Equipment
Bridgestone introduces ultra-premium Tour B Series
Coming mid-Spring and only available through Bridgestone-authorized fitters (and only available for a limited time): Bridgestone’s ultra-premium Tour B Series of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and irons.
Bridgestone’s Tour B Series of drivers includes three models: the XD-3, XD-5 and XD-7, each featuring a matte finish and adjustable hosel that allows eight face-angle/lie configurations.
- XD-3: 455cc head, round shape, deep face, medium launch, neutral trajectory.
- XD-5: 460cc head, flatter, shallow-face design to promote a high launching draws.
- XD-7: 445cc head, classic pear shape, lower-launching, fade-biased tractory.
From a features standpoint, the drivers include Bridgestone’s Flex Action Speed Technology (FAST), which is designed to increase ball speed for maximum distance, even on off-center hits.
XD-3
XD-5
XD-7
In combination with F.A.S.T. is a technology Bridgestone calls “Power Ribs,” which were added to internally to the driver heads to increase ball speed and dampen vibrations. The faces of the Tour B woods also feature Power Milling, which is designed to stabilize the ball at impact to increase compression and reduce spin.
The XD drivers come with a set of interchangeable weights (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 grams). Exotic premium shafts are offered stock, including top models from Mitsubishi, Fujikura, UST Mamiya and Aldila.
“We wanted to do something really special this year and decided to go ultra-high-end in every facet to create a line that combines incredible craftsmanship with the latest technological innovations,” says Zack Kupperbusch, Golf Club Marketing. “To launch the product, we will be working with a select group of authorized fitters, who will custom build each club to perfectly suit customer needs and preferences. Further information on fitting locations will be available shortly.”
XD-F
XD-F fairway woods are equipped with a shallow face and are available in lofts of 15 and 18 degrees. Featuring the compact shape preferred by better players, the XD-H hybrids come in lofts of 18, 21 and 24 degrees.
XD-H
Bridgestone Golf is also adding to its forged iron line the cavity-backed X-CB and traditional X-Blade. Both feature 1020 Endo forging, 15 premium shaft options and minimal offset. The X-CB is engineered with a wider sole to prevent digging and encourage smooth turf interaction, while the X-Blade has a narrower sole.
X-Blade
X-CB
Drivers will retail for $699, fairway woods and hybrids for $399 and $249, respectively. Both the X-CB and X-Blade will be $1,200 (4-PW).
- LIKE200
- LEGIT35
- WOW32
- LOL5
- IDHT2
- FLOP12
- OB3
- SHANK52
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
View this post on Instagram
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
View this post on Instagram
TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
- LIKE11
- LEGIT2
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
- LIKE1
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here....
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
Jake Wherley
Jan 20, 2017 at 2:06 am
I, as a Bridgestone staff member, and as a huge equipment junky, cannot wait to try these suckers out and put them in the bag! Look absolutely fantastic! And I didn’t think they could make anything that would take my J15 CBs out of my bag…I’ve been proven wrong.
Stevegp
Jan 20, 2017 at 12:56 am
I like Bridgestone gear. It will be interesting to see how they new releases do.
Stevemac
Jan 19, 2017 at 10:30 pm
i just cant imagine there is that big of a market out there. i love tinkering but as ive gotten older and the USGA limits on COR, etc- I am losing interest in spending the money. Look at the flurry of attention the Costco ball generated. New club introductions have slowed so manufacturers have to find $$s somewhere. Most club reviews are not seeing notable differences from model to model. I definitely am not the first in line for new product now.
Dunn2500
Jan 19, 2017 at 9:41 pm
Everything is priced right cept driver and fwy wood…….don’t forget it’s being able to get all the premium shafts as well, that so many were crying about few years ago…..well now you can but it’s gna cost you……still cheaper than buying clubs and reshafting on your own…… $699 is gna be hard sell though for drivers that aren’t even that popular…….all irons are $1200 now
And these are endo which is kinda nice…..I think they will limit the quantity as they don’t sell that many here but am sure they’re team has looked at all pertinent aspects and feels they can still profit so……all of it looks nice……
Hopefully they don’t make the blade length so long heel to toe…..only complaint with their irons
Jack
Jan 19, 2017 at 9:15 pm
I don’t know about the driver being 700. On the rakuten website (japanese Amazon basically), it’s about 400+ USD for the XD-03 with Tour AD TX1-6 shaft. For that price difference might as well just get it from Japan.
Philip
Jan 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm
Ultra – premium, not just premium clubs. Now those clubs are definitely much better than all other non-ultra clubs :o)
Chris
Jan 19, 2017 at 5:15 pm
I hope everyone complaining about $1200 for a forged set of irons understands that they cost more for these irons now with the materials they are building them from. These are companies that have to make money, too. For what it costs them to get the materials for those heads, this isn’t really a huge price markup for them. I remember people complaining about $1000 for Mizuno’s a couple years ago when it cost them about $800 to get those made. Throw in the fact that a lot of these companies add in shafts at no extra cost, and you’re right in line with where they should be.
Joshua Rodgers
Jan 19, 2017 at 3:32 pm
1020 Endo Forging…I’m betting those blades will find their way into Tigers bag.
the bishop
Jan 19, 2017 at 7:34 am
Both irons, the X-blade in particular are spectacular looking and $1200 is not unreasonable in today’s market for forgings. $249 is in line with other manufacturers top line hybrids. $699 and $399 for drivers and fw’s respectively is another matter. Jury is out but they may have a hard time moving them at those price points.
Takehiko Takaoka
Jan 19, 2017 at 5:11 am
Almost same price as in Japan
Mat
Jan 19, 2017 at 3:23 am
For everyone on here complaining about the pricing, turnabout is fair play. If you live outside of the US, these are pretty normal prices anymore. Granted US$700 is a little high even for imports, most equipment is straight up 30% more overseas before taxes and such.
Bert
Jan 18, 2017 at 7:28 pm
Picked up a used but flawless set (4-PW,AW) of RSi 2’s the other day for $275. Sounds about right.
Kevin
Jan 18, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Bridgestone sells a lot globally and definitely has a cult following here in the states, for irons and woods. Driver looks good but I still agree with most that $699 is to much for even some of the most hardcore Bridgestone fans. The irons at $1200 seem very reasonable. To bring that cost down they would have to go to a harder metal and all the fans would complain, a no win situation for them. $1200 has been common for a forged club for a couple of years now, this is nothing new.
golfraven
Jan 18, 2017 at 3:19 pm
Certainly like the CBs but prices are at premium. I would expect that performance is at same level otherwise those will be a shelf stocker.
Mike
Jan 18, 2017 at 2:42 pm
Welp, I was waiting for this driver to compliment my J15 CB’s (which I got for $400 and probably couldn’t be replaced by these because they’re too awesome), but would never pay that price for any driver. Even if it is an unbelievable product, what’s it going to give me, 4 yards? I’m almost offended
Ron
Jan 18, 2017 at 2:29 pm
Hmphf.
How come no one makes a 3-iron anymore?
Chuck
Jan 18, 2017 at 2:53 pm
I can’t say that “everybody” makes 2- and 3-irons, but most do. They just prefer — as marketing has told them — that more and more people would rather buy a 4-PW set, or a 5-PW set or (my new favorite) 4-9 and 5-9 sets.
Because we are also seeing more, not fewer, choices with lots of utility irons in the 2-4 range.
Feel the Bern
Jan 19, 2017 at 9:33 am
I also think is a price gouge. People wouldn’t be able to stomach 1400$ for 3-PW, for clubs that used to cost three digits. Dropping a club off while raising the price slightly minimizes the optics of said price gouge.
Myron miller
Jan 18, 2017 at 1:24 pm
As others have said, $699 for a driver and $399 for woods is crazy. I can get custom made, fitted driver for same or less. What does this driver do that many others don’t? Certainly its distance is pretty close to everyone else. So why so much more expensive. Last time i checked Bridgestone wasn’t known for its driver usage or for anybody buying them.
Lap
Jan 18, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Import prices. Duh. Different agreement in the WTO deal between Japan goods and China goods coming into the US.
Large Chris
Jan 18, 2017 at 1:15 pm
“Only available for a limited time”
Thank goodness for that, where I live I can hardly get through the doors of the golf retailers due to the thousands of Bridgestone driver, irons and hybrids on offer in all the stores (that’s being sarcastic by the way).
Large Chris
Jan 18, 2017 at 1:29 pm
To be fair the pics do look very nice, the X-blades in particular.
Dat
Jan 18, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Will prices ever come down at all in this market? These companies are doing this to themselves. There is a reason that Srixon’s 945 blade only sold like crazy when it went down to $400 this winter.
Glfhsslr
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:53 am
All the high price tags mean is, you won’t be buying a new set of irons every year lol
Smitty
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:42 am
Another set of irons that retails for $1200?! OEMs are going to run themselves out of business trying to keep up with PXG. I’m a HUGE Bridgestone fan and love the look of these clubs but there is absolutely zero chance I’m dropping that kind of cash on these.
creeder
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:18 am
thanks PXG for all the ultra premium high priced gear. Dont fall in the trap.
chinchbugs
Jan 18, 2017 at 10:42 am
I would enjoy a combo set in those…but I would also enjoy some manufactures coming out with a set of irons priced under $1k these days…
Tom
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:05 am
brilliant idea!
Deron
Jan 18, 2017 at 10:30 am
Trying to follow the PXG model? Hope this sort of thing doesn’t become a trend.
NolanMBA
Jan 18, 2017 at 10:22 am
Their price point is interesting… Is bridgestone a hit globally or something? I know people like their irons and balls but not their woods and certainly not at $699.
Branson Reynolds
Jan 18, 2017 at 11:43 am
Those irons look great. i understand their price. But a $700 Driver from a company that has to be last in Driver sales among the big names…i don’t get it.