Throughout my years of playing golf, Callaway has always been popular with players. That is why I was surprised to learn that the company was only founded in 1982. It was not until 2000 that they would release their original golf ball, Rule 35.
Since then, the company has continued to innovate and has released a variety of soft feel balls. In this review, I will give you the results of the tests I conducted of the Callaway Supersoft vs Chrome Soft.
Things to consider before buying golf balls
Before committing to your next purchase, there are a variety of factors you should consider. Golf balls vary in their performance, durability, design, and price.
Budget
The expenses of playing golf can rapidly add up when we factor in membership fees, green fees, coaching, and equipment. That is why you need to budget accordingly.
Mid to lower handicap players who tend to lose fewer balls every round may be happy playing with premium balls that cost between $4-$5 per unit.
Higher handicap players may lose more balls each round. As a result, it does not make financial sense to acquire a premium product just yet. Some options are substantially more affordable and offer the same performance features, which I would recommend if you are in this bracket.
For those of you who are beginners, I recommend finding as many balls for as little as possible. You must never run out of balls on the course.
Features
Just like your irons, golf balls are designed to perform a variety of functions. Think about the trajectory you want. If you consistently play in windy conditions, you may want a ball with a low flight. However, if your home course has tight fairways and pin locations, consider a ball that promotes higher flight and softer landings.
If you are looking for distance, test out a brand of hard feel balls. While they may be great for gaining a few yards, you will get a minimal bite on the green. Do bear in mind that the most shots you hit will be with your mid irons, wedge, and putter.
Soft balls are an option if you are looking for spin and shot-stopping features. However, if you want the best of both worlds, you can buy balls built to lower spin on long shots, and enhance flight and spin on approach.
Feel
Once you have found a ball in your price range with the features you desire, try it out and see how it feels. Does it feel smooth when you strike it? Is the ball sticking to your clubface at impact?
If you don’t feel the ball coming off the clubface smoothly, I recommend testing another product.
Side Spin
You may find that you generate side spin in different directions when testing a variety of balls. Too much side spin can result in those unwanted slices or duck hooks.
I suggest paying a visit to your coach or local golf retailer to get fitted for a ball. Having your shots analyzed by a launch monitor helps you make better-informed decisions and shoot lower scores.
Durability
Beginners don’t need to worry about this factor, as it is unlikely you will keep a ball long enough for it to become damaged. If you reach this point, you are moving on to the realm of an intermediate player, congratulations.
Mid to low handicap golfers want to consider the durability aspect of a ball. If you are paying top dollar, you don’t want a damaged ball after only 6 holes.
Callaway Supersoft
Callaway revolutionized golf ball designs when they launched Rule 35. It was the first golf ball on the market to comprise an ionomer casing with a urethane cover.
Two decades on from the passing of Ely Callaway, the brainchild of Rule 35, the company’s innovation continues. This is evident with the Supersoft, which is the softest ball Callaway has ever produced.
Features & Benefits
Ultra-Low Compression Core
The Supersoft has a compression of 38, which is 20 lower than the average premium ball.
The reduced softness of the ball is owed to its ultra-low compression core. It is designed to give you low spin and straighter flight on long shots.
On average, my distance with a driver was 10 yards further than with the Chrome Soft. My backspin rpm was 300 rpm slower on shots with the Supersoft.
On average, my mid to long iron shot ended 3 yards longer than the Chrome Soft, my backspin was over 1000 rpm slower than with the Chrome Soft.
If you prefer a soft feeling ball that reduces spin on lower shots, the Supersoft should at least be tested out.
Hex Aerodynamics
The aerodynamics of the Supersoft was engineered to lower your spin and give you a higher flight. The low drag aerodynamics reduces drag at impact, giving you faster ball speeds, higher lift, and longer carry.
The launch angle of my tee shots was just over two degrees less than the Chrome soft. Strikes with the Supersoft carried an average of 2 yards further.
My mid and long iron shots carried the same distance as the Chrome Soft on average, with the Supersoft launching at 1 degree more.
Soft Trionomer Cover
The cover of the Supersoft is a thin ionomer polymer. When the material is combined with the low compression core, it offers a softer feel and enhanced shot-stopping spin. Every shot that I hit with a wedge stopped absolutely dead, and I could not have asked for anything more.
Generally, I am not a fan of ionomer covers, as I find they are not as durable as their urethane counterparts. My point was proven with the Supersoft, as I couldn’t hit more than 30 shots before I started to notice scuffs and damage.
Color and Cost
Supersofts are available in white, but if you need something that stands out in the rough, you have the option of matte green, matte red, matte orange, and matte pink. A box of a dozen Callaway Supersofts fetches $22,99 on Callaway.com.
Callaway Chrome Soft
The Callaway Chrome Soft is the more technologically advanced of the two balls. However, let us see how the soft feeling and forgiving balls stack up against the Supersoft.
Features & Benefits
Softfast Core
The Chrome Soft is fitted with a graphene-infused dual softfast core. The inner core is larger which promotes a higher launch at impact, and generates a lower level of spin. The outer core is toughened with graphene, enhancing the wedge spin of the ball.
I found that the Chrome Soft came up shorter than drives and long iron shorts with the Supersoft. However, my launch angle on drives using the Chrome Soft was around 2 degrees more.
High-Speed Mantle System
The outer casing of the ball was crafted using ionomer polymer. The casing provides support to the dual soft fast core. The collaboration enhances the energy transfer from the clubface to the ball at impact.
These features increase your ball speed, heighten your flight, and carry further on longer shots.
Tee shots through to my mid-iron shots with the Supersoft carried the same distance as the Supersoft on average. Ball speeds with the driver in hand averaged 1 mph slower than the Supersoft. However, with the long and mid irons, the Chrome soft’s ball speeds were 3 mph faster.
Thinner Urethane Cover
Chrome Soft balls are finished with a thin urethane cover. The design is built to prompt high spin and increased bite around the greens.
The tests I conducted found that the Chrome Soft launched at 31 degrees and generated nearly 1000 rpm more in backspin than the Supersoft. On average, my wedge shots stopped dead, and I could not ask for anything more around the greens.
Durability
After 30 shots, the Chrome Soft balls were in excellent shape. I found them to be far more durable than the Supersoft’s.
Color and Cost
You can purchase Chrome Soft’s in white, yellow, truvis yellow, and truvis red. Be prepared to pay if these balls are suited to your game, a dozen costs $47,99 on Callaway.com.
If after reading this Callaway Supersoft vs Chrome Soft review you’re not sure either are right for you, why not check out our alternatives…
Alternatives
1. Callaway Supersoft Magna
The Supersoft Magna is an oversized ball from Callaway, ideal for high handicappers or players struggling with loft. The construction makes it effortless to connect with the larger ball.
It is designed with a higher center of gravity (CG) and moment of inertia (MOI) to improve contact and launch. The Supersoft Magna reduces spin speed off the tee and longer iron shots and gives you a straighter flight. Finally, the soft ionomer cover promotes shot-stopping spin around the greens.
The Callaway Supersoft Magna’s come in white and yellow and is going at $22,99 per dozen on Callaway.com.
2. Callaway Superhot
This ball was built to amplify your ball speed while offering superb spin control. Designed with an aerodynamic design that minimizes drag and promotes higher flight.
These features help you achieve longer carry and distance from tee to green. The Superhot is finished with a trionomer cover, softened for heightened spin and control on the greens.
You can acquire Callaway Superhot’s for $29,99, and they come in white, matte yellow, and matte red. Note that boxes contain 15 instead of the conventional dozen.
3. Chrome Soft X
Chrome soft X can be described as a modern tour ball. It offers maximum distance for lower handicappers. Like the Chrome Soft, this ball contains a large soft fast core and the high-speed dual mantle system, designed to increase your ball speed and distance.
The soft urethane cover gives the ball a soft feel and creates low ball spin on longer shots while maintaining high spin and control around the green.
This is a ball for the traditionalist and is available only in white. If its performance features tickle your fancy be ready to pay $47,99 for a dozen.
Final Thoughts
In terms of performance, the Supersoft and Chrome Soft matched each other from tee to green in our Callaway Supersoft vs Chrome Soft test. I was impressed with the Supersoft’s performance, considering that a box is $25 more affordable than the Chrome Soft.
Besides price, the biggest difference between these balls was their durability. The Supersoft could not compare to the sturdiness of the Chrome Soft’s urethane cover. This is where you begin to see why Chrome Soft balls are $2 more than their Supersoft cousins.
As a lower-middle handicap golfer, I would rather pay more and have the ball last longer than having to replace my ball every six or seven holes. This is why, after analyzing the Callaway Supersoft vs Chrome Soft, the latter comes out on top.
If you want a durable ball with low spin speeds off the tee and high spin around the greens, you can check out the Callaway Chrome Soft here.
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Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
