{"id":683533,"date":"2026-05-20T18:43:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T18:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/683533\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T18:43:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T18:43:12","slug":"this-callaway-golf-ball-was-the-real-star-of-the-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/683533\/","title":{"rendered":"This Callaway golf ball was the real star of the show"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to\u00a0Fully Fit 2026<\/a>, GOLF\u2019s new platform for providing you with real-golfer insights into what 2026 gear might be best suited for your game. To this end, we assembled six GOLF content creators of varying abilities and ran them through the gauntlet of six full-bag fittings (driver to putter!) at six major club manufacturers in Phoenix and Carlsbad, Calif. Our hope: that you might see shades of your own game in one of our panelists\u2019 and take some learnings and inspiration from their fitting experiences. In this installment (below), Johnny Wunder details the one golf ball that transformed his game this year, the Callaway Chrome Tour X. You may browse each of our panelists\u2019 full 2026 dream bags here:<\/p>\n

Jake Morrow (0 handicap)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Johnny Wunder (2)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Wadeh Maroun (2)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Jack Hirsh (2.4)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Maddi MacClurg (5.6)<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Sean Zak (7.8)<\/a><\/p>\n

MORE FULLY FIT:\u00a0Fully Fit hub page<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Why we\u2019re \u2018testing\u2019 golf clubs differently this year<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Inside 6 days of fittings and testing<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Browse 2026 drivers<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Browse 2026 irons<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0How 5 days of club fittings changed my mind on golf equipment<\/a><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been following along via my IG<\/a>, the Fully Equipped Podcast<\/a> or any other Fully Fit content<\/a>, you would know by now that the overall equipment market is so competitive that it\u2019s almost impossible to make a bad decision.<\/p>\n

In any category. <\/p>\n

Every company not only has \u201ctheir best\u201d but that \u201cbest\u201d goes all the way through the bag. YES, there are some parts where the volume isn\u2019t cranked up to a ten (some hybrids, a few iron sets, etc.), but overall it\u2019s probably the most competitive year in recent memory.<\/p>\n

However, for me, there was one piece of equipment that was substantially better than the rest: the Callaway Chrome Tour X <\/a> golf ball.<\/p>\n

Of everything I tested, put in play, loved, touted and evangelized, this ball has gotten the most smoke. Why? It was the only piece of equipment that, when introduced at a fitting, improved my performance numbers in a unique way. That\u2019s not just me, either; see for yourself in this video with Charles Howell III<\/a>. The results were laughable.<\/p>\n

I ran a test for myself off camera in most of my fittings, where at the end I would swap in the Chrome Tour X, and almost like Thanos snapping his fingers, the atmosphere would shift. Ball speed UP 2-4MPH, launch down 1-2 degrees, spin retention was better, dispersion tightened and gapping all of a sudden organized.<\/p>\n

Look, I\u2019m 49 years old, a 2-handicap, and in a line of work where I don\u2019t get blown away very often. This ball was the first time (in a long time) that a piece of equipment eliminated any need for more testing on anything else. In fittings, if a driver was close numbers-wise, I\u2019d pop in a CTX at the end, and the numbers went from good to \u201cMy God.\u201d<\/p>\n

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team.
\n If you buy a linked product,
\n GOLF.COM<\/a> may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.<\/p>\n

\"Callaway<\/p>\n

Callaway Chrome Tour X 2026 White Golf Balls<\/p>\n

Chrome Tour X is engineered for outstanding tour performance with new speed technology for players who want maximum speed and ultimate control, outstanding distance, workability, spin and tee-to-green performance. FAST: New Tour Fast Mantle The revolutionary new Tour Fast Mantle uses a material that increases distance through an optimized core\/layer system. CONSISTENT: Advanced Seamless Tour Aero Uniquely designed aerodynamic package is built for incredible distance and flight consistency on every shot. Precision Technology also ensures each technology is meticulously measured through industry-leading manufacturing, over 150 million proof points, to provide the ultimate in consistency. CONTROL: Tour Level Urethane Cover This high performance cover is developed for incredible feel and wedge control.<\/p>\n

View Product<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a quick example, and I won\u2019t name the other ball.<\/p>\n

Same session, warmed up, 10 balls each:<\/p>\n

Driver (other ball)
Ball Speed: 162.2 MPH
Launch: 13 degrees
Spin: 2087RPM<\/p>\n

Driver (CTX)
Ball Speed: 164.6 MPH
Launch: 11.2
Spin: 2346RPM <\/p>\n

7-iron @ 32 degrees (other ball)
Ball Speed: 121.9
Launch: 17.4
Spin: 6109RPM<\/p>\n

7-iron @ 32 degrees (CTX)
Ball Speed: 124.1
Launch: 16.1
Spin: 6456RPM<\/p>\n

This was just one recent example, and honestly, it was like this EVERYWHERE I went. What\u2019s even cooler is I can now start to look at iron sets that may be on the less forgiving side because CTX actually raised my ceiling and my floor at the same time. That just doesn\u2019t happen. Is it good off the range? On the course? Well, I\u2019ve played six rounds of golf this year, both in tournaments (yes, that\u2019s the truth). All rounds were in very windy conditions on hard, fast greens, and not once did I make a bogey or worse because of a lack of control in the wind: No floaters, no knuckle balls, nothing.<\/p>\n

Some may think I\u2019m biased because of my employment history\u2026 not the case. The moment I stepped away from Callaway in 2025, I went right into their No. 1 competitor\u2019s ball and had a good summer with it. The moment I put the new CTX back in the mix, I literally went from a 49-year-old trying for dear life to keep my ball speed in the low to mid-160s to now thinking that 170 MPH is literally at my fingertips.<\/p>\n

Give this a test. If you don\u2019t, you\u2019re not doing this right.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s that simple. <\/p>\n

Ready to overhaul your bag in 2026 like our Fully Fit panelists?\u00a0Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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