Equipment
Bridgestone JGR CB Forged irons: Forgiveness with a sleeker look
Does a forgiving iron need to sacrifice sensory pleasures such as compact looks or a forged feel in order to perform better? With its new JGR CB Forged irons, Bridgestone looks to answer that question with a “no.”
“Our expert engineers created game-improvement irons specifically for those who need a little extra forgiveness, but refuse to compromise on look and feel,” says Angel Ilagan, President and CEO of Bridgestone Golf. “It’s our obligation to easily enable better performance and more enjoyment, and JGR technology answers that call.”
Bridgestone’s JGR family began with its JGR Hybrid Forged irons, which were launched at the 2016 PGA Show. They were designed as thick-soled, distance-first irons that had low and rearward CG (center of gravity) for higher launch and greater forgiveness. By all means, they were game-improvement irons.
The company’s new addition to the family — the JGR CB Forged irons — use similar technologies to improve performance, but are put into a more compact clubhead that’s made from 1020 carbon steel.

Compared to Bridgestone’s J15 CB irons, the JGR CB Forged irons have a wider sole for improved turf interaction, a longer iron head for greater MOI (moment of inertia, a measure of forgiveness), a lower CG and more offset for higher launch, and a 4 percent larger sweet spot, according to the company.
That means they are made to perform better for mid-to-high handicaps, but are sleeker than the JGR Hybrid forged irons, with the added benefit of one-piece 1020 carbon steel forgings.
Bridgestone’s JGR CB Forged irons (5-PW, GW) will be available on November 1 and come stock with True Temper’s XP 95 shaft for $899; graphite will sell for $949.
Equipment
Spotted: Titleist GTS USWO headcovers
GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore was at Riviera Country Club this last week in Los Angeles for the U.S. Women’s Open. While browsing the photos, I spotted a recent major trend in headcovers. That is, the Titleist GTS headcover line expands the majors theme.
Seen on the bag of Natalia Guseva were the red, white, and blue Titleist GTS covers. This is the third time we have seen limited-edition Titleist major covers, the others being at the Masters and the PGA Championship. But with the launch of the GTS line back at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March, this is the first time we have seen Titleist come out with major themed head covers for the season (driver headcovers through hybrids).
Check out some photos below.

At the Masters, we saw the familiar Masters green, white, and yellow. While the PGA Championship design was colors synonymous with the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team. This shows the season major drops continue full steam ahead for major OEMs. New opportunities for each major for designs and themes, and who knows, maybe a lucky spark for a player and a major championship for their resume. It gets the wheels turning for what major theme headcover you would keep on your bag for the whole season!


Whats in the Bag
Melanie Green WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 5 S

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 S

Hybrids: TaylorMade Qi4D (19 degrees, 22 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF Hybrid 85 S 

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5-PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105

Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (50-SB 09, 54-SB 12, 60-SB 10)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour V
Grip: SuperStroke Flatso 2.0

Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
Check out more in-hand photos of Melanie Green’s clubs here.
Equipment
Titleist GT280 mini driver after 3 rounds – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, one user has announced himself as a believer in the powers of Titleist’s GT280 Mini Driver, and is sharing the good news with other members.
User @dgarland chronicled:
“As the title states I have played 3 rounds with a Titleist GT280 mini driver and here are the results… If you have been contemplating trying one, definitely do. Stock Tensei Blue and set at standard loft and it’s legitimately hard to not put the ball in play with this. It is incredibly straight and even bad swings result in a usable shot. You will give up some distance but you will be in play. I have not attempted to hit it off the fairway yet but I rarely hit my 3 wood off the fairway either. At my home course there are two holes on the front 9 that are a really uncomfortable shot with the driver. One is a slight dogleg right where a draw (my normal shot) can run out of room fast and the other is a dogleg left with trees about 250ish straight off the tee, where a driver that doesn’t draw will get me into trouble. The mini driver has been perfect for both of them. I always step onto those tee boxes uncomfortable about the shot I need to play, but with this it makes it far easier to get the ball in play.
“Update: 2 for 2 again this morning in a 9 hole round.”
Members in the forum shared their thoughts on mini drivers, offering up their favorite models and whether or not they’re a proper fit for their home course/style of play. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- NorthMNgolfer: “I’m curious between this and the new TEC mini that was just released. But I’m waiting a mini that can be used from the fairway as well from time to time. Both look like great options.”
- jLMN: “I played the GT280 last year and it’s a great club. My problem this year is I couldn’t justify keeping it in the bag when I would only use it 2-3 times per round. Perfect club for short par 4 tee shots. I didn’t trust it as well off the deck compared to the tee box.”
- GolferPerson1: “I can only speak to the 280 but I’ve had no issues with it from the fairway. ”
Entire Thread: “Titleist GT280 mini driver after 3 rounds”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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Meaks
Oct 20, 2016 at 5:31 pm
I like the simplicity especially if they packed in as much forgiveness as they say they did.
Feel the Bern
Oct 20, 2016 at 5:13 pm
Soon they will be selling iron “sets” or 6-PW for $899, and you will be able to buy individual packs of skittles for $1.25. On a more serious note, I’m slightly offended that the article doesn’t mention LH (or RH) availability, but then again, neither does Bridgestone’s website:
http://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/clubs/jgr-cb-forged-irons
J.R.
Oct 19, 2016 at 10:46 pm
They look like some Taylor Made irons from about 15 yrs ago.
Joe Golfer
Oct 22, 2016 at 11:50 pm
I thought the same thing. I don’t recall the model’s name. I think perhaps they had three models that year, a 300 for lower handicaps, a 320 for mid handicaps, and then a 360 for higher handicaps.
Of course, that was many years back, so my memory may be incorrect on this.
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