chrome is Callaway’s flagship golf ball franchise, so I’m betting the new Chrome Tour Triplet Diamond will get most of the attention once the curtain falls on all of their new golf ball releases.
But here’s a word to the wise for those of us who don’t possess “tournament-level” swing speed: Don’t sleep on Callaway’s new ERC Soft and Supersoft versions.
The mid-level three-piece ERC Soft and the entry-level two-piece Supersoft deserve their accolades and remain an integral part of Callaway’s efforts in the ball category.
ERC Soft
I bet Ely Reeves Callaway, the late founder and CEO of Callaway Golf, would be very proud to have his initials on the ERC Soft golf ball.
Why? Nothing was more intoxicating to him than the feeling of a well-struck golf shot.
Since it is positioned as a “full performance” product, Mr. Callaway, who played a fair game himself, would have loved ERC Soft.
Very long off the tee, the soft feel of this ball gives it a wide runway demographic of low to mid handicap players who may want to save a few bucks but still get some of those performance benefits as those of the high pyramid. Chrome products.
The impact of AI
Using a new artificial intelligence tool, Callaway’s golf ball team began compiling data as early as 2008 to build prototypes and an AI database to begin replicating initial designs. And they’ve taken full advantage of those millions of design iterations.
The first ERC Soft ball was launched in 2019. Starting its journey as a four-piece product, the ball had a double core just like the Chrome Soft X and was filled with a strong yet flexible nanoparticle material.
Remember Graphene?
Added to the outer core, Graphene allowed Callaway to make the inner core larger but also softer to generate more speed.
The original ERC Soft was positioned as a low-spin, high-velocity distance ball with one significant difference: greenside spin that rivaled urethane products.
Fast forward to 2025
Six years later, Callaway is calling this fourth-generation model “the best ERC Soft ever.”
That’s hardly a breakthrough – but the product benefits from a combination of a Hyper Elastic SoftFast core, a high-speed mantle layer and a “tournament-grade” build platform firmly positioned towards Chrome’s exclusiveness.
The ultimate game of it all: added distance and more feel and control around the green.
Features and benefits
Hyper elastic soft fast core
Continuing the first Hyper Elastic SoftFast core from 2023, Callaway has gone a little softer to improve green feel for those shorter touch shots.
Hybrid covers
Callaway prefers “hybrid” to “ionomer” for the cover description, but, by any label, this cover is noticeably softer than the previous generation.
How much softer? Try 16 percent.
This gave the team a geographic scope to build the ball for incredible distance and soft feel while maintaining a high degree of durability.
Covering clothing
Yes, Callaway has a layer on that hybrid cover.
Why? To add to ERC Soft’s roll control. It is a high extension paint called URETAN GRIP. The main benefit of the wear is increased control on approach and short game shots.
High speed mantle
This may be the most intriguing feature of this product. AI played a key role, of course.
The ERC Soft has a new high-modulus jacket that is three times stiffer than the 2023 version. When the ball is compressed, the jacket layer acts as a spring for faster ball speeds and more driver distance and irons, along with a high degree of wedge spin around the green.
These qualities often conflict with each other.
Triple track alignment
Callaway’s ERC Soft comes with the company’s popular Triple Track alignment. The visual appearance of the blue/red/blue side stamp helps players focus on the correct placement on the green.
oops! I almost forgot: Truvis is back!
Price and availability
ERC Soft will be released in four configurations:
- Triple track white and yellow
- Truvis high visibility white/blue and yellow/black
Retail is set for January 31, 2025
Price: $39.99 per dozen
Callaway Supersoft
One of the issues for the Callaway Supersoft franchise is the same one that plagues Titleist’s golf ball team when it comes to the Pro V1 and Pro V1x.
Consumers don’t want change.
In Supersoft’s case, recreational players play it because, well, they like it. And they like it a lot.
Since the low-compression ball strikes a good balance between affordability and reliable performance, loyal Supersoft users would prefer that the Callaway golf ball team take a loose approach.
Especially since it’s a golf ball that works on a number of levels.
If Callaway had done absolutely nothing but repackaged the Supersoft and added a color or two or turned it into a five-pack, Supersoft backers probably wouldn’t have noticed.
Don’t be afraid.
Not only is the price of Supersoft being kept under control, but its fans are getting more ball speed and a softer feel from advancements in the cover, core and construction.
HyperElastic SoftFast core
Callaway took a page right out of its ERC Soft playbook and used a HyperElastic SoftFast core for the next-gen Supersoft.
Why not, right? More speed for faster driver and iron speeds along with smooth greenside control.
Hybrid covers
Supersoft’s new Hybrid Cover System increases control on approach shots and short game shots.
Price and availability
Retail availability is set for January 31st.
The Callaway Supersoft will be available in the following configurations:
- White and yellow
- Matte red, green, pink and orange
- Splatter 360 red, blue and pink
Price: $24.99 (same as 2023 model)
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