By Joe Passov
On January 30, 2026, Callaway is scheduled to release its newest generation of Chrome Tour Family golf balls, the four-piece Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X and the three-piece Chrome Soft. Callaway’s current U.S. market share has soared to 22.6%, its highest ever. Following a revealing ball test preview ahead of the retail launch date, I predict that number will rise.
Callaway’s new Chrome collection unveils a revolutionary “Tour Fast Mantle,” the core/layer under the cover which boosts ball speed by acting like a stiffer (by 16%) spring at impact. Add in an Advanced Seamless Tour Aero dimple pattern and a Precision Tour Urethane Cover and what’s promised is increased speed and distance—with a softer feel. It delivered on that promise.
As my handicap has crept into the low double digits, I enlisted my buddy David, a former college golfer who plays off scratch to test the new Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X on his own. We compared notes and arrived at some conclusions.
Massive props to the Chrome Tour for clubface feel with the irons—very solid and better than the leading ball in the premium category. Trajectory was similar to the other ball’s performance, but the short irons offered more spin. On average, we were five to ten yards longer with the 4- and 5-irons than the top-seller. Accuracy with the woods was comparable with that other ball, but we were both longer (10 to 15 yards in some cases). The Chrome Tour had a wonderful soft-but-not-too-soft feel while chipping and putting.
The Chrome Tour X is clearly geared to better players. Mis-hits were shorter and offline for me; David raved about the extra spin and control but preferred the softer feel of the Chrome Tour. Ultimately, we lauded both golf balls, yet we agreed that the Chrome Tour, the choice of Xander Schauffele and Alexander Noren, was our pick for overall performance.
One of the great benefits of being an SCGA member is access to exclusive opportunities like testing new golf products before they officially launch. Callaway Golf is providing SCGA members with the chance to test its new 2026 golf balls and share feedback that will help shape future product development and support the collection of testimonials.
