Forum Member Reviews: Callaway Whitebox Testing

[2puttbogey]

Played a round with just the X today. I was very impressed with the all round performance of the ball. I expected the X to be a better fit for me, but  testing both versions together yesterday I was smitten with the standard tour version. After the round today I can see why I thought the X would be the one for me. I’m a pretty low spin player so the added spin benefits me. I love the launch and all my distances were spot on and consistent. I will be using just the standard tour tomorrow for my round and give feedback on that one. So far they got me reconsidering my cheapness  with balls and play the one that I like best after the testing.

[Guest-0]

11 hours ago, Madden B said:

Come on out to Utah and we can team up!!! As long as the weather is nice, I am at the course playing. And I have lots to learn so I love to play with those that have been around the game longer than I have. Let's Go!!! 

And bring the Chrome Tour balls, you won't regret it!

I so agree with this!!!! I know so many guys that purposely play guys with much higher hdcp's just so they can "win" I try to play with guys that are much better than me as I learn alot more and it forces my competitive nature to play better/smarter. Nothing better than playing with guys that make it look effortless thanks to these guys my swing no longer looks like an Octopus falling out of a tree!! 

[Mike10487]

On 2/12/2024 at 2:38 PM, Rob Person said:

Welcome to MGS and welcome to the testing everyone!!! It's exciting!!!

 

 

Question for the testers; 

What area(s) are you hoping this ball will help to improve your game from? 

I don't know that I have ever looked for a ball to improve my game. I just want it to perform consistently. 

[Desous17]

12 hours ago, Wicki said:

What a shining golf ball.  I enjoy being a dozen balls, because knowing that some will get lost some where on the course being wet as it is, this time of the year!  I was hoping this weekend to get out, but NOOOO, of course it has to snow here in Virginia! I love my snow, but when you are trying to get out and hit them it makes it tough!  

Fist impression I have of the ball, that it looks like any other Callaway Golf.  The Triple Lines to aid in lining the putt up causes me issues.  I'll line up the ball using the aiming aid, no problem.  It is when I actually line the putter, that's when I get all messed in the head and thinking that I am missed lined-up.  For those that can use it, they stay with it on these.

When I was holding the balls, they felt smaller than normal.  Never before when I have grabbed a golf ball that it felt smaller, unlike these.  It could be just me!  Any how I eager to get out on the course and try them out!  With as wet as it is, I thinking the spin action might be a bit much.  With the soft greens, I am thinking the Tours will perform better and give enough spin.  Wish I had the TourX over the summer where it was DRY!  

With past Chrome Soft golf balls, I tend to have a shorter drive, but no issue of lost distance with my irons.  I am going to be intrigue to see if this holds true with the Tours.  But is will be an open mind, just like when I start off the new golf season not trying to light the course on fire.

I feel your struggle my fellow Virginian! Let's hope that the weather starts trending in the right direction so we can get out and test these golf balls on a course!

[boylerz1]

I still haven't received my package or any tracking info. Is there a way I can double check what was submitted on the google doc?

[golfinnut]

Calling for 4 inches of snow overnight   this weather is really putting a damper on my testing time. 

[Erin B]

23 hours ago, Madden B said:

Come on out to Utah and we can team up!!! As long as the weather is nice, I am at the course playing. And I have lots to learn so I love to play with those that have been around the game longer than I have. Let's Go!!! 

And bring the Chrome Tour balls, you won't regret it!

I like your mindset!

[Erin B]

22 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Got out for a bit with these today and gotta say they flat out perform. It was wet so good change and to see some characteristics but was just impressed again.

Bravo Callaway..getting a round in soon for full testing!

I like the Chrome Tour X more than the Chrome Tour. Just seems more lively.

["Mr. 72"]

10 minutes ago, golfinnut said:

Calling for 4 inches of snow overnight   this weather is really putting a damper on my testing time. 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

For the testers that have the balls in hand and have gotten a few rounds in without losing it, how are the covers holding up?

[golfinnut]

11 minutes ago, "Mr. 72" said:

Kinda hard to swing with these on.  I mean it could be done but I'd be swinging all arms 

[Madden B]

38 minutes ago, GolfSpy_SHARK said:

For the testers that have the balls in hand and have gotten a few rounds in without losing it, how are the covers holding up?

I have 1 ball (Tour) that I hit in the simulator, probably about 100-125 swings with a mix of all clubs, including wedges. I also used that ball to play 6 holes and then chipped and putted with it around the green. It has held up really, really well for me. At this point, there are a few little scuff marks on it but nothing that would stop me from using it to begin a new round with it. I think that the Chrome Tour holds up really well. More to come on that but here are the little marks, you can see they are very small blemishes and hardly noticeable.

 

[Madden B]

13 hours ago, Marlin Dave said:

I so agree with this!!!! I know so many guys that purposely play guys with much higher hdcp's just so they can "win" I try to play with guys that are much better than me as I learn alot more and it forces my competitive nature to play better/smarter. Nothing better than playing with guys that make it look effortless thanks to these guys my swing no longer looks like an Octopus falling out of a tree!! 

Don't get me wrong, I am still going to "win" and refuse to lose to anyone that I play with, at least that is my mindset going in! But there is always something that I can learn watching and playing with other people, regardless of their skill level.  

[Guest-0]

5 hours ago, Mike10487 said:

I don't know that I have ever looked for a ball to improve my game. I just want it to perform consistently. 

Iam hoping one of the testers will take the Tour ball to a bunker and hit 20 shots with it to see what it does to the ball. I always found that to be a good Guage of durability. I found one of the tour balls at my friend's golf shop and had great numbers with it in the GC Quad bay

[Guest-0]

9 minutes ago, Madden B said:

Don't get me wrong, I am still going to "win" and refuse to lose to anyone that I play with, at least that is my mindset going in! But there is always something that I can learn watching and playing with other people, regardless of their skill level.  

I didn't add that when a 10 plays a scratch player for $$ it can be a big advantage so yes indeed iam trying to win while getting lessons

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

42 minutes ago, Madden B said:

I have 1 ball (Tour) that I hit in the simulator, probably about 100-125 swings with a mix of all clubs, including wedges. I also used that ball to play 6 holes and then chipped and putted with it around the green. It has held up really, really well for me. At this point, there are a few little scuff marks on it but nothing that would stop me from using it to begin a new round with it. I think that the Chrome Tour holds up really well. More to come on that but here are the little marks, you can see they are very small blemishes and hardly noticeable.

 

And I find the netting and impact screens damage the ball more than just playing a course too, so this is pretty impressive.

[Digiburdie]

Review - Part 1: Box Opening and Weighing and "THE CUT"

Like everyone else in the test, I received my "white box" and went to immediately rip them open to see what they were (this was right when they were all landing on our doorsteps). I was excited to see the white box and even more surprised that these were Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X balls. I did think maybe we were going to get a "left dot/dash" level tour ball. Not the case. These are balls that are out in the world and being used by tour players and weekend warriors alike, so this test will have even more validity for those interested. They will be able to go out and make a decision on if they want to give these balls a try. 

From reading years of ball testing on MGS, I knew that weighing these should be the first thing I do. What I found was the weight varied by around .2 grams.

Chrome Tour X: Range from 45.42 grams to 45.59. I would rate that a 10/10 in weight distribution for the Chrome Tour X. 

Chome Tour: Range from 45.47 grams to 45.70 grams. Again, very consistent. 10/10

The Cut:

Of course, being an MGS spy, I had to cut them both open to see the innards. As much as I would have loved to open each one up to see if there were any core/mantel/cover thickness issues. I have to hit these so I was willing to sacrifice two balls for the community! 

Chrome Tour X:

Chrome Tour: 

 

NEXT .... Part 2: Putting (coming soon) 

 

 

 

Edited February 16 by Digiburdie
image manipulation

[Indy_Oz]

3 hours ago, Digiburdie said:

Review - Part 1: Box Opening and Weighing and "THE CUT"

Like everyone else in the test, I received my "white box" and went to immediately rip them open to see what they were (this was right when they were all landing on our doorsteps). I was excited to see the white box and even more surprised that these were Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X balls. I did think maybe we were going to get a "left dot/dash" level tour ball. Not the case. These are balls that are out in the world and being used by tour players and weekend warriors alike, so this test will have even more validity for those interested. They will be able to go out and make a decision on if they want to give these balls a try. 

From reading years of ball testing on MGS, I knew that weighing these should be the first thing I do. What I found was the weight varied by around .2 grams.

Chrome Tour X: Range from 45.42 grams to 45.59. I would rate that a 10/10 in weight distribution for the Chrome Tour X. 

Chome Tour: Range from 45.47 grams to 45.70 grams. Again, very consistent. 10/10

The Cut:

Of course, being an MGS spy, I had to cut them both open to see the innards. As much as I would have loved to open each one up to see if there were any core/mantel/cover thickness issues. I have to hit these so I was willing to sacrifice two balls for the community! 

Chrome Tour X:

Chrome Tour: 

 

NEXT .... Part 2: Putting (coming soon) 

 

 

 

Nice work. I haven't found my pipe cutter (haven't used it for years), so hadn't yet been able to cut open the balls and I was hoping someone would!

Any observations on relative firmness of the core or other layers? I wonder if I can sneak in some time using a hardness tester in our work labs. Ha ha.

[johngschulz]

7 hours ago, golfinnut said:

Calling for 4 inches of snow overnight   this weather is really putting a damper on my testing time. 

Just came through with 4” in my neck of St Louis  

[Wicki]

On 2/15/2024 at 1:03 PM, climberboy2000 said:

First of all...big thanks to MGS for all that you do to help educate us on the equipment we are using.  And providing a great forum for thought, discussion and even a little fun (Love the Run Your Pool competition each week...makes watching a lot more fun).

Intro:  I've been golfing for about a half century (wow that sounds like a long time)!  Grew up in California playing golf, but now live in northern Utah so have had to suffer for months of no golf...until this year.  We had an indoor place open up that is open 24/7, so I've now been able to swing 2-3 days/week during the winter.  I play weekly in one of the largest Men's associations (about 600 members) in Utah at one of the best public courses in Utah...Birch Creek!  If you ever venture up to Cache Valley come play at Birch and you won't regret it.

I also put on one of the largest charity tournaments up here (this year is our 20th year) for http://thefamilyplaceutah.org and so I buy a lot of balls, equipment, clothing for the tournament.  Depending on sponsorship level, every player gets to "shop" before the tournament with $100-$200.  Not a bad deal...free golf stuff, 18 holes, and lots of food!

So I'm always looking for something new I can get for the tournament, which is why I'm excited to test these new Callaway Tour balls.

Long story short...I play a couple times a week, handicap fluctuates between 8-10, currently a 7 in Men's.  I play a lot of charity scrambles in the area and just enjoy getting outside.  When I'm not golfing, I'm climbing, running, hiking, etc...

First Impressions: Looks like Callaway is finally trying to have a ball to compete with the ProV1 series.  And from the look and feel of the ball I think they have done a good job.  I decided that I would compare them to the usual balls I play.  This year I have been alternating between ProV1/ProV1x and Sugar Pure.  On Monday went to Links (indoor) and hit both my 9 iron and driver for a bit before work. 

Below are the results:

The Tour felt good off both clubs, and as you can see above performed, very similar to the other two.  I actually picked up a few yards on the driver compared to the Sugar Pure (which I had my longest drive of the season (290 yd) during a tournament this fall).  Tomorrow, I plan on going back to Links to hit a lot more.  And this afternoon I'm going over to the smaller indoor place that actually has a fairly big putting green.  So more to come.

And looks like it might get to 50 degrees an hour south of me by next week, so hoping to take a day off work and go play outside.

 

Thanks for the comparable data!  I was not expecting to see Titleist Pro V lacking!  Really has me thinking how actual play is going to be now.

[Bohnson]

Putting indoors. Chrome Tour is very soft feeling. 

[Indy_Oz]

Sim Ball Comparison Test 2/16/24:

Managed to dip out of work this afternoon and get almost two hours of sim time in the book with the Chrome Tour and Tour X balls. This is my second session on the sim- last Sunday I had an hour of trying out both Tour and Tour X alongside a selection of other balls. Too many for anything meaningful other than initial impressions. My first ball test, so I've learnt I need to narrow down comparison testing to smaller group tests with the time I have available.

Sim: Flightscope rear-positioned radar launch monitor.

Balls Selected: For today's session, I focused on the "low spin"/ "distance" models:

- 2x Chrome Tour

- 2xBridgestone Tour BX

- 2x Taylormade TP5X (one from last year, one of the new '24 ball)

- 2x Titleist ProV1s (not sure of vintage, but likely from a year or two ago).

In my warm up I developed a little shankitis with the short clubs,lol, so quickly moved on to long irons, fairway woods and driver to get some swings in to gauge feel and sound.

It'll take a few days for the data to be available online, but for now...

Test plan:

Each club- 5 shots per ball, in the following order (top to bottom, L then R columns in pic above):

Tour BX - '23 TP5X - Chrome Tour - ProV1

T BX - '24 TP5X - CT - ProV1

When the data is in, I'll pick best/ most comparable three shots from each set of 5 and use that for the average. I'll edit this post with the findings.

Clubs used and CHS for those with similar:

- Driver (Callaway Rogue ST Max LS, 9* head set to 8*, Ventus Blue TR 6X Velocore shaft)

  - For the first set of four balls I tried to hit my 'cruising' (regular on-course) swing speed, which is around 105mph CHS (give or take). Second set of four I swung a little harder, but still not quite all out. I hit a couple >110mph, but not regularly enough for good comparison this time.

- 7-iron (Taylormade P790, w KBS Tour C-Taper Lite XS shaft)

  - Full 7-iron (30.5* loft for a P790). Approx 90-92mph CHS, I believe.

- 60* lob wedge (TM MG2 TW grind, w S300 shaft)

  - Not quite a full shot. Aiming for a good solid swing to gauge how the CT behaved and felt.

Initial feel/ sound:

I never really liked the Chrome Soft, or Chrome Soft X LS as (to me) they felt almost heavy on contact with how soft they are. I much prefer the Chrome Tour. It has a lighter, crisper sound and feel on impact compared to last year's model- getting closer to the TP5X I game. The CT is maybe a lighter sound, but pleasing to the ear and a nice feel. Really liked the sound off the driver face. The Tour X is firmer based on last week's few swings, so it'll be interesting giving that a better test next with the other higher spin balls.

I can't be definitive until I have the data, but I was impressed with the distance and flight numbers I was getting for the Chrome Tour. Pretty happy.

Callaway may now have a ball I'd consider buying. More to follow...

Edited February 17 by Indy_Oz
Typos

[climberboy2000]

On 2/15/2024 at 11:03 AM, climberboy2000 said:

First of all...big thanks to MGS for all that you do to help educate us on the equipment we are using.  And providing a great forum for thought, discussion and even a little fun (Love the Run Your Pool competition each week...makes watching a lot more fun).

Intro:  I've been golfing for about a half century (wow that sounds like a long time)!  Grew up in California playing golf, but now live in northern Utah so have had to suffer for months of no golf...until this year.  We had an indoor place open up that is open 24/7, so I've now been able to swing 2-3 days/week during the winter.  I play weekly in one of the largest Men's associations (about 600 members) in Utah at one of the best public courses in Utah...Birch Creek!  If you ever venture up to Cache Valley come play at Birch and you won't regret it.

I also put on one of the largest charity tournaments up here (this year is our 20th year) for http://thefamilyplaceutah.org and so I buy a lot of balls, equipment, clothing for the tournament.  Depending on sponsorship level, every player gets to "shop" before the tournament with $100-$200.  Not a bad deal...free golf stuff, 18 holes, and lots of food!

So I'm always looking for something new I can get for the tournament, which is why I'm excited to test these new Callaway Tour balls.

Long story short...I play a couple times a week, handicap fluctuates between 8-10, currently a 7 in Men's.  I play a lot of charity scrambles in the area and just enjoy getting outside.  When I'm not golfing, I'm climbing, running, hiking, etc...

First Impressions: Looks like Callaway is finally trying to have a ball to compete with the ProV1 series.  And from the look and feel of the ball I think they have done a good job.  I decided that I would compare them to the usual balls I play.  This year I have been alternating between ProV1/ProV1x and Sugar Pure.  On Monday went to Links (indoor) and hit both my 9 iron and driver for a bit before work. 

Below are the results:

The Tour felt good off both clubs, and as you can see above performed, very similar to the other two.  I actually picked up a few yards on the driver compared to the Sugar Pure (which I had my longest drive of the season (290 yd) during a tournament this fall).  Tomorrow, I plan on going back to Links to hit a lot more.  And this afternoon I'm going over to the smaller indoor place that actually has a fairly big putting green.  So more to come.

And looks like it might get to 50 degrees an hour south of me by next week, so hoping to take a day off work and go play outside.

 

Took the balls to the indoor putting green (still too cold up here) yesterday.

The Tour and TourX didn't have any noticeable differences between the two balls.  Both felt softer than the ProV1x, but very similar to the Sugar Pure.  Loved the sound and the feel off the putter face.  I really like the lines, because now I don't have to draw a big line (that eventually rubs off in about 9 holes).  I've always used a line on my ball and I get down and line my putt up with it.  So this is a bonus.  Overall GREAT balls for putting!

 If this video doesn't work I'll have to figure out how to properly upload videos  

 

[climberboy2000]

4 minutes ago, climberboy2000 said:

Took the balls to the indoor putting green (still too cold up here) yesterday.

The Tour and TourX didn't have any noticeable differences between the two balls.  Both felt softer than the ProV1x, but very similar to the Sugar Pure.  Loved the sound and the feel off the putter face.  I really like the lines, because now I don't have to draw a big line (that eventually rubs off in about 9 holes).  I've always used a line on my ball and I get down and line my putt up with it.  So this is a bonus.  Overall GREAT balls for putting!

 

IMG_0142.MOV 25.86 MB · 0 downloads  If this video doesn't work I'll have to figure out how to properly upload videos  

 

Got a little more time in this morning on the SIM with my 50 degree wedge.  I hit both the Tour and TourX, but somehow at the end I reset the Tour data so lost it for today.  But the TourX had at least 4-5 extra yards per shot.  My shots were all fairly grouped together and the TourX definitely were going further.  I have a video of one of the shots, but need to figure out how to upload correctly. Below are the results:

[climberboy2000]

If anyone has any tips on how to upload a video I'd love the help!

[GolfSpy SAM]

14 minutes ago, climberboy2000 said:

If anyone has any tips on how to upload a video I'd love the help!

Absolutely!  Your best bet (and the preferred method) is to upload your video to YouTube, and then post the link to the video in a message here - that will automatically embed into the message and will be clickable and watchable just like that. 

The benefit of doing it this way is no one has to download the file that way - if you were up upload the files directly to a message, the only way for anyone to watch it would be to download it, which is pretty taxing on people's computers. 

Let me know if you have any questions!

[GolfSpy_APH]

Been a lot of fun to read through the experiences so far. A lot of testers still have information to throw in and am looking forward to what they have to say!

[Rob Person]

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Been a lot of fun to read through the experiences so far. A lot of testers still have information to throw in and am looking forward to what they have to say!

Yes!  One of the best things about these tests is the regularly updated feedback.

 

[David Staller]

Good morning MGS peeps,

It finally warmed up and dried out here in, Newnan, GA and was able to play 18 holes on Thursday and nine holes on Friday playing both balls.  I must say I like them both and am having difficulty seeing big differences.  Being that I don't have a launch monitor to give precise numbers, my feedback won't be scientific. That being said, I will share my thoughts on a few characteristics of both balls that I experienced. The pics will be in order of characteristics discussed.

Durability- Pics 1-2 below show the Tour ball after 27 holes, and the Tour X ball after 19 holes. I Iost one off the tee on the 9th hole on Thursday.  Being that both balls hit a few trees and were in no fewer that 5 bunkers each I would say they held up very well.

Distance- Overall the Tour ball has a slightly lower trajectory and was more consistent in the wind.  The X was longer downwind and shorter into the wind due to higher launch and spin rate. Longest ball downwind with the Tour was 253 yards and 260 with the X. Into the wind 230 with the Tour and 222 with the X. Similarly in cross winds whether working it with or against the breeze, the Tour ball was easier to control.

Short Game-Both balls perform quite well. The X is a little spinnier which I would not like in super soft conditions on shots that I need to run the ball, but amazing on flop shots, one hop stopper pitches, and downhill lies where in need the spin.  Pics 3-5 show amazing results of 2 greenside bunker shots. One was an uphill shot of 20 yards onto a downslope breaking left to right.  Knocked it to 3 feet. The other was a downhill 15 yarder off a downhill lie sitting down slightly, that needed to land softly about halfway to the hole in the fringe then downhill right to left 20 feet to the hole. In other words, everything was against me.  That one hit the stick and ended up inside a foot. Very COOL!

Iron Game- I was not striking the ball very well at all. Poor contact is poor contact and I did not see any real differences on misses. When struck properly both balls carried 6 or so yards further than my standard Chrome Soft. The X flew a little higher and stopped a little quicker. pics 6-8 show 5 hybrids hit on par 3 from 176 yards into a slight breeze. You can see how quickly the X stopped.  Even had a couple of wedges backed up a little bit which is not normal for me, as I do not normally spin the ball too much. Pic 9 ball closest to the hole backed up 4-5 feet from 85 yards.

All in all, I like both balls and could easily see myself going back and forth between them depending on how firm or soft the playing conditions are.

 

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 hour ago, David Staller said:

Good morning MGS peeps,

It finally warmed up and dried out here in, Newnan, GA and was able to play 18 holes on Thursday and nine holes on Friday playing both balls.  I must say I like them both and am having difficulty seeing big differences.  Being that I don't have a launch monitor to give precise numbers, my feedback won't be scientific. That being said, I will share my thoughts on a few characteristics of both balls that I experienced. The pics will be in order of characteristics discussed.

Durability- Pics 1-2 below show the Tour ball after 27 holes, and the Tour X ball after 19 holes. I Iost one off the tee on the 9th hole on Thursday.  Being that both balls hit a few trees and were in no fewer that 5 bunkers each I would say they held up very well.

Distance- Overall the Tour ball has a slightly lower trajectory and was more consistent in the wind.  The X was longer downwind and shorter into the wind due to higher launch and spin rate. Longest ball downwind with the Tour was 253 yards and 260 with the X. Into the wind 230 with the Tour and 222 with the X. Similarly in cross winds whether working it with or against the breeze, the Tour ball was easier to control.

Short Game-Both balls perform quite well. The X is a little spinnier which I would not like in super soft conditions on shots that I need to run the ball, but amazing on flop shots, one hop stopper pitches, and downhill lies where in need the spin.  Pics 3-5 show amazing results of 2 greenside bunker shots. One was an uphill shot of 20 yards onto a downslope breaking left to right.  Knocked it to 3 feet. The other was a downhill 15 yarder off a downhill lie sitting down slightly, that needed to land softly about halfway to the hole in the fringe then downhill right to left 20 feet to the hole. In other words, everything was against me.  That one hit the stick and ended up inside a foot. Very COOL!

Iron Game- I was not striking the ball very well at all. Poor contact is poor contact and I did not see any real differences on misses. When struck properly both balls carried 6 or so yards further than my standard Chrome Soft. The X flew a little higher and stopped a little quicker. pics 6-8 show 5 hybrids hit on par 3 from 176 yards into a slight breeze. You can see how quickly the X stopped.  Even had a couple of wedges backed up a little bit which is not normal for me, as I do not normally spin the ball too much. Pic 9 ball closest to the hole backed up 4-5 feet from 85 yards.

All in all, I like both balls and could easily see myself going back and forth between them depending on how firm or soft the playing conditions are.

 

 

I love the burnt out look of your course!