Why it was great: Bridgestone J33R driver
This video series breaks down why certain clubs maintain such a cult following, and what made them so popular to begin with.
The first club in this series is the Bridgestone J33R – a driver from 2005 that was both hard to find and extremely sought after. In this video, equipment expert Ryan Barath breaks down some of the design attributes that still makes this a great club today.
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We enter week 4 of Thursday night men’s league feeling a little more confident in the game. BK is hoping to go a little lower and reduce the mistakes out there with these clubs in the bag. Watch the video for the full breakdown of why these clubs are getting the starting nod this week!
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, neutral setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 63 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Lin-Q M40X TSPX Blue 7F5
7-wood: Ping G430 Max (-1 degree, flat Ssetting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 S
Iron: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 4
Shaft: Aerotech Steelfiber hls880 S
Irons: PXG 0317 Tour (5-PW)
Shaft: LA Golf A-Series 105 Low (4)
Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM10 (50-08F)
Shaft: UST Mamiya Dart V 105 F4 Wedge
Wedge: Ping S159 (56-10H)
Shaft: Ping Z-Z115
Wedge: Ping S159 (60-08B)
Shaft: Ping Z-Z115
Putter: PXG Battle Ready II Brandon
Shaft: BGT Stability Tour Spec One
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X
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GolfWRX’s Resident Club Junkie, Brian Knudson, was naturally excited to get his hands on Mitsubishi’s new Diamana WB shaft.
In this video, BK gives you a brief overview of the new WB, builds up a driver, and takes it to the course for some testing.
With the rebirth of the iconic Whiteboard profile, Mitsubishi didn’t just re-issue a classic, but rather infused all the company’s latest tech into a new shaft, paying homage to the original with its quintessentially Hawaiian-inspired stylings. A summary of that impressive roster of technology, below.
- 80-ton Dialead pitch fiber: Positioned in the handle, Dialead is designed to deliver greater ball speed via better energy transfer.
- Aerospace-grade MR70 carbon fiber adds additional strength, and 46-ton fiber in angle plies in the tip section reduce torque for tighter shot dispersion.
- Consistent Feel Design: Engineers target minimal variance across shafts (butt OD, weight, and balance point) to make the fitting process easier.
- Xlink Tech Resin System: Engineers continue to reduce resin content and increase carbon fiber volume for greater feel without sacrificing strength and durability.
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Back by popular demand, it’s BK’s WITB for his third week of league play. Check out the video for the details and WITB logic (such as it is from golf’s most impetuous equipment adjuster!).
Driver: Cobra Darkspeed X (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: L.A. Golf A-Series Mid X
3-wood: PXG 0311 Black Ops
Hybrid: Mizuno ST Max
Irons: Cobra King Tec Utility (4), Callaway Apex Pro (5, 6), Callaway Apex CB (7-9), Callaway Apex MB (10, 11)
Wedges: Adams Idea SW, LW
Putter: Ping PLD Anser 2D
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
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Kieffer Denning
Sep 24, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Found the J33r 460 in my attic this morning while looking for my Adams MB2 blades. I brought it to the range and I could not believe how nice it felt, how great it looks at address and I hit it very straight. I don’t think it is as long as my PXG driver but, at 70 yrs old, I have been having issues with the large club head feeling like I am swinging an old vacuum and slowing down at impact. The J33r evened out and flew through impact time and time again. Thank you for the video! I may need to find a new shaft as I may get more punch than the Adila NVS that is in it presently. If you haven’t reviewed the Adams MB2 irons from around 2015, they are another masterpiece of club building. Thanks again
steve
May 25, 2019 at 4:22 pm
My game (3 hdcp) may be an exception to the rule. But, I would be willing to bet that most players would shoot a comparable score using clubs they gamed 10+ years ago versus clubs they bought just last year. I’ve tried new equipment through the years but always come back to my TM R7TP irons and Burner driver and 3 wood. Something to be said for familiarity.
ken
May 25, 2019 at 10:22 pm
I have a 20 deg loft Callaway hybrid in my bag that took place of my 3 iron.
I absolutely can smoke this thing.
I use it in par 5’s when I’m in the “go zone”…I’m a middle hdcp player . Low to mid 80s.
I paid a whopping 20 bucks for the thing.
I play amateur tournament golf. I routinely score better than guys with much newer and more pricey equipment.
Patrick
May 25, 2019 at 3:49 pm
Would love to see something on the original Orlimar Trimetal fairway woods. Easy to hit, very hot off the face. Still using mine!
unknown ahlgren
May 25, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Loved the sound. The soft metallic “wheck” at impact was so much better than the cowbell contest of those days.
Kent Herndon
May 24, 2019 at 12:47 pm
As I watched this I realized I had several older drivers in by golf club collection. One was the Adams prototype (915) with Long Drivers of American logo attached and one was the Bridgestone J33R. Loved both these clubs. Took the Adams out today and it was almost as good as my Ping 410 Plus. Amazing. Thanks for a great video.
Dan
May 24, 2019 at 7:25 am
I saw one in goodwill last summer for $9.99. Should’ve picked it up
Joe
May 25, 2019 at 3:38 pm
Dude…you should have grabbed that (obviously).
S
May 23, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Sonartec rip off. That’s where they go that idea for the sliver
Joe
May 25, 2019 at 3:40 pm
You’re probably right. My SS03 3 wood is still my main 3 wood. Absolute howitzer.
john ballas
May 23, 2019 at 7:49 pm
hi ryan great information can you talk about the cleveland 460 launcher
C.B.
May 23, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Used my J33R 460 for 8 years. I still have it.
Tom Drew
May 23, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Great series! Would love to see more
Dan
May 24, 2019 at 3:32 pm
2nd that
Jose
May 23, 2019 at 2:20 pm
Looking forward to more of these vids
Kirby
May 23, 2019 at 2:07 pm
What do you think of the Taylor Made 360R’s?
TheTroll
May 23, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Hey Ryan, glad you’re enjoying the J33 driver I traded in late last year at FGO. Always liked that driver though peak height was an issue.
2putttom
May 23, 2019 at 11:10 am
well now I’ve learned something new.
Jim Shields
May 23, 2019 at 10:46 am
Good piece.
Overall, I agree. I still use my TaylorMade 540 driver that I bought many years ago.
I have taken to Golf Galaxy every 2 years and eventually do a “bake off” against the current top rated drivers. I came close last year to replacing it with the Calloway, but the guy I was working with at the store noted that the newer clubs were about an inch longer than my 540. I added an extension to the shaft and I’m back in business.
I just cannot justify the expense for 10-15 yards. I don’t need it.