Equipment
Bridgestone B330RX and B330RXS Balls
TOUR B330-RX Technology
Tour Performance optimized for amateur swing speeds under 105 mph with a preference for maximum TOUR DISTANCE.
The NEW Tour B330-RX offers a reformulated mantle layer and Dual Dimple Technology. The reformulated mantle reduces spin on full shots and promotes a higher launch, resulting in greater accuracy and distance. The Dual Dimple pattern offers superior aerodynamics and enhanced wind performance. The B330-RX continues to feature a soft core design that allows maximum compression for moderate swing speed players.
2012 Golf Digest Hot List Gold Medal Winner
Features
-The RX is designed for players who prefer maximum Tour distance & accuracy.
-Soft gradational compression core for longer and straighter distance.
-Reengineered mantle for reduced spin and greater accuracy.
-Tour proven Urethane cover for excellent greenside control
-330 dual dimple technology for a consistent flight
Optics
-Also available in Optic Yellow for enhanced visibility
Dual Dimple Technology
Based on the 2012 Golf Digest Hotlist:
Price: $43/dozen
Performance: 4.5 stars
Innovation: 5 stars
Feel: 4.5 stars
Demand: 3 stars
Tech Talk: As of this year, all four models use a dual-dimple design aimed at reducing drag at launch (for more speed) and increasing lift later in flight (for longer carry). The B330 and B330-S use a softer, thinner urethane cover to improve feel and distance; the RX models feature a softer ionomer blend in the mantle layer designed to reduce sidespin.
Verdict: Bridgestone still makes the best case for using non-tour-speed balls (not that its elite balls are slouches, though). Still, even our fastest swingers liked the feel of the RXS best.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play one degree upright to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Doug
Jul 18, 2012 at 2:15 am
I normally play Pro V1x balls. My 3 wood swing speed can reach 115 mph and my driver well over that. I found a new B330-RX ball and played 2 rounds with it. I am impressed. On approach shots, the ball backs up to it’s pitch mark, which is exactly what I want. My Pro V1s were spinning back 30 feet sometimes. Sidespin off the tee is much less with the B330-RX. The Pro V1x is longer off my driver, but not so with my 3 wood. I’ve hit multiple tee shots 290 to 300 with my 3 wood and the B330-RX. It also feels very soft around the greens and runs out like a Pro V1x on chips for me. I’m seriously considering using a B330-RX at the next NGA event I play.
tlovell
Jul 5, 2012 at 11:22 am
The RXS ball plays very similarily to the Srixon Z star except spin on shots played around the green. The RXS has less than a Z star, but I rarely need that much spin honestly. The RXS is the softest feeling “hard” ball I have ever played – very similar to the old balatas.
USARSASA
Jun 21, 2012 at 2:58 am
Personally, I was very disappointed in the B330-RSX’s spin on the greens. I play a course that has greens called tift-angel or something like that, and they simply did not hold the greens as well as the Titleist Pro-series, the Taylor Pentas, or the old Callaway Tour-56 balls that I still carry and play. Even the Top Flite Gamer holds these greens better than the B330-RSX. Why should I pay a premium price for these when a really inexpensive ball such as the Gamer performs better?
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