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2020 Bridgestone Tour B golf balls: Tiger approved

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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

bridgestone-tour-b-tiger

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.

Bridgestone Tour B X

Bridgestone Tour B X

Bridgestone Tour B XS

Bridgestone Tour B XS

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.

Bridgestone Tour B RX

Bridgestone Tour B RX

Bridgestone Tour B RXS

Bridgestone Tour B RXS

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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Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Fred

    Jan 21, 2020 at 12:40 pm

    Finally the RXS will be available in yellow!

  4. 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 !

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Equipment

Welcome to the family: TaylorMade launches PUDI and PDHY utility irons

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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.

TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.

TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.

Can you see where this is going?

Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”

 

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TaylorMade PUDI

TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)

Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.

In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.

TaylorMade PDHY

TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).

Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.

Club Junkie’s take

Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.

For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.

PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?

TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:

  • PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
  • PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
  • Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
  • PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
  • PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family

Pricing, specs, and availability

Price: $249.99

At retail: Now

Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)

Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)

PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed

PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed

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Equipment

Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

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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 Champions Choice 2.5+ putter

From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ 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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Whats in the Bag

Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)

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  • Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open.

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 60 TX

3-wood: Titleist TSR2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 8 X

Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White Hybrid 90 TX

Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 S

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (54-M, 58-L @60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Onyx (46-50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 Onyx (54-60)

Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Left Dash

Grips: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Richy Werenski’s clubs in the forums.

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