First Look: Bridgestone Tour B XW-1 Wedges

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Did you guys get to check out the blog on the new wedges from Bridgestone today?

 

Here's the link: https://mygolfspy.com/2018-bridgestone-tour-b-xw-1-wedges/

 

Couple of impressions --

 

I definitely prefer the black over the chrome - and so far the finish has held up perfectly. Not sure what they did to to it, but 8 rounds and some practice have shown no noticeable wear.

 

As mentioned the blog - it's a low tech wedge. The forged feeling is wonderful, but if you struggle with wedges there's nothing here that will change that - but then again, the same can be said for pretty much anyone's wedges (we'll see about the Cleveland CBX wedges in less than a month!)

 

KISB - or Keep It Simple Bridgestone: no bounce or grind options - what do you guys think about that? Seems like wedges are going all one way (crap tons of bounce, grind and sole options) or all the other (like Bridgestone). PING, as always, goes it's own way and is somewhere in the middle.  Do you like more options or fewer options?

 

And here are some pix that didn't make the cut....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[chemclub]

I like the simplified approach by Bridgestone. The gear head cares about grinds/bounces, but the vast majority of those folks are interested in marquee names like Vokey or Edel.

 

The casual golfer doesn't care about that really. I think that might be where is targeted. Lower inventory for Bstone too. However, the price seems a little high for that market.

 

Definitely agree about the black finish.

[ddryan]

I like the simplicity, and I think I like where Bridgestone is going, but, frankly, the TourB logo needs some color to make it stand out, especially on the chrome blade- perhaps black, and white or chrome on the black- it just looks like it got pulled off the line before they were finished.

 

And, thanks, John, for reminding me about the Hogan's being 95 each- I think it may be time to get a new set!  95 and free shipping, next time they offer!!!

 

I really like the V-sole technology that Hogan offers, and think it might be a good thing for these wedges, as well, but apparently not...

[null]

Really do not like the styling of the back of the wedge.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I commented in the Blog post, I have these in my office sitting in the wrappers staring at them.  I know eventually I'll lose them to the Pro Shop, but they are sure nice to look at.   I may break down and pick one up (not one of these, but on my own) just to try out.  the looks are very enticing to me. 

[Mr_Theoo]

Looks like I might have just found another contender to replace my worn out 56 and 52

[BIG STU]

Read your blog post and was impressed but you know I am a wedge ho anyhow. I think simple is better as far as sole grinds for the average golfer. What shafts are they going to come with "stock"?

 

I know you do not hit the ball with the back of the club but I see where they are coming from with the weight distribution and I agree with that. The back at certain angles reminds me of certain T Mag irons from a few years back.

 

The only hold back I see is that they are not marketing them in the big box stores or demoing them there either.

 

I know when we had our shop we were a Bridgestone dealer. But their stuff while quality was priced higher and did not cater to our client base. 

[BIG STU]

Looks like I might have just found another contender to replace my worn out 56 and 52

Judging from what you are hitting now and from what I gather from the article the bounces on those should fit you good. Just speculation on my part

[tommc23]

When I go to the PGA store in Jersey for a putter fitting I may have to check these out. I will need new wedges next year

 

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[Mr_Theoo]

Judging from what you are hitting now and from what I gather from the article the bounces on those should fit you good. Just speculation on my part

You'd be correct. I did finally replace my 60 with a edel wedge that has high bounce. I've only used it a few times in playing but I like it so far. So I might go all edel or just get something like these.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Read your blog post and was impressed but you know I am a wedge ho anyhow. I think simple is better as far as sole grinds for the average golfer. What shafts are they going to come with "stock"?

 

I know you do not hit the ball with the back of the club but I see where they are coming from with the weight distribution and I agree with that. The back at certain angles reminds me of certain T Mag irons from a few years back.

 

The only hold back I see is that they are not marketing them in the big box stores or demoing them there either.

 

I know when we had our shop we were a Bridgestone dealer. But their stuff while quality was priced higher and did not cater to our client base. 

 

DG Spinner is the stock shaft - I'm kinda up and down with it. Had that shaft in some PING wedges and really didn't like it very much. I've had better luck with it in these.

 

And they will be in big box retailers - at least anyone who currently carries their stuff - PGA Superstore for one. The other Tour B stuff - irons and woods - are still only at selected fitters.  It'll all be available on Bridgestone's website.

 

Was a really big fan of the J15 wedges - loved the look, feel and performance - simplicity was great and could hit pretty much any shot with them - even the 60 yard low screamer from 40 yards out...

[Miboy62]

Like the look of them, but will not see them in any stores around me.

[yungkory]

I've never played forged wedges, are they softer feeling than cast? I know feeling is subjective, but until I played these 900 Tours I had no idea how much I enjoy that feeling of "hitting nothing" when you pure it. The MD3 feel so hard and I generally have no idea where I hit the ball if there's no mark on the face, just wondering if that is because they're cast?

[chemclub]

I've never played forged wedges, are they softer feeling than cast? I know feeling is subjective, but until I played these 900 Tours I had no idea how much I enjoy that feeling of "hitting nothing" when you pure it. The MD3 feel so hard and I generally have no idea where I hit the ball if there's no mark on the face, just wondering if that is because they're cast?

 

Forged has largely become a marketing buzz word rather than a mark of performance.

 

There is actually no difference between forged and cast steel. This is especially true on a wedge which takes a glancing blow at the ball. If you were given a 900 Tour that had been forged and one that had been cast - you could not tell the difference.

 

When cast clubs first came out they had a considerably different feel than forged because the type of steel that had to be used for casting was different. The lore of the forged iron started from there. Nowadays metallurgy has progressed to the point that they can cast and forge in the same steel. 

 

Tony Covey had a great paragraph on this in one of the main blog articles this year but I can't find it.

 

Forging is more expensive but consumers demand it. PING is smart to charge the same price for cast clubs.

[MDGolfHacker]

I can't wait to try them out.  I'm all for keeping it simple.  At times, I think we all start to suffer from too many choices.  For the mass who don't really want to delve into the intricacies of the myriad of loft and bounces, I think this wedge will appeal to them.  I like the look of the wedges and always favor forged wedges (truth be told though, I have the original titleist SM wedges in my bag which were cast).  I had planned on replacing them with Cleveland RTX forged wedges or Mizuno forged wedges way back when, but circumstances at the time prevented me from doing so.

 

MDGolfHacker

[Rtracymog]

I liked the j15 wedges a lot! Super low bounce in the high numbers, felt soft and spun a lot! For a forged wedge at that price it was a no brainer. I wonder why the price jumped to $190 a piece. I know the design is modeled after last years tour stuff (which felt amazing), but I don't see the reason for the price hike. Any info to help out with that?

 

 

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[GolfSpy Barbajo]

I liked the j15 wedges a lot! Super low bounce in the high numbers, felt soft and spun a lot! For a forged wedge at that price it was a no brainer. I wonder why the price jumped to $190 a piece. I know the design is modeled after last years tour stuff (which felt amazing), but I don't see the reason for the price hike. Any info to help out with that?

 

 

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Not sure where the $190 came from -- price for the Tour B XW-1's is $139.99 each...

[BigtazzGolf]

Love the look but not enough to unseat the Clevelands. Price point kinda spooked me and the stock shaft was a no go. I don't get a long with the spinner at all lol.

 

Tazz

 

 

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[Rtracymog]

Not sure where the $190 came from -- price for the Tour B XW-1's is $139.99 each...

Sorry. I googled them and tourspec was selling them at $190 and $199 for the black.

 

 

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