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In this article I will be reviewing the Callaway Superhot 55 golf ball.
Named after its soft 55-compression feel as well as its tendency to fly long and straight, it’s one of Callaway’s latest and best ball releases for the 2016 golf season.
Is this ball worth the buy? Does it deliver as advertised? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Read on to find out what you need to know about it to make an informed purchase.
Note: The review that follows is based on the personal experience and research of the author. Because everyone’s swing, body and clubs are different, results with a particular golf ball may differ from person to person.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.9/5 (Excellent)
Pros
- one of the longest golf balls available
- low spin does a great job of mitigating slices and hooks
- feel is impressively soft around the greens yet impressively firm off the tee
Cons
- low spin has its drawbacks including limited workability and stopping power around the greens
Compression Rating: 55 (low)
Recommended for: Golfers who don’t mind sacrificing spin for distance and accuracy — this can include high handicaps, mid handicaps, low handicaps or even Tour pros.
Best Places To Buy Online
It appears that Superhot 55 balls are no longer available on Global Golf. However, you may still be able to buy them on Amazon and eBay.
eBay has the best prices, particularly for bulk purchases and recycled AAA+ Superhot 55 balls. I highly recommend checking out the listings there.
Want a closer look at the Superhot 55 golf balls? Click on the composite image at the top of the page and navigate the images.
What are the reviews like?
Despite the fact that the 2016 55 model of the Superhot ball has been on the market for quite a while now, the response it has received has been very positive overall. It has, for example, an average customer rating of 5/5 (100% recommended) on the DSG website.
In general, the Superhot 55 ball is praised for its tendency to fly long and straight with a low spin rate (thanks in part to the surlyn cover).
The general consensus is that they deliver superb performance with a moderately firm feel, and now that time has passed since their release, you can get them at really cheap prices.
What are the features?
The Superhot 55 ball is designed for golfers of virtually all skill levels (ranging from high handicappers to Tour pros) who want any of less spin, a straighter ball flight (hook and slice resistant) or more distance from tee to green.
The Superhot 55 features a three-piece dual-core construction consisting of a very soft mantle layer and soft trionomer blend surlyn cover — these both work together to reduce spin and hence deliver straigher, more controlled shots.
The ball features 332 “Hex Aerodynamic” dimples. The ball has an aerodynamic design that’s built for lower drag, more optimal lift and longer carry (and hence more distance!).
The low 55 compression contributes to a softer feel and allows golfers with slower swing speeds to sufficiently compress the ball.
How does the ball perform from tee to green?
Short game feel is surprisingly soft.
The Superhot 55 ball affords a good amount of control around the greens with decent spin, but there’s only so much you can expect in these respects from a surlyn cover as opposed to a urethane cover found on balls like the Titleist Pro V1 and Bridgestone e5.
Long game performance is similar to that of the Bridgestone e6 but longer; in fact, the Superhot 55 is one of the longest balls on the market right now.
The low-spin attribute of the ball really comes into play to straighten out ball flight and minimize the damage of slices and hooks, which makes the Superhot 55 a great ball for golfers who struggle to keep the ball in the fairway.
This does, however, come at the expense of some workability, and so highly skilled golfers looking for maximum flight-shaping control might want to look elsewhere.
What about feel?
First off, the Superhot 55 feels great off the putter face — on the softer side (but not too soft) with a touch of firmness. Overall feel around the greens is similar.
I would say it’s certainly one of the best and softest feeling surlyn-cover balls out there right now, and I applaud Callaway for being able to pull that off. Off the tee these balls feel hot and firmer than one might expect for a 55 compression rating.
On the whole, the Superhot 55 balls feel quite a bit softer than the previous Superhot model of balls while providing virtually all of the same benefits.
Where can I get used Superhot 55 balls at a lower price?
If you’re not buying new, I strongly recommend getting recycled Superhot 55 balls with condition ratings of AAA or above (see some of my other ball reviews for more about my views on used balls).
Arguably the best place to find such deals online would be eBay. Be sure to give the listings there a look.
Conclusion
The Callaway Superhot 55 are excellent golf balls, ideal for any player who appreciates low-spin distance in the long game and solid spin and control around the greens.
They’re also a definite improvement over the previous Superhot ball offering.
Thanks for checking out this review. Do you have any thoughts or opinions about the Callaway Superhot 55 golf ball? Drop them in the comments below!
Hi Paul … I’m comfortable with the titleist prov1 … Very expensive ball here for me as I tend to hook the ball everytime I see water. I seem to have an affinity to water hazards in general. Would the callaway super hot S5 cost more or less than the titleist pro v1?
I’m itching to give it a try this weekend, dunno if it’s available in Asia … Seldom use callaway balls but reading about it does make me want to give it a try. Foreeeee …
Cheers,
Apeng
The Superhot 55 is cheaper than the Pro V1 (review here), yes, but the Pro V1 is different in that it has a urethane cover, more spin potential, a higher compression rating and is generally suited for low handicap and pro golfers with a relatively high swing speed.
I find that Callaway makes superb golf balls in general, and the Superhot 55 is no exception — it should help you somewhat with the hooks you experience. I definitely think it would be a great idea to give them a try. I would suggest comparing the online locations I link to in the review (many ship internationally) with any local availability in Asia before you make a purchase. Best of luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Paul,
Great review. My feelings exactly. I play Callaways Chrome Soft from the 2015 year to the four piece 2016 year. Great ball but the new 55 Superhot is longer and when compressed on the “sweet spot” EXPLODES off the face! Price is right $26.99 to $27.99 on line with shipping included. The drawback if any, takes adjustment on approach shots, little less spin and holding power but adaptable. Great off the putter face. I’m now working on shaping he ball. So far on the draw side I’m getting there. Fade, going to take a bit of practice as I general draw the ball n my swing pattern. I played a round with 2016 Chrome Soft to compare and settle my thoughts before ordering my next couple of dozen for upcoming golf travels. I purchased the 55’s, looks like their my gamers for now. The lift and control, for my swing 105 +, single digit hcp fit this ball not to mention my wallet. Thanks again for your input.
Thanks for the comment. I’m not surprised the Superhot 55 balls are longer than the Chrome Soft with its urethane cover (I have found this myself of course), but as you said you do give up a little in terms of spin and feel. With your swing speed you should be able to get the Superhot 55 up in the air pretty good regardless. Glad it’s working out for you.
Been looking for a game improvement ball that is not to expensive. I have tried other 3 piece balls, but have found none that compare to the feel of the Superhot 55. I have played 2 piece balls for almost 20 years, as they are less costly, as I still lose a few now and then. Tried quite a few, and always played a ball that has a soft feel. Need the soft feel around the greens, but needed a little more spin to help get the ball to check up. Even from a distance of 150 yds., the 55 checks quite nicely and does’nt run out like the 2 piece balls. That is what the 55 does for me, not to mention the distance, and I spend a lot more time in the fairway off the tee. This ball is my gamer. I play Callaway driver, woods, irons, and now a Callaway ball. Give it a try…
Appreciate you sharing. Glad you’re seeing good results with it.
Is this the ball that is selling now at Costco for $29.95 for 24 balls?
Gerald, I believe so.
Just bought a 24 pack at Costco for $30. Looking forward to trying them out. My swing speed with my driver is only about 95, and I usually play with either the Bridgestone e6 or Titleist NXT Tour. My wife is also interested in trying them (loves the softer feel), but I don’t think the compression will match her swing at all…we’ll see.
Your swing speed is a little above average. I think if your wife has a low swing speed, this ball could still work nicely for her because of its low 55 compression. Thanks for the comment, and let us know how it goes.
What is the difference between last years (2015) superhot and the (2016) superhot. 55 and now the superhot 70
Rich, I think there was a 2015 Superhot model, but I don’t know much about it. The 2016 Superhot 55 was the successor to the Chrome Soft; it has a compression rating of 55 (very low). The Superhot 70 differs from the Superhot 55 in that:
– It has a little more spin
– It has a compression of 70 – still low, but a little firmer than the 55
– The HEX dimple pattern is more aerodynamic compared to the 55, and it results in a higher trajectory off the tee and around the greens
– It has a new cover composition that is designed to increase spin a little bit and provide more control from the fairway.
In general, you should get the Superhot 70 if you don’t mind the slightly increased spin and compression but want more control.
I got 2 dozen of these at Costco for $29.99. I am currently 75 with a 14 handicap (on my 119 slope course). I like the idea of maximum distance with low spin to minimize hooks and slices. I do try to work the ball at times but am willing to trade off workability and ability to spin the ball on approach shots. What I really want from a golf ball is dependability. I like the idea that it will tend to remain on the line on which it starts. I am not sure what all this means in terms of trajectory. I am assuming that the low spin factor will tend to reduce the number of high, soaring shots and also the number of low, diving shots, which seems like a good thing to me. Up to this point I have played pretty much whatever I have found, with a preference for Titleist Pro V, Pro V1, Pro V1x, etc., but I have not really tried to play a ball with particular characteristics. I am thinking that playing the same ball all the time may be helpful. I am not even sure that it matters much which ball I use, as long as I play the same one all the time, so that I can know what to expect. Like most people, I suppose, I have had the experience of spinning balls back off of greens, and also having balls jump forward after landing. I think that much of this depends on the hardness or softness of the greens and the kind of swing I make, but using the same golf ball all the time should at least eliminate one variable, which is always a good thing in golf. I would be interested in your thoughts on these theories.
Thanks for the comment Bob. If you have problems with spinning balls back off the green, then the Superhot 55 could definitely help reduce that spin. I agree that playing one ball and adjusting to it is a good strategy. I recommend assessing the problems you’re having right now, and looking for a ball that might accommodate those issues. Keep in mind that while less spin off the tee is generally ideal for maximizing distance and improving accuracy off the tee, it’s not necessarily ideal for iron approach shots and shots around the green – with these, you usually want to hit shots that come in high and land softly. Do let us know what your experience is like with the Superhot 55’s.
I happened to find one of these Superhot55 balls abandoned on the fairway. It looked very new, so I decided to try it. I had no idea how firm or soft the ball was, but when I put it into action, I was hitting the ball easily another 20-25 yards off the tee and 15-20 more yards in the fairway – and perfectly straight! I have a tendency to hook and slice, so I was thrilled with the improvement. Of course, my fellow golfers insisted that it wasn’t the ball – it was my swing – but I disagree. I could feel and see the difference. Frankly, it felt somewhat “harder” than my Soft Feel balls I have been hitting. I wasn’t all that informed on ratings on hardness, but I’m learning. So, off to the golf store to buy a dozen of these guys! I love them. The ratings above are exactly what I experienced on the course.
Wow, talk about stumbling into success. The Superhot 55 balls do tend to feel firm off the tee, which is nice.
In response to it being the ball and not the swing: if your swing is causing issues with ball flight, then theoretically, playing a different ball that naturally corrects these issues will improve your results. I see this pan out all the time in practice. The ball can certainly make a difference.
I’m interested to hear how you feel about them after playing with them for a few rounds. If you could let us know, that would be great. Thanks for sharing!