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

[Langstonha]

Well they look good.  I'm always interested in the feel on the greens.

[Big moose]

21 minutes ago, Big moose said:

Mine came this morning, don't know when I will get to use them since it was still spitting snow on the way to the mail box. Here's a couple of pictures, so excited to try these since my biggest issue is trying to watch that beautiful shot before I even hit the ball. 

I forgot to add that I use the B330 RX already and really like them, I also use the titleist tour soft and was fitted for both of these balls.

[TCMP]

I am very interested in the results of these new mindset balls from Bridgestone. Following. 

[Indy_Oz]

Pleasant surprise to receive my dozen Tour BX balls on Thursday! I forgot there was a chance I’d receive some to test.

Initial Impressions (7/10):

The packaging box was sturdy and undamaged. Bridgestone packaging feels the same premium quality as others, as expected. The appearance, to me, is a little too busy and crammed in. I get there is a lot of info to get across as it’s now about more than just the ball construction and shot properties with the addition of the mindset markings. But still…

Inside the box were the usual four sleeves of three balls, plus a leaflet with QR link to more material to help with the bedding the mindset methodology. 

Most of the balls were flawless, but a few had small imperfections. The odd raised coating location, or tiny bubble. Nothing that should affect ball flight I would guess. 

The ball markings are simple and pretty consistent with the previous generation of Bridgestone balls- with the obvious exception of the mindset markings. I’m a fan of longer target alignment markings, like the Callaway triple track, TT360 or Taylormade Pix, so after trying these as-is initially, I may add a single alignment marking through the “Tour BX” text ‘line’. But I’m obviously willing to give the ball a round or two as-received and see how I get on with it.

Score knocked down due to a few minor coating imperfections and the packaging being a little too busy for my liking.

Initial receipt photos below:

 

I also cut one ball in half, as I have done in the past. Also attached is a photo of the inside of the new Tour BX alongside the previous model. 
 

[Big moose]

4 hours ago, Langstonha said:

Well they look good.  I'm always interested in the feel on the greens.

As soon as it gets above 40 will let you know. This weather sucks.

[zoomaster]

Just returned from an hour on the putting green using the Bridgestone BRX Mindset i received yesterday. I signed up to test the balls with skepticism riding on my shoulder. 20 years ago i stopped taking a practice swing while playing. I also don't take a practice stroke with my putter. I walk around the hole, find the line, anticipate the speed needed, setup and make the stroke. I am a confident putter. 

Using the Mindset graphic didn't help me putt. The process is cumbersome to me. Granted, I liked focusing on the green dot but it didn't help me hole more putts. I play Bridgestone BRX and BRXS. I live on a golf course and have hundreds of balls given to me by the ground crew. I do play, now and then ProV and ProVx. I am partial to Bridgestone B series. 

I will continue to use the BRX and BRXS balls. The Mindset graphic looks great and the science makes sense. It is not something, however, I will use when putting. I like to look down at a clean ball. Next, up is puting the ball in play. Thanks MGS....godspeed...

[Rob Person]

3 hours ago, Indy_Oz said:

Pleasant surprise to receive my dozen Tour BX balls on Thursday! I forgot there was a chance I’d receive some to test.

Initial Impressions (7/10):

The packaging box was sturdy and undamaged. Bridgestone packaging feels the same premium quality as others, as expected. The appearance, to me, is a little too busy and crammed in. I get there is a lot of info to get across as it’s now about more than just the ball construction and shot properties with the addition of the mindset markings. But still…

Inside the box were the usual four sleeves of three balls, plus a leaflet with QR link to more material to help with the bedding the mindset methodology. 

Most of the balls were flawless, but a few had small imperfections. The odd raised coating location, or tiny bubble. Nothing that should affect ball flight I would guess. 

The ball markings are simple and pretty consistent with the previous generation of Bridgestone balls- with the obvious exception of the mindset markings. I’m a fan of longer target alignment markings, like the Callaway triple track, TT360 or Taylormade Pix, so after trying these as-is initially, I may add a single alignment marking through the “Tour BX” text ‘line’. But I’m obviously willing to give the ball a round or two as-received and see how I get on with it.

Score knocked down due to a few minor coating imperfections and the packaging being a little too busy for my liking.

Initial receipt photos below:

 

I 

Thank you for sacrificing your balls!  

I believe I did this on the new B RX ball as well from a few months ago. But yours shows a different mantle thickness and core compared to the previous version. Interesting.  

I will have to through all of mine as well now to look for imperfections.   Good catch!

Edited April 6 by Rob Person

[Erin B]

Final Review

Hi MGS Troops!!! I’ve been testing these balls exclusively on the course and comparing them to the Callaway Chrome Tour X triple track and the Pro V1. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves though... First, about me: I have been playing golf for about 30 years. I'm not an awesome player, but can hold my own. I am very good at putting, short game, and pretty good with irons. I'm from Wyoming and play about 100 rounds per year, and play on the VGA. I have already played 20 rounds since January, so I play a lot. Enough about me, here are the balls...

First Impressions:

I opened the box and was greeted by Jason Day and a QR code. Good marketing tool. There is quite a bit of information for a dozen balls which is good. 

Once opened I looked at the sleeve. Good information here as well. Not bothered by the data. They look professional. This however bothers me:

These balls are higher end balls. This should not happen. Plus, there’s a coating on them that feels a little grainy. In the dozen balls I received, this is the only ball that has a defect; however, all the balls have the grainy texture to them. These balls aren’t Top Flights, they’re Bridgestone and are competing in the high end ball market. I’ve never opened a Pro V1 sleeve and found this defect or a coating that feels like sandpaper. 

I guess the $5 difference gives leeway to defects??? Other than that, the balls look great.

All the marks and labels look great and minimal to me. That’s a good thing. 

First impression Score: 8/10

Defects on one ball and rough feeling from the lacquer were this ball’s cause of rating

Aesthetics: 10/10

The ball looks fantastic! All the markings are professional and minimal.

Numbers:

I did not take this ball to the sim. I played it and saw that I’m not losing any real distance off the tee. I also was happy to see there is not a lot of side spin for me. The ball was predictable and unless I screwed up by a horrible swing, the ball was straight. 

18/20

Playability: The ball plays very well. Follow along below for more information.

Off the tee:

While playing these balls, off the tee I didn’t notice a vast difference between them and the Pro V1 or the Chrome Tour X.

No distance advantage, I did use the Mindset technique and it did help, not so much that I’d switch though. So off the tee I’d rate it

9/10. 

Irons: I like this ball with my irons. Straight and true; holds the green.

10/10

Wedge play:

Same as off the tee, didn’t get an advantage. It does hold the green and I can get them to spin fairly easily.

10/10

Putting:

So this is where this ball shines!

I putted pretty well with this ball. The Mindset technique is unique in its formulation. I used it, remembered it, and it helped, but I’ve always done something similar to Mindset. Still, in one of my rounds I had 7 one putts, zero 3 putts, and 29 total putts. Not bad if you ask me.

I actually looked forward to the long putts. The Mindset technique and markings were in my mind and nothing else. The green dot was easy to focus on. However, again I’ve already been doing something very similar to the Mindset technique, and I’m going to keep doing what I do, but the Mindset technique does help. 

10/10

Durability:

This picture says more than I can say. This ball lasted 14 holes. I hit a tree and wow! 

I wasn’t expecting this amount of damage. The ball was immediately retired. If I had a gun I’d have put it out of its misery. Since this ball I’ve not had another durability issue. This may be a fluke, but still needs to be noted.

7/10

The Good the Bad and the Ugly: 

I like this ball. I like the idea of the Mindset technique. I’m concerned a little about some quality control and durability might be an issue. I’d still play it though. I do think that the Mindset technique takes some getting used to. As I played it I did find myself focusing more, though I was not focusing on the green dot as much as I was focusing on the whole ball.

Play it or Trade it:

8/10

I’ll play them, but I’m not going out of my way to buy them.

Final score: 80/100

I like this ball, like the concept, but I’m sold on the Callaway Chrome Tour and Titleist Pro V1 series balls. I think the Mindset balls and technique are great for a player struggling to focus on putting and driving the ball, they helped my putting. But if I’m going to spend $50 dollars on golf balls, I’m going with my favorites. Happy Birdie Hunting!

 

Edited April 15 by Erin B
Added content

[Rob Person]

3 hours ago, Indy_Oz said:

Most of the balls were flawless, but a few had small imperfections. The odd raised coating location, or tiny bubble. Nothing that should affect ball flight I would guess. 

So I went out and put each ball under the bright sun and inspected them, closely.  Almost all them had this weird barely raised marking, and I'm assuming it is from it separating from the cover molds. I didn't find any bubbles though.

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

[rilesaustin]

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. 

Edited April 6 by rileybanez

[Rob Person]

29 minutes ago, rileybanez said:

Introduction - Who you are, a little about your golfing history, about your golfing game, what golf ball you are currently using and why. 
 

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 to the site. And welcome to rhe Bridgestone Mindset test!

[Northern Monkey]

41 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

So I went out and put each ball under the bright sun and inspected them, closely.  Almost all them had this weird barely raised marking, and I'm assuming it is from it separating from the cover molds. I didn't find any bubbles though.

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

That’s not good for a supposed high end ball! 
Wonder if it would actually affect flight in any way

[Rob Person]

8 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

That’s not good for a supposed high end ball! 
Wonder if it would actually affect flight in any way

I doubt it. It's barely there and it took alot of effort to find it on the balls. I can't even feel it unless I run my fingernail over it, and even then it's not intrusive.

[Erin B]

10 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

That’s not good for a supposed high end ball! 
Wonder if it would actually affect flight in any way

I’m more concerned with the coating. I’ve never felt that coating on a Pro V1

[Northern Monkey]

1 minute ago, Erin B said:

I’m more concerned with the coating. I’ve never felt that coating on a Pro V1

That was just on the one ball though wasn’t it? I can understand the odd defect getting through QC but @Rob Person was saying the mark he found was on every ball so that would concern me more

[ZJeb67]

Field test complete.  9 Holes in early this morning.

TLDR:  No 3 putts!  

[THE GOLF GUY]

I just looked at my Bridgestone BXS’s and  I don’t see anything like that on mine 

[Erin B]

17 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

That was just on the one ball though wasn’t it? I can understand the odd defect getting through QC but @Rob Person was saying the mark he found was on every ball so that would concern me more

One ball on the defect, all the balls had a coating. My balls did have the factory marks and numbers ect. I’ve seen these on other balls and they don’t concern me all that much.

The Pro V1X has the lettering too. The stuff on this ball is because it’s been played.

[Northern Monkey]

1 minute ago, Erin B said:

One ball on the defect, all the balls had a coating. My balls did have the factory marks and numbers ect. I’ve seen these on other balls and they don’t concern me all that much.

The Pro V1X has the lettering too. The stuff on this ball is because it’s been played.

Ah ok, apologies I misunderstood. I thought you were saying the coating was only on one ball but yeh if it’s on all of them then I’d agree with you. A grainy coating is surely going to affect flight as they’re likely to be less aerodynamic. 
I’m with you about the lettering in that it’s common and can’t see it making much difference. 
I’ll be interested to see what you think when you start gaming them and if that coating does have an effect or not. 

[Erin B]

1 hour ago, Northern Monkey said:

Ah ok, apologies I misunderstood. I thought you were saying the coating was only on one ball but yeh if it’s on all of them then I’d agree with you. A grainy coating is surely going to affect flight as they’re likely to be less aerodynamic. 
I’m with you about the lettering in that it’s common and can’t see it making much difference. 
I’ll be interested to see what you think when you start gaming them and if that coating does have an effect or not. 

Heck, the coating might actually add turbulence and make them longer until it wears off. That’s why balls have dimples, to creat turbulence. I don’t know why there’s a coating. Must do more research.

[Rob Person]

5 minutes ago, Erin B said:

Heck, the coating might actually add turbulence and make them longer until it wears off. That’s why balls have dimples, to creat turbulence. I don’t know why there’s a coating. Must do more research.

Bad transfer on the molding sets maybe?

Zoomed in on that ball and have to say, that is not normal at all!  Also, found the mold break patch on yours too.

In my best Simpsons voice... heahh hahh you balls have herpes... heeahheaah

[Erin B]

8 minutes ago, Erin B said:

Heck, the coating might actually add turbulence and make them longer until it wears off. That’s why balls have dimples, to creat turbulence. I don’t know why there’s a coating. Must do more research.

 

1 hour ago, Northern Monkey said:

Ah ok, apologies I misunderstood. I thought you were saying the coating was only on one ball but yeh if it’s on all of them then I’d agree with you. A grainy coating is surely going to affect flight as they’re likely to be less aerodynamic. 
I’m with you about the lettering in that it’s common and can’t see it making much difference. 
I’ll be interested to see what you think when you start gaming them and if that coating does have an effect or not. 

 

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

I doubt it. It's barely there and it took alot of effort to find it on the balls. I can't even feel it unless I run my fingernail over it, and even then it's not intrusive.

Ok, so the coating is a lacquer. I guess the lacquer on the balls I have isn’t as good as other brands. Interesting.

[Erin B]

2 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

Bad transfer on the molding sets maybe?

Zoomed in on that ball and have to say, that is not normal at all!  Also, found the mold break patch on yours too.

In my best Simpsons voice... heahh hahh you balls have herpes... heeahheaah

Looking at your pic and I can see the lacquered bumps that I’m thinking is similar to my balls. Does that ball feel gritty?

[Rob Person]

4 minutes ago, Erin B said:

Looking at your pic and I can see the lacquered bumps that I’m thinking is similar to my balls. Does that ball feel gritty?

That is your ball, zoomed in from the pic you posted

[Erin B]

8 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

That is your ball, zoomed in from the pic you posted

Thanks!!! You can definitely see the grit. Does yours have it?

[Rob Person]

11 minutes ago, Erin B said:

Thanks!!! You can definitely see the grit. Does yours have it?

Nope.  Not a single one 

[Indy_Oz]

4 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Thank you for sacrificing your balls!  

I believe I did this on the new B RX ball as well from a few months ago. But yours shows a different mantle thickness and core compared to the previous version. Interesting.  

I will have to through all of mine as well now to look for imperfections.   Good catch!

I have a load of cut up balls from the Callaway Chrome Tour test. Ha ha. I have too many spare balls in my garage, so sacrificing a few for 'the greater good' is fine by me.

[zoomaster]

2 hours ago, THE GOLF GUY said:

I just looked at my Bridgestone BXS’s and  I don’t see anything like that on mine 

Just rechecked my sleeves and didn’t find any anomalies or gritty surfaces. On another note:

rewatched the mindset videos and not once did the camera show Jason Day align his ball on the tee so the green dot was a “focus”! I’m beginning to believe that the “Mindset” is supposed to act as a short series of pre-setup and setup thoughts before swinging!? Sort of like a Dr. Bob Rotella mindset to “clear your mind” and let the swing happen. So now it’s on every ball:

1. Pick a target (Harvey Penick)

2. Visualize the shot( geez like I can really control the ball that well..Nicklaus)

3. Focus( keep your head still putting-Payme Stewart’s wife before final round US Open at Pinehurst 1999)

For its intended global purpose, it may help us….i don’t think—where i did before—that the graphic is to be used as an alignment aid. 

[Rob Person]

27 minutes ago, Indy_Oz said:

I have a load of cut up balls from the Callaway Chrome Tour test. Ha ha. I have too many spare balls in my garage, so sacrificing a few for 'the greater good' is fine by me.

Hmmm.  I have about 75  woods practice balls, all kinds of brands .  I may have to borrow this idea down the road.

[Rob Person]

7 minutes ago, zoomaster said:

Just rechecked my sleeves and didn’t find any anomalies or gritty surfaces. On another note:

rewatched the mindset videos and not once did the camera show Jason Day align his ball on the tee so the green dot was a “focus”! I’m beginning to believe that the “Mindset” is supposed to act as a short series of pre-setup and setup thoughts before swinging!? Sort of like a Dr. Bob Rotella mindset to “clear your mind” and let the swing happen. So now it’s on every ball:

1. Pick a target (Harvey Penick)

2. Visualize the shot( geez like I can really control the ball that well..Nicklaus)

3. Focus( keep your head still putting-Payme Stewart’s wife before final round US Open at Pinehurst 1999)

For its intended global purpose, it may help us….i don’t think—where i did before—that the graphic is to be used as an alignment aid. 

You have just became the chosen one!  It is definitely designed for the mental aspect of the game, in a visual format.   

Essentially,  the mind perceives what the eyes see. It's to create a reference point  to help you maintain specific focal points.