When you watch Jon Rahm unleash his powerful, tour-proven swing, you might wonder what golf ball can possibly handle that blend of sheer force and delicate touch. The ball he trusts is the Callaway Chrome Soft X. This article will break down exactly why Rahm plays this ball, what makes it unique, and most importantly, guide you in figuring out if it could be the right choice for your own game.
Let’s get right to it. The golf ball Jon Rahm plays is the Callaway Chrome Soft X. When Rahm made his much-publicized equipment switch to Callaway at the beginning of 2021, the Chrome Soft X was a foundational piece of his new setup. This isn't just a ball he was given, it's a piece of equipment specifically chosen to complement his high-speed, aggressive style of play, from thunderous drives to precise, go-for-the-pin approach shots.
Playing a tour-level ball isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. The reason a phenomenal talent like Rahm chooses the Chrome Soft X comes down to a few specific performance characteristics that align perfectly with what he needs to compete at the highest level. From a coaching perspective, it’s a brilliant match of player and technology.
Jon Rahm is one of the most powerful players in modern golf. He creates tremendous clubhead speed, and to maximize that speed, he needs a golf ball that can convert that energy into ball speed without generating excessive spin off the tee. Too much driver spin for a high-speed player can lead to a "floaty" ball flight that climbs too high, loses distance, and gets batted around by the wind.
The Chrome Soft X is engineered with a Hyper Elastic SoftFast Core. Simply put, this core is designed to be highly resilient. When a player like Rahm compresses it at impact, it springs back with incredible energy, launching the ball with high velocity and relatively low spin. This is the secret for his cannon-like drives - it helps create a strong, penetrating flight that just keeps going.
Power off the tee is only one half of the equation for a player of Rahm’s caliber. Scoring well demands absolute precision with irons and wedges. This is where the outer layers of the golf ball come into play. The Callaway Chrome Soft X features a high-performance Tour Urethane Soft Cover. Urethane is the premium material for golf ball covers because of one primary reason: it's soft enough to get "grabbed" by the grooves of an iron or wedge.
This "grab" generates a high degree of spin on scoring shots. When Rahm attacks a tight pin with a 9-iron, he needs the ball to land, take one or two hops, and stop. When he's faced with a delicate chip from a tricky lie, he needs to know the ball will check up consistently. The urethane cover of the Chrome Soft X gives him that precise control and repeatable spin he relies on to be aggressive with his shot-making.
Professional golf is played in all kinds of weather, and performing in the wind is non-negotiable. Ball flight consistency is paramount. The Chrome Soft X utilizes Callaway's proprietary HEX Tour Aero dimple pattern. While all dimples are designed to create lift and reduce drag, the HEX pattern is engineered for a very stable and penetrating trajectory.
It helps the ball cut through the air with less turbulence, making it less susceptible to being pushed around by crosswinds or ballooning into a headwind. For Rahm, this means he can trust his numbers and shot shape, even when conditions are tough, giving him a massive advantage over players whose golf balls might be less stable in the air.
Feel is a subjective but incredibly important part of golf ball selection. The Chrome Soft X is noticeably firmer than its sibling, the standard Chrome Soft. This isn't a bad thing, in fact, it's what many high-speed players and low-handicap amateurs prefer. This firmer feel provides more direct feedback at impact.
With his irons, Rahm can sense exactly where he caught the ball on the face. On the greens, the firmer feel provides immediate feedback on the quality of his putting stroke and helps him gauge distance control more effectively. It’s a very responsive feel that communicates what the ball is doing, which is exactly what an elite player needs.
Understanding how the Chrome Soft X stacks up against other premium balls gives you better context for its performance.
This is the most common comparison, and it's a simple one to understand.
The Titleist Pro V1x is perhaps its most direct competitor. Both are considered the "X" models of their brand and share similar target audiences.
The difference often comes down to personal preference in feel and how the ball flies for an individual's swing. They are both top-tier options for the high-speed player.
Another excellent competitor, the TP5x is also a 5-piece ball designed for speed and control.
Again, choosing between them comes down to a ball fitting. An on-course test is the only authentic way to determine which ball's feel and flight characteristics best suit your eye and your swing dynamics.
My advice as a coach is always the same: just because the best players in the world use a certain piece of equipment doesn't automatically make it right for you. Your goal is to find the ball that optimizes your game, not Jon Rahm's. Here's how to figure out if the Chrome Soft X is a good fit.
Reading about golf balls is great for getting a shortlist, but the only way to find your perfect ball is to test it. Go buy a sleeve of Chrome Soft X and a sleeve of another ball you are considering (like the Pro V1, standard Chrome Soft, or your current gamer). Go to the course and do a direct comparison. Hit both balls from the tee, for approach shots, and for chips and putts. Ask yourself:
The answer will become apparent when you see it perform in real situations.
Jon Rahm plays the Callaway Chrome Soft X because it is a masterful piece of engineering for the high-speed player who demands a combination of distance, feel, and uncompromising control. Its design provides a stable, piercing flight off the tee and the grab he needs to attack pins with his scoring clubs.
Deciding if that powerful performance is right for you requires an honest assessment of your own game and, ultimately, some on-course testing. Knowing which ball truly improves your scores versus just feeling good can be tricky. This is exactly why we created , our app can help you track your performance and provides the analysis to see which ball is actually saving you strokes. We want to remove the guesswork, letting you know for certain that the ball in your bag is the best one for your game.
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