I remember a time just a few years back when I was not a fan of Callaway golf balls. They were crispy, is how i often described them to friends. They felt hard and made pop sound when you really struck one true. When compared to a ProV1 with its buttery feel and spin for days, I just wasnt a fan of Phils brand.
All that changed last year with the introduction of the iS and iZ golf balls. The iS was as soft and bit greens as well as Titelist. The iZ was a rocket on a warm day and really held its line in the wind.
This year Callaway pulled off a Hoodini-like trick by combining the properties of the iS and the iZ. Well that is what the ads all say and so I had to try for myself.
I picked up a dozen just as they hit the shelves this spring and I have played half a dozen rounds with them and I really do like these golf balls. They are a little harder than the iS in cooler weather 50s and 60s but they feel as soft as the ProV1x from 11.
The first thing I was struck by is the way this ball carries. When it reaches its apex and begins to fall out of the sky, it seems to hang a little longer and carry further than any ball I have played. The dimple pattern is noticeably different than last years ball and whatever they did, it really improve the flight characteristics of the ball. This week I played my regular league night and it was in the 80s and boy did this ball shine, fast long, soft and a great feel off the putter. As the ball softened with temperature I finally understood that this really is the best of last years balls.
It is really rare when you find that the hype is not hype at all and that is the case with the Hex Black golf ball. I will be playing these all year.