Bridgestone MindSet Golf Ball Testing - (Sampling and Shot Scope Ops)

[AAHead7]

Just received the tour BXS in the mail today. I had forgot about this, so it was a pleasant surprise. In first glance the colors for mindset definitely pop out. The coating seems more glossy than a Pro V1X or a Chrome Tour X, which are the main balls I have played this year. I am playing 18 tomorrow so it was great timing, will give these balls a try and share my thoughts. 

[cksurfdude]

On 4/5/2024 at 9:44 PM, Rob Person said:

.. and adding not one extra thought,  but THREE will be where I may stumble and fumble. 

The way I look at it is you're not adding swing thoughts - instead you're working on a new process of three discrete steps that follow each other sequentially .. not three things to do all at once...

Good luck!! 

[Preeway]

2 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

The way I look at it is you're not adding swing thoughts - instead you're working on a new process of three discrete steps that follow each other sequentially .. not three things to do all at once...

Good luck!! 

Agree with this . I’ll be adding more detail to this after I get my ball delivery but I see this as formalizing three aspects that should already exist in some form. The mindset component to me is just another way to phrase what I currently do. 

[buckpillar]

On 4/5/2024 at 9:45 PM, Rob Person said:

A funny thought occurred to me as well. Picture it, I am on the tee box, friends are watching me, I am just staring at the ball. I start mumbling about the colors, trying to create a focus. People are waiting behind us... someone yells "just hit the ball already"  I turn and reply  " give me a moment, I'm trying to Be the Ball, dammnit!" ...  and then I have to start all over.  

Got to watch staring at the ball, because it does look back!

[buckpillar]

5 hours ago, rileybanez said:

Hello everyone. My name is Riley and I’ve been selected to test the new mindset balls! I’m a big mindset and meditation guy so I’m be excited to take this into the bag and see how I perform with it. 
 

I’ve been playing golf for about 3 years now and getting into tournament play this year. So I’ve been more motivated to compete and push my limits in golf. I consider myself as an athlete who’s taken part of a lot of different competitions and hoping this ball can help me settle in the golf game a bit more. 
 

I have a lot of issues right now off the tee and course management so this will be the perfect ball for me to use and give you guys real committed feedback. 
 

I am currently using the ProV1X. With more of an emphasis in green side spin for my wedge shots. The spin for driver doesn’t matter as much to me as feeling a spiny wedge shot. 

Welcome, cant wait to read your review for the testing.

[Rob Person]

1 hour ago, AAHead7 said:

Just received the tour BXS in the mail today. I had forgot about this, so it was a pleasant surprise. In first glance the colors for mindset definitely pop out. The coating seems more glossy than a Pro V1X or a Chrome Tour X, which are the main balls I have played this year. I am playing 18 tomorrow so it was great timing, will give these balls a try and share my thoughts. 

Welcome to MGS, and welcome to your first official testing opportunity! 

59 minutes ago, buckpillar said:

Got to watch staring at the ball, because it does look back!

That is exactly what happened when I opened the box

[Indy_Oz]

For anyone hesitating to cut up one of their dozen Tour BX, I’ve done it for you. Ha ha. below photo shows the prior generation Tour BX on the left alongside the latest update. 
core and mantle layers seem pretty consistent on a sample of one ball. 

[buckpillar]

1 hour ago, buckpillar said:

Got to watch staring at the ball, because it does look back!

Hey @Rob Person told you they look back

 

[Rob Person]

3 minutes ago, buckpillar said:

Hey @Rob Person told you they look back

 

Only missing a red balloon .  Don't worry, I've got the gutter part handled...  

[buckpillar]

Thank you MGS and Bridgestone for another great opportunity to review these balls and Congratulations to the testers. Can't wait to see what your testing results will be.

I got a surprise I forgot about even signing up for, but the Bridgestone RX balls came in the mail today. 

The unboxing is below and will start an unofficial review with a salt water CG test and what I think of them out the box.... and progress from there.

Just forgot to say.. The ball always looks back!

 

[Michael.Sandoval33]

I don't think I'll be receiving a box so I will live vicariously through you all. Have fun! I was going to buy a box today but I decided to wait and see what you guys think!

Edited April 7 by Michael.Sandoval33

[GolfSpy_APH]

Threads have been merged.

[TJ Hall]

Questions for the testers:  

- Are you using the circles for aligning any shots (tee shots or putts)? 
- Any issues with lining up putts since the markings are round?  
- Any concerns with not having the focus circles for approach shots/chips?

[zoomaster]

1 hour ago, TJ Hall said:

Questions for the testers:  

- Are you using the circles for aligning any shots (tee shots or putts)? 
- Any issues with lining up putts since the markings are round?  
- Any concerns with not having the focus circles for approach shots/chips?

Not using it as an alignment aid…

[JEFF1]

I wonder how many balls I will find staring at me when I go ball hawking?

[Skibum]

I just got my golf balls yesterday in the mail. Looking forward to trying them out Tuesday when I play next. I got the RXS. I normally play Callaway Chrome Soft or Callaway Chrome Tour. I’m looking forward to seeing how they compare to other balls. 

[JackBurtonsPorkchopExpress]

Balls arrived yesterday and totally forgot I signed up. I had to explain to the wife citing specific evidence that I indeed did not pay for these. Looking forward to putting these up against my usual Maxfli Tour X.

[Triple_Putt]

Look what beauties arrived…. Just as I’ve got tee times for Wednesday and Thursday morning…. 

[CFreddie]

5 hours ago, zoomaster said:

Not using it as an alignment aid…

Interesting comment - how do you plan to use the mindset visual? 

[Samuel09152]

My balls showed up yesterday! Really looking forward to using these!
 

@Rob Personthese were the test ones we got directly from Bridgestone without the logo during the summer right? 
 

as a sampler, I will try to keep this simple, and say this should be fun. While I got to play the “prototype” form Bridgestone this earlier this year I am excited to use the one with the Mindset Logo on them! Hopefully this will slow me down and make me prepare as advertised lol 

 

over all love this packaging, love the insert, and love the idea behind the stamp! Hopefully it will indeed live up to what it claims! 

 

[zoomaster]

2 hours ago, CFreddie said:

Interesting comment - how do you plan to use the mindset visual? 

I have come to the conclusion after rewatching the videos that the graphic is meant to be a reminder about the pe-shot process…pick a target (Harvey Penick), visualize the shot (Nicklaus), and focus (Zen). I putted using it as an alignment aid and it was not helpful to me. Then again my routine does not use practice swings while standing at the ball. I also don’t line up my ball to putt…and no putting practice stroke. I didn’t pick up anywhere in the Mindset videos to use it as an alignment aid….I believe it’s a natural, but erroneous, conclusion we made about the graphic when seeing the “arrow” protruding from the first circle. It’s should remind us all to have a confident, consistent pre-shot routine. 

[zoomaster]

17 hours ago, buckpillar said:

Welcome, cant wait to read your review for the testing.

 

17 hours ago, buckpillar said:

Welcome, cant wait to read your review for the testing.

Riley….love to hear your Zen focused take on the graphics purpose. 

[CFreddie]

47 minutes ago, zoomaster said:

I have come to the conclusion after rewatching the videos that the graphic is meant to be a reminder about the pe-shot process…pick a target (Harvey Penick), visualize the shot (Nicklaus), and focus (Zen). I putted using it as an alignment aid and it was not helpful to me. Then again my routine does not use practice swings while standing at the ball. I also don’t line up my ball to putt…and no putting practice stroke. I didn’t pick up anywhere in the Mindset videos to use it as an alignment aid….I believe it’s a natural, but erroneous, conclusion we made about the graphic when seeing the “arrow” protruding from the first circle. It’s should remind us all to have a confident, consistent pre-shot routine. 

Good stuff - thanks for sharing @zoomaster. Need to pick up a dozen of these to try myself. 

[zoomaster]

19 hours ago, cksurfdude said:

The way I look at it is you're not adding swing thoughts - instead you're working on a new process of three discrete steps that follow each other sequentially .. not three things to do all at once...

Good luck!! 

Spot on… @cksurfdude the graphic is reminder to have a focused pre-shot routine 

[Golf2Much]

On 4/6/2024 at 6:03 PM, Rob Person said:

Another weird thing was they each have several numbers and letters, which I am guessing is from batch/lot numbers, plant I'd, etc. 

They could be a batch/plant number, but I think it's more likely to be an identifier for the specific mold and cavity the balls was manufactured from.  That way, if there is a defect, they can trace it to a specific mold and cavity and correct the problem.

[acatalano32]

Let the testing begin!!!

I have played Bridgestone balls on and off for a while now. I used to play the e6 when I was in highshool but that was probably because of price lol. 
I find myself going back and forth between golf balls. I currently play the AVX (I do not like the ball but I have had my best rounds with it) 

putting around with the mindset ball, I do like the feel. It’s not clicky and it’s not overly soft. Excited to get this ball on the course

[RickM71]

I hit a bunch of 7 irons (30 degree, Cobra Forged Tec 2018) in my basement sim setup with a Foresight GC3.  I was sent the Bridgestone RXS which are meant for people with swing speed under 105 and wanting extra spin compared to the RX.  During the same session, I hit multiple shots with other balls to compare feel and numbers.  I'm not a robot, so I had to discard major mishits.  With each of the balls compared, my swing speed on the 7 iron was between 85 and 87 mph.  I've attached a screen capture of the spreadsheet with the detailed numbers for each ball, but I'll summarize my thoughts here.

Hitting on the range in my sim, I didn't take advantage of the Mindset feature much.  I did a few trials of picturing my shot shape, then going through my pre-swing thoughts I've been focusing on, then just focusing on the green dot.  I am working on various aspects of my swing and trying to figure out how steady I should be keeping my head as I'm shifting weight at various parts of my swing.  I do find that the more still I keep my head throughout the swing, the more consistent my contact is.  So when I would make a concerted effort to keep my head still and focused on the green dot, I do think I had more consistent contact.  I also realized that I never really had a clear point of focus when I'm swinging, which in hindsight seems a bit weird.  I sort of was looking just past the ball and zoned out from where I was looking during the swing. Also, obviously, you can only place the Mindset image where you want when you are hitting off the tee or putting.  For any other shots, the green dot is unlikely to be where you would want.  Hitting indoors, I have the luxury of being able to place the image where I wanted.  I did assume that the intent is to place it on top and point the arrow at your target line.  I haven't tried putting with it yet.  Focusing on the green dot may be one way to make sure I'm looking in the same place when swinging.  I can see potential benefits, and no downside to doing so.  I plan to do more practice with this focus on the green dot and will see how it works.  It is a bit weird to do at first. 

I also think that a reminder, as well as making a the 3 step process a focal point for golfers, is a good thing in itself.  I know that there is good data that a consistent pre-shot routine is common amongst all top golfers.  Not only the pre-shot analysis, but then the time top golfers spend from when they approach the ball to swing is extremely consistent.  This in itself is a skill I can improve with far less effort than the technical aspects of a solid swing.

Next, as far as feel, the RXS is supposed to be a very soft feeling ball.  It has a low compression (around 65 - but I haven't tested the compression on the ones I received yet).  I'm realizing that soft "feel" is very subjective.  To me, compression alone does not seem to be the only factor in how soft a ball feels.  I'm sure I'm not the first one to notice some balls feel softer or harder in spite of their compression.  I think there is a different feel between a low compression soft and something about the cover thickness that affects the feel and sound.  As far as these RXS balls off the 7 iron, I'd say they did not feel "clicky" as some balls do, but they also didn't feel mushy.  I find that hitting in my basement, I prefer the mushiest feeling balls I can find, as they bother my joints less.  The Kirkland 3 piece V2 seem the mushiest to me. I'd say to me, these felt more similar to a Pro V1 than to the Kirkland V2, in spite of the compression being much lower.  I'd say it also isn't much different from the 2 piece surlyn Wilson Duo which also has a very low compression.  This was just with the 7 iron, so I'll have more data when I do the driver and wedges, which I plan to test soon. 

As for the ball data, robot testing probably has much more reliable data.  I understand this wasn't the main purpose of testing these balls, but since I have a GC3 and I love data, I organized it here.  The balls I hit today included the Bridgestone RXS, Titleist Pro V1 (main ball I use on course on the rare occasions I get to play real golf), Taylormade TP5 and TP5x, Wilson Duo, and Kirkland 3 piece V2.

I never really noticed before, but there seems to be a correlation that the higher spinning balls initially launch lower.  I assume they will then spin higher and dimple patterns likely have an impact, which the GC3 numbers won't account for.  The spin for the Bridgestone was on the lower side off the 7 iron, but the ball speed was the best today, and the initial launch was a bit higher.  Overall, this led to slightly longer distance but similar roll out.  

I'm not sure how the formatting will turn out, but here's the numbers most relevant, and additional data is included in the attached image.

If anyone has a preference for me to repeat the testing with driver or wedges first, let me know.  I'm most interested in seeing how the spin numbers compare off wedges.  My driver swing is also likely to generate far less consistent numbers between shots.  

[CFreddie]

Great writeup @RickM71 - can def see how the visual on the ball can be a bit different on first glance. Curious to see how you use it (or ignore it) over time.  

[curtdusoleil]

UPDATE:

I played a 2nd round of 9 with these yesterday and I am liking these balls quite a lot. As I'd mentioned, they are very similar to the Mafli I already play and they definitely perform as well. They feel really nice off the tee, in particular.

I continue to like the visual on the ball more than a regular line. I feel very confident over my putts and was really putting well. For some reason, I started visualizing the putt line, which I had never done before.

I also hit 6 out of 7 fairways, lining up my shots with the graphic.

And at least once, the graphic made me take a step back and analyze my shot, when I had just gone up and started my setup. 

For the golfer who wants to be more mindful, these are just another tool in the bag to help.

ORIGINAL POST:

I just played my first round with the B RX Mindset.

As far as the ball itself goes, I like it. It's very much like the Maxfli I use. Similar compression and feel, so in that way I like it. Felt good off the tee and I liked it around the greens.

 

As far as the Mindset graphic goes...

 

I like the fact that it's different than anything else. That's just something I enjoy.

I'm also very much into the mental game and something I know makes me play better is when I take all the steps this graphic is meant to istill. Do I do it every time? No. So, it is nice to have a visual reminder to take those steps. Obviously, off the tee and on the green, it is more useful because I can make sure I see that.

I also use the line on the ball to line up my drives and putts. Particularly on putts, I like that I can is the arrows but it's not as rigid as a line. So, I can focus on the dot in a more organic way and just make my stroke than being so focused on the line.

 

Overall, I'm definitely interested to continue trying this out and see how it goes.

 

Edited April 9 by curtdusoleil

[RickM71]

3 hours ago, RickM71 said:

I hit a bunch of 7 irons (30 degree, Cobra Forged Tec 2018) in my basement sim setup with a Foresight GC3.  I was sent the Bridgestone RXS which are meant for people with swing speed under 105 and wanting extra spin compared to the RX.  During the same session, I hit multiple shots with other balls to compare feel and numbers.  I'm not a robot, so I had to discard major mishits.  With each of the balls compared, my swing speed on the 7 iron was between 85 and 87 mph.  I've attached a screen capture of the spreadsheet with the detailed numbers for each ball, but I'll summarize my thoughts here.

Hitting on the range in my sim, I didn't take advantage of the Mindset feature much.  I did a few trials of picturing my shot shape, then going through my pre-swing thoughts I've been focusing on, then just focusing on the green dot.  I am working on various aspects of my swing and trying to figure out how steady I should be keeping my head as I'm shifting weight at various parts of my swing.  I do find that the more still I keep my head throughout the swing, the more consistent my contact is.  So when I would make a concerted effort to keep my head still and focused on the green dot, I do think I had more consistent contact.  I also realized that I never really had a clear point of focus when I'm swinging, which in hindsight seems a bit weird.  I sort of was looking just past the ball and zoned out from where I was looking during the swing. Also, obviously, you can only place the Mindset image where you want when you are hitting off the tee or putting.  For any other shots, the green dot is unlikely to be where you would want.  Hitting indoors, I have the luxury of being able to place the image where I wanted.  I did assume that the intent is to place it on top and point the arrow at your target line.  I haven't tried putting with it yet.  Focusing on the green dot may be one way to make sure I'm looking in the same place when swinging.  I can see potential benefits, and no downside to doing so.  I plan to do more practice with this focus on the green dot and will see how it works.  It is a bit weird to do at first. 

I also think that a reminder, as well as making a the 3 step process a focal point for golfers, is a good thing in itself.  I know that there is good data that a consistent pre-shot routine is common amongst all top golfers.  Not only the pre-shot analysis, but then the time top golfers spend from when they approach the ball to swing is extremely consistent.  This in itself is a skill I can improve with far less effort than the technical aspects of a solid swing.

Next, as far as feel, the RXS is supposed to be a very soft feeling ball.  It has a low compression (around 65 - but I haven't tested the compression on the ones I received yet).  I'm realizing that soft "feel" is very subjective.  To me, compression alone does not seem to be the only factor in how soft a ball feels.  I'm sure I'm not the first one to notice some balls feel softer or harder in spite of their compression.  I think there is a different feel between a low compression soft and something about the cover thickness that affects the feel and sound.  As far as these RXS balls off the 7 iron, I'd say they did not feel "clicky" as some balls do, but they also didn't feel mushy.  I find that hitting in my basement, I prefer the mushiest feeling balls I can find, as they bother my joints less.  The Kirkland 3 piece V2 seem the mushiest to me. I'd say to me, these felt more similar to a Pro V1 than to the Kirkland V2, in spite of the compression being much lower.  I'd say it also isn't much different from the 2 piece surlyn Wilson Duo which also has a very low compression.  This was just with the 7 iron, so I'll have more data when I do the driver and wedges, which I plan to test soon. 

As for the ball data, robot testing probably has much more reliable data.  I understand this wasn't the main purpose of testing these balls, but since I have a GC3 and I love data, I organized it here.  The balls I hit today included the Bridgestone RXS, Titleist Pro V1 (main ball I use on course on the rare occasions I get to play real golf), Taylormade TP5 and TP5x, Wilson Duo, and Kirkland 3 piece V2.

I never really noticed before, but there seems to be a correlation that the higher spinning balls initially launch lower.  I assume they will then spin higher and dimple patterns likely have an impact, which the GC3 numbers won't account for.  The spin for the Bridgestone was on the lower side off the 7 iron, but the ball speed was the best today, and the initial launch was a bit higher.  Overall, this led to slightly longer distance but similar roll out.  

I'm not sure how the formatting will turn out, but here's the numbers most relevant, and additional data is included in the attached image.

If anyone has a preference for me to repeat the testing with driver or wedges first, let me know.  I'm most interested in seeing how the spin numbers compare off wedges.  My driver swing is also likely to generate far less consistent numbers between shots.  

I did the same comparison with wedges, swinging between 77-79 mph. I was hitting everything left, but the dispersion was pretty good for each of the balls.  The RXS had 2nd best ball speed off the wedge.  Even though the rxs is supposed to be the higher spin ball, the spin was still less than all other urethane balls I tested.  Feel wise off the wedge, I'd say the urethane balls all felt fairly similar.  Interestingly, the Wilson Duo (not urethane and 2 piece low compression ball) felt much more mushy / soft off the wedge. It didn't seem as noticeable to me off the 7 iron.  It also was the only ball to launch above my impact screen consistently, with dramatically less spin.  

I'm not sure when I'll have time to test driver.