I wanted a tour ball that is not a default. Chrome Soft versus Z-Star — I compared flight and greenside, not the staff bag.
The Callaway Chrome Soft and Srixon Z-Star sit a tier below the absolute top of premium ball pricing while delivering performance that competes directly with the category leaders. Both have loyal followings among golfers who want urethane-cover performance without always paying flagship Pro V1 or TP5 pricing. Here’s how they compare.
Callaway Chrome Soft
The Chrome Soft remains one of the softest-feeling balls in the premium urethane category. The Dual SoftFast Core construction pairs a low-compression inner core with a faster outer layer, producing a ball that compresses easily for moderate swing speeds while still generating strong ball speed off the driver. The result is a forgiving, soft-feeling ball that performs well across a wide range of swing speeds — not just fast swingers.
Around the greens, the Chrome Soft generates solid spin without being the highest-spinning ball in the category, which some players find easier to control on full wedge shots where excess spin can cause unwanted check-and-release behavior.
Price: ~$48/dozen
Srixon Z-Star
The Z-Star is Srixon’s tour-level offering, built with a thinner urethane cover and a more strategically layered core than the Z-Star XV (its lower-spin sibling). The Spin Skin coating on the cover is designed to increase friction at impact specifically on partial wedge shots, where a lot of amateur short game spin is lost.
The Z-Star plays firmer than the Chrome Soft — closer to a Pro V1 in overall feel — and produces strong, consistent spin from the fairway and rough alike. It’s a more traditional tour-ball feel than the Chrome Soft’s deliberately soft positioning.
Price: ~$45/dozen
Head to Head
Feel: Chrome Soft is noticeably softer. Z-Star is firmer and more traditional tour-ball feel.
Short game spin: Z-Star, particularly from partial wedge shots where the Spin Skin coating is designed to help.
Swing speed range: Chrome Soft performs well across a wider range, including moderate swing speeds. Z-Star rewards faster swingers more specifically.
Value: Both are priced below the flagship Pro V1/TP5 tier, with Z-Star slightly less expensive.
Best for: Chrome Soft for golfers who want the softest feel available at this price tier and play across a range of swing speeds. Z-Star for golfers who want tour-level wedge spin and a firmer, more traditional ball feel.
The Bottom Line
Both balls offer legitimate premium performance at a price below the very top tier. The decision is mostly about feel preference — Chrome Soft for softness and broad swing speed compatibility, Z-Star for wedge spin and firmer feedback. Worth testing both before committing to a full season supply.