One thing separates this golf ball from all the other balls made by major manufacturers that are available on the market. It is an oversized ball. Does that make it legal? Absolutely. A golf ball can be larger in diameter if its weight does not exceed the maximum of 1.620 oz (45.9 g). In the 2023 Callaway Supersoft Max golf ball review find out how this larger ball did on the course.
This is the second generation of the Supersoft MAX golf ball. Callaway markets it as a unique offering that’s engineered for maximum distance from maximum forgiveness.
They also say it is their longest ball for slow-speed players, built to create faster ball speeds from high launch and low spin. As always, it all sounds very promising.
It is a 2-piece ionomer cover golf ball which means it is primarily built for distance. Its compression rating is around 40, which is consistent with the previous model. Along with its cousin, the Supersoft, that puts it among the softest golf balls on the market. Now, enough with the introduction, let’s move on to the review.
My Verdict
To summarize, there are not many bad things to say about this golf ball. It performs exactly how you would expect from a two-piece low compression ball. With this product, Callaway tapped into a niche market where it can help golfers make better contact and gain confidence. At the end of the day, those are things that can help you enjoy golf more.
If you play the Supersoft or prefer low-compression golf balls, and need to improve contact, this could be an option for you. It can help you through the improvement period with less frustration on the course. Eventually, you can go back to a smaller golf ball or just keep playing this one. I can see this ball helping a lot of golfers to make their first steps. Good job for Callaway.
Who Is This Ball For?
A couple of answers seem natural for this golf ball, but we’ll come to them shortly. To start with, this is a soft, two-piece, ionomer cover ball. It is built mainly for players with slower to medium swing speeds. I agree with Callaway that is best for slow-swing speed golfers due to its low compression rating.
It will not give you a ton of spin and the possibility to work it like a premium ball. But that is fine, that is not its main purpose anyway. Its main purpose is to go a long distance while being easier to hit. The oversized nature of this ball is one of its selling points. It is also something that separates it from the other balls on the market.
Now we come to the answer to the main question. It is actually what you would think. As I have mentioned above it is a good option for players with slower swing speeds. More importantly, this golf ball is an excellent choice for beginners. Due to its size, it is easier to make contact with it. When you start golfing, nothing is more important than just hitting that ball.
PROS
- Beginner Friendly
- Distance
- Durability
- Easier to Hit
- Price
CONS
- Lower Spin
- Not Suited for Faster Swing Speeds
2023 Callaway Supersoft MAX Golf Ball Review
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On the Green
Since this is the slightly bigger version of the standard Callaway Supersoft, the putting experience was similar. On contact, it felt soft and made a very mellow sound. It didn’t take me a long time to adjust to it. This was a good thing since I regularly play balls that have a more than double compression rating and softer covers.
The ball was rolling well, particularly on long putts. There were no issues with holding the line and directing it where the putter was pointing. You would think that, due to its size, the hole gets smaller. However, the size difference does not make any significant impact. Putting with this ball was definitely on the positive side.
Around the Green
This is a part of the game where you could potentially see the biggest difference compared to three-piece golf balls. That is mainly due to the lack of spin. You will notice it, especially if you are trying to go for a hop and stop play or if you are short-sided and need a flop shot. Luckily, I do not go for those shots too often.
In my case, it worked well enough since my go-to chip is the bump and run. It took some adjustment, but once I got the hang of it, it worked just fine. Lately, I have started to use the putter more often when closer to the green. When it comes to that situation, this ball did a decent job.
Approach Shots
On a par 3 course, where I test golf balls, every shot is an approach shot. That fact gives this category so much more importance. One of the things Callaway states for this ball is high launch. I did notice that this contributed to a higher average height trajectory. That is a good thing because it helps the ball to stop sooner on the green.
On lower trajectory shots that I sometimes use, the ball did okay. Because of the lower spin, I just had to hit it a bit shorter to give it time to stop. This is another area where the ball felt soft off the clubface. I have to say that the mis-hits were not so bad. My misses were consistent with my current performances on courses. Overall, it felt good hitting this golf ball.
Appearance and Price
As you can imagine, the Supersoft MAX is the carbon copy of the Supersoft just larger. The only little difference is that on the alignment arrow, it says “MAX” instead of “Supersoft”. By the way, that alignment is very helpful in case you do align your ball when putting. It looks as if you’ve done it with a marker.
Price-wise, this ball is among the cheapest ones out there in the soft two-piece golf ball category. The price of 24.99 USD for a dozen balls is the same as for the regular Supersoft. However, it is only available in the standard white color whereas the Supersoft comes in multiple color options. Nonetheless, it is a very good value for money.
Durability
Like its smaller cousin, this ball has shown great durability. After a full round on a par 3 course, there were only a few marks and scuffs visible. I would place it among the category leaders when it comes to withstanding hit after hit. This adds to its value and makes it a very attractive option for golfers who do not want to overspend.
Will the max balls ever come out in yellow?
Hello, that is a very good question, since there have been yellow versions of the Supersoft MAX in the past. I do not know the exact reason why Callaway hasn’t released it when the new MAX came out. And to your question, I am not sure if they are going to release the yellow version. However, I will try to find out if anything is going to happen in the near future, since the window is closing until the next version comes out probably sometime next year.
Quick update. I have contacted Callaway regarding the Supersoft MAX yellow ball, and did not get any response so far. If I hear from them, I will let you know.
Hey Dan,
Just checked out your review on the 2023 Callaway Supersoft Max, and I’ve got to say, it’s quite the read! The idea of an oversized golf ball piqued my interest. Your insights on how it performs on the green and around it, especially for those of us who might not be swinging like the pros, are super helpful.
But here’s a question for you: With the trend towards specialized equipment like the Supersoft Max, do you think we’re making the game too easy, or is it all about making golf more accessible and enjoyable for the average Joe? Where do we draw the line between preserving the challenge of the sport and making it welcoming for newcomers?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Hi, thank you for your comment. I personally think it is good to have equipment that is helping golfers a bit more. After all, the Supersoft MAX complies with the rules and it is perfectly legal.
Golf is hard to start with anyway and having a slightly bigger golf ball is not a huge advantage. There are a lot of shots throughout a round and hitting the ball perfectly each time is virtually impossible. Even the professionals can’t do that. A lot of golfers struggle with contact, and this ball can help them with it. This is especially the case with beginners.
Golf should be accessible and enjoyable for everyone, and this ball can help a tiny bit with that. It is still going to remain a challenge, no matter your skill level, that is for sure.
Dan
Dan,
As someone who isn’t a golfer, it’s interesting to learn about the 2023 Callaway Supersoft MAX Golf Ball. One standout feature seems to be its oversized nature, which sets it apart from other golf balls on the market. This larger size is legal as long as the weight remains within the maximum limit. I did not know there were different variations of golf balls. I can relate it to my bowling experience years. Bowlers have different bowling balls (made up of different elements) for different lane conditions, etc.
The Supersoft MAX is designed for maximum distance and forgiveness, making it ideal for players with slower to medium swing speeds. Again, this sounds a lot like a bowler and his strengths and weaknesses. I am glad I came across your post! I learned something new!
Thank you,
Jeff
Hi Jeff, thank you for your comment. I am glad you could relate to something you love and enjoy. It is an oversized ball and that makes it beginner-friendly. Or for that matter friendly for anyone who is struggling with contact. Trust me, struggles with contact can come at any skill level. That is the nature of golf.
I am for any kind of equipment within the regulations that can help golfers. Personally, I do not play the Supersoft MAX, but I would encourage people to try it.
Dan