra spin. And I also didn't mind seeing the ball fall right with the swing I had today. That's not necessarily repeatable all the time for me but I enjoy playing a higher spin fade when I have it.

The most impressive thing to me is that I was exploring the face and still getting pretty good ball speeds, near my usual on a bad driver swing day. It's not showing in the data I have displayed but I do have acces to the impact height and offset data and on average I was 3mm toe and 6mm high on the face. Another thing that impresses me is that despite the face exploration comittee meeting today the ball transferred energy really damn well 1.48 efficiency on a day like today shocks me. I can't remember who mentioned that in a reply to me the other day, but they mentioned they saw something similar with efficiency on less than optimal strikes. It was awesome to be able to see that in action.

TBH though I'm a dissapointed I didn't have a better ball striking day with driver, I want to #BeLikeBOV and see my ball speed jump.


7 iron:

View attachment 9403655

Nothing super noteworthy here in the numbers. This is about what I usually see. Launch is right at my average. Spin is up around 200-250 rpms. Smash factor is up some. Balls speed is about the same as it always is for me. Carry consistency was great at 1.6 yards. No complaints with the numbers. The reason I picked my gamer ball is because of numbers like this.

What I will say is it feels very very good off the iron face. Compressing a ball with an iron is my favorite feeling in golf and the CTX ups the ante for me there a bit. I mentioned it in my 'brain dump' thoughts I was having at the time I was hitting it. It's on of the better feeling balls to compress. So so good. It's addictive.

I obviously like it for irons lets move on.

Pitching Wedge:

View attachment 9403656

Again it feels great off the face of the pitching wedge. I REEAAAAALLLY love the consistency numbers here, take a look:
View attachment 9403660
This is very good for me and something I LOVE to see. The size of that dispersion circle is about as good as I can get. I love that the PW is coming in just a little lower at 90ft. I love the spin it's up 250-300 from what I typically see. All of this is very very solid.

50-yard shot:

View attachment 9403662

Ok... this is where the ball is getting truly impressive for me. Don't pay attention to the 16 yard variance in carry and total distance, I don't. A ball with averages like this is going to hit, skip, and stop dead most likely. I'm keeping the launch flighted below 30º (optimal), spin on a quarter swing is near 7k (unfathomable), height in a window I like. I'm trying hard to pick a nit here and can't. I want to get this ball outside near a green ASAP.



Summary:
There is so much to love about what I saw in my first test with the CTX. I'm going to keep testing some other 2026 offerings but here's the quick tldr:

• Driver Forgiveness: Despite a sub-optimal "face exploration" day (averaging 3mm toe and 6mm high), the ball maintained an impressive 1.48 efficiency and a manageable 2300 RPM spin rate.
• 7 iron delivered elite carry consistency with only a 1.6-yard variance, combined with a 200–250 RPM spin increase with an incredible feel.
• Full pitching wedges showed a tighter dispersion circle, a preferred lower flight window (90ft), and a spin increase of 250–300 RPM.
• The 50-yard shots were the highlight of the test for me 7000 RPM spin on quarter-swings while staying flighted below 30°, YES PLEASE.
• This is the first 2026 release I've tested and it has immediately set an astronomically high bar for the rest of the 2026 balls I'll test.

Wonderful write up and summary.

I'm seeing the same things with the CTX. Dispersion is excellent. Launch, spin, descent angles, etc are in the windows I'm looking for.

And you're right about the feeling of compressing this ball. I hit an 8i on the sim last night that was the best feeling 8i I've ever hit. Ball exploded off the face effortlessly.

 

[hedley_lamarr]

Weather test delayed. To much standing water on course to open

 

[0dom]

I did a comparison of all three balls with full swing 54°s.

Results were what Callaway described.

Chrome Soft spun less and went higher. Chrome Tour X went lower and spun more.

I would be happy with any of the 3 balls in the lineup with wedges and driver. The numbers work and feel of them all is great. But its the irons that show the CTX is the best for me. I have time today and it's raining, so I'll try to get comparisons posted later.

 

[Golf Jones]

Got to spend an hour or so yesterday on the chipping & putting practice green at the range near work. A couple observations:

I like the sound/feel off of wedge and putter

The alignment line on the balls indicated that the balls were rolling end over end and holding their line well. It's a little thing and not that big of a deal, but if a ball is wobbly in that regard it is an instant no for me.

 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

What are conditions like out there by you? Similar to what we had at The Hideaway?

Sort of, same type of grass only nowhere near as pristine and it has been wet out being so early in the morning because the dew hasn't cleared. Also, I believe Palm Spring is more elevated than Long Beach, but I don't think a ton more.

 

[Razorback01]

I went to the simulator again to do some more testing. I've been swinging so much lately I unfortunately ended up tearing my thumb up a bit so my swings kind of went to garbage.

I did have a few takeaways though on the 7 iron information I got between the Chrome Tour and ProV1:
- I'm seeing slightly more ball speed which is resulting in roughly a 2 yard increase.
- In addition to the slight increase in yardage, I'm getting a few hundred more RPM in spin.
- Launch has been slightly lower by 1-2* typically.

In full transparency, I have been in the simulator 5-6 times testing this ball and have not been seeing the massive gains some others have.

However, I am seeing gains. With driver I'm seeing slightly higher ball speeds and smash factor compared to the ProV1 and the previous generation Chrome Tour.

Mishits with driver seem to fare slightly better as well. The consistency of the spin numbers has been very impressive and is hitting that 2,200-3,500 (depending on strike) window I like to see.

Irons have generally been that 2ish yard carry gain, but I'm getting better spin. This is something that I am really happy to see.

Wedges I have seen a little better spin as well.

I feel like these gains have come without having to sacrifice in any other areas. Typically there's some kind of give and take but so far, I'm not seeing anything.

I've been testing the new Chrome Tour for the past several weeks and I've got 10 rounds on course so far. I don't have a simulator to hit on so I don't know if I'm getting any additional ball speed or distance from my irons or not. It really makes me zero difference on those because I only care about consistency and how the ball reacts when it hits the green. I never swing 100% anyway.

With driver and 3w, I'm actually trying to hit the ball as far as I can and still be repeatable. I've played my local course a million times and I know where I typically end up, what clubs I hit for approach etc. It's very clear that I'm getting additional distance with driver and 3w. Flight has been a touch lower than Pro V1 but I'm getting a lot more roll out. Roll out for me is actually very similar to Pro V1 left dot. Idk how much distance gain I'm getting thru the air vs on the ground.

 

[e1iterate]

Sort of, same type of grass only nowhere near as pristine and it has been wet out being so early in the morning because the dew hasn't cleared. Also, I believe Palm Spring is more elevated than Long Beach, but I don't think a ton more.

Cool, we are getting dumped in today and I’m playing tomorrow once it’s cleared up but it’s going to be a slop fest. Should be a good test for the ball in sub optimal conditions.

 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Cool, we are getting dumped in today and I’m playing tomorrow once it’s cleared up but it’s going to be a slop fest. Should be a good test for the ball in sub optimal conditions.

Hell yeah, can't wait to hear all about it man.

 

[K.P.]

Cool, we are getting dumped in today and I’m playing tomorrow once it’s cleared up but it’s going to be a slop fest. Should be a good test for the ball in sub optimal conditions.

I’ve played in wet, early morning dew conditions with wet irons and overall the performance was solid. Impressive.

 

[BriMac]

I've been testing the new Chrome Tour for the past several weeks and I've got 10 rounds on course so far. I don't have a simulator to hit on so I don't know if I'm getting any additional ball speed or distance from my irons or not. It really makes me zero difference on those because I only care about consistency and how the ball reacts when it hits the green. I never swing 100% anyway.

With driver and 3w, I'm actually trying to hit the ball as far as I can and still be repeatable. I've played my local course a million times and I know where I typically end up, what clubs I hit for approach etc. It's very clear that I'm getting additional distance with driver and 3w. Flight has been a touch lower than Pro V1 but I'm getting a lot more roll out. Roll out for me is actually very similar to Pro V1 left dot. Idk how much distance gain I'm getting thru the air vs on the ground.

I find the home course test to be the best. So familiar with my usual distances. A few months out for me, though.