Equipment
Bridgestone’s new Tour B golf balls were designed with the player in mind
Bridgestone’s new Tour B Series of golf balls are set to improve on the company’s Tour B330 line, and there are plenty of details to share about the specifics of the four new models: the Tour B X, the Tour B XS, the Tour B RX, and the Tour B RXS. However, it’s just as important to take a step back from this launch and appreciate how Bridgestone, with their emphasis on ball fitting, arrived at this new four-ball offering, because it represents a departure from what we’re used to seeing in the industry.
Eliot Mellow, Bridgestone Golf Marketing Manager, told GolfWRX that instead of starting with the B330 series and figuring out how to improve upon the offering in the lab, the company instead started in a very different place: with the massive amount of data collected from the company’s ball-fitting program. Beginning with the launch-monitor data from the more than 2.5 million unique swings the company has collected, Bridgestone drilled down on the “tour-ball user” player profile.
“We didn’t sit down to make four balls…a master ball…or eight balls.” Mellow said. “The first thing was just analyzing launch monitor data.”
In addition to this, Bridgestone conducted a massive player survey initiative and began organizing the findings. “Eventually, we filled four buckets that became the Tour B golf balls,” he said, indicating the company then cross-referenced its findings with information from Golf Datatech and other third-party sources to make sure it jived with the larger marketplace.
With the four player profiles identified, the company then tasked the R&D team with developing a quartet of appropriate offerings, leading ultimately to the Tour B X, XS, RX, and RXS models. Fortunately, Mellow said, R&D succeeded. So, let’s dive a little deeper into the four balls and the associated player profiles. A first point of note: The X and XS are built for players who place feel first and foremost. The RX and RXS are for those who place distance ahead of everything else.
TOUR B X and Tour B XS
Designed for low-handicap golfers, the Tour B X is engineered for low-handicap players seeking feel plus accuracy. It replaces the Tour B330 model.
Features include:
- Firmer urethane cover than XS, reduces driver spin for increased accuracy of the tee
- Core compression = 85
- Construction: Three-piece urethane
Tour B XS is designed for the low-handicapper concerned with feel and distance.
- Slightly softer urethane cover than the X, creates added friction for enhanced feel and control
- Core compression = 75
- Construction: Three-piece urethane
Bridgestone makes some bold claims about how the B X and B XS stack up against the B330 and B330-S. Pretty much better at everything! The company claims: higher initial ball speed, better flight in the wind, more consistent trajectory, and softer feel.
TOUR B RX and Tour B RXS
Designed for low-to-mid handicap golfers. The Tour B RX is engineered to help low/mid handicappers primarily concerned with distance and accuracy.
- Slightly firmer urethane cover than the RXS reduces spin and increases accuracy off the tee
- Core compression = 66
- Construction: Three-piece urethane
Tour B RXS is for low/mid handicappers who value distance and feel.
- Slightly softer urethane cover than the RX creates added friction for superior feel and greenside control
- Core compression = 64
- Construction: Three-piece urethane
In addition to a new dimple pattern, the company touts the following features of the Tour B Series: a Gradational Core for optimal energy transfer, and SlipRes cover technology, which increases friction by creating more stability between the ball and club for enhanced control with irons and wedges.
The line will officially be available at retailers nationwide and on bridgestonegolf.com beginning Oct. 2 for $44.99 per dozen.
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Whats in the Bag
Peter Kuest WITB 2024 (May)
- Peter Kuest what’s in the bag accurate as of CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
5-wood: TaylorMade SIM Titanium (19 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 85 6.5
Irons: Srixon ZX U (2), Srixon Z-Forged II (3-PW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (52-MID 10, 56-MID 10, 60-FULL 9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Peter Kuest’s clubs here.
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Whats in the Bag
Kelly Kraft WITB 2024 (May)
- Kelly Kraft’s what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Max (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Red 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali White 70 TX
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Synergy Blue
Irons: Srixon ZX U Mk II (23 degrees), Callaway X Forged Star (5-PW)
Shaft: Project X IO 6.0
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (52-12F, 56-08M, 60-08M)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey Versa 2-Ball Prototype
Grip: Odyssey Garsen Quad Tour
Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kraft’s equipment here.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/6/24): Scotty Cameron Super Rat concept 1 putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Super Rat concept 1 putter
From the seller: (@BWillis): “Scotty super rat concept 1 gss insert 35”, pulled from tour van at St. Jude’s in 2014 only carpet rolled. $7000 obo PayPal g&s, open to offers can send more pics.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Super Rat concept 1 putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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The Dude2
Aug 24, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Cool. I look forward to playing this ball in a year or two when I buy it from one of the used golf ball sites.
Steve Cantwell
Aug 24, 2017 at 10:36 am
Maybe a good ball, but more likely just a money grab. especially when Costco/Kirkland is trying to offer a similar quality ball for 1/2 the price.
Aaron
Aug 23, 2017 at 2:32 pm
Interesting how Bridgestone is competing with its highest profile pro in releasing their balls at the same time
MAGA
Aug 23, 2017 at 2:00 pm
He got ballz
Brewdawg
Aug 23, 2017 at 9:45 am
Make sure it “jives” with the larger marketplace… 🙂
I love a ball that listens to me, but hate one that jives with me. Now jibing is a different story.
Tom54
Aug 23, 2017 at 8:35 am
Let’s see…another new golf ball that will be better than last model huh? The only good thing about new golf balls coming out yearly is that you can get current ones for about $10 cheaper per dz. once the pro-v came out years ago, has any new ball really improved? All pro line balls play well in my opinion. Since the modern ball supposedly lasts around 5 yrs there are always deals to be had.
Rich Douglas
Aug 22, 2017 at 9:19 pm
S
O
S
Peter S
Aug 22, 2017 at 9:00 am
Somehow I feel they designed the ball….with profits in mind!
The Dude
Aug 22, 2017 at 8:05 am
Love when golf ball companies create a ball with the players in mind…..”for those seeking feel and distance”……oh reeeeaaally…..