Equipment
Not a tiny soccer ball: Callaway’s new Chrome Soft
Apparently, this is a real thing. What looks at first blush like a tiny soccer ball is actually Callaway’s latest addition to the popular Chrome Soft line: the Chrome Soft with Truvis Technology.
Now, it seems this fellow, Julian Morley, has been at the whole patterned-golf-ball thing since the early 2000s, and as his website claims “The Truvis pattern has been specially developed to maximise your view of the golf ball.”
Hard to argue with that, and it seems the folks in Carlsbad are buying what he’s selling (literally and figuratively). And in the current sales climate and endless escalation in the competitive arms race in the golf space, Callaway is bringing something unique to market.
But will consumers take the plunge? Will the “game improvement factor” be substantial enough to outweigh the “harassment from your friends” factor, which is sure to be a component of one’s first Truvis Technologified round?
We’ll see how the marketplace responds.
It’s worth mentioning that there was a time not long ago when the idea of a boldly colored grip or driver head seemed outlandish.
[wrx_buy_now oemlink=”http://www.callawaygolf.com/golf-balls/balls-2015-truvis.html” oemtext=”Buy them from Callaway” amazonlink=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011LVK826/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B011LVK826&linkCode=as2&tag=golfwrxcom-20&linkId=CZEEC4W2WXLJBMP3″]
This week, we have our Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, on the ground at the OccuNet Classic at Tascosa Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, for the 14th event of the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season. With that, we see some great things in the Lead Tape Report as we roll into Amarillo.
Joel Thelen
Monday Qualifier, Joel Thelen is in the field this week. He has played on the Korn Ferry Tour for a full season in 2023, and he is back in action this week. A couple of clubs caught my eye this week in his bag.
First off: His trusted Titleist 816 H2 hybrid. This club came out in October of 2015, and it still remains strong in the bag. Also, take a look at this Odyssey White Hot OG 7, putting a capital S in the 7S model. This custom neck has some impressive lean for an arm-lock-style putter. The bottom of the putter is covered in tape for optimal weighting.
Mitchell Meissner
Taking a look at Mitchell Meissner’s bag this week, we have some great lead tape coverage. Top to bottom working from fairway metals, irons, and wedges. We can see on the short irons and wedges that there is tape at the base of the grip, adding a little counterbalance. Along with that, some tape on the short irons and wedges as well. Moving to his putter, he rolls the Odyssey 7 Bird putter. Meissner putts left-handed and strikes the ball right-handed.
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist GTS3 (15 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Tensei 1K Pro Red 80 TX
Irons: Titleist U505 (3), Titleist 620 MB (4-9)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 8 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F), WedgeWorks (60-K*)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putters: Scotty Cameron Tour Prototype, Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.3 Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
In our forums, one user has offered up a prompt for the true sickos, inviting fellow forum members to share every set of irons they’ve ever owned. As to be expected, this is a lengthy forum topic.
@Lamosteve began:
Can you name every set of irons you’ve owned? Here’s mine
Spalding Dots
Spalding Eclipse
Ram Lazer FX
Lynx Parallax
Mizuno EZ Comp
Ben Hogans
Cleveland CG Red
Taylor Made R9s
PING i20
PING iE1
Taylor Made M6
Our members in the forum have been offering up their own collections. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- macedan: “Started with a hand-me-down Golden Bear set from my brother when I was in high school, never really played more than once a year or got into the game until about summer of 2017. First purchased a set of Cleveland CG4’s (I actually really miss this set sometimes, soft & not terribly large for a GI iron), moved into Nike Vapor Fly’s by the end of the year. Those lasted until spring of 18 when I decided I wanted new, so I traded them in for TM Rbladez. Honestly, although I liked the Rbladez, poor decision on my part, I think this was really about the only time so far that after a week or two I was kicking myself for not staying with what I had. Rbladez stayed with me until late last summer when I switched to P790’s and (knock on wood) I am hoping this will be my longest lasting set.”
- JimmyC59: “MacGregor Jack Nicklaus Triple Crown. Palmer The Standard. Still play these.”
- jgrzask: “Tommy Armour 845u
Mizuno MP-32
Mizuno MP-33 (2 sets)
Bridgestone J33cb – still own
Srixon i-302 (2 sets) – still own
Tourstage X-Blades – still own
Mizuno Hot Metal – still own
Nike Forged Blades – still own
Titleist 714 AP1 – still own
Cobra Forged SS – still own”
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Bud Cauley WITB 2026 (June)
Bud Cauley had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament. Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura...
Hannah Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (10 degrees, D4 SureFit setting) Shaft: Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RB 53 S 3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees,...
Asterisk Talley WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (16.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Brianna Do WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (9 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 3-wood: Callaway Elyte Titanium (15 degrees) Shaft: KBS PGW 5-wood:...
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Doug
Jun 10, 2016 at 1:36 pm
As we get older, our eyesight diminishes. A part of that is depth perception. Isn’t it a possibility that this pattern helps depth perception and thus contributes to better ball striking for older players or anyone with poor eyesight? Just a thought but at least consider it.
Jarad
Jul 28, 2017 at 12:03 pm
I had eye surgery on my right eye and have used these balls occassionally and find that yes, I do see them easier, makes my round of golf far more enjoyable when I am hitting my shots pure instead of just off due to the slight distortions in my eyesight due to the surgery. I have tried colored balls, the traditional white obviously but, these soccer balls really do work.
eddy
May 3, 2016 at 8:19 pm
I found one of this balls while looking for my lost ball. Put in my packet and played the back 9 with it. I shot 37 and an eagle from 127 yards out. I got hooked. Now I’m looking to buy some more They are more expensive but they perform well. Its possible that I see the ball on the grass seating more elevated. Try them if you can
eddy
May 3, 2016 at 8:05 pm
It is a tiny soccer ball. Just throw it high up in the air and head it for a gol.
Mike
Apr 8, 2016 at 5:23 pm
It may not be a soccer ball but paint one like a baseball and I am in.
Mike
Apr 8, 2016 at 5:22 pm
It may not be a soccer ball but paint one like a baseball and I am in…
Ed
Jul 30, 2015 at 3:58 am
I had some old Tour (i)x’s with this pattern on – LOVE IT. Can’t wait to get this back
RANDY
Jul 26, 2015 at 10:03 pm
They had these at the golf store on the putting green the other day. I thought they were a promo for some soccer thing. They were very easy to roll on the green. I am gonna buy a sleeve or two and try them out
Travis
Jul 26, 2015 at 9:33 am
I took a sharpie to a Lethal and made it into a tiny soccer ball. It was sweet to watch it spin and check up around the greens. Putting was cool too.
Ken
Jul 25, 2015 at 7:13 pm
They say it is NOT a tiny soccer ball, yet, I want to kick it.
Desmond
Jul 25, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Like it … my only possible issue is putting with it.
Jacob
Jul 25, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Now if TM had come up with this this article would be a shank.
Sargio_Gercia
Jul 25, 2015 at 4:47 am
Jeremy Corbran… I had forgotten those…. Dang I loved the insane colourways on those PING balls. Time for a relaunch campaign…..
Pat M
Jul 24, 2015 at 11:40 am
I think white with yellow might be good. If it helps people follow the ball and find it then I am all for it.
Sean
Jul 23, 2015 at 7:24 pm
I would find it a bit distracting.
Charlie
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:47 pm
How in the world could it possibly help evaluate putting?
JR
Jul 25, 2015 at 8:57 am
It’s pretty awesome for putting actually our rep brought these by the other day. When you putt with them you can immediately tell how well the put is struck by seeing the rotation of the ball. A normal white you have no chance to see how well the ball roll or how many times the ball skips before it starts rolling. I don’t think I would ever play with one but great training aid.
golfiend
Jul 23, 2015 at 1:11 pm
will give it a try to see if visibility is better and i do see how it can help you evaluate putting
Steven
Jul 23, 2015 at 12:19 pm
I don’t play the Chrome Soft, but I like the idea. If it makes the ball more visible that’s great.
AL
Jul 23, 2015 at 11:12 am
I’ve seen someone play with this ball…It is significantly easier to see in the air. I’m not a huge fan of the chrome soft ball, but the pattern is something I’d definitely put in play.
Chris
Jul 23, 2015 at 10:01 am
New pattern on their range balls? Whatever floats your boat!
eric
Jul 23, 2015 at 9:34 am
Agree with KK. It definitely helps in putting practice. You see how much your ball is skidding before rolling true and the pattern really accentuates any “wobble” on putts that aren’t struck well.
Golfraven
Jul 23, 2015 at 4:46 am
I know this from Billard/pool where such patter is used for the white ball to better see the spin and how the ball runs. Respect to Callaway to put it out there. Seems like those are flying of the shelves. I may buy a sleeve for training purposes.
Lob Wedge
Jul 23, 2015 at 2:35 am
Someone at Srixon is either laughing or crying right now…
Brian
Jul 22, 2015 at 11:49 pm
Now when I hit my drives I’m going to narrate in a Mexican accent…”Brian steps up to the ball, takes his backswing and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!”
Jorge
Jul 23, 2015 at 5:58 am
Lol Brian, your comment was so funny man, I just had Give you props for it
Tom
Jul 23, 2015 at 11:30 am
Nice! I bought these immediately (soccer fan AND Chrome Soft fan). Used them in a scramble on Monday. I dropped a huge putt and that’s exactly what happened: one of my partners yelled out “GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!” The rest of us almost fell over laughing.
KK
Jul 22, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Haha, I bought a sleeve thinking it was some kind of soccer promo. Who knew. But it is actually easier to see and the roll helps with putting practice.
Carlos Danger
Jul 22, 2015 at 9:42 pm
Every time I hit I will dive on the ground and accuse my playing partners of hitting me in my backswing. I can just see it now, bodies all over the golf course screaming in pain holding their ankles, knees and hips looking for the club pro to give their opponents a penalty stroke.
What Im trying to say is…soccer is dumb, golf is awesome…dont mix awesome and dumb
Brodie Hock
Jul 22, 2015 at 9:36 pm
Correction: It is a tiny soccer ball.