Product Tests - Golf Balls


Callaway Rule 35
Callaway Rule 35 SoftFeel and FirmFeel

Information:
Comparison Golf Ball: Precept, Maxfli
Reviewer 1 Info: 5'10" 155 lbs, Age 34, Handicap 3
Clubs Used: Callaway Steelhead woods, Titleist 990 irons, Cleveland RTG wedges, and Ping Anser 2 putter

Callaway Rule 35 Golf Ball Review:

Distance:
FirmFeel: About 7-10 yards longer than the Precept MC Double Cover and Spin balls currently played.
SoftFeel: Not much difference in these versus the Precept ball mentioned above.
Feel:
FirmFeel: Great feel coming off the clubface and iron shots seemed to really "hang in the air". Liked the way it felt around the green, especially coming off the putter.
SoftFeel: This ball felt good as well coming off the club face. Definitely softer than the FirmFeel and performed about the same around the green.
Spin
FirmFeel: Very similar to the Precept MC Spin balls which typically don't spin back much but rather stay where they land on the green. The ball gets good marks for that. Shorter irons spin back a little but not near as much as using a wound ball.
SoftFeel: Impressed at how well it checked up on a couple of downwind shots. Hit a 5 iron downwind and it stopped about 10 feet from it's pitch mark. Hit a gap wedge downwind that stopped less than a foot from the pitchmark. The FirmFeel was found to release a little more on a similar kind of shot.
Durability:
FirmFeel: Very durable and doesn't tend to "shave" using lower irons as sometimes happens with other two piece balls.
SoftFeel: Wear on the ball was very similar to the Titleist Professional or Maxfli Revolution. No shave marks, the paint just wears away over time.
Looks:
High marks for looks. Callaway golf ball logo represents a bird's eye view of the putting cup as well as the Callaway "C". Graphics in red for FirmFeel and blue for SoftFeel which are very sharp. Logo over block CALLAWAY over number. "Rule 35" on side of ball serves as a useful alignment aid (see picture).

Summary:
Overall, if forced to pick between the two, it would be the FirmFeel. The reviewer likes a ball to stay where it is hit with minimal spin versus a ball that spins too much. The FirmFeel did just that. Callaway marketing claims that the performance of these two balls are "virtually identical" and the only choice that the consumer has to make is based on feel. The difference in feel is pretty obvious and the reviewer found that both balls were solid performers but there were definite differences, particularly with respect to distance and spin. The main problem with these balls is the price. The shop price of $35.99 for 10 balls seems a little much when consumers can get Precept EV Extra Spins for $19.99 or MC Spins for $21.99 a dozen. The Precepts may be a little shorter in distance but budget wise are a better buy. If the Callaways were closer in price to the Precepts mentioned above, they would probably be put in the reviewer's bag. Additional information on Callaway Golf can be found on their website at www.callaway.com.
Firm Feel - Cut
Soft Feel - Cut


Firm Feel

Soft Feel
 
 

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