This is a shot for shot comparison, I have been wanting to do all season. I have been playing the Callaway Chrome Soft most of the time this season, when I was not, I played the Titleist Pro V1. Over Labor Day weekend, I got a chance to play a shot for shot round with each ball. I played 18 holes hitting each ball from every hole, there was nobody on the course so I didn’t hold anyone up, alternating which ball was hit first. The day was very windy, 15 mph sustained with gusts to 20 mph.
Driver and long irons
Both balls are really great, that has to be said up front. I found that both balls performed equally well in the wind. The Pro V1 had a slightly higher flight into the wind but did not loose any distance compared to the Chrome Soft. On average, they were equal in distance off the tee with driver and long irons. Feel is where they differ as you would well imagine. The Chrome Soft is indeed softer, but it still has feel. The Chrome Soft compresses and has a satisfying acceleration off the face. It is not mushy, it is just quieter, and offers a bit less resistance. The Pro V1 is also soft, but it has a more pronounced, “pop” off the face of the driver. The sound is the big difference to me. The Pro V1 definitely makes my TaylorMade R1 ping more than the Chrome Soft. As I said earlier distance differences are negligible, I personally prefer the ball flight of the Chrome Soft, because it was just a bit lower and more penetrating.
Short game
This is where both of these balls earn their marks. When you think soft around the green and pro ball, most folks will name the Pro V1 as their top pick. The Chrome Soft, as it’s name says, is soft around the greens. Both balls check about the same, and I can spin both balls back with a wedge. Where there is the biggest difference between them is in their sound off the club. They both have a satisfying feel off a short wedge but the Pro V1 has a definite, “snap” sound you don’t get with the Chrome Soft. The Callaway, has more of a deeper crack, like someone cracking their large knuckles. Ouch, I know, but it is the closest thing to the sound.
I wanted to do some additional testing chipping with both balls, so after my round I hung around on the chipping green and hit a bunch. While the sound is just that, the Pro V1 feels a little lighter on the face, probably due to the harder nature of the ball. On the putting green, both balls have great alignment aides and both putt about the same. I did not feel a great deal of difference in how hard I had to hit one over the other. To me this is the one aspect where they are almost identical.
Final Verdict
Both balls are great choices for the better player.
Price
- The Chrome Soft is a more affordable ball, at $37 a dozen compared to the Pro V1 at $47 a dozen, advantage Chrome Soft.
Feel
- Overall I prefer the Chrome Soft to the Pro V1. It might sound surprising, but the overall feel of the ball is outstanding. Where the Chrome Soft outperforms the Pro V1 in in the middle to long irons. My 5 iron feels amazing from the fairway with the Chrome Soft. While the Pro V1 on an equally well struck ball, did not feel as smooth and just plain fast.
Distance
- For me this was a wash, both balls were equally long, and I don’t keep a different yardage book for each. That said, I do feel like I can hit the Chrome Soft just a little longer when I really catch one right.
Sound
- The Chrome Soft is quieter with the driver and putter. I like the sound of the Chrome Soft just a bit better.
Overall, I would recommend the Chrome Soft golf ball, over the Pro V1 and here is why. Price for performance. In the past, the Pro V1 was substantially different from other balls to warrant the higher price. Callaway has come a long way in the balls they make, and I have watched them get progressively better year in and year out. They have been on my best ball list for the last 4 years. The Chrome Soft is the first of the Callaway balls that is truly soft and performs as well as or better than, the Pro V 1 and other premium balls. Quite a feat for Callaway, and you can save $10 a dozen.
I say play ’em!
I have played both balls. as you stated, the chrome soft is quieter and softer but the perform about the same. The price is the difference so I play Chrmw soft because not only are they less expensive they last much longer. The pro v scars up quickly. Callaway gets played till I lose it
I agree totally! If someone gave me golf balls I’d take either one. Pro V or Chrome Soft. I do like the Truvis black and yellow too.
I also agree and love the Truvis black and yellow for focus and It is very identifiable on the coarse. You can really see how you are rolling it with the putter more than a solid ball. It’s worth the little bit of heckling from your golf buddy. I was able to adjust to it in just a couple of holes
let me start by saying…I am a Titleist guy through the entire bag, from my 917 D2 to my Newport 2.5 and have played titleist balls back to the balata days. With that said, I switched to the chrome soft when they came out and have compared ProV1 vs Chrome soft every year of changes. In the end you get the same performance, better feel, better durability and lower cost (avg 6 to 10 dollars a dozen) from the Chrome soft. I find that those who stick to ProV 1 are usually brand snobs and tend to have ego handicaps….