Equipment
2020 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls: Tiger approved
It’s not very often a company will claim a totally revolutionary design change to its biggest core product, but with the launch of the all-new Tour B series of balls by Bridgestone, the company is introducing a revolutionary “smart” cover that was years in the making.
2020 Bridgestone Tour B: Where it started
When it comes to product design, engineers have to optimize based on the end goal of that product and the technology available to produce it. In many cases, that means having to sacrifice one attribute to increase another, for example, green-side spin for increased distance.
With the new Tour B Series, Bridgestone didn’t want to sacrifice anything in the name of total performance, so they utilized the knowledge and expertise of over 900 rubber and polymer engineers from the extensive worldwide research and development team to create Reactiv urethane, an entirely new cover material exclusive to Bridgestone, which offers faster rebound at greater speeds while also increasing green-side control with shots hit at much lower speeds.
Bridgestone says this is the world’s first “smart” urethane.
“The REACTIV cover technology is the most dramatic step change to cover construction since 1999 when we led the industry from Balata to Urethane covered Tour balls.” – Dan Murphy, President & CEO Bridgestone Golf
The 900 engineers number might seem a bit excessive when you consider it’s “just a golf ball,” but for a sport governed by strict rules of equipment conformity, sometimes it takes a small army of people to create a breakthrough. We must consider, too, that unlike some others in the ball industry, Bridgestone has years of experience designing and creating polymers, rubbers, and chemical compounds to meet a whole assortment of consumer product needs.
“Combining Tiger Woods with 900 polymer engineers from Bridgestone Tire has proven an unstoppable formula. This new technology will redefine what pros and amateurs expect from a golf ball.” – Dan Murphy
Which one fits you?
Just like with previous lines, the 2020 Tour B balls from Bridgestone are offered in four models, with each being segmented to appeal to golfers at varying swing speeds as well as offering distinct differences in feel depending on the model.
Tour B X and Tour B XS: Designed for players with driver swing speeds of 105 mph and above to best maximize the performance characteristics.
Both the X and XS are three-piece construction and feature the all-new Reactiv urethane cover alongside Bridgestone’s patented Gradational Compression Core technology and Active Acceleration Mantle. Both technologies are designed to increase long game distance while providing lower spin off the driver.
Tour B RX and Tour B RXS: Designed for players with swing speeds below 105 mph, to gain extra distance and provide softer feel.
Just like with the high swing-speed balls, the softer RXS is designed with a slightly softer cover to create greater green-side spin. The RX delivers a solid slightly firmer feel and while still delivering hit-and-sit performance. Both the RX and RXS also feature the Reactiv urethane cover, with the core powered by the Gradational Compression Core and Active Acceleration Mantle layer.
Tiger validation
If there was ever one golfer to rely on providing feedback for a new product from initial development stage to final prototype, Tiger Woods has to be on the top of that list. Known for being reluctant to change anything about his equipment, Tiger was involved from start to finish during the testing stages and has been quite vocal about putting the new ball into play.
“I’ve worked with Bridgestone’s R&D team for nearly 20 years now, so I know they are the market leader in golf ball innovation, but the last couple of years have been different,” said Woods. “Working closely with the R&D team, I’ve been able to take ownership of this design more than any other ball spec in my career. We have taken it to the next level with the new REACTIV cover. It gives me the right feel and has short game spin that exceeds my previous urethane ball. Off the tee, ball speed is up and this new TOUR B XS is definitely longer while still being in my window.”
Bridgestone Tour B golf balls: Pricing and availability
The entire Bridgestone Tour B family of balls will be available at retail starting February 14 and will be priced at $44.99 per dozen.
Along with the traditional white version, the RX and RXS will also be available in optic yellow.
For further help selecting the right Tour B ball for your game you can now try Bridgestone’s new VFIT service for a free video ball-fitting consultation.
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Whats in the Bag
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
- Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
6-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 (4-PW)
Shafts: Project X Denali Blue 105 TX (3), Project X 6.5 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F), Callaway Jaws Raw (60-08C)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Mini DB
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy PistolLock 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s clubs in the forums.
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Equipment
Heavy Artillery: A look at drivers in play at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans
What are the driver and shaft combinations of the best golfers in the world? For gearheads, it’s an endlessly interesting question — even if we can only ever aspire to play LS heads and 7 TX shafts.
At this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, GolfWRX got in-hand looks at the driver setups of a wealth of players.
Check out some of the most interesting combos below, then head to the GolfWRX forums for the rest, as well as the rest of our galleries from New Orleans.
Rory McIlroy
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alex Fitzpatrick
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Daniel Berger
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees @9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Rasmus Hojgaard
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alejandro Tosti
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
Grip: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
James Nicholas
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (8 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Kevin Streelman
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Sang-moon Bae
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (9+ @8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Russ Cochran
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 6 X
Grip: Golf pride MCC Align
MJ Daffue
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (10.5 degrees @9.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green RDX 65 TX
Grip: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord Align
Check our more photos from the Zurich Classic here.
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Whats in the Bag
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
- Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Prototype (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Utility: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (3), Callaway X Forged (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 130
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S, 56-10S, 60-06C)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X
Putter: Odyssey Ai One Milled Eight T DB
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Hojgaard in the forums.
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Big G
Jan 21, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Who gives a S_IT if it’s tiger approved. What a joke. You guys are trying way to hard. Enough with the sycophantic Tiger worship.
Kyle
Jan 21, 2020 at 3:01 pm
“I’ve worked with Bridgestone’s R&D team for nearly 20 years now, so I know they are the market leader in golf ball innovation, but the last couple of years have been different,”
I’ve always wondered if Tiger’s golf balls of past were made or at least influenced by Bridgestone. Sounds like he just confirmed it…
Jake
Jan 21, 2020 at 4:42 pm
I’m pretty sure the Nike balls were manufactured by Bridgestone.
Fred
Jan 21, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Finally the RXS will be available in yellow!
Jake G
Jan 21, 2020 at 9:25 am
Love the 2019 X/XS, great feel and spin. Not sure what else you can do to make them better; the XS is already a super high spinning balls (as Tiger likes).
Chuck Ross
Jan 21, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Well Well, Will see how many wins this wonder ball will get . It should win every week, with
the sound of this all. But it is behind thus far for 2020. Good Luck and Good Day !