Top Picks for the Best Callaway Golf Balls of 2023
Golfers know and trust Callaway. The company got its start in 1982, making clubs and steadily expanding its product selection over the ensuing decades. Today, the company is one of the sport’s most recognizable brands, and its equipment can be found in the golf bags of world-renowned pros like 2023 Masters Champion, Jon Rahm. When you invest in a Callaway product, the overwhelming consensus is that you’re buying golf gear you can trust.
Callaway’s lineup of balls is no exception. The brand’s golf balls are designed with the same expertise and keen eye for performance that go into creating its high-end clubs. In fact, Callaway uses its refined process for design and decades of knowledge to fine-tune golf balls for specific playing styles and levels.
The expansive lineup of Callaway golf balls on the shelves today reflects this customization, with something for everyone, from beginners to elite players, slow-speed swingers to high swing speeds, men to women, and junior to seniors. To help you purchase the Callaway golf ball that meets your needs, we’re dishing out the details on the best Callaway golf balls available on the market.
Top 8 Callaway golf balls
Best optimized performance: Chrome Soft X
Best runner-up: ERC Soft
Best budget: Warbird
Best for midlevel golfers: Chrome Soft X LS
Best for beginners: Supersoft MAX
Best for distance: Superfast 15-Pack
Best for women: REVA
Best for visibility: Chrome Soft Truvis
How we chose the best Callaway golf balls
We reviewed the entire Callaway golf ball selection on CallawayGolf.com. We studied each model’s performance claims and design features, then read customer reviews to see how well Callaway golf balls performed where it matters most: on the course. We also took a deep dive into more extensive reviews written by professional product testers to find each Callaway golf ball’s shining moment — using the results to create our list of top picks.
Best optimized performance: Chrome Soft X
Best optimized performance: Chrome Soft X
Benefits
— Exceptional driver distance
— Good spin on irons and wedges
— High level of control
Drawbacks
— Expensive
— Better for advanced players or players with fast swing speeds
The Callaway Chrome Soft X is built to optimize performance for skilled players, no matter the club. With its proprietary Hyper Elastic SoftFast core technology and a design that disperses club impact across the ball’s layers for maximum energy transfer, the Chrome Soft X delivers increased ball speed for longer distances. The ball’s design reduces spin off the tee yet offers solid control with irons and wedges down the fairway.
Customers said they saw faster ball speeds on the driver and notable greenside spin using the Chrome Soft X. They also reported solid responsiveness with the putter. And though the ball’s compression rating of 95 rules it out as a good fit for beginners or players with slow swing speeds, most customers noted that the ball’s versatility makes the Chrome Soft X a great choice for more advanced fast-swing golfers. The price does lean toward the expensive side, but we can attest that the Chrome Soft X is a worthwhile investment.
Construction: 4-piece | Cover material: Soft urethane | Compression: 95 | Colors: 3+ personalize your own option
Best runner-up: ERC Soft
Best runner-up: ERC Soft
Benefits
— Exceptional short game performance
— Fast ball speeds
— Triple-track putting alignment
Drawbacks
— Advanced players may benefit from a ball with higher compression
The ERC Soft is designed to give golfers with fast swing speeds total control over every aspect of their game. It shares the same proprietary Hyper Elastic core as the Chrome Soft X, which reduces driver spin and accelerates ball launch off the tee.
ERC Soft differs in its hybrid cover material that combines the performance properties of both urethane and ionomer materials. This means the unique cover construction delivers the stable flight path of ionomer with the short-game spin of urethane.
Customers recognized how consistently well the ERC Soft performed at every stage of the course. Many noticed their driver and iron shots went farther, while they also saw better control and spin on their approach shots and appreciated the triple-track alignment stripes for putting.
Construction: 3-piece | Cover material: Hybrid | Compression: 60 | Colors: 1+ personalize your own option
Best budget: Warbird
Best budget: Warbird
Benefits
— Affordable
— Exceptional distance with drivers and irons
— Reduces minor hooks and slices off the tee
Drawbacks
— Lacks short game spin
— Beginners or players with slow swing speeds may need a softer ball
The Warbird is a budget-friendly ball designed for distance. It contains an oversized, highly compressible core in a two-layer construction to deliver fast ball speeds and minimized spin. A hexagonal dimple pattern tags on additional yards with an aerodynamic design that reduces drag and improves launch angle.
Customers said the Warbird is excellent for players trying to eliminate a minor fade or slice off the tee. They also observed that the ball’s performance is incredibly consistent, which is noteworthy given the Warbird’s price point. Of course, there’s always a trade-off when you set out to design a golf ball that’s more budget-friendly than fine-tuned for a well-rounded performance.
In the case of the Warbird, what it makes up for in money savings, it loses in spin on the wedge shots. The ball is, first and foremost, an affordable distance ball, so you’ll sacrifice some control on the approach in exchange for those extra yards with your driver and irons. However, average golfers and senior players still said they found the Warbird excellent overall.
Construction: 2-piece | Cover material: Ionomer | Compression: 90 | Colors: 2+ personalize your own option
Best for midlevel golfers: Chrome Soft X LS
Best for midlevel golfers: Chrome Soft X LS
Benefits
— Low spin on driver shots
— Excellent short game control
— Ideal for average golfers
Drawbacks
— Expensive
— Not ideal for beginners or players with slow swing speeds
For middle-of-the-road golfers looking for balanced performance from the tee box to the putting green, the Chrome Soft X LS can deliver long distances down the fairway and exceptional control in the short game. It boasts a soft core for reduced spin and a high compression rating to help you stick it on the green and place it right where you want it.
The caveat is that the ball’s compression rating makes it better suited for players with fast swing speeds. That means this may not be the best choice for beginners or players with swing speeds below 95 mph. However, the Chrome Soft X LS is a smash hit for average players with moderate to fast swing speeds. Customers appreciated that the ball consistently delivered straight shots off the tee while maintaining great spin in the short-game approach.
Construction: 4-piece | Cover material: Soft urethane | Compression: 100 | Colors: 3+ personalize your own option
Best for beginners: Supersoft MAX
Best for beginners: Supersoft MAX
Benefits
— Ideal for new golfers and players with slow swing speeds
— Excellent distance
— Very forgiving and easy to hit
Drawbacks
— Not designed for players with moderate to advanced skills
For golfers new to the sport or more established players with slow swing speeds, the Supersoft MAX is designed to deliver maximum distance and ensure solid impact even on less-than-stellar shots.
Its soft ionomer cover reduces spin, while its low compression and two-piece construction maximize energy transfer for players who lack the impact speed needed to launch firmer balls. The ball is also oversized to promote good contact while still conforming to the rules.
Customers said the Supersoft MAX’s larger size and softer feel resulted in farther shots and consistently solid swings. Older players and golfers with slow swing speeds were especially keen to call out the ball’s extra yardage, low spin, and straight launch.
As players’ skills progress, they may want to consider a ball with a higher compression rating that can capture the distance from improved swing mechanics. But until a player’s game progresses beyond that of a beginner, the Supersoft MAX has proven itself the best bet in the Callaway lineup.
Construction: 2-piece | Cover material: Ionomer | Compression: 30 | Colors: 2+ personalize your own option
Best for distance: Superfast 15-Pack
Best for distance: Superfast 15-Pack
Benefits
— Exceptional distance
— Straight flight path
— Durable
Drawbacks
— Not designed for players with slow swing speeds
Callaway combined its unique high-speed core, an aerodynamic dimple pattern, and a hybrid cover featuring a resin formulated to achieve long distances, high launch angles, and minimum spin into a single ball. The result is the Superfast, a golf ball designed inside and out for players with moderate to fast swing speeds looking to achieve more yardage.
The cover’s hybrid makeup captures the best qualities of its multiple materials to maximize energy transfer (distance), withstand impact (durability), and yield excellent greenside spin (control). Aiding the cover in long-distance performance is a hexagonal dimple pattern tested to reduce wind resistance and a core designed to send the ball soaring at high speeds.
Customers recognized improved distances off the tee and down the fairway. They also noted the great hang time, long rolls, and the fact that the ball retains enough spin for precision shots.
Construction: 2-piece | Cover material: Hybrid | Compression: 70 | Colors: 3+ personalize your own option
Best for women: REVA
Best for women: REVA
Benefits
— 9% larger than a standard-sized golf ball (still conforms to USGA rules)
— Exceptional distance and trajectory
— Very forgiving
Drawbacks
— May not provide strong spin off irons and wedges
— Advanced players with fast swing speeds won’t benefit from the ball’s design
Designed specially for lady golfers, the REVA’s diameter measures 1.73 inches, 9% larger than the standard golf ball (1.68 inches). This larger size helps those swings somewhat off the mark still make solid contact with the ball, reducing the severity of hooks and slices.
For distance, the REVA’s oversized core and low compression maximize swing energy and eliminate spin — features that combine with the oversized construction to make a very forgiving ball.
Many customers said they noticed considerable gains in yardage, with some seeing up to 20 extra yards. And while the ball’s low compression rating takes away from the spin golfers need for short game control, it provides the tee box distance and the consistent impact that more than make up for it.
Construction: 2-piece | Cover material: Ionomer | Compression: 30 | Colors: 2+ personalize your own option
Best for visibility: Chrome Soft Truvis
Best for visibility: Chrome Soft Truvis
Benefits
— Easy to spot on the course
— Long distance and low spin on drives
— Exceptional greenside spin
Drawbacks
— Expensive
— Not ideal for beginners or players with slow swing speeds
If you like how the Chrome Soft treats you on the course but want a little help putting eyes on it after a shot, the Chrome Soft Truvis packs the benefits of Chrome Soft inside a uniquely patterned exterior that stands out in the rough.
Each ball sports a Truvis pattern for improved focus and increased visibility. True to form, golfers noted how easy it was to see the ball after each shot. And many of them were impressed by the ball’s compression, spin, and overall feel.
Of course, the Chrome Soft Truvis shares the same drawbacks as other versions of the Chrome Soft, namely its expensive price tag and design optimized for players with fast swing speeds. But if you’re an advanced player tired of losing golf balls, the Chrome Soft Truvis delivers high performance with high visibility.
Construction: 3-piece | Cover material: Ultra soft urethane | Compression: 90 | Colors: 3
Gain confidence on the course with a Callaway golf ball
A Callaway golf ball alone won’t make you a better player. But any player with the right Callaway golf ball can see major improvements to their game. The real trick comes in deciding which of our top picks is your best choice. For example, if you’re a player with a slow swing speed, you’ll want to look at the Supersoft MAX or the ERC Soft, which have 30 and 60 compression ratings, respectively.
How to pick the right ball for you
Keep these factors in mind when deciding which Callaway golf ball to buy.
Price
Callaway golf balls tend to float at the top of the price range but with good reason. Callaway is a premium brand that golfers of all skill levels know and trust. Callaway invests heavily in designing and testing their golf balls to maintain that trust. And with that much attention to performance and quality, it’s only natural that the cost of the ball rises.
You can see that in products like the Chrome Soft X. Fortunately, Callaway still offers budget-friendly options, such as the Warbird. While the Warbird doesn’t pack as much premium technology as the Chrome Soft models, you can still count on the fact that it comes from a reputable company.
Layers
More layers (or pieces) in a golf ball equal more control with pitches and wedge shots but less distance and durability. A ball with fewer layers can provide greater distances but at the expense of less spin in the short game. Generally, beginners or players with slow swing speeds will likely see longer drives from balls with one or two layers. More advanced players or those with fast swing speeds will want three or more layers if they want a high level of control.
Low vs. high compression
A compression rating refers to a ball’s “soft” or “hard” feel. A compression rating of 70 or lower is considered low, while anything above is considered high. Players with slow swing speeds should look for a golf ball with a low-compression rating. This is because a low-compression ball literally compresses at a slower swing speed than a ball with a high compression rating. The more a ball compresses, the more it converts energy from the swing into distance.
However, players with fast swing speeds (generally around 100 mph or faster) need a ball that compresses at higher swing speeds. If a ball compresses too easily at a slower speed, much of the energy from a fast swing is lost.
Cover material (outermost layer)
Typically, a ball cover is constructed from one of two materials: ionomer or urethane. Ionomer is more durable than urethane and minimizes spin on distance shots. Urethane covers offer greater spin and control for the short game. Beginners and players with slow swing speeds will likely see better performance from a ball with an ionomer cover.
FAQ
Which Callaway ball is best for distance?
The Callaway Superfast is our top pick for distance. The ball’s design combines a high-speed core, an aerodynamic dimple pattern, and a hybrid cover to maximize distance for players with moderate to fast swing speeds. At the other end of the spectrum, the Supersoft MAX will help achieve greater distance for players with slow swing speeds.
Which Callaway golf ball is easiest to hit?
The Supersoft Max and REVA are both oversized to promote solid contact on swings that would otherwise miss the mark. Both models still meet standard golf rules, and they’re designed to help beginners and players with slow swing speeds achieve more distance off the tee.
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