Callaway Chrome Soft X Review 20244 min read

This Callaway Chrome Soft X review will highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of this golf ball. By the end, you’ll have the necessary information to determine if the Callaway Chrome Soft X is the right choice for your game. From distance and spin control to durability and feel, we cover all aspects to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of how this golf ball performs on the course.

Several of the top professionals on tour are currently using this golf ball, including Jon Rahm, Min Woo Lee and Phil Mickelson; a testament to the performance of the ball.

Callaway Chrome Soft X Review – Pros and Cons

Pros ✅	Cons ❌
Extra Distance	Not Suited for Slower Swings
Excellent Spin Consistency
Solid in Windy Conditions

Our Analysis

✅ Extra Distance

Most top golf ball brands offer an ‘X’ counterpart to their most premium golf ball. For example, the Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1X, or the TaylorMade TP5 and TP5X. This ‘X’ counterpart generally offers a slightly firmer feel and is more suited to optimise distance for golfers with higher club head speeds, which is also the case with the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X.

Personally, I saw a slight increase in distance off the tee compared to what I was achieving with the Callaway Chrome Soft by about 5 yards on average. For reference, my club head speed with driver is approximately 112 mph, which is likely more suited to the ‘X’ version, justifying this slight carry increase that I observed.

✅ Excellent Spin Consistency

Despite the noticeably firmer feel compared to the regular Chrome Soft, the Chrome Soft X is said to produce more spin. Various other golfers have noted this when comparing both balls, and I personally noticed this during my assessment of the Chrome Soft X. The Chrome Soft X generally produced more spin throughout the bag, but it was especially noticeable with shorter irons into the green, where I noticed excellent spin control throughout the assessment. 

✅ Solid in Windy Conditions:

The Chrome Soft X consistently delivered a solid and reliable flight during my evaluation. This attribute was particularly evident on the day of testing, which happened to be quite windy. This stability in varying conditions adds an extra layer of confidence to its performance, as the ball’s consistent flight path contributed to better overall shot control. There’s no doubt that a stable flight is a positive feature in any golf ball, but it especially is for golfers who frequently encounter challenging weather conditions on the course.

❌ Not Suited for Slower Swings

As mentioned earlier, the Chrome Soft X is more tailored for golfers with higher club head speeds. If your swing speed is on the slower side, you might not be able to fully maximise your distance off the tee with this golf ball. The firmer ‘Hyper Elastic SoftFast Core’ which the Chrome Soft X offers is better suited for those who already generate a higher club speed.

If you’re unsure whether the Chrome Soft or Chrome Soft X is a better fit for your swing, as a rough estimate, a club speed over 110 mph with driver is likely more suitable for the Chrome Soft X, while speeds below 110 mph may be better for the Chrome Soft. Keep in mind, this is just a general guideline and not exactly accurate. If you don’t have the time to test both golf balls, following this recommendation is a reasonable approach.

Comments to Add

Beyond the performance attributes of the Chrome Soft X, it’s noteworthy that, similarly to other Callaway golf balls, a range of colours, as well as the option for personalised text is available on the Callaway website. Moreover, the Chrome Soft X is available with Triple Track lines, which aligns nicely with various Callaway putters.

I personally prefer a cleaner, more bland look without colourful lines on my golf ball, but I understand this is not the preference of several golfers, so I suppose it’s always great to have the option. 

Summary

In conclusion, the Callaway Chrome Soft X is an excellent contender for those golfers with faster club head speeds, looking to optimise distance off the tee and consistently produce a lot of spin with iron and wedge shots into the green. While it falls into the premium golf ball category, it doesn’t carry the hefty price tag seen in alternatives like the Titleist Pro V1X and TaylorMade TP5X. Overall, I’d recommend the Chrome Soft X to a wide range of players, except for those with slower club head speeds, for whom the regular Chrome Soft might be a more fitting option.