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.
I need to pay attention the next time out because where I saw distance gains were off irons. I was seeing a 1/2 or full club longer with the CSX.
Do you think that could be from the better ball striking you have had lately though? I noticed distance gain on driver, but not as much on irons. I also think there is a real "feel" effect here at play.
I have actually experienced that too. My first hole with the CSX, I flew the green with a PW when I thought the ball was right at the flag. For me, I think the added spin has helped me get more carry, but into the wind, the added spin may have hurt today because I do hit the CSX higher with irons.
Because of the more penetrating ball flight the CSX may have a slight edge, but as I have said in a prior posts I actually think the regular CS handles the wind just fine. Much better than the previous version of CS. Worth trying both to figure it out, but for me I will take the regular CS over the X everywhere, maybe off the tee the CSX has and advantage.
I totally agree on the regular version. It’s better in every single area compared to the previous model. I’ve traditionally played the X though so I’m curious how that will compare. I’m especially interested in comparing to last year’s TT because that ball was amazing for me.
im sure that’s in play a little for sure, but comparing to the CS, I’m getting a little more carry out of the CSX and that could be the way I’m hitting the CSX on a more penetrating flight than the CS.
I haven’t had much wind to deal with lately. I need to keep that in mind when the wind kicks up later in the summer
See above. I think it’s swing dependent and I’m not one to have a high launch. That said, between the two, the CS was going higher for me where the CSX has a more penetrating flight.
I haven’t had an issue with either CS model in the wind. I’ve always been taught once you pull a club playing into the wind, go back to your bag and take one more club. So I’m maybe not getting as impacted by the wind. I don’t notice scads more spin with the CSx over the CS. Maybe 200-300 rpm. Distance is neck in neck. That said, with a 103-105 mph driver swing speed I’m not a player that may get the best the X has to offer.
I’m around that swing speed also, maybe a smidge higher and I’m wondering if it would work for me too. I’m not sure I’ll compress it enough but to get the full benefit of it.
I’m a shallow swinger of the irons and wedges and hit up on driver 3°. I also launch the ball higher than what is optimal for my swing speed. So in many ways a bit more spin should benefit my game however it hasn’t become the case. I’ve got 8 or more rounds with each ball, many times I’ve played shots from the same spot with both balls. At my speed, the balls are neck in neck. They fly about the same, stop on the greens about the same and so on. Feel around the green is what differentiates them at this point. My focus the next few practice sessions will be bunker shots, pitching and chipping. Maybe this will push one ball ahead of the other? Right now I would liken the balls performance to the Pro V1 balls where the differences are subtle and feel is more of a decider.
I will be right there with you with the CSX! Couldn’t be more excited. My Tour B RX finally has some competition, and damn is it going to be fun!
yeah, i am kinda torn about how these results may play out
No Truvis currently for CSX – just not enough volume to warrant doing it (at this point)
First par 5 with it, 510 yard par 5. Driver 7 iron to 6 feet and make it for eagle. @JasonFinleyCG you know anyone involved with this ball? Haha
Its freaking Nuclear off the tee with my driver and hybrid, but I’m struggling with iron distances. Not sure if it’s the ball or my swing.
Thanks, Jason. I’m totally blanking, but is yellow coming?
I continue to be blown away by the 2020 CSX. Played the ball today against Tour BXS and I’m consistently longer off the tee with CSX but my irons are spot on with numbers that I’m looking for. First couple of rounds, Ifelt like it was a touch firmer than I wanted off putter, but now I’m accustomed to it and I’m quite enjoying it. This is a realllllllly great golf ball.
I like a firmer feel when putting. I like to hear a click.
x2…
Me also, my gamers are ProV1 and ProV1X. It will be fun to compare. Previous versions of the Chrome Soft have been inconsistent for me so I am really hoping to see what Callaway has done with their big facility upgrade.
I like the sound of this – having played the previous standard Chrome Soft lately I feel that I am leaning towards the feel of the X from that generation but it sounds like the new CS could be a good option
A bit more distance with the same stopping power is always a good thing
Today’s results. Shot a PB, had my longest drive in two years and most accurate and consistent driving day ever. Held greens when I needed it, checked up when I wanted it to, and was great off the putter all day. I’d say the new ball is really nice. @JasonFinleyCG
Well that’s pretty awesome! Congrats on the new PB!
CSX.
Same here. I’m actually going to buy another dozen just to make sure I don’t loose all the “samples” I’m given.
i like the cs20 so much more than the cs18. i’m only 1 round into the csx but that round was CRAZY impressive.
One thing is for sure, I’m all in on triple track.
Much longer than the previous balls off the tee. Same soft feel. I think there was a slight improvement from the 2018 chrome soft balls for green side spin but I wasn’t blown away.
I do think spin was improved on iron shots.
I think these are my new gamers.
yeah, I’m avoiding the pro shop for fear of finding some…
Check your PM’s