The Callaway Golf company first stamped their mark on the golf industry with their Big Bertha driver in the 90s. But it wasn’t until 2000 that they would release their first ball.
After $150 million in development costs, Ely Callaway and his team released the Rule 35 ball. It was the first in history to feature an ionomer polymer casing and a thinner urethane cover to give you complete performance from tee to green.
Two decades on, the company continues to innovate. As I found out when I tested the Callaway Supersoft vs Superhot balls.
Things to consider before buying golf balls
The modern golf ball carries a variety of characteristics designed to improve your game in various aspects. But before we can look at the ball’s features, it is worth creating a budget and analyzing the way you play.
These are the factors I suggest you consider before making a final decision on your next golf ball.
Budget
The cost of golf balls is broad, and there is something for everyone’s budget. If you are looking at entry-level priced balls, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1-$2. Mid-range balls go for an average of $2-$3 per unit, while premium balls will set you back $4 each.
A word of advice, beginners or higher handicappers should steer clear of the premium balls. Plowing through a dozen Callaway Chrome Soft’s every 18 will quickly burn a hole in your wallet.
Spin
Take into account the backspin that you want from each club in your bag. For more distance off the tee and with your long iron shots, look for a ball that promotes lower spin on full shots. If you are looking for more bite around the greens, look for balls that generate higher backspin rpm on approach and chip shots.
Covers
Urethane and ionomer polymers are the two principal materials used in the construction of golf ball covers. Urethane is a softer, durable substance that enhances spin on shots to and around the green.
Ionomer polymer covers are harder than urethane and are fitted to increase ball speed, lower spin rpm, and increase your distance. These days, there are also a wealth of premium balls that offer you distance and spin. These balls are usually designed with a urethane cover and fitted with an ionomer outer casing.
Durability
I have found that balls with a urethane cover last longer than their ionomer counterparts. Urethane is an incredibly sturdy polymer that can withstand high heat and pressure without buckling.
Ionomer covered balls tend to be more affordable than the urethane options. However, more often than not, you can expect a scuff in the first nine holes. It is best to weigh up the number of ionomer balls you will go through in a month versus the urethane options.
Ball Speed
If you struggle to generate sufficient ball speed and are losing carry and distance on longer shots, look at options designed to enhance ball speed. Balls with ionomer covers or outer casings are advisable.
Callaway Supersoft
The Supersoft is hands down the softest ball that I have ever played with. As you would expect, it stops dead on the green, but it also gives you excellent flight, carry and distance on longer shots.
I have compiled a few features of the Callaway Supersoft that you may find will benefit your game.
Features & Benefits
Ultra-Low Compression Core
The Supersoft is a simple 2-piece ball that performs in the ranks with the most technologically advanced balls on the market.
The compression on this ball is 38, considerably less than others in its class.
The low compression core reduces side spin on longer shots to encourage straighter flight and better accuracy.
Low Drag Hex Aerodynamics
Callaway designed this ball using a low drag hex aerodynamics design. This design encourages low spin and reduces drag on long iron and tee box strikes. Improving your launch angle for a higher flight and longer carry.
This feature may appeal to you if you seek higher flight, more carry, and further distance on longer shots.
Trionomer Cover
The Callaway Supersoft is fitted with a soft trionomer cover. Trionomer is a variety of ionomer polymer, which usually provides a hard feeling ball. The trionomer material, combined with the low compression core, softens the feel and increases the ball’s bite around the greens.
Color and Cost
The Supersoft comes in a range of funky color options for you to select from. Traditionalists can buy a box of 12, in white. However, the more adventurous players can select matte green, matte pink, matte orange, and matte red.
A dozen Callaway Supersoft’s run at $22.99.
Callaway Superhot
The 3-piece Callaway Superhot is slightly more innovative than the Supersoft but it is in the same price bracket. The Superhot is built for distance, but it also offers spin control around the greens.
Features & Benefits
High Energy Core
The Superhot was crafted using a high-energy core and is designed to increase your ball speed, giving you a higher launch for added distance. I found that my ball speed was the same as the Supersoft, with shots from tee to green.
If you need assistance increasing your ball speed, the high-energy core in the Superhot could be beneficial for you.
Hex Aerodynamics
Callaway employed the use of Hex aerodynamics in the creation of the Superhot. This design reduces drag at impact and maximizes your life potential, giving you a higher flight with further distance and carry.
If you feel that you are struggling with ball flight, it is a no-brainer to search for a ball that is aerodynamic and increases your carry. In the test I conducted, the carry on these balls was virtually the same. The Superhot only carried 2 yards further than the Supersoft off the tee. Otherwise, their performance was identical.
Trionomer Cover
As is the case with the Supersoft, this ball was crafted using a softer ionomer cover. While ionomer typically performs better than urethane distance-wise, it is not renowned for its spin. The softer ionomer material helps the ball to land softly around the greens.
On average, my shots with a wedge bit immediately, enabling me to get the ball up and land it close to the pin. This surprised me for the fact that I was able to land this supposed hard material with ease. There was no difference at all between the landing of the Supersoft and the Superhot on the greens. Both did what they said they would do on the box.
The one downside of trionomer covers is their durability. I have found balls with these covers to scuff and damage faster than those with urethane covers.
Color and Cost
Callaway has broken the norms of golf ball sales with the Superhot’s. The balls are sold in boxes of 15 and not 12, and they come in white, matte yellow, and matte red. A box will run you $29.99 on Callaway.com.
Alternatives
1. Callaway Chrome Soft X
This is a tour ball created for the lower handicap player hunting for maximum distance. The ball is a jack of all trades that offers you a high level of forgiveness, low spin on short shots, and high spin into the green.
The softfast core installed in the Chrome Soft X is a larger design, created to deliver faster ball speeds from your driver to wedge shots. The outer casing layer contains a high-speed dual mantle system that increases rebound onto the club, to generate faster ball speed at impact.
Finally, the soft urethane cover makes the Chrome Soft X durable, enabling the ball to maintain high spin on short iron and chip shots. As this is a tour-style ball, you can only purchase them in white.
2. Callaway Supersoft Magna
The Supersoft Magna is a ball designed to make it easier for you to strike. Its oversized construction results in a high center of gravity (CG), which increases the moment of inertia (MOI).
The higher MOI results in less side spin and a squarer shot. Low Drag Hex aerodynamics were added to the design to reduce drag and spin on longer shots, and enhance flight and carry.
I find this to be one of the more forgiving balls on the market when it comes to loft and direction. This is why it is a suitable option for higher handicappers.
As is the case with the Callaway Supersoft, the Supersoft Magna is fitted with an ultra-low compression core. It is created to escalate your ball speed and lower spin on longer shots. While providing straighter flight on approach shots.
Supersoft Magna’s are finished with a soft trionomer cover that offers shot-stopping features on the green. You can purchase these balls in white or yellow, but you will need to cough up $22.99 for a dozen.
3. Callaway Chrome Soft
The Chrome Soft is a soft feeling ball with forgiving features, a straight flight, low long game, and high short game spin. The ball features a larger inner core, which helps you gain higher launch, and lower spin on long shots. While the outer core is reinforced with graphene carbon to add durability.
Chrome Soft balls are fitted with a high-speed mantle system, which enhances the rate of energy transferred from your clubface to the ball. This system increases your ball speed and carry, and promotes spin on wedge shots.
Finally, the thinner ball cover is crafted from urethane. The soft material increases your spin rpm on approach and chip shots, allowing you to land it close.
Chrome Soft’s are sold in white, trevis red, and trevis yellow. These balls are on the higher end of the price spectrum, running at $47.99 per dozen.
Final Thoughts
There is very little that separates the two balls after testing the Callaway Supersoft vs Superhot. They performed evenly from tee to green. I achieved lower spin and increased run on longer shots. While shots into the green produced shot-stopping spin.
The durability of both balls is less than satisfactory. I must admit, I didn’t expect anything less from ionomer-covered balls. However, for the price, I can’t be too hard on Callaway. I must commend the golf manufacturing giants for their ability to create a soft feeling ionomer cover. Other than the durability of the polymers, it is their feel which usually puts me off.
Based on personal preference, I give this test to the Callaway Supersoft, as it is one of the softest feeling golf balls I have ever hit.
If you are looking to play with one of the softest balls on the market, you can check out the Callaway Supersoft 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.
