Callaway Japan’s limited-edition Chrome Tour TRTL brings a cartoon turtle and alignment lines to the US. On its own, it’s odd. Paired with the new Odyssey TRTL putter, it’s gloriously ridiculous.
I like turtles.
Callaway apparently does, too, so we have that in common. The limited-edition Chrome Tour TRTL (vowels are always optional in golf) takes a cartoon turtle golf ball born in Japan and ships it to the U.S. This marks the second time in roughly a year that I’ve wondered if Callaway was messing with me. I had the same feeling when Chrome Tour Cats showed up last year. On its own, the ball is … different. Paired with Odyssey’s new TRTL putter, it becomes something else entirely.
With that, let’s get into it.
Slow down and line it up
That’s Callaway’s pitch for the Chrome Tour TRTL. I appreciate the theme although I’d argue “slow down” isn’t advice most golfers need. Anyone who’s waited on the tee box on a Saturday morning has more than had their fill of golf’s great slowdown.
Pick up the pace, dammit!
Beyond the turtle, Callaway says the 2026 Chrome Tour is built with new speed technology for players who want exceptional ball speed, consistent flight and precise greenside control. That’s your standard Chrome Tour marketing pitch but beyond the turtle, nothing about the ball itself is different.
To be perfectly clear, Chrome Tour TRTL It’s a standard 2026 Chrome Tour with a turtle on it. If you like Chrome Tour, you’ll like this one. If you don’t, a cartoon reptile isn’t going to change your mind.
The design
One side is business as usual: Callaway script, Chrome Tour side stamp and a player number. Flip it over and the turtle stares back at you. It’s a round, smiling green face with big cartoon eyes and a shell pattern across the top of its head. It’s unnerving, but in a good way. Thin dark green lines run above and below it and that’s the built-in alignment assistance.
If you’ve ready my ball stories at all, you know I’m a strong believer in alignment aids. Experimentation has lead to me believe that thicker is better so the narrow lines wouldn’t be my first choice but plenty of golfers prefer a cleaner look. Whether aiming a turtle’s gaze at the hole helps you make more putts, I can’t say. I’m not a herpetologist.
Completing the package
Here’s where things go from different to gloriously absurd.
As the name suggests, the new Odyssey TRTL putter is a turtle-inspired (also spider) mallet. Set the Chrome Tour TRTL in front of the face and the ball becomes the turtle’s head. Line it up just so and it looks almost natural, like a turtle that’s decided it’s safe to come out of its shell.
Yeah, that sounds like something I made up. I swear it’s totally real.
When I showed the Chrome Tour TRTL to my 16-year-old daughter, she was admittedly underwhelmed. If you have a teenager of your own, you’re already aware they’re underwhelmed by pretty much everything other than a new Noah Kahan album or a fresh season of Love Island. When I explained that the ball is the head of the putter and showed her how the pieces come together, she was appropriately whelmed.
So there’s that.
My 2 cents
I’m not saying this is the greatest golf ball design ever. It’s a cartoon turtle. But it’s a well-executed cartoon turtle, the alignment lines serve an actual purpose and the putter tie-in is clever enough to earn begrudging respect from anyone who isn’t 16.
Plus, TRTLs are better than cats so we got that going for us.
Specs, pricing, availability
The Callaway Chrome Tour TRTL is available now for $59.99 per dozen. Construction and performance are identical to the standard 2026 Chrome Tour.
For more information, visit CallawayGolf.com.
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