Equipment
Callaway upgrades new Chrome Soft golf balls
Few golf balls in recent memory have created the buzz of Callaway’s Chrome Soft, a category buster that the company dubbed “the ball that changed the ball” when it was launched in December 2014.
A bold claim? Yes. It can be argued, however, that the Chrome Soft went where no golf ball had gone before. Its three-piece design merged a low-compression core, typical of distance balls, with a urethane cover used on higher-compression tour balls.
The idea was to offer golfers reduced spin with their long clubs, which would help them create more distance, while giving them increased spin with their short clubs to help them get up and down more often. Maybe the biggest difference between the Chrome Soft and its competitors, however, was its feel. With a compression of 65, the Chrome Soft felt softer than the best-selling tour balls on the market. Its popularity also wasn’t hurt by its price of $37.99 per dozen, which was $10 less than Callaway’s going tour-ball rate.
For all those reasons, we rewarded the original Chrome Soft with our highest honor, a 5-Star Rating in our official review.
Two dots after “Soft” differentiate the new Chrome Soft from the original.
Callaway’s Senior Director of Golf Ball R&D, Dave Bartels, says the new Chrome Soft golf balls are better for everyone, but skilled golfers in particular will benefit from the ball’s new four-piece construction.
Callaway’s testing with its tour staff revealed that the Chrome Soft’s large, low-compression core could create inconsistencies for golfers with their short irons. For that reason, Callaway created a new Dual Core construction, which uses a slightly firmer outer core to help golfers hit their short irons more consistent distances.
Callaway’s Dual Core is shown in yellow (inner core) and red (outer core).
According to Bartels, most golfers won’t notice a change between old and new, but for those with the skills to discern if it was their swing or their golf ball that caused their 9 iron to fly 140 yards instead of 137 yards, the new Chrome Soft will make a difference. Better players with PGA Tour-level swing speeds should also notice a little more ball speed from the ball’s slightly firmer compression of 75, which can lead to more driver distance.
The new Chrome Soft golf balls, which are manufactured in the United States, will be in stores February 5 and sell for $39.99 per dozen.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
J.T. Parker
May 11, 2016 at 1:59 pm
I loved the Pro VI x but and have switched to the Chrome Soft just because I really can’t tell any difference in the balls and the chrome soft is 10.00 a dozen less. Both are long and both check up great on the greens. Is there really any difference in any of the premium golf balls? I doubt it.
mizuno 29
Jan 22, 2016 at 10:39 am
I’ve tried the new ball as well, its been really cold here so I don’t know that it flies further with the driver or not. The biggest difference I saw was the spin off the wedges was much better, not as inconsistent in the spin around the greens either. Good ball!
Brian K
Jan 21, 2016 at 9:10 pm
Tom Watson is using chrome soft soccer ball today in senior PGA.
Lee
Jan 20, 2016 at 2:25 pm
I do hope it’s not like the Chrome, I loved the original 3 piece Chrome then Calli superseded it with the 4 piece Chrome + which I personally didn’t like at all. That said in the grand design of things none of them are bad balls.
Jack Nash
Jan 20, 2016 at 2:09 pm
I switched from Pro V’s and have been quite happy.
Andrew
Jan 20, 2016 at 7:30 am
It says new and improved on the box. McBoob, why are you so upset. It’s a friggin golf ball.
Fahgdat
Jan 20, 2016 at 10:27 am
Because it ought to say, new and “changed”
Busty McBoober
Jan 20, 2016 at 12:45 am
I was pissed when they got rid of the hex chromes. I was used to them and liked using them. Then came the Chrome Soft, and now the Chrome Soft. You’re marketing people are out of names? Or more likely an admittance that the previous CS ball wasn’t as good as advertised? Who upgrades a product but calls it the exact same name with no indication on the box of the new product? Lame.
Vito
Jan 20, 2016 at 10:48 am
It’s been the pro v 1 since the 90s. It seems to work for the other guys
Andrew
Jan 19, 2016 at 8:08 pm
When does the original come down in price?
proshopboy
Jan 19, 2016 at 3:44 pm
I have been fortunate enough to trial the latest version of the Chrome Soft. I can confirm that the ball performs even better than its predecessor. It still has the great feel off the club face but the biggest difference I have noticed is, it flies a little further with the driver.
For people that have been using the original version, I seriously doubt that they will notice a huge difference in terms of feel. All marketing garbage aside, it is a seriously good golf ball that will suit a ton of golfers.
Fahgdat
Jan 20, 2016 at 10:26 am
You just said that, Callaway boy
proshopboy
Jan 20, 2016 at 3:26 pm
Relaaaaax
CubbieinNC
Jan 20, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Is there a difference in how it feels off of the putter? That is my gripe with that ball it feels too soft and mushy I prefer a click with it.
mizuno29
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:49 am
No it still feels mushy!
Geno
Feb 12, 2016 at 7:02 pm
It feels more mushy, actually. Callaway should bring back their milled putters to go with it.
ComeOnSense
Jan 19, 2016 at 3:25 pm
So… the ‘Ball that changed the ball” now got changed again?!!!!!!!
When it’s going to end, you guys at Callaway need to make an appointment with Dr Phil.,
and i don’t mean Phil Michelson.
golfshopboy
Jan 19, 2016 at 3:21 pm
I have been fortunate enough to trial the latest version of the Chrome Soft. I can confirm that the ball performs even better than its predecessor. It still has the great feel off the club face but the biggest difference I have noticed is, it flies a little further with the driver.
For people that have been using the original version, I seriously doubt that they will notice a huge difference in terms of feel. All marketing garbage aside, it is a seriously good golf ball that will suit a ton of golfers.
Fahgdat
Jan 20, 2016 at 10:25 am
Must be nice to be working for Callaway
Joe Duffer
Feb 17, 2016 at 7:22 pm
+1 Geez, give it a rest !!
Jason
Jan 19, 2016 at 3:05 pm
Kinda sucks really, I just started playing this ball in October. I really liked the super soft feel and the extremely soft sound of the ball. Making it 10 compression points harder is liable to change that…
8thehardway
Jan 20, 2016 at 9:53 am
My exact timeline, experience and concern. I dumped the $20/dozen Duo – a great ball – without a second thought and now I’ll have to come crawling back, eat humble pie and agree to do the dishes.
Bozo
Jan 21, 2016 at 3:14 am
Dou best feel and distance/ badly victimized by cart paths
Fahgdat
Jan 19, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Such a joke. They get people used to hitting the 3-piece version, and they realize it wasn’t that good a ball after all, so they come out with a 4-piece version at a slightly higher price. Huh? So it oughta be not called Chrome Soft, but Chrome Soft X. So since it’s a 4-piece and harder, it will launch higher than the previous version. Soooooo krazy
proshopboy
Jan 23, 2016 at 1:49 am
You need to relax a bit dude, you sound like a disgruntled ex employee.
Geno
Feb 12, 2016 at 7:04 pm
They first CS is a great ball. The real fear is that they wreck it.