“I’ve never seen a gold golf ball before.”
That’s what I heard from a playing partner the first time I teed up a Chromax ball during a round. I however had seen a gold ball, and silver, and pink and a number of other shiny (as well as sparkly) colors from Chromax golf a few months earlier during a round with friends.
They intrigued me enough to reach out to the company to learn more about them. Chromax was kind enough to send along some samples of their balls (yes FTC, they sent ‘em free), and upon opening the box up I was intent on putting their shiny/sparkly goodness to the test on the course - snarky comments from my golfing buddies be damned.
There are two types of Chromax balls, the M1 (what we refer to as the shiny one) and M2 (the more sparkly one). Both balls used to have a soft compression of 75 for slower swing speeds, which Chromax says worked well for many of what they say were their two largest buyers - women and seniors. However, Chromax says they are getting more men who say they love their ball, but didn’t like the softness, so they recently changed the compression of Metallic II to 90.
Let’s be honest though…a shiny (or sparkly!) golf ball? The idea is going to elicit snickers and ‘yeah right’ responses from many players. In fact I even hesitated a bit before putting one on the tee during a round. However, my willingness to put my machismo aside was rewarded with a striped 3 wood down the first fairway and a solid approach shot landing on the green within 10 feet of the pin.
“Crap, if I play a career round I’ll have to play these the rest of the year,” I remarked to my playing partner at the time.
Chromax states that one of the benefits of the ball is the ease of which you can spot them whether in flight, in the fairway, on the green or elsewhere.
That’s a fact. The gold ball I was playing glimmered like a beacon of hope as it waited in the fairway for me on that first hole and was more easily findable in the rough. Soon I had dubbed my new shiny friend, ‘Golden Boy’ in honor of (another) timeless Seinfeld reference.
Most ball reviews are pretty subjective. They’re often based on one persons opinion (like this one) and a number of factors can impact the review like the players ability, how well they played when using the ball – which may have nothing to do with the ball itself, and dozens of other possible variables.
So let’s put this in the proper context: I am not a great golfer. I am the stereotypical ‘average’ player which means I sport a mid to high teens handicap. I don’t crush it…I can’t spin it back (on purpose anyway) and I could probably play just as well with one ball off the rack as another.
That all said, I really enjoyed playing the Chromax for a number of reasons:
- Performance: I was hitting the ball well the day I played the Chromax but it didn’t balloon like some ’soft’ balls or careen off with huge bounces like some super distance balls may do, even when you hit the center of the green. In short it felt, and played, like a solid middle-of-the-road golf ball.
- FUN: Yes, it’s fun to whip something out like a shiny/sparkly gold ball on your playing partners. Of course, it’s more effective if you don’t cold top it after doing so, but regardless if you’re among friends it’s going to elicit some ribbing, razzing and fun banter in general.
- Vision: Marketing hype aside, one of the claims Chromax makes is for real – it IS easier to see many of these balls…the yellow/gold balls in particular. Sadly, on the 12th hole of the day my Golden Boy was lost. A poorly struck 3 wood on a par 5 sent him careening into a flower bed never to be seen again. Adieu my sweet golden boy…adieu.
If you want the Chromax balls though you’ll likely have to go online for them, though (according to the company) they are showing up more in pro shops around the country.
For traditionalists, the idea of putting a shiny/sparkly ball on the tee is likely so laughable they would start lizzing.
But, if you are playing in an event (e.g. a scramble seems especially useful if eveyrone uses a different color) or just are willing to have a little fun, while playing a ball that performs pretty solidly, why not put a little color in your game?
We say – give ‘em a shot.
Hack is a pen name for a marketing and media relations professional who enjoys blogging as a means to pursue his passion for his favorite sport – golf. He represents the yin to his collaborator’s yang. He doesn’t so much play golf, as the game plays him to his delight and likely demise. Follow his perspective on Twitter at @
If these Chromax balls are as dependable as Golden Boy, they’ll be in my bag next spring…
I could match these balls to what I’m wearing!
OEG…I think the sparkly blue is right up your alley. Your one eye will pick it up noooo problem.
As I was in the group when Hack teed these balls up, I admit I was skeptical and on the verge of cheesed. Nevertheless, Hack hit the Golden M1 REALLY REALLY well and I couldn’t say anything but: “nice balls, Hack.”
Rather than the pink cheese we’re used to seeing, the Chromax actually look pretty cool and they are indeed easier to find–especially this time of year with leaves.
I’m a fan and will try some.