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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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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- Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9 degrees @7.2, 2 grams lead tape heel, 4 grams toe)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (44 7/8 inches, tipped 1 inch)
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees @13.9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X (43 inches, tipped 1.5)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW Prototype (19 degrees @17.8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees) Buy here, Callaway Apex TCB Raw (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S @49, 54-10S, 60-08C @61)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135 X
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Split
Grips: Iomic
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
More photos of Akshay Bhatia’s WITB in the forums.
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- Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx Prototype (18.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (46-08S), Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S, 54-10S, 60-08T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Emiliano Grillo’s clubs here.
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Akshay Bhatia WITB 2024 (May)
Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos...
Emiliano Grillo WITB 2024 (May)
Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Callaway...
Webb Simpson WITB 2024 (May)
Webb Simpson what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Keegan Bradley WITB 2024 (May)
Keegan Bradley’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. >14 clubs pictured. Obviously, Bradley will reduce that number to...
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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