Equipment

Everything you need to know about Callaway’s new SuperSoft golf balls

Published

7 years ago

Jan 11, 2017

In 2014, Callaway launched its SuperSoft golf balls. The two-piece design had an insanely low compression, yet our testing showed it was not just another soft-feeling ball. “It could be one of the best non-premium balls for golfers with slower clubhead speeds,” our reviewer Kane Cochran said.

When Callaway did market research on what golfers thought about the feel and the greenside spin of its SuperSoft golf balls, the results showed that 74 percent of golfers thought the feel was “just right.” Only 58 percent of golfers answered the same way about greenside control, however.

That’s why the new SuperSoft golf balls are made with a new “Tri-Ionomer” cover, which Callaway says gives the balls both a softer feel and more spin around the greens.

How much more spin are we talking about? On a 40-yard shot, Callaway testing showed the 2017 version of the SuperSoft launched with 5035 rpm of spin, while the 2015 version launched with 4950 rpm of spin. It’s change that Callaway’s Senior Director of Golf Ball R&D Dave Bartels says golfers should notice.

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Callaway also has updated its unique HEX dimple design on the 2017 SuperSoft golf balls, which it’s calling “Premium HEX Aero.” The more defined contours of the golf ball’s surface reduce drag and enhance lift, Callaway says, helping golfers create a longer, straighter flight with their full shots.

The 2017 SuperSoft ($21.99 per dozen) are the company’s lowest-compression golf balls, will be in store January 13 in white, yellow, pink and multi-color versions.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

14 Comments

Dan

Feb 14, 2017 at 12:17 am

These are great balls!

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chinchbugs

Jan 13, 2017 at 2:56 pm

Bring back the Rule 35 Red!

And I still want them in the 5 sleeve packs!!

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tlmck

Jan 12, 2017 at 1:56 am

Also my ball of choice. The new ones coming out must be why I just got 2 dozen of the old for$30.. But still no Truvis? Come on Callaway!

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Tim

Jan 12, 2017 at 1:48 am

Lets see a 2 piece ball with a “Tri-Ionomer” cover 2 dozen $44. Or a 4 piece ball with a Urethane cover at $30 for 2 dozen…do you think Callaway needs to worry a little about Costco’s Kirkland ball?? If you are thinking about green side control which one would you choose?

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Rich Douglas

Jan 11, 2017 at 10:25 pm

Callawy balls, both these and the tour balls, are a terrific value. But I recommend taking a look at Snell. A tour ball at a great price.

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Mike Cleland

Jan 11, 2017 at 3:44 pm

Callaway Super Soft is a great ball. I am a 3 handicap with a swing speed of 85-90 mpg…driver. I had been playing a Pro V-1. This is a better ball for me. I get 10-15 yes more distance on my drives, good control around the greens & better feel, on our very quick greens, with the putter. I would recommend the ball highly,

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Troy Sheaffer

Jan 11, 2017 at 1:33 pm

I use this ball when the weather turns colder and have been very impressed with the distance and control around the green this ball produces. Slow swingers would most likely find this ball beneficial in any weather condition.

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- Scott Mulholland
  
  Jan 16, 2017 at 2:20 pm
  
  Troy- interesting that you use this ball in the colder weather. I just recently played in a two day tournament in (cold for Northern California,) wind and rain and although I love the soft feel around the greens I felt like I lost a considerable amount of distance using the Supersoft. In fact, I switched back to the Pro-V1X the next day and saw much better results.
  
  Reply Report comment
robin

Jan 11, 2017 at 12:37 pm

They got away from the teal color balls they were easily lost in any length rough.

Reply Report comment
Philip

Jan 11, 2017 at 11:05 am

An increase of 1.7% in spin is going to be noticed? Not by the majority of golfers whose technique more than would negate such a MASSIVE increase of 85 RPM in spin. Not knocking the ball – but common Callaway, cut the marketing drivel …

Reply Report comment
LD

Jan 11, 2017 at 9:46 am

Definitely gonna get some blue balls.
Seriously, great balls at a great price, but as S Mizzle said, I doubt golfers are going to notice the spin increase. Marketing nonsense.

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S Mizzle

Jan 11, 2017 at 7:55 am

Love these but 85rpm more spin..that should be noticed by the golfer….cmon callaway

Reply Report comment
- chinchbugs
  
  Jan 13, 2017 at 2:58 pm
  
  According to my calculation (which like you are never wrong) that is almost 2% more spin on 40 yard shots. That should be the turning point for me to go pro now. Thank you Callaway!
  
  Reply Report comment
steve kemlo

Jan 11, 2017 at 7:48 am

Fantastic balls, I’ve been using them for over a year now, and i get great green side check even on the hardest of Scottish links greens

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

5 mins ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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