Callaway launch CB1 ball

As its packaging suggests, the new CB1 golf balls from Callaway are dynamite!

The red and yellow boxes, square rather than rectangular, infer there are sticks of explosives inside and judging by their performance when
GOLFmagic.com attended their recent launch, what you see is what you get!

Even the CB1 blue version, developed more as a ‘spin /feel’ ball like its Rule 35 predecessor packs a punch. While the CB1 red ‘distance’ ball goes so deep...it needs a stewardess on board!

Having learned from their experience when developing the three-piece Rule.35 ball, Callaway aimed at producing a quality two-piece ball to meet the demnds of the competitive lower-price market.

So is the CB1 any good?

CB1 red.

Both balls have a core which contains more polybutadine rubber and a higher percentage of tungsten mix than is found in most other competitive balls. In other words, the makers claim this helps generate greater ball velocity at impact and therefore more distance.

Dimples cover 86% of the balls' surface area. which supposedly translates into 'superior low speed lift near the end of the ball’s flight' to create a little more carry through the air.

Callaway CB1 Red: The ionomer cover on the distance ball claims to provide a softer feel than its two-piece competitors.

CB1 blue.

Callaway CB1 Blue: There's an ionomer cover on the spin/feel ball too, making it more durable when struck by deep-grooved, short irons. Despite the resilience, there's good feel, too.

In test conditions we liked both balls, but particularly the red which felt soft, while travelling long. No rocks here. We also tried them in sunny drier conditions a week later and the results were even more impressive, though after a couple of bunker shots they tended to mark up. But we found each ball will comfortably do a couple of competitive rounds before it has to resigned to the social cluster. GOLFmagic rating 8/10.

The new Callaway CB1 is priced £24 per dozen (approx rrp), and £6.25 per three-ball sleeve.