Chrome Soft, Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X
HELLO golfers, clubs keep getting better, courses have never been busier, and golf is in a great spot right now. Golf manufactures and their R & D teams are also pushing the envelope when it comes to innovation, and this is no different from our friends at Callaway.
Callaway have always been at the forefront with design and technology and let me share how they have made ‘FAST’ gains in their new Chrome Soft, Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X golf balls.
Callaway have produced new golf balls for 2026 and have introduced fast speeds! What do I mean by fast speeds? Well, after having tested all three, I couldn’t believe the increase off the tee in ball speed.
I traditionally start ball reviews around the short game area, chipping, pitching and hitting bunker shots, however on this occasion I started indoors on my Trackman. I have my baseline numbers with a driver around the high 160’s low 170mph for ball speed, and around the 250m carry and 270m on total distance, so I was really keen to see how the Callaway ball compared.
The results showed ball speed, more carry and longer total distance. It is almost a no-brainer to put the ball straight into the bag, however I was keen to see what happened when I got to the short game area. I placed one of each of the models next to each other and hit shots without any real notice of which ball was which but making mental notes after each shot on where they landed as to what response I was getting on the green, followed by how high or low I could each the desired shot. And to be honest there was a standout for me and it was the Chrome Tour, by far it flew the trajectory I was trying to hit, it reacted the way I wanted it to when I was chipping, pitching and hitting bunkers shots, and then throw in its performance off the tee and it makes for one of the best balls I’ve come across.
From the get-go I was really excited, as the talk around this ball was FAST, FAST & FAST and it didn’t disappoint. Diving into what Callaway have done with the technology in this ball and the new lineup features a revolutionary Tour Fast Mantle, with a 16 per cent higher flex modulus, created to increase ball speed by acting like a stiffer spring at impact. It’s the first time that this material has been used in a golf ball. This advanced core/layer system is faster than previous materials used in a Callaway design. The lineup also features Callaway’s Seamless Tour Aero with an Optimised Hybrid Aero Pattern that provides incredible distance and flight consistency. A high-performance Tour Urethane cover is used for exceptional feel and greenside control. Plus, each golf ball is manufactured with precision technology, engineered to maximise performance throughout your game.
Callaway’s 2026 Chrome Soft lineup proves just how far golf ball technology has come, and the theme is clear – speed without sacrifice.
Across the Chrome Soft, Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X, the gains off the tee were immediately noticeable, delivering higher ball speeds, increased carry and longer total distance. However, what impressed me most was how speed gains didn’t come at the expense of feel or control around the greens. While all three models performed strongly, for my game the Chrome Tour stood out as the complete package. Its flight window, responsiveness on chips and pitches, and consistent greenside reaction made it a standout in real-world testing. Add in Callaway’s new Tour Fast Mantle, refined aerodynamics and premium urethane cover, and Callaway have produced a golf ball that genuinely enhances performance from tee to green. If looking for fast, controlled and tour-level performance, this lineup is worth putting straight into the bag.
RRP: Chrome Tour, Chrome Tour X and Chrome Soft – $84.99
Michael Cooney is a teaching professional at the PGA Centre for Learning and Performance at the Sandhurst Golf Club in Melbourne and is always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in golf products.
The post WE TRIED IT! Callaway Golf Balls first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.
Article Link: https://www.insidegolf.com.au/gear/golf-balls/we-tried-it-callaway-golf-balls/