Callaway Hex Tour Soft Review

Right out of the box, the Hex Tour Soft doesn't scream "budget ball" at you. The distinctive hexagonal dimple pattern catches your eye immediately. It's not your typical circular dimple design, and honestly, it looks pretty sharp. The ball has a bright white finish that rivals my usual ProV1s, and the Callaway branding is clean and understated. When I rolled one between my fingers, the ionomer cover felt softer than I expected for a ball in this price range. Not urethane-soft, mind you, but definitely not the rock-hard feel of those distance balls you find in the bargain bin.

Let me geek out for a minute on these hexagonal dimples, because they're not just for show. Callaway's HEX Aerodynamics pattern is designed to reduce drag and increase lift, and after hitting hundreds of these balls, I can tell you it's not marketing fluff. Off the tee, these balls have a penetrating flight that cuts through the wind better than any sub-$35 ball has a right to. I play a lot of early morning rounds when it's breezy, and the Hex Tour Soft holds its line remarkably well.

The hexagonal pattern creates what Callaway calls "optimal surface coverage", basically, the dimples cover more of the ball's surface than traditional round dimples. This means less turbulent air flow and more consistent ball flight. On my home course's notorious 12th hole (a 185-yard par 3 that plays into the prevailing wind), I'm usually clubbing up two full clubs with my regular ball. With the Hex Tour Soft, I'm only going up one club, sometimes one and a half. That's real-world performance you can measure.

What really surprised me was how this aerodynamic design affects the flight path. The ball launches higher than I expected, not balloon-high, but a nice, strong angle that still has plenty of roll when it lands. For someone with my moderate swing speed (I'm hovering around 95 mph with the driver), this combination of carry and roll has added about 5-7 yards to my total driving distance. Not earth-shattering, but hey, I'll take every yard I can get.

This is where the Hex Tour Soft really starts to separate itself from other balls in its price range. This isn't some two-piece rock; it's got legitimate multi-layer construction that you'd typically find in balls costing $10-15 more per dozen. The low-compression core is the star of the show here; it's soft enough to compress properly at moderate swing speeds but firm enough to transfer energy efficiently. The ball also features an advanced mantle layer that works between the core and cover to ensure maximum energy transfer for higher ball speeds.

I've tested this ball against several competitors in the same price range, and the difference in feel is immediately noticeable. Off the driver, there's a satisfying "thwack" without that harsh, clicky feeling you get from harder balls. With my irons, especially my 7-iron through pitching wedge, the ball compresses nicely and gives me consistent distance control. I'm not getting those random flyers that plague me with harder balls.

The layers work together to create what Callaway calls "spin separation" – low spin off the tee for distance and straighter shots, higher spin around the greens for control. Now, let's be realistic here. This isn't Tour-level spin separation like you'd get from a TP5x or ProV1, but for a ball at this price point? It's impressive. My driver spin has dropped by about 200-300 RPM compared to my usual ball, which has definitely helped with accuracy. I'm finding more fairways, especially on those holes where I tend to hit a fade that turns into a slice (we all have those holes, don't we?).

What I appreciate most about the construction is how it performs in different temperatures. I've played these balls in 45-degree morning rounds and 95-degree afternoon scorchers, and the performance stays remarkably consistent. The core doesn't get rock-hard in cold weather like some budget balls do.

Alright, time for some honesty. If you're a low-handicapper who lives and dies by your short game spin, the Hex Tour Soft might not be your Holy Grail. The ionomer cover, while soft for its category, simply can't generate the same grab-and-stop spin as a urethane-covered Tour ball. But here's the deal, for most of us mid-to-high handicappers, that might actually be a blessing in disguise.

Around the greens, the Hex Tour Soft gives me predictable, consistent performance. When I'm hitting a standard chip from 20 yards out, the ball checks up enough to control my landing spot but doesn't spin back like crazy. For my game, that's perfect. I know exactly how much roll-out to expect, which has actually improved my up-and-down percentage. On full wedge shots from 100 yards and in, I'm getting decent spin, enough to hold a green, but not enough to suck the ball back off the front edge (which, let's be honest, happens to me maybe once a year anyway).

Putting feel deserves its own mention here. The soft ionomer cover really shines on the greens. The ball comes off my putter face with a soft, muted feel that gives me confidence on those nervy 4-footers. I've found my distance control on longer putts has improved, too. There's something about the softer feel that helps me gauge my stroke better. My regular Sunday group has actually noticed I'm leaving fewer putts short lately (though they'd never admit it).

I'm hard on golf balls. Between tree encounters, cart path bounces, and my occasional thin shot, I go through balls faster than I'd like to admit. So when I started testing the Hex Tour Soft, I expected to see scuffs and cuts pretty quickly. Color me surprised, these things are tanks.

The thermoplastic urethane cover (yes, different from the regular urethane on Tour balls) seems to have found the sweet spot between feel and durability. After 18 holes, my test balls showed minimal wear. Even after three full rounds with the same ball (an experiment I rarely attempt), it still looked playable. Sure, there were some minor scuffs and the gloss had dulled a bit, but no cuts, no chunks missing, no significant damage.

I even tested some recycled versions, both 5A and 4A grade, and was impressed with their condition. The 5A balls were virtually indistinguishable from new, while the 4A refinished balls had some minor cosmetic flaws but played just fine. For practice rounds or casual play, these recycled options at an even lower price point are a no-brainer. What's even better is that the Pristine-grade balls come with free personalization options, making them perfect for gifts or just adding your own touch to your game.

At $29.99 to $34.99 per dozen, the Hex Tour Soft sits in that sweet spot where you're not breaking the bank but you're getting legitimate performance. I've calculated that switching from my usual premium balls to these would save me about $200 per year (and that's being conservative with how many balls I lose).

,But it's not just about saving money. This ball delivers performance that would have cost $45+ per dozen just a few years ago. The distance is there, the feel is surprisingly good, and the durability means you're not constantly reaching for a new ball. For golfers with swing speeds under 100 mph who want a quality ball without the premium price tag, this is a serious contender.

The personalization option is a nice touch, too. For a few bucks more, you can get your initials or a custom message printed on the balls. I got a dozen with "FOUND IT" printed on them as a joke for my buddy who spends half his round in the woods. Small thing, but it adds value.

Absolutely, while the Callaway Hex Tour Soft Ball is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:

Pros:

• Excellent value at $30-35 per dozen with performance that rivals more expensive balls

• HEX Aerodynamics delivers genuinely better wind performance and consistent flight

• Surprising durability that outlasts most balls in its price category

Cons: 

• Limited short game spin compared to urethane Tour balls

• Not ideal for players with 105+ mph swing speeds

• Only available in white (no yellow or other color options)