Regardless of whether you put their balls into play, it would be foolish to diminish the effort Callaway puts into innovation in the golf ball space. They’ve come a long, long way in a short time. Making inroads in this market segment is insanely difficult, and many of the David’s have settled for battling amongst themselves instead of toppling Goliath. Still, great products with great messaging succeed more often than not, and Callaway’s 2024 Chrome Tour line looks promising.
Though Chrome Soft, and its variations, has been a strong performer for the company, Tour feedback inspired Callaway to embark on a bold “cover to core” transformation of their premium golf ball line in 2024. Most evident is the lack of the word “Soft” in either of the two flagship lines’ names. Yes, Chrome Soft does still exist, but it’s a variation of the Chrome Tour Line, or possibly even an alternative to it, rather than the other way around. This is a big deal. “The Ball that Changed the Ball” has become synonymous with what we know about Callaway golf balls, and this change indicates the company is ready to make their next big step forward.
While companies regularly emphasize one or two improvements to their golf ball lines in a given year, all indications make it seem like the Chrome Tour is a completely new ball altogether. Just look at what Callaway is saying here: New core, new inner mantle, new outer mantle, new cover formulation, new aerodynamics, new player number and side stamp, and finally a new, more unform paint application process. With all these changes, the company is leveraging highly advanced technology at every point in the design and manufacturing process. While it seems AI weariness may be setting in with some consumers, its application in things like aerodynamics has opened up possibilities that weren’t available even a few years ago.
Key Innovations
Hyper Fast Soft Core
Central to the Chrome Tour line (see what I did there?) is an all-new, Hyper Fast Soft Core. The hyperbolic name aside, this entirely new rubber system is designed to deliver more speed, and it succeeds at that according to figures provided by Callaway. The goal is for every layer to be compressed on every full shot, promoting ideal spin rates through the bag while providing all-important feel.
However, at its core (there I go again), the Hyper Fast Soft Core is there to provide ball speed, and even more specifically, driver ball speed. The new base polymer and other ingredients give Chrome Tour more ball speed for all three new products. With feel being as important as it is to the world’s most elite players, the key was maximizing this speed at a preferred or desired compression level.
Seamless Tour Aero
Seamless Tour Aero is, again, a complete reimagination of the Callaway golf balls’ aerodynamic properties. Each ball has been given a unique aerodynamic pattern that matches the individual launch properties of each ball to optimize ball flight.
What Callaway learned from observing Tour staff was that if a ball’s launch conditions (imparted by the aerodynamic properties of the dimples) didn’t fit into ideal flight windows for the type of ball they played, players would start manipulating launch conditions or making non-ideal adjustments. A simple example of that would be a player choosing a ball that offered too little spin with their irons just to hit their ideal launch window with driver.
Callaway developed an in-house Computational Fluid Dynamics tool (the picture above shows it in action) that not only enabled their engineers to visualize airflow around the entirety of the ball, but also down to each individual dimple. This also allows the company to visualize aerodynamics for the entirety of the ball’s flight, from the highest speeds at impact to the eventual slowing that occurs near landing.
This led to an industry-first dimple pattern that combines Callaway’s familiar Hex design with discretely placed round dimples. It provides flight stability from start to finish, unique to each ball for a variety of conditions. Callaway also leveraged their partnership with Top Golf for technology that allows them to accurately track the entirety of the balls’ flight in real-world conditions, validating lab results with over 10,000 shots.
High Performance Tour Urethane Soft Cover
Key to improved spin and feel is the all-new High Performance Tour Urethane Cover, which Callaway says is not only their softest-ever cover formulation but is also softer than what their main competitors are producing.
The company had to figure out how to take advantages of the benefits a softer cover provides, increased and more consistent spin, for example, while maintaining low driver spin. Feedback from Tour staff has been positive, with comments centering around the new cover’s softer feel, lower launch, and increased spin on wedge shots. This benefit trickles down to iron swings as well, as more surface contact results in more consistent spin rates from swing to swing, dialing in both distance control and lateral dispersion.
All these technologies roll into Callaway’s concept of Precision Technology and their desire to offer the most consistency possible with each golf shot.
Chrome Tour Review
Simply put, Chrome Tour is the face of the 2024 Callaway line. It’s designed for the better player that likes a slightly softer feel. It has roots in a Tour-only prototype that Callaway describes as a “softer, more penetrating-flight version of the Chrome Soft X”. If we are simplifying what the Chrome Tour is, that description gets pretty close, though it doesn’t bring the speed gains into the discussion. Callaway found that many Tour players valued softer feel around the green and a more penetrating flight than what the Chrome Soft X offered, and they wanted to fill that hole in the market.
With a universal desire to be both faster and longer, Callaway’s data indicates they’ve managed to succeed at besting their competitors on paper. The Chrome Tour approaches Chrome Soft X levels of speed, with a softer feel and flatter ball flight.
Chrome Tour X
Chrome Tour X is both Callaway’s fastest golf ball and highest spinning option. Though it carries forward the ideas that made Chrome Soft X so popular, the new core design enabled Callaway to best the driver ball speeds seen from what they claim was already the fastest ball on Tour. They believe that in addition to the performance benefits, knowing you are playing the fastest ball on the market is the ultimate confidence builder.
In addition to the tangible speed gains, Callaway is reporting that the new cover and overall formulation of the Chrome Tour X led to a noticeable gain in greenside spin. Using the 50 yard wedge shot as a metric, they are reporting over 300 rpm more spin than their nearest competitors.
Chrome Soft
Callaway’s goal with the Chrome Soft was take one of their most loved products, primarily designed for “aspirational” players, and improve it without taking away any of the things that made it so popular to begin with. While the speed gains they report aren’t as overtly impressive as what we’ve seen with Chrome Tour and Chrome Tour X, Chrome soft still manages to lead its segment.
Callaway looked towards Seamless Tour Aero to optimize distance with the Chrome Soft. By raising peak height, they managed to not only increase carry distance, but optimize the flight characteristics to provide more total distance. It should maintain the same low spin with driver as previous generations, with a slightly higher peak height.
Color Options and Visual Technology
It would be hard to dispute the notion that Callaway leads the industry in Visual Technology options. They offer a robust number of choices, ranging from standard white, to 360 Triple Track, to TruTrack, and finally the still-popular Truvis. In addition to the options seen above for the Chrome Tour line, Callaway will be introducing a couple new visual options to their lower-priced lines. ERC Soft will be available with what they are calling 360 Fade and SuperSoft will have a Splatter 360 option in 2024. SuperSoft will also be featured in a number of special edition designs throughout the year that will be worth keeping an eye out for.
Details
Callaway summarizes their Chrome Tour line by saying, “From cover to core, Chrome Tour is the new gold standard Tour ball for better players who want the best in distance and feel. Every detail has been optimized including a new core, inner mantle, outer mantle, and cover formulation. Chrome Tour is engineered for outstanding performance with exceptional speed, consistent flight, incredible spin, and greenside control.”
Make sure to follow along on the THP forums in the coming weeks as our forum members and participants in the 2023 Grandaddy, amateur golf’s greatest event, will have feedback to share.
- MSRP $54.99/dozen
- Available 2/2/2024
- More information at www.callawaygolf.com
[QUOTE=”benefactor, post: 12310394, member: 78738″]
Were you responding to me?
[/QUOTE]
No the copy and paste didn’t work how I thought it would. Was trying to post that the USA Truvis balls are now available for the Chrome Tour line.
I looked around and didn’t see anywhere that was selling the non-Triple Track Chrome Tour.
Played last weekend in some pretty strong winds here in MA. They were 15-20 and gusting higher. The front 9 was either with or against the wind. The back 9 had some crosswinds. I have my Arccos calculating the wind with club selection. I was about one club longer than the Arccos rec into the wind (which was about one club shorter than my normal in calm conditions). Case in point, I was going into the wind on a par 3, 147 to the pin. Normally I hit a 9 iron but decided to hit 8 and it flew the green.
The crosswinds didn’t seem to bother the ball much, maybe a touch shorter. I only was hitting full high shots with my driver, so I can’t say how my high fade with hold up with irons into the wind.
I’ll be putting these in play at a local course Sunday morning so I should be able to provide some feedback on a familiar track
I’m committed to a TT or a line on a ball but still need to learn to trust the line. I tend to adjust when standing over the ball.
I’ve also recently played both the CT and CTX. I really could go either way and be happy. At some level that makes me want to play the CTX. I’m not losing anything with ball striking, and the bit of extra greenside spin can be helpful. Once I run through the first dozen CT, I will pick up a dozen of CTX.
[QUOTE=”GoldenBuff, post: 12310890, member: 25892″]
I’m committed to a TT or a line on a ball but still need to learn to trust the line. I tend to adjust when standing over the ball.
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If I’m over the ball and feel It’s not aligned where I want it, I step back and adjust the ball, or make sure it’s aligned where I want it. Then commit. You lose so much of the value of using a line if you don’t trust it.
[QUOTE=”GoldenBuff, post: 12310890, member: 25892″]
I’m committed to a TT or a line on a ball but still need to learn to trust the line. I tend to adjust when standing over the ball.
I’ve also recently played both the CT and CTX. I really could go either way and be happy. At some level that makes me want to play the CTX. I’m not losing anything with ball striking, and the bit of extra greenside spin can be helpful. Once I run through the first dozen CT, I will pick up a dozen of CTX.
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That is about how I am between CS and CT. I can really play either one and there are things I like about both of them.
[QUOTE=”dozer933, post: 12310912, member: 78306″]
If I’m over the ball and feel It’s not aligned where I want it, I step back and adjust the ball, or make sure it’s aligned where I want it. Then commit. You lose so much of the value of using a line if you don’t trust it.
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That’s a good process. I think will start doing that.
All 18 today with the same Chrome Tour. I really like the ball but it seems like I’m leaving some distance on the table still. Could be the weather and the early season so I’ll finish out the rest of the box before trying the CTX
[QUOTE=”oumagic, post: 12310929, member: 52535″]
That is about how I am between CS and CT. I can really play either one and there are things I like about both of them.
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Totally me with the CS and CT. I committed to the CSTT on a B3G4 deal, but could just as easily gone CT.
I played the CSTT today, 15-20 mph winds most of the round. I think the CS is a really good ball in the wind, it cuts through without ballooning and doesn’t get blown around as much as some others I’ve played. I went up 2 clubs on a par 3 tee shot straight into the wind and was surprised when I ended up over the back of the green, the ball cut through the wind a little better than I expected it to!
[QUOTE=”Wonger, post: 12311540, member: 74038″]
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TruTrack America!
[ATTACH type=”full” alt=”IMG_1811.jpeg”]9260979[/ATTACH]
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[IMG alt=”American Wrestling GIF”]https://media0.giphy.com/media/uKwa2KiBA0rTy/200.gif[/IMG]
[QUOTE=”benefactor, post: 12310231, member: 78738″]
Is there still anywhere with the buy 3 get 1 without the triple track?
[/QUOTE]
Only saw them with TT again this year.
As previously mentioned I’m not a huge fan of a lot on my golf balls so I tend to stay away from the triple track balls. When I went into buy this last dozen to play some more with there were 0 Tru Track options in white and only 1 solid White ball which I grabbed lol. There were a lot of the Triple Track balls left though at our PGA Super Store.
[QUOTE=”MtlJeff, post: 12312450, member: 68350″]
I finally got to play outdoors with these balls for a couple of rounds.
Was very impressed with the CTx feel with irons and putter. This was basically what i was worried about as normally i’m not a huge fan of the feel of X balls. I have forged irons, and the CTx is pretty sweet off the face. Certainly no problems
Off the putter, also pretty nice.
I hit a couple of monster drives today that were pretty towering , and a couple of 7 irons that i feel also had a very nice trajectory. So far i’m really liking this ball in the real world
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I have a box of BX, CT and CTX to test against my trusted Pro V1x. In my mind, I believe CTX will be the only ball that will rival V1x. The new aero package really has my interest since I’m never playing in still conditions.
[QUOTE=”e1iterate, post: 12312009, member: 21958″]
As previously mentioned I’m not a huge fan of a lot on my golf balls so I tend to stay away from the triple track balls. When I went into buy this last dozen to play some more with there were 0 Tru Track options in white and only 1 solid White ball which I grabbed lol. There were a lot of the Triple Track balls left though at our PGA Super Store.
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Give your local places some feedback on that. A lot of ordering is based on some screwy numbers and sometimes the only way they change is with some customer input.
Hit the PGASS up today and they still had a few packs of the buy 3 get 1 in the CTX TT. I snagged another should be set for a while now.
[QUOTE=”OldandStiff, post: 12313171, member: 53737″]
Give your local places some feedback on that. A lot of ordering is based on some screwy numbers and sometimes the only way they change is with some customer input.
[/QUOTE]
I went back yesterday and they had the full offering. May have just been a timing thing when I stopped by the first time.
CT in play today
[ATTACH type=”full”]9261307[/ATTACH]
Look forward to giving the CT some action this week.
I usually play with a softer ball, as [USER=21072]@KY Golfer[/USER] can attest to in alternate shot. But liked the firmer feel of his ProV1 as well. Gonna give the WWGC CT’s the start on Friday and Sunday.
I’ll put the Chrome Tour straight into play tomorrow. I’ll play rounds with all three in the coming weeks to get a feel for them on the course conditions.
18 today with the CT in pretty breezy conditions. The ball did great. I really like the feel off the face. Especially with the putter
Some really firm greens that will be aerated on Tuesday weren’t the most receptive but I was able to hold greens nicely with some fairly long shots. So much to love about this ball. I gave a sleeve to the guys to split and try out… Doing the good work. 😎
Ordered a dozen CT USA TruTrack. Will be my first look at TruTrack, probably gaming them at Ballyhack
Played 18 Saturday with CT and this ball continues to just be ridiculous for me. The action I get on the ball has been off the charts good. Course I played had 5 Par 3s and 3 Par 5s and man did I take advantage of the par 3s. 2 birdies 3 pars and 1 very very close to HIO… Downhill tee shot playing 140, hit a full PW about 15’ right over the flag. Green was 2 tier and hit the up slope and spun it back and right over the hole… hit the cup and popped straight up and stopped about 1’ away. The ball is just soooo good and feels amazing!
Yesterday I played in probably the toughest conditions with course and wind conditions combined. The wind was a constant 15ish mph with gusts up to 20-25. The CTX continues to impress me and I’m getting more and more confident with it hitting into a head wind. One situation I was 160 out, which is a 9 iron for me. I pull 8, feeling it’s a club longer wind, I fly the green. Drop another ball, hit 9, just short of the pin on the green.
Another was on a par 3, playing 197 and into a good wind. This yardage is right in the middle of my 6iron range and I bet it went 203 for a 2 putt par.
Cross winds are still really a non factor with this ball. This ball is going to be in play for a very long time.
I wasn’t very good today ? But the CT held its distances and line in the wind very well. I didn’t adjust a single iron shot for the wind to see how it does. And the results were really good. Maybe 1-3m to any direction even on full swing wedge shots. Didn’t notice any effect on drives.
Put the chrome tour in play again yesterday. Greens are finally starting to heal up from Spring punch with minor effects on the ball rolling and such. Greens were super soft though.
That said, I did not have my best ball striking day but managed to still score ok. It’s wild how that happens. I still enjoy the feel, sound and distance I get with the CT. I’m going to continue to tinker with it but it was good to see that even being a little off that I was able to still score well with this ball.
[QUOTE=”e1iterate, post: 12315517, member: 21958″]
Put the chrome tour in play again yesterday. Greens are finally starting to heal up from Spring punch with minor effects on the ball rolling and such. Greens were super soft though.
That said, I did not have my best ball striking day but managed to still score ok. It’s wild how that happens. I still enjoy the feel, sound and distance I get with the CT. I’m going to continue to tinker with it but it was good to see that even being a little off that I was able to still score well with this ball.
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Did the CT perform better for you with a type of swing issue? Or did you just have one miss all day? I’ve seen it work very well for me for thinned shots (still gets decent launch and spin) but fat shots, I’m not sure there’s a ball in the world that can help my swing!
[QUOTE=”Bryndom, post: 12315537, member: 53516″]
Did the CT perform better for you with a type of swing issue? Or did you just have one miss all day? I’ve seen it work very well for me for thinned shots (still gets decent launch and spin) but fat shots, I’m not sure there’s a ball in the world that can help my swing!
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There were a couple of thinner type shots that went long but held greens just fine. Outside of that, I was getting a little ahead yesterday causing this push cut all day long. I was able to keep it in play all day and only had one lost ball on the day.
I’m a believer in Chrome Tour. Great distance, plenty of spin on approach, even for me. Wildly minimal wind effect, especially into the wind. Need to not club up as much as with the previous CSX.
[QUOTE=”captaincaution, post: 12315863, member: 20606″]
I’m a believer in Chrome Tour. Great distance, plenty of spin on approach, even for me. [B][U][I]Wildly minimal wind effect[/I][/U][/B], especially into the wind. Need to not club up as much as with the previous CSX.
[/QUOTE]
This is the part that excites me the most, the fact that it barely reacts to the wind. Especially as windy as it’s been here early season. No ballooning or getting caught up in the wind. It’s been a welcomed revelation since switching.
[QUOTE=”jlew, post: 12315915, member: 40346″]
This is the part that excites me the most, the fact that it barely reacts to the wind. Especially as windy as it’s been here early season. No ballooning or getting caught up in the wind. It’s been a welcomed revelation since switching.
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The last two rounds I almost flew over one particular par 3 green to front and middle pins because I was taking too much club. Going one club shorter will be a welcome adjustment.
I know there have been a few posts about these, but I wanted to share the close up from my IG feed. Love these and just need to decide on CT or CS to grab some. I might buy both [ATTACH type=”full”]9261809[/ATTACH]
[QUOTE=”oumagic, post: 12317435, member: 52535″]
I know there have been a few posts about these, but I wanted to share the close up from my IG feed. Love these and just need to decide on CT or CS to grab some. I might buy both [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”IMG_0544.png”]9261809[/ATTACH]
[/QUOTE]
I’m gonna have to pick up a dozen of the CT USA!
Played the CT yesterday and it has a surprising amount of spin around the greens. Also still just love the feel/ sound of the CT over the CTX and other competitors. That is one thing that will make me stick with the CT for awhile!
Played CT on Sunday in cool windy conditions. This ball seems to ignore the wind especially when the wind is into or across. I found the higher launch coupled with lower spin off my mid irons to be troubling for distance control but this was my first time playing the CT so I know in time I could adjust. I was impress how quickly the ball stopped; it just went 1/2 to 3/4 of a club longer than my game ball. The short game spin was surprisingly good. Definitely going to try CTX to see if mid iron spin helps distance control.
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Little light video this morning with Mr. Finley
Played a couple Chrome Soft and a couple Chrome Tour this weekend, ending up leaving them in the woods as lost offerings to the golf gods.
The biggest takeaway? In windy conditions, with terrible greens, I cannot tell any performance difference between the two. Even feel off the putter, no clue (it was so windy and uncomfortable, difficult to make observations).
Perhaps the biggest thing was on approach shots, feeling like I could really be more aggressive at pins using the higher end balls, and trusting that the ball will do it’s share of the work to keep me close.
Playing partner was using last year’s TruTrack that I gave him for Christmas. Man I still love the look of TruTrack so so much.
I have serious interest in trying the Chrome Tour X. The Chrome Tour is real good but I keep finding myself going back to the Chrome Soft X. I need to try the CTX
It’s been interesting to watch Xander as a former LS guy transition to the X. He started with the Chrome Tour this year but moved away from it, and his ball and clubs combinations stands out a bit now to me. The other guy I keep an eye on for equipment stuff plays different ball brand so I can’t really gather much from that on these. And it’s been interesting to see how it’s all playing out on course for Xander.
I alternated back and forth yesterday between Chrome Tour and Chrome Soft during my round. This has been an ongoing battle for me since December, and neither ball will jump clearly ahead and declare itself the winner for me. They both perform well and either one could easily be my #1 ball, with only very slight adjustment needed for the minor differences in greenside performance.
I hope to get the Chrome Tour out this Friday to try out!
M
[QUOTE=”oumagic, post: 12317435, member: 52535″]
I know there have been a few posts about these, but I wanted to share the close up from my IG feed. Love these and just need to decide on CT or CS to grab some. I might buy both [ATTACH type=”full” alt=”IMG_0544.png”]9261809[/ATTACH]
[/QUOTE]
My wife might murder me if more golf balls show up at the house
[QUOTE=”Jeff Spicoli, post: 12319348, member: 10545″]
M
My wife might murder me if more golf balls show up at the house
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I feel your pain.
[QUOTE=”ttucliffhanger, post: 12319356, member: 40538″]
I feel your pain.
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There a massive pile of Chrome Tour sleeves in the mudroom, which I’ve been asked to move because it’s an eyesore. Some people just don’t understand interior design.
[QUOTE=”BigMac, post: 12319254, member: 3386″]
I alternated back and forth yesterday between Chrome Tour and Chrome Soft during my round. This has been an ongoing battle for me since December, and neither ball will jump clearly ahead and declare itself the winner for me. They both perform well and either one could easily be my #1 ball, with only very slight adjustment needed for the minor differences in greenside performance.
[/QUOTE]
Can you compare and contrast at all?
Kinda want to try something with the Tru Track.
What are folks thought about CS v. CT?
[QUOTE=”BigMac, post: 12319254, member: 3386″]
I alternated back and forth yesterday between Chrome Tour and Chrome Soft during my round. This has been an ongoing battle for me since December, and neither ball will jump clearly ahead and declare itself the winner for me. They both perform well and either one could easily be my #1 ball, with only very slight adjustment needed for the minor differences in greenside performance.
[/QUOTE]
I am really hoping one or the other stands out for me once the weather improves. Well, hopefully before I run out of the four dozen total I have, I would like an idea of what I want to play full time.
[QUOTE=”Just_Brad, post: 12320557, member: 9473″]
I am really hoping one or the other stands out for me once the weather improves. Well, hopefully before I run out of the four dozen total I have, I would like an idea of what I want to play full time.
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I bought 4 dozen CS on the B3G1, but I still have a dozen and a half or so CT left to do battle with them along the way. I also have the better part of a dozen CS TruTracks, and I’m really liking the design on those. I like TruTrack better than either Truvis or Triple Track.
The beauty of it is that I really don’t care which ball I end up with full time, I like both of them and could easily just let chaos reign and never decide on one or the other. :LOL:
Another day out with the Chrome Tour ball and another day I’ve come away impressed and happy this is my ball for the year. Let’s focus on shots into the green for this post. We played a course yesterday where the greens are running at a 13+, to the point I feel putting on a hardwood floor would be easier of the two. I had multiple approach shots with wedges in hand from 60-90 yards and I was blown away. The others in the group, let’s say other two, weee playing a non CT ball couldn’t keep their shots on the putting surface or once the ball landed on the green they would keep on running.
My first shot was 65yds into a pin on an upper shelf about 10 paces on with a run off 7’ in front of the pin. My shot landed pin high, took one hop and spun back to the pitch mark leaving me a 6’ birdie putt. Which I missed.
The second was 85 yds into the green where I was focused on using the slope to pull the ball back to the hole. Well my shot landed on the slope a just stayed right next to the pitch mark. The group was like no way that stays on that slope with another ball. Good or bad it shows how much spin and gripping the CT line has.
Finally got a chance to play on a “calm” night where the wind wasn’t blowing 15-20 mph and the CT was still a rockstar.
I tested it’s durability last night hitting a couple off the cart path (really a gravel path) and I didn’t see any abnormal wear on the ball at all. Maybe it just landed right, but there really wasn’t a scratch on it which surprised the daylights out of me.
Not putting really well right now, but still love the feel off the face of the putter.