Equipment
Everything you need to know about Callaway’s new SuperSoft golf balls
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.
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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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Dan
Feb 14, 2017 at 12:17 am
These are great balls!
chinchbugs
Jan 13, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Bring back the Rule 35 Red!
And I still want them in the 5 sleeve packs!!
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!
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?
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.
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,
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.
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.
robin
Jan 11, 2017 at 12:37 pm
They got away from the teal color balls they were easily lost in any length rough.
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 …
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.
S Mizzle
Jan 11, 2017 at 7:55 am
Love these but 85rpm more spin..that should be noticed by the golfer….cmon callaway
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!
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