Updated June 6, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
Two of the best golf balls on the market from two of our most respected golf ball manufacturers clash in our head-to-head comparison of the dynamic TaylorMade Project (a) and the Callaway Chrome Soft.
Both of these tour-grade golf balls offer low long game spin, soft short game play, and extra distance.
We’ll take a look at what makes each work for your game, allowing you to make the ultimate decision on which golf ball can ultimately help you lower your scores.
Last updated on 2024-04-17. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
TaylorMade Project A vs Callaway Chrome Soft: Our Detailed Comparison
TaylorMade Project (a)
Best Budget Golf Ball
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PROS
- Impressive spin for three-piece golf ball
- Dual-Distance Core lowers driver and long iron spin
- 322 dimple pattern reduces drag for straighter ball flight
- Great feel around the greens with shot-stopping power
The TaylorMade Project (a) offers a solid, well-made three-piece ball for golfers interested in a reliable mid-priced golf ball.
For golfers with mid-range swing speeds, the Project (a) maintains shot speed and extends the distance routinely associated with higher end golf equipment.
Off the tee box, it offers lower spin with the driver. It does not hold the same shot dispersion tightness vs Callaway Chrome Soft, but both golf balls won’t disappoint in that area.
With irons, the Project (a) delivers the distance needed to save pars, especially with high swing speeds.
Offering an ultra-thin urethane layer, the Project (a) offers exciting spin around the greens, while maintaining low spin off the tee and with the short irons. For maximum spin control, the Project (a) delivers exciting performance from inside 150 yards.
Great for high and mid handicappers, the TaylorMade Project (a) remains one of the best of the mid-range golf ball market.
Callaway Chrome Soft
Best Golf Ball for Beginners
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PROS
- Consistent shot speed with reliable results
- Dual SoftFast Core creates more spin for your short game
- Exceptional feel from anywhere on the course
- Low piercing ball flight with tight shot dispersion
A tour-grade golf ball in every aspect, the Callaway Chrome Soft offers advanced golfers premium workability. With a thin first-rate urethane cover, the Callaway ball creates unreal spin, great for golfers that enjoy playing their wedges.
Ideal for low handicappers, the Callaway golf ball will increase the normal distance of your golf clubs for any golfer.
For golfers with high swing speeds, the Chrome Soft offers penetrating ball flight with reduced drag that creates staggering distance with each drive. Along with low spin, the Callaway ball dramatically improves the golfer’s game off the tee box.
Players struggling with their feel will find that Callaway’s top ball is not only one of the softest feeling balls they’ve ever played but among the best on the golf ball market.
Although TaylorMade golf balls are considered among the best, the Callaway Chrome Soft cannot be beaten when compared to the TaylorMade Project (a).
TaylorMade Project A vs Callaway Chrome Soft: Features Face to Face
Performance
When you look at all facets of the game, from distance to greenside control, the Callaway Chrome Soft golf ball is the standout winner. With low penetrating ball flight, the Chrome Soft works well for any swing speed.
Tailored made for low handicappers, the Callaway ball explodes off the face of the golf club with control and workability. Although it is the higher priced model, the Chrome Soft provides the performance that can take a golfer’s game to the next level.
Although some may consider the Project (a) a slightly softer ball, the three-layer golf ball doesn’t offer the sophistication and complexity of the Callaway model.
Winner: Callaway Chrome Soft
Price
TaylorMade’s ball comes at a much lower price than its Callaway competition. The reduced price comes with a few caveats, including that the Project (a) ball is only a three-piece, while the Chrome Soft has five layers.
The difference between the two balls relies heavily on the quality. The TaylorMade ball is considered to be a mid-range golf ball, while the Callaway ball remains one of the best tour-level golf balls on the market today.
Made for low handicap golfers, the Chrome Soft carries the larger price, but its performance makes up the gap between the two golf balls.
Winner: TaylorMade Project (a)
Construction
When you look at the five-layer construction of the Chrome Soft, it is hard to beat when compared to the three-layer Project (a).
The Chrome Soft’s Dual SoftFast Core focuses on the energetic center for golfers with high swing speeds, delivering exceptional burst off the face of the golf club.
Much like the Titleist Pro V1, the Chrome Soft offers reliable consistency along with the additional ball speed that advanced golfers need for their game.
For a three-piece golf ball, the Project (a)’s construction minimizes long game spin, and helps provide solid spin control.
Winner: Callaway Chrome Soft
Feel
When evaluating the feel of each soft golf ball, whether it be with the driver or on iron shots, you hope for a smooth response, regardless of the speed of the swing.
The TaylorMade Project (a) provides substantial feel from the fairway or near the green, great for mid and high handicappers.
With a wedge, the feel of both golf balls delivers a nice response with high spin rates. For tour grade balls, like the Callaway model, the feel should be pronounced on each swing, and with the Callaway ball, we can happily say that you’ll love the immediate feedback at impact.
Winner: Callaway Chrome Soft
Greenside Control
From just off the green, both golf balls feature soft feel. For a tour grade golf ball, the Chrome Soft offers dynamic spin, via the high-grade urethane cover, with shot-stopping power from inside 50 yards.
For advanced players, very few golf balls, outside of the Pro V1, work harder to get the ball close to the cup.
From the rough and sand, the TaylorMade golf ball offers impressive results. While it might not stop on the putting surface as quickly as the Chrome Soft with its ultra-thin urethane cover, the Project (a) works well with mid-ranged golf clubs.
Winner: Callaway Chrome Soft
Spin
From the fairway, the TaylorMade ball provides solid spin rates, especially for golfers with slower swing speeds. But as nice as the Project (a) performs from the short grass, the Chrome Soft remains one of the most dynamic balls to hit into the green.
Along with being one of the softest feeling balls on the market, the Callaway ball offers that dependable flight that golfers crave, making it easier to nestle the ball close to the pin.
While the Chrome Soft offers more spin over the TaylorMade ball, for the budget-conscious player, the Project (a) won’t punish your game.
Winner: Callaway Chrome Soft
Stand Out Features
Callaway Chrome Soft’s High Speed Mantle System
The ball’s High Speed Mantle System surrounds the Dual SoftFast Core creating better reliability on shot after shot. Along with the additional spin, the speed of each shot extends carry for increased distance.
With multi-layer golf balls, like the Callaway model, the additional internal layers around the core help produce the feel, spin, and performance that dazzle golfers.
The ball’s mantle system ranks among the best we’ve ever seen, delivering that crisp contact and reliable shot shape the Callaway ball is known for among professionals.
Callaway Chrome Soft’s Thin Urethane Cover
When evaluating the TaylorMade Project (a) vs Callaway Chrome Soft, each ball offers a thinner outer layer, but the urethane cover on the Chrome Soft provides the softness and remarkable feel that makes it a first-rate elite ball.
On full shots, the cover helps minimize side spin, reducing the penalty of slices and hooks.
For entry shots into the green, the Chrome Soft’s cover produces workability that enables subtle draws and fades that work around obstacles to help place the ball in the intended spot on the putting surface.
TaylorMade Project (a)’s LDP 322 Dimple Pattern
The ball’s dimple pattern minimizes drag, helping golfers extend the length of their drives and shots from the fairway. Without the resistance, the ball works extremely hard to get every yard it can from the face of the club.
The aerodynamic pattern also helps create exciting exit velocity, great for golfers struggling with their length off the tee and want more yardage from a softer golf ball.
Another aspect that makes the Project (a) stand out is the urethane outer layer. Most golf balls in this category use suryln, but the addition of urethane helps produce the high spin and long flight that golfers want from their golf ball.
TaylorMade Project (a)’s Dual-Distance Core
Although the Project (a) could be considered a soft ball, the Dual-Distance Core creates the feel and response that mid handicappers need in their short game.
Especially for golfers with slower swing speeds, the Project (a) produces high arcing flight that lands softly with precision.
The core also minimizes spin off the tee box, keeping the ball in the fairway, a huge benefit for mid and high handicappers. Great from the fairway, the ball’s core also helps around the greens with pitch and chip shots.
Which is Better?
TaylorMade’s Project (a) is a great mid-priced ball, excelling at soft feel and greenside control. While it might not be considered among the best tour grade balls, the Project (a) offers average golfers a solid option that won’t break the budget
Use a Project (a) if:
- You are looking for an exceptional greenside control golf ball
- You want short game spin with extra distance
- You need a softer golf ball that offers more feel and response
- Soft cast Soft Tech urethane cover for more control with all irons and wedges
- New Dual-Distance Core design features a larger, softer inner core to reduce spin and improving feel
- Stiffer outer core increased velocity and rebound
- Sub 70 compression rating for incredibly soft feel
- New 322 dimple pattern for less drag
Last updated on 2024-04-17. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Callaway’s Chrome Soft offers elite performance for faster swing speeds, along with low spin off the tee box. Offering tight shot dispersion into the green, the Callaway ball ranks high on the list of top tour golf balls available to amateurs.
Use a Callaway Chrome Soft if:
- You want a thin urethane cover for higher spin and more feel
- You need consistent ball flight with reliable shot shape
- You could use the Dual SoftFast Core for more spin
- New Precision Technology delivers our tightest dispersion, consistently fast ball speeds and total performance. We’ve enhanced every component and design feature to create the highest quality golf balls.
- New Hyper Elastic SoftFast Core for Tour level speed, spin, and control through the bag.
- Consistent ball flight at every condition with our Tour Aero design.
- Chrome Soft 22 is designed for a wide range of golfers who want outstanding feel, excellent distance, and incredible forgiveness. Key performance characteristics include Chrome Soft feel, more distance off the tee, and a high level of greenside control.
Last updated on 2024-04-17. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.