Equipment
Callaway Chrome Soft X LS golf ball: A low spin addition to the Chrome Soft lineup
Callaway is setting out to deliver maximum distance and premium low spin performance with the release of its all-new Chrome Soft X LS (low spin) ball for 2021.
The new ball has been specifically developed for players who not only want the extra distance available by lowering spin—but who also seek to hit low launching, higher spinning shots with their scoring clubs to attack pins.
The four-piece ball is built around a single core, dual mantle layer system designed for speed and paired with a proprietary urethane cover to maximize control along and optimize aerodynamics for consistency in flight, according to Callaway.
Callaway Chrome Soft X LS: Technology and features
To make a golf ball longer, it needs to retain as much energy from impact as possible—and soft golf balls don’t do that as well as harder ones. The more a golf ball deforms during impact, the more energy is lost, and in the simplest form, it won’t go as far.
To be able to produce a soft distance ball (it’s called the Chrome “Soft” after all) Callaway wraps the softer inner mantle with a highly resilient firm outer layer. It’s kind of like coating a marshmallow with chocolate—the inside maintains its soft properties but is now coated in a layer of hard chocolate. To round out the poor food analogy, let’s call the final coating of sprinkles the urethane cover.
The end result is a ball that produces less spin on shots at the highest speed and with more direct force caused by lower lofted clubs while still being able to maintain high spin and soft feel on shots hit around the green and at lower speeds.
The final part of the equation is the ability for engineers to optimize the ball’s aerodynamic performance at lower spin rates and the highest speeds. If you have ever hit a shot high on the toe only to watch it fall from the sky, then you have experienced what happens when a ball doesn’t spin enough to maintain lift.
The Chrome Soft X LS keeps the proven Hex dimples shape, but on a granular scale, the dimple depths and dimensions have been altered to produce a penetrating and stable flight.
Price and Availability
The new Callaway Chrome Soft X LS ball will be available starting March 18 and will retail for $47.99 a dozen in White, Triple Track, and Tripple Track yellow.
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- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4...
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
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Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees...
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
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Brian
Mar 3, 2021 at 9:26 am
Their counter to the AVX finally??
Shooter
Mar 3, 2021 at 2:13 pm
AVX was the counter to chrome soft. This is a tour variant that was made for public release. Closer to the left dash end of the spectrum.
Tour BX
Mar 2, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Hey Bridgestone, look, another YELLOW option…
d
Mar 4, 2021 at 4:24 pm
yes bridgestone, lets get some yellow
Chuck
Mar 2, 2021 at 11:24 am
Thanks for this, Ryan. Interesting product, and an interesting review from you.
As always, one of the most informative pages from any golf website or any golf magazine is the annual review and charting of spin rates and launch angles of various leading retail golf balls. For the 99.9999999% of us who buy golf balls based on anecdotal experience and word of mouth, rather than lengthy launch monitor testing with every ball on the market.
But moreover, it is good to see once again how it is that equipment manufacturers can continue to refine and develop lower-spinning (off driver) golf balls that essentially allow elite players to swing harder, and produce more distance, even when the Ruling Bodies’ ball testing specifications remain static.