Trial&Error

Exactly. Sorry guys but this does not move the needle for me in any fashion, instead I think I'll opted to replace my SM7's with another fresher set of SM7's this year if anything (closing in one 100 rounds with my current wedges)

I believe it says 1.5........................not 15mph. I too mistook it early "Bridgestone confirms that, across the board, with all four balls (the Tour B X, XS, RX, and RXS) and for all types of players, ranging from Tiger, Bryson and Kuchar to you, me and Wally the 23-handicap from down the street, they’ve seen the same performance results for everyone: roughly 1.5 MPH more ball speed with the driver and roughly 350 more RPM on a 15-yard pitch compared to the 2018 Tour B’s."

Looks like everyone can go get their own "protos" on February 14th

Looks like all the marketing "guff" just dropped this morning in conjunction with the start of the PGA Merchandise show.........so much for blind testing

UPDATE as to my Chipping Test (from last Saturday, as seen on pg 6 of thread for reference.) **As said previously, 54 degree wedge, I wanted to get a larger data sample, so performed the same chipping process greenside again today. Again trying to land the ball around a 15 yd carry mark that resulted in balls rolling out to around 20yd in total. This update now representing a total sample size of 39 chip shots for each ball (78 collectively). The larger sample size did help close the average spin gap to some degree, but still not yet allowed the Bridgestone Tour BX yet to overtake in average spin, but getting closer to "minimal" difference. I think nearly 40 with each will conclude this portion of my chipping tests. Srixon Z-Star XV- Average spin of 7172, High of 8300, Low of 5390. Of those 39 chips, 22 of those all being in the 7400-7500 each. (*Note, all subject to strike but looking for any trends). Average carry distance measured at 15.30 yds Bridgestone Tour BX- Average spin of 7076, High of 8700, Low of 5514. Of those 39 chips, 19 of those all being in the 7400-7500 each. (*Note, all subject to strike but looking for any trends). Average carry distance measured at 15.02 yds 40 YARD PITCH SHOTS (58 degree wedge) *Very limited sample size here today so I'd say take these with a grain of salt, only 12 shots with each ball. Srixon Z-Star XV- Average Carry 37.16 yards, Average spin of 7484 rpm, High of 10,005, Low of 5840. (*Note, all subject to strike but looking for any trends). Bridgestone Tour BX- Average Carry 38.75 yards, Average spin of 7207 rpm, High of 9664, Low of 5931. (*Note, all subject to strike but looking for any trends). Overall, in chipping and pitching it is in my observation difficult or impossible for me to discern one of these balls from the other. Feels and performance (and expectations). Things may change when I move on to full shots and direct numbers comparisons there........but as of playing 18 holes yesterday with the Tour BX I'd say if you told me I was still playing my Srixon XV I'd say "yup," b/c it just seemed to fall right in to where and what I would ask/expect. But thats "observational" only, I'd like to back with data

Just played my first 18 with the Tour BX and after the initial "chip" testing and data seen above from yesterday. I did not have my best stuff today, I was cold most of the afternoon and just could not swing well enough to give the ball it's just do. To many wipey shots with lack of compression. I got no surprises from the ball but did not have any wow moments either, mostly just played like I'd expect from my Srixon XV's. Shot a +6 78 just couldn't get anything in gear today or to really go my way for me and the ball (not the balls fault at all) I will say though, for the person who asked about durability, I thought it held up VERY well as it relates to the cover. I played one ball from hole 1 through 12, where it finally was lost, carrying some water and then spinning back into the water hazard. Up until then it looked pretty great, played the next ball from 13-18 looked flawless but dirty. I gave a playing partner one of the Tour BX's to play today, he played it from hole 2 through 18 and we examinded it after the round and were both pleased in the covers look of durability.

Oh I see that now. Edit: took down the feel question, I saw you already spoke to that also

But man, the BXS showed higher ball speeds across the board all the way from Driver through 100yd wedge???

Chipping Test Went and started with green side chipping today, the Bridgestone BX -vs- my Srixon Z-Star XV. The process went like this: 1) place "dotted" ball for Mevo 2) chip 3 balls of same make, and observe results 3) then clean club with wet towel and dry off, 4) rinse and repeat through the process. Test 1- (low spinner 54 degree wedge)I started with the 54 degree wedge, green side collar, low "check" type chips placed back in stance, that got about knee high or lower after the strike, this is kinda a standard go to shot around the green for me. These shots overall resulting in all chips coming to a stopping distance between 16-20yds (48' to 60'). The result initially was that the balls felt the same to me with no real differences noticed from one make to the other make. However, the first "2 rounds" of 3 (being 3 BS chips then 3 Srix chips being 1 round) I did take note that it was appearing the Srixons seemed to be stopping overall about 2 ft shorter than the Bridegstone. I took note that this seemed the overall result for "Round 1 and Round 2" with the 3rd round seeming to be a push. I noted this but did not put much into it, all things subject to strike. Test 2- (Mid trajectory 54 degree) Next test went 4 rounds still greenside with 54 degree (3 shots each ball), what I would call a "mid-trajectory" chip that went between waist high to neck high, and I pushed the distance out alittle placing a tee at 16 yds as an intended landing area only and then taking note of where the balls were finishing (and how). The balls all resulted in a total distance of around 19-22yds (57' to 66'). During this portion of the test I'd say I did not notice any difference in stopping power and the balls seemed to blend more together, however I would still think alot of this could be down to strike. The Spin numbers collected - Now I realize this is not a Trackman data set but Mevo is what I have and I was glad to have it for this, I set it to the "chipping" setting and collected data as I worked through the process seen above. The SPIN total results of those 42 chip shots (21 for EACH make of Ball) resulted in these numbers: Srixon Z-Star XV- Average spin of 7304rpm, High of 7592, Low of 5390. Of those 21 chips, 14 of those all being in the 7400-7500 each. Pretty consistent! (*Note, all subject to strike and low data sample however but looking for any trends) Bridgestone Tour BX- Average spin of 6942, High of 7554, Low of 5548. Of those 21 chips, 10 of those all being in the 7400-7500 each. (*Note, all subject to strike and low data sample however but looking for any trends) I tried to go get some 55-60yd partial shot 58 degree wedges, but we just had over and inch of rain the two previous days, and the the thin lies and dormant grass being soaked made this task with razor thin margins and not to mention I'd be there all day cleaning the face after each shot. Just to cold for that today and conditions not being correct. Tomorrow planning to play but not sure yet if I'll be "comparing numbers" or just throw the BX ball in play and just play and try it out. Yet to be determined, I really enjoy comparing products but I make it a MUST to do so on the same day

I agree, as a tester for this, here is how I'm thinking I will go about things like this: I'm planning to go on course and base my testing with "non-target fixations" and instead the replication of putting strokes and replication of swings. I think, for me, this will help eliminate the task of getting close (or closer) to a target as a measure of success and instead being able to better quantify how the ball is reacting compared to my Srixon Z-star XV's. Anyone can stand there and "walk it in" closer and closer after reps, I'm planning to try and avoid that task. I have some half swing wedges and yardages I know well at this point, hoping to go and hit many shots with the B'stones and my Srixons while focusing on making the same swings and try and then quantify the amount of "bite" and spin as it related to pitch marks and finish locations. Same idea for chipping Also planning to replicate this idea for full wedges shots, irons and driver.......trying my best to be robotic with swing and let the balls be the dictator. This is where my head is with this, will also dot up alot of balls for the Mevo

To our other testers, some of which have received these yesterday and those who also get them today.........my imagination or when taking them out and "handling" them, do they feel as though they have a tactile feel of sorts? Is this me and my mind or do they seem in a way "sticky" against the fingers with the cover? EDIT: Drug out a new sleeve of my Srixon V-Star XV's, maybe more similar in feel of handling than thought possibly, both have a similar tactile feel to me

Just hit my door, thank you Bridgestone!

Link, where and what are you seeing?

Wow, bottle up some of thta magic sauce and send to me please, even if only a fraction! 25mph BS, yes please!

In my uneducated eye those look like very solid numbers across the board on both clubs. As in, I'd be asking what else is there to strive towards as the "numbers" side looks like you may be chasing fractions of improvements? Unless, giveen the "numbers look great" but what we can not see is a nasty dispersion pattern with either or both (i.e.regular flex at those speeds)? Numbers side looks solid (again, not a qualified opinion but as casual observer) but if those numbers are not also followed with/by tight dispersion, then maybe there is the gorilla in the room.

Roughly 70 rounds this calendar year. I'm excited for 2020

Still waiting on balls to arrive for testing to begin.......tick tock tick...............

Awesome. I suspect this kind of thing could help almost anyone, I'll elaborate on it alittle. I thought some folks seemed to "pick distances" they want to learn to hit wedges and go that route, fine nothing wrong there if that works. I opted a different route and thought, "if given a target line only and not given a set distance, how far does the same half swing, 3/4 swing, and full swing for each wedge go." This way I could loose the fixation of "learning the distance" I was trying to achieve and instead focus on something I felt was uniquely repeatable to my body and swing, across 4 different clubs. Then and only then I felt I had a good (and if not, good, much better) understanding of my carry numbers as it related to swing length which should be the same while learning my unique carry yardages for each club. This was my "data collection" portion. Then what was left was go and apply those findings in a "game" where I just filled out a scorecard with 50-75, 76-100, 101-125 on it (in lieu of players names) and each hole I'd alternate which "distance zone" I was to play from, keep score and proximity to the hole for each and learn to apply my swings and yardages while monitoring for any surprises as it related in miss clubbing or wind. All of this turned out to be alot whole lot of fun.

So admittedly, I don't "love" golf this time of year and chasing the ball among leaves and dormant grass in low light conditions just isn't much fun to me. So instead, these last several weeks I have instead been focusing on (and really enjoying) going to my club and playing and practicing wedges almost exclusively. It's kinda turned into an addiction and I've found myself enjoying it and thinking alot about ways to improve. Most of my time has been spent in 2 areas: 1) working on and collecting alot of data for distances for each wedge with half, 3/4, and full swings, with two wedges also having an added "specialty" distance 2) playing games going around the course like playing 18 holes playing only shots from 60-125yd and keeping proximity to hole, and also dropping a second ball in or around green inside 40 yards and keeping track of strokes and/or up and downs. It's really captured me, planning to go do more of the same with this today. Edit: as to the underlined above, this has been fascinating to me and has really quieted my mind on distances and shots........and the net result (+/-) in turn has been knowing/having 13 different "go to shots/yardages" between 62 yards and 127 yards. How cool!

I bet you are correct and nailed that on the "feel." I believe when I entered my data on preference, if memory serves me, think I choose "accuracy."

I'm not overall pleased with the swing I sent in to them but I am very blown away with the fact you simply send in a swing video and they send back data that definitely are well within the "ballpark" of what I know to be my standard norm. I used my Mevo for 7 drives to know when I was more or less warmed up before the video swing and the data sent back from Bridgestone was basically within 3%+/- error of the averages I had just collected. From a simple 1 swing video....................I vote that to be impressive. I'm more curious as to how/why they recommended Tour B XS to our tester who had 113mph chs and fairly high spin? Isn't that the "spinnier" ball? I thought that curious

Incredible, thank you for the opportunity. I've been doing lots of work in the recent past weeks with wedges and my Flightscope Mevo, so looking forward to throwing these in the mix and build out some feedback and results. Thanks Mygolfspy!

The Review 2/21/2020 Bridgestone Tour BX – Official MGS Forum Review by Trial&Error I ntro About me, currently 39 years old, grew up playing junior golf and such as a competitive young lad. Lost touch with the game more or less to some degree in college and in my 20’s. My handicap has been between 2-4 for the last several years and scoring average of 78 last 2 years. For any readers looking to identify if my “game” is somewhat suitable to them as it relates for my ball review, my numbers are usually average of: Driver 108-112ss, 260 +/- carry with 160 ballspeed +/-, 7 iron 88-90ss & 165-170 carry, PW 127-130 carry. To further validate the above statements, let me also include the Bridgestone V-fit results they sent, which I think was pretty impressive considering a single video being submitted to them. I play out of the South Central area, Oklahoma & Texas mostly, so wind is often a factor and consideration. What I'm looking for in a ball is I need to fly long and straight (who doesn't!), get through the wind well as I tend to spin the ball to much from the tee with driver. That second point being key for me since I tend to fight spin, especially from the tee with driver (more on this point later in review). I usually play Srixon Z-Star XV, which I choose for 3 main reasons: 1) seems to be a quality ball with a cover a quite enjoy 2) I can get the premium model ball in a “colored” version (yellow) 3) cost is a few dollars less per dozen than the competition FFirst Impressions First Impressions were great. Arrived in little white boxes with “Confidentiality” written on the side, very Men in Black. I think to our surprise, we received more balls to test than was originally stated when signing up for this review, getting 3 dozen balls was just awesome! They had what I would call a somewhat “tacky/sticky” feeling on the cover almost which intrigued me at first. The dimple design, for whatever reason, I think looks great and quite flattering. What I’m usually looking for in/from a golf ball is something I can lean on around green side chips, and feel confidence in “skip skip check.” I also suffer from steep angles of attack so I also need a ball that buffer the wind a great deal as I can get balloon balls quite easily into the wind. My focus initially was on greenside spin of 15-20 yd chips, I used my Mevo and put these Tour BX head to head against the Srixon Z-Star XV. I performed 39 chips with EACH ball (yes 78 total), cycling back and forth (using 54 degree wedge) and got these results: Srixon Z-Star XV- Average spin of 7172, High of 8300, Low of 5390. Of those 39 chips, 22 of those all being in the 7400-7500 each. (*Note, all subject to strike but looking for any trends). Average carry distance measured at 15.30 yds Bridgestone Tour BX- Average spin of 7076, High of 8700, Low of 5514. Of those 39 chips, 19 of those all being in the 7400-7500 each. (*Note, all subject to strike but looking for any trends). Average carry distance measured at 15.02 yds. After this, putting the ball into play for a first 18 hole round I was not 100% I could see or tell the difference between this ball and my current ball. Although, given that I also took some piece of mind in that and felt like it performed flawlessly and was checking all the boxes and I was able to just “get on with it.” No surprises, no “oh man, what was that,” or dazed looks from me. It just worked how I’d expect. I will say I did think a few times that the ball flew with alittle less curve from what felt like a few otherwise awfully rotten swings. Looks & Durability ( 15 out of 15 points) ● These balls look great, love the dimple pattern, they “look fast” for whatever that means LOL ● The durability, for me, is off the charts great. These are much more durable to me than ProV1x ever dreamed to be, and also more durable than the Spinskin on the Srixon Z-Star XV. ● I don’t use an alignment aid, so no input here. HOWEVER, the fact the Tour BX is NOT offered in a colored option does affect me as a customer. I do like the single bold “B” of the logo on the ball, I think it looks nice but also you know exactly what brand the ball is and that is in play. It looks premium ● Attached here is a picture of the same ball, after being played for 27 holes, again I say these wear quite nicely. Much better I think than my V-Star SSound & Feel (10 out of 15 points) ● Sound and feel of these for me, is….well….as expected. I can’t ascertain any feel difference but I can say with 100% certainty it does everything it needs to for my game, no surprises. ● The cover had a slight “tacky” feel to my fingers ● This ball did not seem to impact me in any way as awesome nor offensive for a feel or especially “sound.” I know “clicky” sounds are a thing but for me this just rolled right into what I can tell a premium ball to be for feedback O n-Course Performance (35 out of 40 points) ● Off the Tee – off the tee from Driver, these ball are really nice. Maybe somewhat longer than the Z-star but it’s just hard to quantify subjectively without concrete numbers and loyts of data to back it up. But antidotally they appear long ● Approach – Adequate stopping power, stops and spins like what I would expect of a premium ball. ● Ball Flight – now here I “think” that this ball excels. For me the flight “appeared” very stable and seemed to not get moved about by wind much. Headwinds and side winds the ball usually stays on the line as it began, it just did not seem to wander much. I enjoyed that and have it flagged as a key ingredient for me in future windy conditions as a ball to put in play. ● Around the Green – See my data backed numbers above as far as spin vs the Z-Star XV. Again I’d say it performs just like you’d expect a premium ball in this department. I can get the “skip skip check” from this greenside just like I’d intent to play. ● Putting – I do not use any font/text alignment as a tool but I think some other testers stated they would like something more prominent or bold. For me the ball feels nice off the putter and no surprises in this department. ● Bottom line: did it help improve your scores? Well, let’s see, but I reflect back to a phrase “correlation is NOT causation.” Reason to state this……was this ball being played when I set my best personal round at my home club of 73? Yes, why yes in fact it was, shot +1 73 playing the Tour BX. BUT…….was it also in play and being used when shooting an abyssal 87 the previous day? Why yes, yes sir it was. All things told, I think some discretion need be used before crediting just the ball with this merit. M iscellaneous (10 out of 10 points) I’ll give a full 10 here based on I don’t have anything in the random department to knock this ball for and also to again give Bridgestone a kudos for the V-Fit analysis, which I still think is fascinating stuff. G ame Bag or Shag Bag? (15 out of 20 points) I’ll give the Tour BX a 15 of 20 here based on just a couple main considerations: 1) The price is still higher per dozen than the Srixon Z-Star XV’s I play so I’ll save the couple dollars 2) It will NOT be fully replacing my current ball largely as I already have a couple dozen sitting and ready for play, BUT the Tour BX DID and WILL find it’s way into a playing “rotation” this year as one of only two balls I will put in play in 2020. Last year I would only play the ProV1x and the Z-Star XV, this year however, given the spin and flight characteristics of the Tour BX it will be bumping ProV1x out of the bag. So for this year in 2020, Z-Star XV and Tour BX will be rotated in and out as sole options. Conclusion Closing thoughts, the Tour BX in 2020 is a great ball. It plays strong in the wind, “floats” less in flight than the ProV1x for me (being a steep swinger and higher spin player) so it will be bumping the ProV1x out of my bag as an option. But the Tour BX is joining (not replacing) my Z-Star XV as I really enjoy that ball and have many left to play from my closet. Which brings another point of consideration, I enjoy playing a yellow or colored ball and at this moment there is no yellow option in Tour BX, thus another reason why I will remain in the Srixon Z-Star XV as I can play something besides white. I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to test these, thank you Bridgestone. It’s a very nice ball and I look forward to continue playing and testing it as I go through the rest of the year with this ball and the Z-Star, I think I can refine my findings and thoughts further as we go and get along into the warmer months. I have a feeling I may be singing another tune and really seeing the Tour BX come into “full flight” when the summer hits and I play it more. Final Score: 85 out of 100

That was a great question and good info in response. I too wondered as I'd thought to stock up on some deals over the winter but was worried I'd do so and then a new ball drops to try.

Reflections on my 2019: it was a total flop and dud for me. Coming off 2018, I had two goals or "hopes." 1) See if I could get to scratch or anything in the 0.X range (coming off a low of 1.5 from 2018) 2) See if I could get my scoring average down 2 strokes from 2018 (78.05 2018) (Edit and Addendum; not a "this year goal" but lifetime goal of cracking into the 60's which still continues to ELUDE me! I feel like it's out there waiting but I'm not getting any younger and 70 just isn't getting it done anymore......I need this in any season before I croak!) Both went quickly unrealized, frustration set in quick, coupled along also with a summer bout of shanks and a low back injury in mid summer, I missed by a wide margin as to both. Results instead being 57 rounds with 78.5 scoring average (with rounds wildly between 71-91 on the year or 9 months), so strike one. And my handicap instead going up and see-sawing back and forth all year between 2.5 - 4.4. Needless to say, I'm glad to be ending the year and get past this and hope next year is better. For 2020, plan to keep training with Superspeed, this thursday I'm going in to get an TPI Physical screening and K-Vest Eval to begin the process in hopes to start to better understand what my physical limitations are (i.e mobility/flexibility/power) and hope to identify what I feel certain pains in my body and what of those (if any) is complicating my swing and well being. So I'm starting that chapter this week, in hopes to work to resolve and clean up any physical limitations I'm currently working around/compensating for.