The Titleist Pro V1 often sets the standard in the game, and for many golfers, when it comes to purchasing a dozen golf balls, there is no need to look elsewhere. However, it is important to ensure that you are playing with equipment best suited to your game, and the Callaway Chrome Soft balls have gained quite a reputation as a Pro V1 substitute.
Here we review the Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls vs the Titleist Pro V1 golf balls with data and on course testing.
To be honest, I had never tried a Callaway Chrome Soft golf ball until earlier this year. I was a bit skeptical about the performance and didn’t think it could compare to the Pro V1.
I was wrong.
In fact, I ended up finding that the Chrome Soft ball, at times, was a better fit for my game. So if you are curious about Chrome Soft vs. Pro V1, take a look at the data we discovered; the results may surprise you.
Callaway Chrome Soft vs Titleist Pro V1 golf balls
Before we dig into the data here is how both golf balls are marketed and what they promise.
Callaway Chrome Soft
- Layers: 3
- Cover Material: Urethane
- Feel: Very Soft
- Compression: ~80
- Spin: Low from the tee, high around the greens
Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls
- Layers: 3
- Cover Material: Urethane
- Feel: Soft
- Compression: ~90
- Spin: Mid from the tee, high around the greens
Distance
With the Titleist Pro V1 and the Callaway Chome Soft having similar compression and three layers of material, you would expect the distance to be about the same. When we tested the drivers, we looked at a few different things. The first is carry distance and total distance, the second is peak height, and finally, spin.
We’ll also talk about feel, although it’s not something we can test on the drivers, it’s important to consider it, especially for the better player.
The results were almost identical for both carry and total distance. The Chrome Soft carried 247 yards, and the Pro V1 246 yards. When you look at the total distance, you will notice 275 yards from the Chrome Soft vs. 276 from the Pro V1.
These numbers show us that both carry distance and roll are quite impressive with each of the golf balls.
Some golf balls claim to be higher or lower launching, but in our testing to date we’ve seen little difference in real-life testing, the same is true here with very similar trajectories and peak heights.
I was happy with the performance of both golf balls. As much as I want a penetrating ball flight, I understand the importance of peak height off the tee.
Finally, the spin rates were a bit higher with the Chrome Soft than they were with the Pro V1. I was surprised by this as I thought the Callaway Chrome Soft would actually have a lower spin. Instead, we saw around 2550 rpm with the driver on the Chrome Soft vs. 2400 rpm with the Pro V1. This might explain the yard lost in carry, as greater backspin results in more drag through the air.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out around the greens. However, from the tee box, expect the distance in your golf game to be relatively the same with the Chrome Soft or Pro V1 in play.
Spin
With the driver spin being a bit higher in the Chrome Soft, I had high hopes for the short game spin. The Titleist Pro V1 has always had the best short game control and short game performance that I could find in a golf ball.
When we tested the wedge spin on the Pro V1 and the Chrome Soft, we used a 3/4 approach shot with a wedge, swinging the club at 80mph. For the shorter chip shots, launch monitor technology is not nearly as accurate, so we opted for feel and watching how the ball reacts.
What we found was that the Callaway Chrome Soft had backspin rates of around 8100, and the Pro V1 was around 8000 for wedge shots.
We also checked the descent angle and noticed that the Titleist Pro V1 was a little higher, giving it just a bit more stopping power with the wedge approach shots. The bottom line here is that urethane cover technology really does help increase spin on longer wedge shots.
These 120-yard shots truly had no trouble stopping, but for the shorter shots around the green, we took these golf balls to the course.
Again, hitting the ball on a thirty-yard shot, you won’t have quite as much swing speed, and it’s important to see how the ball reacts when the outer layers and cover interact. This is also where the feel is going to come into play a bit more.
I had no trouble controlling the Chrome Soft or the Pro V1. At times I felt as though the Chrome Soft was a bit more comprehensive than the Pro V1, but the overall dispersion and the area where the golf balls came to a stop were almost identical for each of these golf balls.
In the end, if you are looking for a high spin in your short game, the Callaway Chrome Soft and the Titleist Pro V1 are both great choices.
Longevity
The urethane cover golf balls have come a long way in the last 5-7 years. We have noticed that wedge shots and bunker shots, even at higher swing speeds, are not cutting the ball the same way that they used to.
The soft cover is great at increasing greenside spin, but it seems as though the thin urethane cover on these golf balls is just as good from a longevity standpoint as other Surlyn covers on the market.
I put the Titleist Pro V1 and the Callaway Chrome Soft balls through several rounds of play, and I noticed no changes in the long game spin, short game spin, peak height, or total driver distance.
Feel
One of the first things that stood out to me about the Chrome Soft vs. Pro V1 was how similar the feel is. I noticed the Titleist Pro V1 to have slightly higher ball flight, and on the iron shots, this mid-compression golf ball seemed to have plenty of responsiveness.
I think that for high swing speeds, the Chrome Soft may feel like the softer ball as they tend to have slightly lower compression ratings. This could result in a ball flight that is too high and a switch to the Chrome Soft X.
However, where I like to look at the feel of great golf balls is on the putting green. Of course, chipping and short game control are important, but putting is where you really can feel the difference, even if you are not a low-handicap golfer.
On the putting green, the feel was softer to me with the Chrome Soft, but yet it was firm enough that I could get the ball rolling on the proper track toward the hole.
The Pro V1 has some of the best feel in the game. It’s a bit firm on the putting green, which I like from a pace control perspective.
I think you will find the feel to be similar in both the Chrome Soft and the Titleist Pro V1, maybe just slightly softer in the Chrome Soft.
Value
The Callaway Chrome Soft and Titleist Pro V1 are both tour balls with multi-layer construction and thin urethane covers. This combination of features in a golf ball will increase the price considerably.
The important thing here is to consider the value. Even if the price is higher, does the golf ball do what we need it to do?
From the standpoint of iron distance, driver distance, and wedge distance, both golf balls are well worth the money if exceptional performance is important to you. When you look at the marketing claims of the Callaway Chrome Soft and Titleist Pro V1 golf balls claims versus what they actually can do, the numbers are impressive.
Alternatives
For those that want some of the same performance you find in the Chrome Soft and the Pro V1, you can look at something like the TaylorMade Tour Response or even something like the Vice Pro. You may have to sacrifice on greenside spin a bit, and you may lose a few yards off the tee, but the pricing will be considerably lower.
Golf Insider Verdict
As I mentioned, the first time I tried the Callaway Chrome Soft, I didn’t have high hopes for the golf ball. Having played with the Pro V1 essentially since it was released, I know it’s a golf ball that works for my game, and trust what it’s going to do from almost anywhere on the course.
The Callaway Chrome Soft golf balls surprised me. The results were almost exactly the same, and the soft feel on the approach shots was maybe even a bit better than the Titleist Pro V1. I was impressed with the longevity of both golf balls, and they are certainly tour-level in the performance that they offer.
One unique feature you find in Chrome Soft is the option for Triple Track technology. I’m not sure I like the three lines on the golf ball for every round I play, but it was an interesting alignment aid and a good option for golfers that struggle with consistency.
If you are mid to low handicap golfer with mid to high swing speed, you will likely find that both the Pro V1, and the Callaway Chrome Soft have a very similar performance profile.
I think the only distinction between the two golf balls is within 50 yards of the green. The slightly different feel could help fine-tune your performance on the course. For those looking for something just a bit different than the Pro V1, I highly recommend giving the Chrome Soft a try.
Callaway Chrome Soft
Titliest Pro V1 golf balls
Happy golfing.
