Cleveland Golf is launching a new range of premium putters called HB SOFT Milled, which will be available at retail at the beginning of November.

The range includes 10 head options to suit all preferred shapes and stroke styles, all of which are made from cast and CNC-milled steel for precise and consistent performance.

HB SOFT Milled starts with each putter shape being cast in molten steel before the face and back are precision milled for performance purposes – the face for consistent distance and the back for a razor-sharp address view. Then, the sole is hand polished to exacting tolerance before completing the process.

Meanwhile, HB SOFT Milled features a refined Speed Optimised Face Technology (SOFT), which helps to alleviate the issue of distance control. HB SOFT offers model specific milling that normalises ball speeds across the entire putter face for a pure, consistent roll regardless of putter shape.

The model options are 1, 4, 5, 8, 8P, 10.5C, 10.5S, 11, 11S, 14, including a choice of heel-toe  weighted blades, small and larger mallets, and several higher MOI wing-back models. Each shape features a specific alignment scheme and grip designed to fit the stroke of that putter. For slight arc stroke types, Golf Pride’s PRO ONLY Red Star is a tour-preferred pistol shape grip that is designed to help turn the putter over through the troke. For straight stroke types, Golf Pride’s PRO ONLY Green Star has a rounded, oval-back shape for comfortable hand positioning and to help keep the hands quiet through the stroke.

All are offered with either a stepless chrome steel shaft or a UST All-In graphite shaft.

“The HB SOFT Milled putter line delivers milled precision at a remarkable value,” said Joe Miller, Product Expert at Cleveland Golf Europe. “With a variety of head shapes, alignment options, and fitting system to match any stroke type, there is an HB SOFT Milled putter to help upgrade your putting performance.”

RRP: £199/£249 (steel/UST graphite shaft), www.clevelandgolf.co.uk.

Source link

A beginner recently asked me which golf ball they should choose between the Callaway Supersoft vs Chrome Soft.

I was relieved that they had picked a suitable option rather than looking at a Pro V1 or Titleist TP5.

In this post, I break down the features, benefits, and downsides of both golf balls, and I’ll explain which suits low, mid, and high handicappers. You’ll notice that the Supersoft is a simple distance golf ball, and the Chrome Soft is a premium ball containing multiple layers.

Main Differences Between The Callaway Supersoft and Chrome Soft

Construction

Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls carry a 3-piece construction compared to the basic 2-layer supersoft. You’ll notice that the Chrome Soft bears the added bonus of an ionomer mantle that sits between the cover and the core.

Callaway engineers employed the mantle to support the SoftFast core, which boosts ball speed and lowers spin on long shots. As a result, mid to fast swingers produce optimal distance.

Contrary to the complex structure of the Callaway Chrome Soft, you have the simple 2-piece design of the Supersoft. It consists of a soft compression core for optimal spring off the clubface, as well as an ionomer cover. You’ll find that these golf balls are affordable and suit slower swing speeds.

Cover

The other clear difference between the Callaway Supersoft golf ball and the Chrome Soft is their covers. You’ll see the Chrome Soft sports an ultra-soft urethane cover, and the Supersoft balls are protected by a durable Dow Paraloid Impact Modifier.

I noticed that sharp wedge grooves bite deeply into the urethane cover on a Chrome Soft ball, generating an elevated spin rate. Conversely, the 2-piece Callaway Supersoft ball provided minimal greenside spin, reducing my short game control.

Compression Rating

You’ll find that the Callaway Chrome Soft carries a higher compression rating than the Supersoft, thanks to its complex construction. Although there is limited information by Callaway on the former’s rating, we know it fits into the mid-compression category. As a result, it best suits moderate to high swing speed.

Contrarily, the Supersoft boasts an ultra-low compression score of 38. You’ll notice the golf ball springs off the clubface on long shots, generating consistent ball speed and low spin. In addition, the added spring assistance works for beginners and high handicappers in dire need of increased ball velocity.

Price

Comparing the price tags of these balls provide a stark comparison. On the one hand, there is the Chrome Soft, a premium golf ball priced in the league of a Titleist Pro V1 or TaylorMade TP5. On the other hand, a dozen Supersofts are more than half the cost.

Astute amateur golfers will opt for the more affordable Supersoft to avoid burning a deep hole in their wallets. A low handicapper or aspiring professional is better positioned to use the premium Chrome Soft golf balls. You’ll find that they can justify the spending and are less likely to lose a box in one round.

Wedge Spin

With all their positives, distance balls are a non-starter around the green. The low-spinning Supersoft golf balls provide limited control and hop-and-stop landings, making it difficult to judge your shot.

Conversely, the soft urethane cover that adorns the Chrome Soft produces a high spin off the grooves to stop rapidly on approach.

Pros and Cons of The Callaway Supersoft

Pros

Low Driver Spin

You’ll see that the Callaway Supersoft golf balls contain a Paraloid hybrid impact modifier cover designed to produce lower driver spin. Reduced long-game spin prompts controlled ball flight and boosts forward momentum for maximum carry distance and roll off the tee.

If you generate excess spin off the tee, you risk ballooning your shots and producing an aggressive descent angle. As a result, your ball lands softly and provides limited forward roll costing you total distance.

In my case, the Supersoft provided a 3200 rpm spin, marginally higher than my average. However, it is still relatively low for setup.

Ultra-Low Compression

Supersoft golf balls feature ultra-low compression, providing maximum spring assistance off the clubface for rampant ball velocity. I find this helpful for slow swing speeds who struggle to consistently strike high-compression balls.

The added spring you enjoy at impact prompts accelerated velocity and elevates your golf ball high and long for maximum carry distance.

Straight Flight

You’ll find that the combination of low spin and Hex aerodynamics encourages straighter ball flight to restrict the impact of wayward shots. Besides promoting direct flight, the dimple pattern ensures low drag to elevate your launch for optimal trajectory and improved accuracy.

Entry Level Price

Arguably, the best feature of the Callaway Supersofts is their entry-level retail price that works for the average golfer. A dozen balls retail for more than half the price of the Chrome Soft range.

Durability

Despite its basic 2-piece construction, I found that the surlyn covers on these golf balls are highly durable and can withstand a beating. Even after several trips into the sand trap and striking the hard ground, the ball cover remained intact and unscathed.

Cons

Limited Greenside Spin

The biggest downside of a distance golf ball is the lack of short-game spin. These balls are built to fly straighter and further, leading to lower spin overall. You’ll notice this hampers your ball from conjuring up a drop and stop landing for greater control.

Not Ideal For High Swing Speed

Finally, I do not suggest high swing speeds use the low compression Supersoft, as you may generate excess spin and lift. You’ll see that these features cause your golf ball to begin its descent earlier than intended, resulting in a loss of carry yards.

Pros and Cons of The Callaway Chrome Soft

Pros

Rapid Ball Speed

The Callaway Chrome Soft prompted amplified velocity off the face, providing an extra mile per hour on average. On a standard day, I generated 134 mph ball speed, and the Chrome Soft pushed it beyond 135 mph.

I found the added ball speed stems from a Hyper-Elastic SoftFast Core and Precision Technology. The core increased energy transfer at impact, while the precision technology maintained ball speed and reduced driver spin.

Low Driver Spin

Another long-game advantage the Chrome Soft provides is the exceptionally low driver spin to control your apex and forward roll. I produced substantially fewer revolutions per minute with this golf ball, reaching below 2700 rpm.

Lower handicap golfers with higher swing speeds should appreciate the reduced spin rate, as it induces piercing ball flight.

Versatile Hyper-Elastic Core

The core in a 2-piece distance ball is built to maximize energy transfer for rapid ball speed and low spin in your long game. However, the Hyper-Elastic Core produces added spring on high-impact strikes while enhancing friction on short-game hits.

As a result, you’ll find that the ball explodes off your driver’s clubface, generating escalated zip. Conversely, the ball stays on the clubface longer on short iron and wedge shorts to boost spin and control around the green.

Higher Wedge Spin

Callaway engineers selected a soft urethane cover to protect the inner workings of the Chrome Soft. I felt the cover react flawlessly to the sharp grooves on my weaker lofted clubs resulting in escalated spin and enabling me to attack the flagstick.

Usually, I produce 9500 rpm backspin with a wedge, and I found the Chrome Soft exceeded it by 200 rpm. Overall, I enjoyed the control and consistency it afforded me around the green.

Cons

Expensive Retail Price

Like any premium ball, the Chrome Soft carries a high price tag which rules it out for many average golfers. Purchasing expensive golf balls makes no sense when you are a mid or high-handicap player and frequently lose dimples around the links.

Moderate Compression

Although moderate compression suits high and mid-swing speeds, it is not suitable for slower-swinging seniors or beginners. Golfers tapping the slower end of the speedometer may struggle to produce sufficient clubhead and ball speed to optimally launch it high and long.

Which Ball Goes Further?

I found that the Chrome Soft traveled further with my medium swing speed. I averaged 272 yards of carry and gain approximately 14 yards along the turf. Conversely, the SuperSoft landed at 268 yards before rolling an additional 11 yards, totaling 279 yards.

Gradually lower ball flight on the Chrome Soft, coupled with its low spin and high ball speed, led to tremendous driver distance.

Which Ball is Easier to Hit?

The 38-compression Supersoft is far easier to hit for the average golfer. You’ll find that it offers exceptional spring off the clubface to maintain your ball speed and produce a high and long launch.

Which Ball is Cheaper

The Callaway Supersoft takes the prize for the cheaper of the two. You’ll see that the 2-piece Supersoft distance ball is more than half the price of a dozen premium Chrome Softs.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, the Supersoft vs Chrome Soft review showed that both are exceptional golf balls. However, they serve different purposes. Slower swinging high handicappers are better suited to the affordable, 2-piece Callaway Supersoft balls, thanks to their low spin, rapid speed, straight flight, and optimal distance.

On the contrary, the Chrome Soft golf balls are better suited to mid and high-swing speeds looking for tour-like performance. They fly long off the tee and spin high on the green. However, their premium price tag makes them ideal for low handicappers and aspiring professionals.

Callaway Supersoft Rating: 87/100

Callaway Chrome Soft Rating: 91/100

11/06/2022 10:29 pm GMT

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

Source link

MyGolfSpy Ball Lab is where we quantify the quality and consistency of the golf balls on the market to help you find the best ball for your money. Today, we’re taking a look at the 2022 Callaway Chrome Soft X LS. To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.

About the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS

The Chrome Soft X LS is the newest member of the Callaway Chrome Soft family. The original launched in early 2021 and then was updated alongside the standard Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X LS earlier this year.

It’s billed a low-spin offering and, while there’s often some wiggle in those descriptions, golfers should expect it to spin less than the standard Chrome Soft X.

Callaway Chrome Soft X LS Construction

The Chrome Soft X LS is a four-piece offering. Like the CSX, it’s a dual-mantle (as opposed to dual-core) design. Like other Chrome Soft offerings, it features a 332-hex dimple cover. While the count is the same, Callaway says it alters the geometry of the dimple on each cover to provide an optimized trajectory for each model.

The Chrome Soft X LS is made alongside other Callaway Chrome Soft balls at the company’s Chicopee, Mass., factory.

Compression

On our gauge, the 2022 Chrome Soft X LS has an average compression of 94. That’s five points softer than the previous model and effectively identical to the standard Chrome Soft X. The inference here is that target compressions for the X and X LS are identical. That Callaway is hitting that target repeatedly is also notable.

Across the market as a whole, it qualifies as a firm golf ball (which is kind of the opposite of “soft”). What’s in a name, right?

Diameter and Weight

While the standard Chrome Soft runs small, the Chrome Soft X LS is a solidly average-sized ball. Callaway doesn’t appear to be flirting with the USGA rules so it’s no particular surprise that none of the balls failed to meet the USGA’s minimum diameter requirements.

With respect to weight, we have found the occasional overweight Callaway ball in the past. With our Chrome Soft X LS sample, we found no issues. Despite being heavy relative to the market average, all of the balls conformed to the USGA weight requirements.

Inspection

Centeredness and Concentricity

Precision Technology is the rallying cry inside the Callaway ball plant this year and it most directly applies to layer concentricity and what Callaway calls “concentricity offsets.”

Bear that in mind when I tell you that the concentricity within our Chrome Soft X LS sample is the best we’ve seen to date. Absolutely nothing of any concern was noted. I should also mention that instances of the outer mantle bleeding into the inner mantle were few in number and minor in severity.

Core Consistency

Core consistency and color were consistent throughout the sample.

Cover

No notable cover issues were found.

Callaway Chrome Soft X LS – Consistency

In this section, we detail the consistency of the 2022 Callaway Chrome Soft X LS. Our consistency metrics provide a measure of how similar the balls in our sample were to one another relative to all of the models we’ve tested to date.

Weight Consistency

• Weight consistency for the Callaway Chrome Soft X LS falls within the Good range.
• You’d be hard-pressed to say that any one box was more or less consistent than the other two.
• Across the market as a whole, the CSX LS is heavier than average which likely benefits performance.

Diameter Consistency

• Diameter consistency for the 2022 Callaway Chrome Soft X LS falls within the Average range.
• The size of the balls falls within the Average range relative to the market as a whole.

Compression Consistency

• Compression consistency falls within the Good range.
• Box 1 was slightly softer while Box 3 was a touch firmer but the sample was very consistent ooverall.
• The compression delta across the entire sample was 7.5 which is also above average.

Callaway Chrome Soft X – Summary

To learn more about our test process, how we define “bad” balls and our True Price metric, check out our About MyGolfSpy Ball Lab page.

The Chrome Soft X LS is the best ball we’ve tested from Callaway to date. Given that it’s produced at the same factory as the other Chrome Soft offerings, it’s reasonable to believe that Callaway has turned the corner. High scores may be the norm moving forward.

The Good

• Compression and weight consistency above average
• Diameter consistency is squarely within the average range
• No layer/concentricity issues to speak of

The Bad

At the time of review, the 2022 Callaway Chrome Soft X receives a Ball Lab score of 89. That’s significantly higher than the average score of 74.

*We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Source link