Equipment

Bridgestone introduces ultra-premium Tour B Series

Published

7 years ago

Jan 18, 2017

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

Lens Position: 538

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).

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31 Comments

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.

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Stevegp

Jan 20, 2017 at 12:56 am

I like Bridgestone gear. It will be interesting to see how they new releases do.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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Joshua Rodgers

Jan 19, 2017 at 3:32 pm

1020 Endo Forging…I’m betting those blades will find their way into Tigers bag.

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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.

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Takehiko Takaoka

Jan 19, 2017 at 5:11 am

Almost same price as in Japan

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Ron

Jan 18, 2017 at 2:29 pm

Hmphf.

How come no one makes a 3-iron anymore?

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - 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.
    
    Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment
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).

Reply Report comment
- Large Chris
  
  Jan 18, 2017 at 1:29 pm
  
  To be fair the pics do look very nice, the X-blades in particular.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
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

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
creeder

Jan 18, 2017 at 11:18 am

thanks PXG for all the ultra premium high priced gear. Dont fall in the trap.

Reply Report comment
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…

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Jan 18, 2017 at 11:05 am
  
  brilliant idea!
  
  Reply Report comment
Deron

Jan 18, 2017 at 10:30 am

Trying to follow the PXG model? Hope this sort of thing doesn’t become a trend.

Reply Report comment
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.

Reply Report comment
- 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.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

4 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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