Callaway Golf Balls 2019: the best balls offering something for all...
Chrome Soft, Chrome Soft X Triple Track, ERC Soft, Supersoft or Magna... which Callaway ball is for you?
When it comes to premium golf balls that cater for every type of golfing ability in 2019, from Tour professional right the way through to beginner level, then few brands can compete with what Callaway has to offer right now.
Callaway's impressive line of golf balls for 2019 comprise of the standout Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X - used by the likes of recent European Tour winner Thomas Pieters and five-time major winner Phil Mickelson - and they are closely followed in the line by the super long ERC Soft, and forgiving Supersoft and Supersoft Magna.
After just returning from testing all five of Callaway's latest golf balls, GolfMagic provides an honest assesment of each, while highlighting the key features and benefits to help you find the right one that is going to work best for your game and card lower scores...
CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT
PRICE: £37.99 per dozen
WHO IT'S AIMED AT: Those players that want the softest feel, best forgiveness and a straighter ball flight.
KEY TECH: New Graphene-infused Dual Soft Fast Core with a new, larger inner core maximises compression energy while minimising driver-spin and promoting high launch for long distance; ultra-soft Tour Urethane Cover feels fantastic and generates shot-controlling, stroke-saving spin on pitches and chips.
GOLFMAGIC VERDICT: One of our favourite premium golf balls on the market today. Long off the tee and holds its line nicely, even on squiffy hits. A golf ball you feel like you can control on just about every shot out there on the course. For us though, it excels most around the greens. It's quite probably the best golf ball in the game right now when it comes to short-game control, both on full shots and those touchy shots out the intermediate rough and greenside bunkers. On the greens, we have been receiving a lovely true roll from our putts - aided with an Odyssey Stroke Lab putter of course! The option of Truvis personalisation to the Chrome Soft ball also adds to its appeal. A superb golf ball.
CALLAWAY CHROME SOFT X TRIPLE TRACK
PRICE: £39.99 per dozen
WHO IT'S AIMED AT: Those players that want soft feel, high forgiveness, workable flight; for us, it's a golf ball that will work much better for faster swingers than the Chrome Soft.
KEY TECH: New Graphene-infused Dual Soft Fast core delivers faster ball speed, high launch and low spin; Hex Aerodynamics aids longer carry; Triple Track uses Vernier Visual Acuity to improve alignment compared to a regular side stamp alignment aid.
GOLFMAGIC VERDICT: Long, straight and forgiving. It's very easy to see why the likes of Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson and Xander Schauffele have switched to play this one in recent months. Faster swing speeds will appreciate this one for sure. We found this ball a little more firmer around the green compared to the Chrome Soft, but only slightly. The option of Truvis personalisation once again adds to the appeal, aiding great visibility and focus when putting. Several quid more than the Chrome Soft, and comes with the new Triple Track lines, which adds plenty of appeal - something first seen on the new ERC Soft ball, which we'll discuss in more detail shortly. You genuinely feel like you can't miss from close range once you lock in the Triple Track lines towards the cup. A hugely impressive golf ball and well worth the £40 spent for a dozen.
CALLAWAY ERC SOFT
PRICE: £36.99 per dozen
WHO IT'S AIMED AT: Those seeking added distance from the tee and dramatically improved levels of spin with the wedges.
KEY TECH: Packed with the brand's largest ever Graphene-infused Dual SoftFast Core that maximises compression energy while minimising driver-spin and promoting high launch for long distance; its new innovative Hybrid Cover creates an exceptional combination of faster ball speeds for longer distance, incredibly soft feel, and noticeably higher spin for excellent control around the green; Callaway's new Triple Track lines - also now available on the Chrome Soft X balls - have been designed to improve putting accuracy.
GOLFMAGIC VERDICT: A golf ball that travels for what feels like miles off the tee, and performs superbly well around and on the greens. ERC's innovative Hybrid Cover contributed to at least five yards of extra distance with our tee shots, and an improvement of 300 RPM extra spin with our 56-degree wedges from inside of 100 yards. Not quite as forgiving or as controllable with the irons, like we saw with the Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X, but not far off at all. The Triple Track lines mark a superb addition on these balls, and it's easy to see why the demand has been so high to get them on the Chrome Soft X balls. At a similar price to the Chrome Soft balls... so a bit like my bank account right now, there's not much in it.
CALLAWAY SUPERSOFT
PRICE: £22.99 per dozen
WHO IT'S AIMED AT: The perfect golf ball for mid to high handicap golfers that want to improve quickly; it will also suit those players with an average swing speed.
KEY TECH: Super soft, low compression core; Tri-ionomer cover provides increased softness and feel, and more control on wedge shots; Hex Aerodynamics aids longer carry.
GOLFMAGIC VERDICT: This ball is particularly forgiving both from the tee and with the irons, and it feels easy to control with the scoring clubs. We find it checks up and spins nicely around the greens. A golf ball that will definitely suit someone with an average swing speed. At some £15 cheaper than the aforementioned trio of Callaway golf balls, this one offers fantastic value for money. Also available in a range of matte colour options to cater for personal preferences. We'll go as far to say the Callaway Supersoft represents the best value for money golf ball for the mid to high handicap golfer.
CALLAWAY SUPERSOFT MAGNA
PRICE: £22.99 per dozen
WHO IT'S AIMED AT: Those mid to high handicap golfers seeking an oversized golf ball that is super easy to hit and launch high; most suitable for those with slower swing speeds.
KEY TECH: Low compression core promotes faster ball speed and low spin for longer, straighter flight on full shots. New HEX Aerodynamics are optimised to promote a lower spin rate, to reduce drag and enhance lift for increased carry, higher flight and longer distance; its soft Trionomer cover formulation aids shot-stopping wedge spin and great feel.
GOLFMAGIC VERDICT: Completely legal in the rules of golf, the oversized Callaway Supersoft Magna is the perfect golf ball for someone who wants help with their ball striking and to be able to consistently hit the ball with a higher launch. You're probably looking at an extra 10 yards with a Chrome Soft or Chrome Soft X when compared to this ball, but let's be honest, the Magna isn't for your mid to low handicap golfer. It will best suit players with slower swing speeds and for those that want to achieve better contact at impact. At a great price poiat at £23.
