Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 280. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday he gives you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, Jason Finley from Callaway Golf joins the show to discuss the latest in golf balls including new materials with real gains.
It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and Jason dive into many topics including optimizing new material with real gains and breaking down the lineup for who they are best suited for. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as Jason Finley goes Off Course.

Episode 280 is here and Dan and Jason discuss the following topics and a whole lot more.
New Chrome Product for 2026
Optimizing a new material with real gains
Decorated golf balls, and who wants to play them
Breaking down the new lineup for who they suit best
A thought on the “Urethane” ball
And so much more
You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from, including Spotify and more. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.
Off course is now available in video as well. Tune into the THPGolf YouTube Channel, jump into the video and watch the interaction between Dan and his guests each week rather than just listen.
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Nice to see Off Course returning after the break! I listen to them all, but am really anticipating this one based on all the buzz for the this ball lineup this year so far.
[QUOTE=”TrapGodEvan, post: 13761972, member: 37679″]
All time market share high last year ? ? ?
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I think that’s going to grow this year…
I just watched this over lunch. It’s great to see and hear all the knowledge from [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER] !
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It’s good to hear the Chrome Soft get a little talk, seems like almost all the buzz centers around the CT and CTX.
I obviously don’t know Callaway’s sales figures, but I wonder if a rebranding is due at some point. Makes me wonder if it’s because Chrome Soft doesn’t have the "Tour" designation that it seems to get treated as a lower-tier product in internet reviews and ball choices. Would it possibly influence things if the line consisted of Chrome Tour S, Chrome Tour M and Chrome Tour X instead?
[QUOTE=”BigMac, post: 13762599, member: 3386″]
It’s good to hear the Chrome Soft get a little talk, seems like almost all the buzz centers around the CT and CTX.
I obviously don’t know Callaway’s sales figures, but I wonder if a rebranding is due at some point. Makes me wonder if it’s because Chrome Soft doesn’t have the “Tour” designation that it seems to get treated as a lower-tier product in internet reviews and ball choices. Would it possibly influence things if the line consisted of Chrome Tour S, Chrome Tour M and Chrome Tour X instead?
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Chrome Soft was the OG. I think the rest of the ball names had to tread lightly not to mess that up. And now it is what it is. I actually like the naming as I think some ball lineups are far too vague on acronyms, etc. This ball says it right in the name “Soft”. No “S” no “V” etc. I actually glad they didn’t mess with the names with the refresh. As [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER] stated, if you played the Chrome Tour X before, you will sill lay the Chrome Tour X now. The refresh just makes the balls a little hotter, but more consistent. It’s not going to move you from one ball to another.
Personally not much for podcasts as a general rule but this one garnered my interest and listened all the way through. Always a pleasure to hear someone who enjoys what they do talk about something they are extremely knowledgeable about.
Was interesting hearing Mr Finley talk about playing the Chromesoft himself. And his ruminations on people (stop looking at me) hesitant over the cost, and determining why they are playing and what to get out of it was well worthwhile.
Already for sure plan to play their new lines in the April tournament, if they were out in time for my upcoming trip would be playing them then. Callaway has definitely earned a lengthy look at their golfballs from me
Finley!! ?? Can’t wait to catch this one in a bit once I’ve finished a few things.
[QUOTE=”JTinMO, post: 13762630, member: 68067″]
Chrome Soft was the OG. I think the rest of the ball names had to tread lightly not to mess that up. And now it is what it is. I actually like the naming as I think some ball lineups are far too vague on acronyms, etc. This ball says it right in the name “Soft”. No “S” no “V” etc. I actually glad they didn’t mess with the names with the refresh. As [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER] stated, if you played the Chrome Tour X before, you will sill lay the Chrome Tour X now. The refresh just makes the balls a little hotter, but more consistent. It’s not going to move you from one ball to another.
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I totally get that part, and I think the consistency is a good thing. People don’t have to guess which ball to buy, it’s the same one you’ve always bought. I just wonder how many people who haven’t played Callaway balls, who want to transition to them, immediately look right past the Chrome Soft before even trying it because it doesn’t have that “Tour” word in the name. Because obviously if you’re a serious playa you gotta play a “Tour” ball and everybody is a serious playa, right? :ROFLMAO:
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 13761744, member: 2320″]
I love how all of you legends are invested in the quality of the new ball and I’m over here waiting for the limited release decoration stuff to see what’s going to make me spend money in 2026 lmao
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There’s some really cool stuff coming. That’s all I can say.
I know it’s not announced and we don’t know yet. But [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER] talking today about the Grandaddy gave me hope for another one.. ??
[QUOTE=”Templet0n, post: 13763357, member: 53139″]
I know it’s not announced and we don’t know yet. But [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER] talking today about the Grandaddy gave me hope for another one.. ??
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That’s the goal!
[QUOTE=”hedley_lamarr, post: 13763525, member: 37622″]
That’s the goal!
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1100%
Really great stuff this week! Finally got to listen and it was really cool hearing how the special edition versions came about.
Such a good episode with a true legend!
Great podcast [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] and [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER]
Looking forward to listening tomorrow while I’m working in the garage. These balls are definitely on my radar for the upcoming season.
This one will be consumed very soon
Great point that the limited edition balls can serve as a way to draw in new users. Hadn’t considered that
Another year of Off Course with [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] starts off strong with an amazing guest. Time to give this a solid listen.
With [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER] saying 2.5-2.7 on good strike improvement of ball speed is that saying that it doesn’t matter about bad strike ball improvement or that it isn’t there with the Callaway ball?
Asking from the standpoint if that it takes longer to get those good strikes for some people, is this implying that we only want to compare good to good for strikes to compare ball data or that off strikes don’t give that same kind of bonus to speed?
I think a fun ball at a serious tournament is a great thing. Way better to say you’re playing the hamburger than to say you’re playing the three purple dots on the left side of the logo.
The dog releases are great, so far reaching. I showed my corgi loving friend who doesn’t play golf those ones; I assume she didn’t buy any but at least she got to say “oh how cute”.
“we customize our ferrules” – Dan rationalizing his spend. =)
[QUOTE=”Daluteh, post: 13767187, member: 59803″]
With [USER=19461]@JasonFinleyCG[/USER] saying 2.5-2.7 on good strike improvement of ball speed is that saying that it doesn’t matter about bad strike ball improvement or that it isn’t there with the Callaway ball?
Asking from the standpoint if that it takes longer to get those good strikes for some people, is this implying that we only want to compare good to good for strikes to compare ball data or that off strikes don’t give that same kind of bonus to speed?
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How would you compare a bad strike to another one unless they were bad in the exact same way? If I miss the ball low on the face one shot and then high toe on the next, the ball speed is going to be wildly different just because on the impact location.