A few months ago, a group of forum members got a chance to head to California and more specifically Callaway Golf HQ for a trip of a lifetime. During that visit, they learned about the new Chrome Soft line of golf balls and immediately put them into play. Since that time the reviews have been posted on the THP Forum and you can read all of those here.
The Chrome Soft hits retail today and we wanted to dive in a little deeper to not only the technology that makes them different, but also what golfers should expect to see on the golf course. We chatted with Jason Finley, Director of Brand and Product Management about the specs, the story and most importantly the expectations of performance.
THP: Chrome Soft has been a huge success over the last few years for Callaway. 2020 is a fairly large change to the product, can you summarize some of the biggest differences people will see over the previous generation?
Jason Finley: What is so exciting with the new Chrome Soft in particular is that we have taken a product that golfers love and made everything about it better. We have taken all that everyone loves and improved upon it by making it longer, more consistent and higher quality. The big key to this that made it all possible is the investment we have made in our Chicopee ball plant. We would not be able to make the balls we are in 2020 without the improvements we have done in Chicopee.
THP: Both core and mantle have been redesigned, but for a lot of golfers, those changes are going to be seen rather than heard. What will they see from the new core and mantle while playing?
Jason Finley: The biggest key is that both balls will be faster but also each of the balls is designed to fit different types of golfers with more differentiation between our two balls than we have ever had. The different construction of having the mantle and core working together is what is going to drive not only the ball speed gains but also the total performance the two balls are providing.
THP: More spin around the green and less spin on full shots is the unicorn in some ways. Early testing by forum members says that Callaway has in fact nailed this. How different is it than previous offerings?
Jason Finley: This is all part of the optimization process that we are going through. Certain variables are so important to this – like the Larger inner core in the CS golf ball which is really helpful for that player type and the Dual Mantle working with the large single core in the CSX. It is also a part of our design philosophy for the Chrome Soft family of golf balls where we take more of an approach of stroked gain and how golfers who play each ball actually play the game and what they are looking for out of a golf ball.
THP: Recently a documentary aired on Callaway Golf and the Golf Channel talking bout the Chiopee plant. Learning about the investment being made over the last few years (yes years) has been staggering. How will this bring innovation and quality that is different than before?
Jason Finley: As we talked about before, all of these changes are not only allowing us to make a ball we have never been able to make before, but also dramatically improves the quality and consistency we are able to deliver in our golf balls.
THP: Callaway offers a lot of golf balls. Who do you think the Chrome Soft is best for?
Jason Finley: The vast majority of those who are BUYING golf balls are going to benefit most from Chrome Soft. It is going to be longer all around the golf course and provide tremendous spin and control around the green. The Chrome Soft and its lower compression will also be a more forgiving golf ball which will help to be longer around the golf course as a result of losing less speed on mishits.
THP: Triple Track, Truvis, White. How many choices exist for our readers?
Jason Finley: Depending on the ball, there are a lot of choices and we think that is good for golfers. Leading the way is Triple Track which is rooted in the science of Hyper Acuity and how our eyes work. This is aimed for the player to look for help with improving alignment. Truvis provides a unique visual alignment option for players looking for better focus and visibility and also some unique color combinations.
The new Callaway Chrome Soft hits retail stores today. Pricing is $47.99 per dozen. Are you going to try them? Have you tried them? Drop a note in the comments below and let us know your thoughts.
Not that I am aware of at this time.
while my putting today was not where I’d like it to be, there is a nice feel off the putter. Not harsh or clicky at all.
I can help you with that. Check your PM’s
I was able to find an Amazon distributor last week and got a notice that they delivered today. I have been anticipating the new CS for quite some time and am super excited to give them a try versus my two other current favorites. I will be sure to post back once I get them out for a round.
I’m with you….I need to try them but the billion prior gen CS I have a barking at me.
Callaway rewards has them up also. I’m going to get a dozen just because
I can use them, go ahead and send them up. I will even give @shanewu a couple to try.
I approve! hahahahahaha
Wow….Long backorder. I know the Chrome Soft X’s were supposed to be out and they aren’t yet either
Is that because you became used to it or you really think its that helpful?
i just think it’s so helpful.
If anyone has access to them and could find it in they’re hearts to help me procure some, if he eternally grateful. I’ve been doing to try these out every since I got the info on them in December.
I have no idea if they have them but have you tried Discount Dans?
I’m really digging the 2020 CS so I’m anxious to compare the two.
TT is a huge game changer for me, esp when paired with the puTTer. I’ll only be gaming TT balls for the foreseeable future.
View attachment 8940465
no tt on the yellow, correct?
Oh, but there is:
View attachment 8942614
???
Really liking this color combo with the TT. Easy to see in the air, and of course lining up putts, although I don’t use the TT enough on putts.
Kinda want to get some more TT now
Jason Finley said the plant shut down just after the first batch of CSX were being shipped out. A few places got them
Which ball you looking for?
TT X. Local pro tells me he is going to get me to play them. I look forward to seeing how it turns out. Just curious when they will start to show up.
I don’t think so
It felt really different off the putter face than anything I’m used to. I honestly should have tapped one at the end of a previous hole with it, because that surprised me in the moment.
You where probably just a bit over excited, so ya maybe try another one tomorrow.
look at it this way, you didn’t lose the ball!
Probably right. There were so many colors going on my head was spinning. Like a kid at the circus.
I practically backed up that sand shot though. So that was… something other than bad.
While this isn’t exactly the Pro V1 comparison you are after, in my testing of the 2020 CS (non X ball), I found the numbers to be extremely close to Pro V1. Between playing Pro V1 and now the 2020 CS, I played the 2019 CSx TT and it played just like the Pro V1.
Here’s what Jason Finley told me in a PM the difference would be between the 2019 CSx TT and the 2020 CSx.
“The CSX 20 has a very similar feel (and compression) to the CSX19TT ball. The CSX20 will have a similar spin profile to that ball but be faster off the Driver primarily.”
And here’s a nice video putting the 2020 CS up against Pro V1, TP5 and Z Star.
The knuckled hybrid is still in my head. Weirdest shot I’ve seen this year.