Callaway Chrome Soft X Review – Worth The Price?

In this honest review of Callaway Chrome Soft X golf balls, I explain why they best suit fast swing speeds. I also reveal the technology and performance of the Chrome Soft X from tee to green.

After reading this guide, you’ll know whether the complex 4-piece construction and high-spinning urethane cover that comes with a more premium price tag suit your needs.

Performance aside, I’ll also discuss the color and design offerings that improve alignment and traceability in the sky and on the ground.

Why listen to us? Our team has tested dozens and dozens of the top balls on the market (you can read in-depth review of each here). We keep detailed notes and findings about each one to come up with our recommendations for you.

Overall Rating and Thoughts

The results of my review of Callaway Chrome Soft X golf balls exhibited their compatibility with faster swing speed golfers. The stiffer 4-piece construction and higher compression design demand maximum energy transfer at contact that moderate and slow swing speeds will struggle to execute.

Despite its unsuitability for my game, I relished the elevated wedge spin, workable ball flight, and multiple design options. If you’re a fast-swinging player seeking optimal distance and wedge spin, strike a few Chrome Soft X golf balls to see how they suit your swing.

Overall Score: 8.2/10

Features

Four-Piece Ball

The Chrome Soft X sports a complex 4-layer construction, increasing its compression score and stiffness at impact. My moderate swing speed didn’t have the power to consistently launch the intricate 4-piece design.

A Hyper-Elastic SoftFast Core is the driving force behind the Chrome Soft X, optimizing energy transfer and speed at contact. The Core is supported by a dual mantle design which restricts spin and accelerates velocity on high-impact shots, leading to increased distance.

The golf ball changes tactics on approach and around the green. Its Soft Urethane Cover enhances the feel and spin into the green, allowing me to attack the flagstick and stop it rapidly.

Precision Technology

Precision Technology involves a 3 step process to enhance the rebound, accuracy, and flight of the golf ball. The first stage sees a robot mold the core to optimize the compressibility and durability of the core.

Callaway exposes the ball to a 3D X-ray in the second phase. Each layer of the Chrome Soft X is measured, ensuring precise specifications. Only the molds that pass the X-ray test proceed to the final stage, where they are painted and stamped.

The ball receives equal coats of paint, prompting improved aerodynamics and stability in flight. Callaway crafts the Chrome Soft X in a standard white design, along with their Triple Track and Truvis styles. Once the balls are stamped, they are boxed up and distributed to retailers.

Hyper Elastic SoftFast Core

I found the Hyper-Elastic SoftFast Core complex but efficient. The inner soft core increased rebound on high-impact strikes for accelerated pace and reduced spin. The inner and outer mantle play a superb supporting role by further accelerating speed and minimizing spin on long shots.

Despite its positives, my moderate swing speed struggled to consistently compress the ball at impact, prompting increased spin levels and reduced ball speeds. I find the construction best suits high swing speeds, and I noticed the Chrome Soft is easier to compress and launch in comparison.

Soft Urethane

The final piece of the Chrome Soft X is its Soft Urethane cover which I relished on wedge and iron shots. It elevated my short-game spin levels well above my averages, giving me maximum control on pitch, flop, and chip shots.

Although softer than a manipulated Surlyn cover, the cover on the X felt firmer off the clubface than the standard Chrome Soft. The Chrome Soft X does contain an additional layer of ionomer between the core and cover, increasing its compression score and the firmness of the golf ball.

Hex Tour Aerodynamics

As always, I was impressed with the consistency of the drag resistance, lift enhancement, and ball flight produced by Hex Tour Aerodynamics. The efficiency of the dimple pattern warded off drag as it left the clubface, prompting a medium launching shot.

The dimples continued their work in mid-air, creating a slipstream for the ball to surge forward with maximum power. I also felt the Hex Tour Aerodynamics promoted more workable flight than the Chrome Soft, but that may stem from my increased spin levels.

Alignment Aid

The alignment aid on the Chrome Soft X carried the same format as most Callaway golf balls. The text reading Chrome Soft X is flanked by dual arrowheads. It was nothing spectacular, but it was enough support to align the center of my putter face with my target line on the green.

Patterns

Callaway crafted the Chrome Soft X golf balls in three patterns. Namely, a standard white, Triple Track, and Truvis design. The typical option is the Tour White design, donning no patterns. Patriotic golfers may opt for the Truvis Pattern lined with the stars and stripes.

I find the Triple Track design the most helpful for the average player owing to its robust alignment aid. Triple Track golf balls are built to enhance your putting stroke with the Odyssey Triple Track putters.

The Triple Track design is your only option in the Chrome Soft X range if you prefer the easier traceability and visibility of yellow golf balls.

Performance

Price

Like the Chrome Soft, the price of a dozen Chrome Soft balls goes for a premium. A single box set me back at just under $50. Based on the cost, I don’t see it as a practical option for mid and high-handicappers who frequently lose balls. It best suits skilled golfers who rarely lose balls and demand precision from tee to green.

Feel

Callaway advertised the Chrome Soft X as a medium feel ball, but I found it stiff in direct comparison to the Chrome Soft. It was still a pleasant feel compared to a distance ball like the Callaway Warbird. However, if I had to choose on feeling alone, I’d take the Chrome Soft all day.

Sound

I appreciated the thwack acoustics on iron shots and experienced minimal audio off the putter face. It was a pleasure not enduring clicky acoustics on all strikes, as I’ve experienced on multiple occasions. Although the audio doesn’t impact the performance per se, it elevated my mid and short-game experience.

High Compression

The Chrome Soft X is a higher compression golf ball, which I struggled to consistently strike on high-impact shots. My moderate swing speed didn’t do the ball justice, as I found myself launching the ball lower than I typically prefer. Furthermore, I generated a higher-than-usual long-game spin rate.

I feel golfers who swing a driver faster than 97 mph will benefit the most from the all-around performance of these golf balls.

Spin

Driver

My lack of compression at contact was evident in the higher spin numbers I registered. The Soft X pushed them over 3000 rpm, 500 more than my usual. It won’t create a significant difference to my overall distance with this metric alone. However, I felt more comfortable with the lower spin numbers on the Chrome Soft.

Irons

I generated increased long-iron spin on approach, which I both appreciated and loathed. I relished the rapid bite on tight greens, but I felt it cost me a couple of yards when I needed the added roll to reach the top tier of the dancefloor.

My 7-iron spin rate averaged 6300 rpm, 7000 rpm more than my performance using the standard Chrome Soft balls.

Wedge

Despite its firmer feel, I produced impressive spin with the Chrome Soft X, reaching 9800 rpm. These numbers registered 300 rpm more than my average performance with a pitching wedge in hand. I found my wedge grooves caught the soft urethane cover consistently, imparting desirable spin onto my ball.

The spin on the Chrome Soft X boosted my control of chip, pitch, and flop shots, enabling me to attack the flagstick.

Ball Speed

Driver

My slower clubhead speed let me down at impact, as I struggled to transfer energy and impart optimal pace on the golf ball. This saw me lose velocity, posting an average of 136.4 mph, over a yard slower than my standard results.

Irons

The impact of my reduced compression was evident again with my iron ball speed. I produced 114.2 mph on average, 2 mph slower than my regular metrics with a 7-iron. Naturally, a higher swing speed golfer stands to generate superior numbers to me.

Distance

Driver

The Chrome Soft X is not the longest ball I’ve hit simply because I struggled to get everything on it. My smash factor was glum, my launch lower than I like, and my spin rate was excessive. This caused me to launch 273 yards, a yard shorter than my average driver distance.

Irons

My iron’s distance was also hampered by my lack of compression, although my ball did sit rapidly on approach. I averaged 148 yards on my 7 iron strikes,  which was only half a yard shorter than my average, but 3 yards shy of my Chrome Soft results.

Launch and Flight

I felt my apex was slightly lower on long shots than I’d desired, owing to elevated spin rates and reduced ball speed. The ball still reached a medium apex before commencing its descent. However, I like a higher launching long game ball to promote consistent carry yards.

What I Like About The Callaway Chrome Soft X

High Wedge Spin

I appreciated the high wedge spin I generated with the Chrome Soft X, boosting my control around the green. Getting the ball to stop rapidly on short shots appeared effortless due to its Soft Urethane Cover.

Increased Iron Spin

The increased iron spin was a gift and a curse. It meant my ball bit quickly on approach shots to hold narrow greens, which I like if I play a course that suits target golf. On the downside, it cost me distance and forced me to take more club several times to achieve my average metrics.

Workable Ball Flight

I welcomed the workable flight of the Chrome Soft X, allowing me to shape the ball off the tee and on approach. Low handicappers should welcome the workability for enhanced control from tee to green.

Acoustics

Although acoustics didn’t elevate my performance, it did improve my experience. The ball made a satisfying thwack sound off my iron faces on full shots while remaining mute on putts. In my experience, this is how a golf ball should sound.

Designs

I appreciate that Callaway offers the Chrome Soft X in 3 styles. The Triple Track is an efficient design that keeps your putter face and ball pointing at your target line on the green. I also welcomed its option of a white or yellow finish.

 

What I Dislike About The Callaway Chrome Soft X

High Driver Spin

The Callaway Chrome Soft X sent my driver spin rate soaring. It impacted my ball speed, launch, carry, and total distance. The lack of spin boiled down to my reduced compression at contact. My ball left the clubface with higher spin and less pace leading to a weak launch.

Shorter Distance

I didn’t care for the reduced long-game distance on the Chrome Soft X, highlighting my incompatibility with the golf ball. Higher swing speeds will produce superior results, in my opinion. However, I suggest moderate swing speeds should consider the lower compression Chrome Soft.

Price

I’m not a fan of the hefty price tag attached to the Chrome Soft X. It’s an unnecessary expense for mid and high-handicappers when we have numerous more affordable options better suited to your swing. Callaway fans with slow swing speeds may consider the easier launching, lenient Warbird.