2020 Official Member Review: Bridgestone White Box Ball

[Shankster]

[FiveGs]

I will be doing some testing on Sunday with a launch monitor at work. I will be using a 54 degree, 7 iron, Driver.


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[jddaigneault]

A brown box from Bridgestone. Whatever could this be?

YESSSSSSSS! It’s golf ball testing time!

This is totally awesome. Several prototype boxes, all containing two Bridgestone Tour B XS golf balls. I feel more like Tiger already. 

Don't go trying to steal these bad boys. You’ve been warned. What happens if/when I lose one...?

These look and feel amazing. I just went from no weekend plans to Saturday morning golf! I can’t wait to see how these perform. The prior generation were a great ball, I’m curious what changes Bridgestone has made. I’ll have to see if I can dig up any of the old ones from my bag, Bridgestone has never been my gamer. 

No idea if these will be the right ball for me, but I must say that having done the fitting video with Bridgestone, I’m feeling a bit of extra confidence in these babies. We also have a Bridgestone rep coming out to fit the golf team with balls soon, it will be interesting to see if their findings are the same! 

To the course!

[Smellis745]

4 hours ago, Trial&Error said:

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

Definitely noticed what you’re talking about as far as finger feel.  I hope the cover is durable.  

[PMookie]

A brown box from Bridgestone. Whatever could this be?
YESSSSSSSS! It’s golf ball testing time!
This is totally awesome. Several prototype boxes, all containing two Bridgestone Tour B XS golf balls. I feel more like Tiger already. 
Don't go trying to steal these bad boys. You’ve been warned. What happens if/when I lose one...?
These look and feel amazing. I just went from no weekend plans to Saturday morning golf! I can’t wait to see how these perform. The prior generation were a great ball, I’m curious what changes Bridgestone has made. I’ll have to see if I can dig up any of the old ones from my bag, Bridgestone has never been my gamer. 

No idea if these will be the right ball for me, but I must say that having done the fitting video with Bridgestone, I’m feeling a bit of extra confidence in these babies. We also have a Bridgestone rep coming out to fit the golf team with balls soon, it will be interesting to see if their findings are the same! 
To the course!

Dang! Three dozen is NICE!!!!


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[daviddvm]

L
Got the goods ready to do some testing
Thank you Bridgestone and MGS 

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[yungkory]

7 hours ago, Smellis745 said:

Definitely noticed what you’re talking about as far as finger feel.  I hope the cover is durable.  

Just got mine in. I don't notice a difference in the feel of the covers in my hands, but the "dimple in a dimple" appears less pronounced in the prototypes? Pictures below for reference. Left is the 2018, and right is from the balls I was sent to test. I'm no professional photographer as you can tell, and I tried my best to have the light shine from a consistent angle, but every which way I position the balls, or my phone camera the result is the same

On the subject of durability, if it's anything like the 2018 version it will be VERY durable.

[Shankster]

Now that these are starting to trickle in.

What are some questions for us testers that you all would like answered?

[JohnSmalls]

Partial shot spin.  Has Bridgestone found a way to to increase shortgame spin while maintaining the durability and long game playability of the previous generation. 

[Trial&Error]

24 minutes ago, JohnSmalls said:

Partial shot spin.  Has Bridgestone found a way to to increase shortgame spin while maintaining the durability and long game playability of the previous generation. 

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

Edited January 18, 2020 by Trial&Error

[TR1PTIK]

I’m primarily interested in how the new Tour B XS has changed from the previous model. I’m happy with the performance of my current ball, so what exactly has changed (i.e. feel, durability, spin, distance, etc.)?

[PMookie]

Can’t wait to see some Pro 1X vs the X and XS. Orrrrrrr, maybe I don’t want to see since I have 6 dozen V1X!!!

I’d love to see everything from distance off the tee, and with irons, then all of the spin stuff on approaches, around the greens, etc. Spin consistency and control seems to be the story from posts by folks on Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

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[daviddvm]

1 hour ago, JohnSmalls said:

Partial shot spin.  Has Bridgestone found a way to to increase shortgame spin while maintaining the durability and long game playability of the previous generation. 

I'll be sidelining my ProV1x and playing the Tour B RXS exclusively. I track my game with Arccos caddie and I will look at how any of the tour analytics change for good or bad from this date forward to see any difference this ball makes in my performance.

Did you notice they are MADE IN USA ?      I like that!

 

 

 

[Shankster]

I’m primarily interested in how the new Tour B XS has changed from the previous model. I’m happy with the performance of my current ball, so what exactly has changed (i.e. feel, durability, spin, distance, etc.)?

My first initial thought is weird. It’s less cue ball sounding. I’ve game the last 2 models at some point the B330S and the Tour B XS. The B330S sounded and felt like hard chalk, and the XS sounded like a cue ball to me.

Probably won’t be able to get a round in till next Sunday. Unreal work issues still... maybe a short game session if I’m lucky.

[Golfspy_CG2]

2 hours ago, daviddvm said:

 

Did you notice they are MADE IN USA ?      I like that!

 

 

 

They are indeed.  I've been to the factory and have followed the process from start to finish.  It was really something to see.   The amount of QA steps along the way was very impressive.   Something like 19 checkpoints, I think it was. 

[daviddvm]

8 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

They are indeed.  I've been to the factory and have followed the process from start to finish.  It was really something to see.   The amount of QA steps along the way was very impressive.   Something like 19 checkpoints, I think it was. 

[geno4952]

20 hours ago, Trial&Error said:

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

Not a fellow tester but I can relate to that feeling. Back in the day my test for how the cover felt was to take 2 balls in one hand and rub them together (like trying to roll one over the other with pressure on them) and if they stuck together and wouldn't move properly then I figured a nice soft cover. If you did that say... with a Pinnacle they would slide around like ice on ice. Good luck with your testing. Looking forward to the results....he says with envy....

Peace

[Smellis745]

Alright, so I literally just got in the door from doing some testing on Trackman.  I went by Haas Family Golf in Greenville, SC and spent some time with Daniel Clemmons, their in house master fitter.  If any of you in the upstate SC area are looking for a fitter and/or lessons, give this guy a call.  Very knowledgeable and super nice as well.  Anyhow, results are below comparing my 6th gen Srixon ZStar vs the proto Bridgestone Tour B XS.

CHS / Ball Speed / Smash / Launch / Spin / Carry

Driver

Z Star - 112.7 / 165.6 / 1.47 / 8.3 / 1909 / 263.2 yds

B XS - 113.5 / 168.1 / 1.48 / 8.4 / 2917 / 280.2 yds

 

7 iron

Z Star - 91.2 / 118.6 / 1.30 / 18.3 / 6966 / 166 yds

B XS - 91.3 / 120 / 1.32 / 17.5 / 6725 / 170.1 yds

 

GW - Note: was trying to hit my 100 yard approach, not full swing.  I started getting a little flippy with the B XS in this comparison due to fatigue, which you’ll see with the numbers.

Z Star - 81.9 / 79.9 / .98 / 27.1 / 10383 / 97.5 yds

B XS - 82.9 / 78.3 / .95 / 29.2 / 10579 / 94.7 yds

 

I realize 2900 rpm spin with a driver is a bit higher than ideal, but I’ve always had a negative angle of attack with my driver as you’ll notice with my lower launch angles.  Today I averaged -2.6 degrees.  But I picked up almost 3 mph in ball speed and 17 yards of carry.  That’s including one that was low on the face and only carried 270.  The other drives were all between 283.6-284.5.  If I take the one low out, the avg jumps 20 yards.  The feel off the driver is a touch firmer than the Z Star, but was negligible with the 7i and GW.  Needless to say, I’m itching to get on the course with this revelation today.  If nothing else, this has shown why ball fitting may be just as important as club fitting.  Initial impressions: wow!

[Trial&Error]

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

Edited January 18, 2020 by Trial&Error

[Trial&Error]

34 minutes ago, Smellis745 said:

Alright, so I literally just got in the door from doing some testing on Trackman.  I went by Haas Family Golf in Greenville, SC and spent some time with Daniel Clemmons, their in house master fitter.  If any of you in the upstate SC area are looking for a fitter and/or lessons, give this guy a call.  Very knowledgeable and super nice as well.  Anyhow, results are below comparing my 6th gen Srixon ZStar vs the proto Bridgestone Tour B XS.

CHS / Ball Speed / Smash / Launch / Spin / Carry

Driver

Z Star - 112.7 / 165.6 / 1.47 / 8.3 / 1909 / 263.2 yds

B XS - 113.5 / 168.1 / 1.48 / 8.4 / 2917 / 280.2 yds

 

7 iron

Z Star - 91.2 / 118.6 / 1.30 / 18.3 / 6966 / 166 yds

B XS - 91.3 / 120 / 1.32 / 17.5 / 6725 / 170.1 yds

 

GW - Note: was trying to hit my 100 yard approach, not full swing.  I started getting a little flippy with the B XS in this comparison due to fatigue, which you’ll see with the numbers.

Z Star - 81.9 / 79.9 / .98 / 27.1 / 10383 / 97.5 yds

B XS - 82.9 / 78.3 / .95 / 29.2 / 10579 / 94.7 yds

 

I realize 2900 rpm spin with a driver is a bit higher than ideal, but I’ve always had a negative angle of attack with my driver as you’ll notice with my lower launch angles.  Today I averaged -2.6 degrees.  But I picked up almost 3 mph in ball speed and 17 yards of carry.  That’s including one that was low on the face and only carried 270.  The other drives were all between 283.6-284.5.  If I take the one low out, the avg jumps 20 yards.  The feel off the driver is a touch firmer than the Z Star, but was negligible with the 7i and GW.  Needless to say, I’m itching to get on the course with this revelation today.  If nothing else, this has shown why ball fitting may be just as important as club fitting.  Initial impressions: wow!

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

[Smellis745]

1 minute ago, Trial&Error said:

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

It didn’t on the GW shots, but yes on the others.  I got fatigued and started flipping.  Didn’t make as good of contact with it.

[Trial&Error]

26 minutes ago, Smellis745 said:

It didn’t on the GW shots, but yes on the others.  I got fatigued and started flipping.  Didn’t make as good of contact with it.

Oh I see that now.

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

Edited January 18, 2020 by Trial&Error

[jddaigneault]

Got out for 18 yesterday, and put the BXS into play using arccos to track yardage. Absolutely smoked my tee shot on #1, right at 300 yards. I’ve been gaming ProV1 lately (it was a good Christmas), and typically that gets me a little more yardage off the tee, but I can’t complain with 300. 

The fun really came into play when using short irons and wedges on approach shots. Either I was swinging well, or the Bridgestone fitting video works. Maybe a bit of both. The yardages were dead on what I was trying to play them. I was pin high or just slightly beyond on pretty much every short iron I didn’t chunk. 9 iron checked up nicely and spun no more than a yard back. 55 degree wedge got quite spinny on some, including a 15 yard yank back on a downhill par 3 lie. I can definitely be aggressive with approach shots with this ball knowing that, if I hit it well (albeit sometimes a big if) it is going to do what I want it to do. 

Putting was one area that took some time. It could have been I was a little off, but having played this particular course a lot, the ball seemed to move quicker off the putter than I’m used to. It held a line really well, which actually frustrated me when I needed it to start turning. Once I got the pace down it rolled very consistent, and will just take some adjustment  from what I’m used to on break. 

The feel of the ball on full swings was my favorite part. It’s hard to describe, but it just felt right. It was not soft or firm, but responsive. You could feel mishits, but they weren’t punishing. Putting a pure swing on the ball gave you that million dollar “I’m never giving up this game” feeling. Let’s put it this way, I had so much fun gaming this ball I totally forgot to take any pictures over the course of the round. Were it not for one particularly bad swing costing me a penalty stroke, I was having the round of my life!

Excited to get the ball back out on the course tomorrow. I’d love to hear what type of information everyone would like feedback on. So far, I’m liking this ball!

[Trial&Error]

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.

[cjeffs12]

Good stuff so far, really excited to see the rest of the reviews. Also, I now want to give the VFit a try!

[RickyBobby_PR]

New balls racking up wins and high finishes on the tours. Smolz and Kuch with wins this weekend and Lexi with a nice opening tourney

looking forward to the reviews

[Smellis745]

 

27 minutes ago, cjeffs12 said:

Good stuff so far, really excited to see the rest of the reviews. Also, I now want to give the VFit a try!

I would do it just to do it.  I was surprised at how accurate it was.  Granted, I hit a different driver setup (9.5 M3 / Hzrdus T1100) when I did mine vs what is currently in my bag, but it’s pretty dang close.

[cjeffs12]

4 minutes ago, Smellis745 said:

 

I would do it just to do it.  I was surprised at how accurate it was.  Granted, I hit a different driver setup (9.5 M3 / Hzrdus T1100) when I did mine vs what is currently in my bag, but it’s pretty dang close.

Thats good to hear that it is accurate, just to do a  quick check of my numbers.  Was it easy to use?

[Mr. 82]

Played 36 holes over 2 days with the B RXS and the ball held up really well.  At this point I can't tell the difference between this ball and the Srixon Z Star, but who knows at this point.

[Smellis745]

12 minutes ago, cjeffs12 said:

Thats good to hear that it is accurate, just to do a  quick check of my numbers.  Was it easy to use?

Yes, you just set a box of (dozen size) golf balls about 3-4” from the ball, with the ball centered in the box opposite the camera.  Record a slow motion, face on swing video and upload it through their portal and wait.  They say response time is 1-3 business days, but most of us had our response within 1 day, unless you did it over the weekend. It helps if you trim the video down just because of the upload speed.