2024 Bridgestone Tour B Golf Balls

I am writing a review of the Bridgestone B-XS after using this ball for a good portion of my 2024 season

Player profile and overall thoughts.

I am a +1.7 right now with a 105mph swing speed, and i am fairly low spin player. With a ProV1 i will spin blade 7 iron ~5500 or so. I also don't hit the ball all that high.....my launch with 3 wood can hover around 12 degrees which is definitely not optimal. I hit a slight draw with every club. I'm a very good iron player and am a feel short game player. My putting is generally good but i don't make a lot of midrange putts. I started using the B-XS to try to increase my spin and launch

Well, did you increase your spin and launch?

Meh, somewhat but nothing noticeable. The clubs i really needed help launching, like 3 wood-- Consistently i only was getting maybe a half degree. Spin was a tad higher (like with driver, maybe 2300 vs 2200.....with 7 iron, maybe 5700 vs 5500). Nothing too crazy when it came to peak height. I'd say i did generate a bit more launch and spin than say a ProV, but it wasn't life altering or anything on a trackman, and in the real world, nothing i would even really notice. At least with full clubs ....This DOES NOT account for short game which i'll discuss later

Feel

i LOVE the feel of the ball. It's a very "Thumpy" feel. Even if we concede that the ball doesn't give you THAT much more launch or spin---you sacrifice NOTHING in the way of feel versus a typical "non X" ball. Most "X" balls feel like hitting a bag of rocks. It's why while they suit me so much better on a trackman, sometimes i'd rather gouge my own eyes out than hit a Prov1x in the real world (or a 2023 TP5x, blechhh). The B-XS feels nothing like this. It feels like a "non-X" ball in every way. It is thumpy and pure---and if it give you a tiny bit extra launch and spin for your trouble---nice!

Durability

It's not great.....While the 2023 Chrome Soft holds the title of "oops i dropped it and now half the cover is missing" . It's really not that great when it comes to durability. I've posted pics of 2 balls i used to shoot (passive brag coming in 3-2-1....) 70 with , and both of them looked like they'd been shot up with a Tommy gun. While the ProV1x feels like hitting a pile of rocks---it will last a lot longer without looking as beat up.....That being said not sure how much this really affects performance

Short game

I've heard some people say that this is all that matters.....and let me tell you----this is pretty much, maybe not every thing....but pretty much.....ALL THAT MATTERS. There are balls that i generally like that i find i just can't figure out in the short game (I hit the Seed SDX1 very well, but it just doesn't work at all with my putter). I hit the Chrome Tour well on the trackman, but it just wasn't super consistent off my wedge in the short game. As crazy as it sounds, my second favorite ball of 2024 is actually the 2023 Chrome Soft, which looks like Rocky after you've hit it twice---just because of how consistently it performs off wedges and putter....it is just so consistent off both.

The B-XS is a champ here. It feels great off wedges for pitches and chips. It comes out high and with spin off firm lies. The checks are predictable. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS!!!!. Not every ball is like this. I just have a lot of confidence chipping with it

Putting? Same. I feel it is very easy to putt with. I have gotten very comfortable with how hard i have to hit it at the various distances. There are other ball is like, where i will constantly leave 17 footers short, or run them by 4 feet. I just can't get the feel right----This may be a personal thing. But man, the B-XS is just so consistent and smooth for me. It feels soft yet confident off the putterface. I don't feel like i have to "whack" it.

This is really the nuts of it----I love the feel and consistency of this ball in the short game

Overall

This ball is supposed to give you a bit more launch and spin, and it kinda does.....kinda........So that's good? I mean it's not bad....it kinda does what is advertised. But beyond that, it feels NOTHING like a typical "X" ball---which i think is a great thing. It's such a nice compromise in that regard, you get a bit more of what you want---while sacrificing nothing. It's pleasant to hit, and pleasant to hit chips and putt with. And it performs great in the short game!

i mean---pray for the ball if you ever hit it with a new wedge, because it will shed its cover like a cat shedding hair in May. But .....balls don't last forever.....stop hitting them OB and this won't bother you as much LOL

Wonderful ball.....
 
Hit a couple spicy wedges with the B X around the green today and it performed great overall as usual. I did play a different ball for a bit though and was reminded that the B X just isn't the longest off the tee for me and my current setup.

I do love the feel though and am so dialed with it on and around the greens that I'm hesitant to make any change.
 
Hit a couple spicy wedges with the B X around the green today and it performed great overall as usual. I did play a different ball for a bit though and was reminded that the B X just isn't the longest off the tee for me and my current setup.

I do love the feel though and am so dialed with it on and around the greens that I'm hesitant to make any change.

I spent my last round sort of mixing between the B X and a Wilson Staff and the distance difference really stood out.
 
Bridgestone Tour B Golf Balls – The Tour B RX Review

I have not been playing Bridgestone as my usual ball for a very long time. But, that has changed.

Background:

I May I had a club fitting. There were several balls to use for the fitting, but I noticed that the RX was consistently giving me more yardage – which I need. I had tried balls from Titleist, Srixon, and TaylorMade during the fitting but the RX ball – as I said, consistently longer, for me.

About me:

I am an old guy, making slight changes to my stance and swing after receiving some new body parts (left hip and right knee). Losing weight, from 308 to a low of about 210, and (sadly) now about 240, but dieting again and losing weight again – I feel better around 220 so that’s my target. Oh, and for giggles I am deaf and wear hearing aids – and glasses too for that matter – yes, this is me an open book.

Bottom Line Up Front (and a bit more):

Slower swing speeds will benefit from this ball with longer straighter drives. This ball helps slower swing speeds get some needed distance, and a straighter ball flight. Both distance and accuracy, make the approaches to the green shorter, and thus helps lower scores. Like Goldilocks, I find the RX to be neither too soft nor too hard, and I like how it feels off the putter - but again, without the sound that other golfers have as part of the feel equation I am left to my eyes and hands for feel.

Fitting:

I have had 2 fittings for golf balls – one live and one via Ballnamic – which I have now done 2 times. The Ballnamic suggested I use the BX ball (it was the 2nd and 3rd choice each time, 1st was a ball that considerably more expensive). This ball is not bad at all, but for my swing speed it held me back – at least a bit in distance, but accuracy was still great. I had a live OTTO fitting, comparing the RX to the Chrome soft, and after analyzing the data, I got 3 more yards in distance, 500 RPM lower backspin, and 400 RPM lower side spin. Also, this end result was with a swing speed that was LOWER (1 MPH) and a lower ball speed (again 1 MPH), so swing speed launch angles ball speeds between these 2 balls were almost identical, but the lower side spin made the RX a point and shoot ball. Finally, as noted earlier, my club fitting where I had the chance to use the RX, I knew nothing about it so had no predisposition as to any expectations – that was what got me into the Bridgestone line.

Mindset:

I won’t delve too deeply into Mindset there is a ton of information on that – suffice it to say, I think many golfers already do what it suggests, Think the shot, address the ball, clear the mind and swing. I have been doing mostly this for a long time, now though I add a deep breath to help clear the mind at the end of the setup – just before swinging. What I do like about Mindset is the reminder when looking at the ball, and the how I line it up for putts – I don’t really want the whole mindset ‘stamp/logo’ there, just the edge of it – I see it and do the ‘thing’ then putt.

Now, what do I do with all the Z-Stars and Q-Stars that I have in the cabinet?
 
Been playing the '24 RX as my gamer....it performs as I've become accustomed from previous years.

RX v RXS results in 6 to 7 yds gain iron wise. Driver is basically a wash, unless I really tag one - then the RX wins by 10yds(maybe).

Love this ball - absolutely nothing compares to greenside & putter feel
 
Bridgestone's has a commitment to innovation. They also tend to take their time to make sure they have something that shows tangible results in the game of golfers. It’s been a few years since the last Tour BX release. Their latest offering is packed with technology engineered to elevate your game. Let’s talk about the tech that sets this ball apart.


REACTIV iQ: A Smart Cover that Adapts
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The Tour BX introduces REACTIV iQ. It’s a revolutionary urethane cover technology that behaves differently depending on the force of impact. This intelligent cover reacts quickly on high-speed full shots, jumping of the face explosive ball speed. Yet, on the feel shots required around the green, the cover softens its response, providing enhanced friction for increased spin and control. This feels like a significant breakthrough in golf ball design. It’s not just marketing speak either. I’ve seen and felt these results both on the course and in the SIM.


Gradational Compression Core: Power Meets Precision
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The Gradational Compression Core is another cool bit of tech. Bridgestone worked with the World Long Drive Association in development of this core. Its varying layers of firmness optimize energy transfer on full shots, delivering impressive distance while maintaining a soft feel on shorter shots. The firmer outer layer increase ball speed while the softer inner layers help with spin consistency.

Seamless 330 Dimple Design: Aerodynamic Efficiency
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The Tour B X features a purposfully designed 330 dimple pattern. This cover is meant to minimize drag resulting in a stable consistent ball flight that resists the effects of wind. I’ve seen this on course time and time again. At the start of my season here in Ohio it’s windy out. Tour BX was a rockstar. It didn’t ballon, it held its line better than other options, it just did what I expected it to do.


Conclusion

I’ll be the first one to admit that before I started testing The Bridgestone Tour BX for THP and Bridgestone it was not a ball on my radar. Looking back on my early feedback I didn’t love it in the sim. Numbers were only telling a small part of the story for me. Once I got this on course it just works. It’s nice and straight off the tee, I don’t get as much distance as other balls but it’s consistent. Off irons and around the green it’s magic for me. There isn’t a ball out there that I like more off irons. There isn’t a ball out there that reacts better around the green for me. I’ve tried everything new in 2024 I always find my way back to BX when I’m playing golf that matters.

The tech story with the 2024 Bridgestone golf balls is a good one. With its innovative REACTIV iQ cover, Gradational Compression Core, and Seamless 330 Dimple Design Bridgestone put a great deal of engineering effort into this ball and it deserves to get a shot from everyone serious about the balls they use.
 
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Bridgestone Tour B RXS review, non-mindset edition review

Technology

In the 2023 release of the Bridgestone Tour B line Bridgestone introduced REACTIV which was a new technology to their urethane cover in which the ball reacted differently based on how impact is delivered to the golf ball. When the golf ball was hit harder it got firmer and faster off the face. When the impact was at a lower speed it became softer and this increased spin.

In 2024 Bridgestone has evolved the REACTIV system into the into the REACTIV X system which combines REACTIV iQ Smart Cover technology with XCLRMT mid layer. This creates a greater rebound on tee shots which in turn delivers more velocity and increased distance. The REACTIV X system also stays on the face longer on approach shots which provides more spin and a soft feel.

The Gradational Compression Core is another cool piece of technology. It provides initial higher ball speeds and lower spin which has added distance and forgiveness. There is also the Dual Dimple technology which helps with distance by giving the ball a more efficient ball trajectory due to less drag. Finally the seamless cover provides a consistent flight because of the perfectly balance dimple pattern.

If you have previously played the Bridgestone Tour B line of golf balls you will be in for a treat with the 2024 line up. If you are wondering which ball is for you Bridgestone has and online fitting tool that can be found here. Now that we covered the updated to the Tour B line of golf balls let's talk a little bit about my testing of the Tour B RXS

Why the switch from the Tour B RX to the Tour B RXS

Being I have played Bridgestone golf balls in the past and gamed the Tour B RX for a period of time I am quite familiar with them. What brought me to try the Tour B RXS you might ask, well I received a sleeve at a golf course earlier in the year and decided to give them a shot that day on the course. I can say that I loved the Tour B RX and the Tour B RXS was no different. I even liked it a little more as I could immediately tell the golf ball was softer than the Tour B RX. I much prefer a softer feeling ball and this checked that box.

Putting the Tour B RXS to the test

After putting the Tour B RXS in play after receiving that initial sleeve I liked what I saw out on the course. The ball was still flying nice and high and my distance didn’t really seem to be noticeably affected. The golf ball seemed to have a little more bite on approach shots and on greenside shots compared to the Tour B RX, which was due to the increased spin with the Tour B RXS. All of this was backing up what the new technology and Bridgestone stated on their site. As mentioned previously I was really liking the softer feel on the driver, irons/wedges and putter. On good strikes it is almost like you cannot feel the golf ball which is a really cool feeling. I then decided to put the Tour B RXS on the Skytrak + to see if my on course play is backed up by the data.

Tour B RXS ball data

For this test I didn’t hit every club in the bag but decided to go with my SW, 7 iron, and driver and the data is below. For each club below I noticed an increase in ball speed of 1 to 2 mph from my previous game.

The 1st club listed is my Titleist T200 7 iron. Now you may look at the backspin number which averages 4875 and you may think is a low for a 7 iron, but I am a low spin iron player and this is actually an increase for me so I am liking that. With a height of 35 yards and a descent angle of 50 I have had no issue holding any greens and the distance is on par for me.

The 2nd club listed is my Bridgestone XW-1 54* sand wedge. The avg backspin of 8473 is an increase from my previous gamer and the distance is in line with what I usually get out of that club. With the spin and descent angle of 54 this ball is going to stop and on good shots zip back a little which is what I was seeing on the course.

The 3rd club listed is my Paradym AI Smoke Max driver. The avg backspin of 2302 is right where I want to be. The launch angle of 17 is great for me as I usually an a high launch guy with the driver. The distance is great for me and I have no complaints.

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Conclusion

The Tour B RXS has met and exceeded my expectations for a gamer golf ball. The feel of the golf ball off all the clubs is softer and just what I like. The ball flight off the driver is not too high and the distance is superb. Of the iron and wedges the trajectory and descent of the ball is going to have no issues holding greens. I like the increased spin for me with little to no loss of distance from my previous gamer. I also noticed around the green there is a little more bite in my chip shots which I am loving. When putting the ball I can feel the softness off the face and it feels buttery. There are tons of golf balls out of the market but I believe that Bridgestone has a ball design to compete with any of them, if you are in doubt you should give them a try, you just might find a new gamer.
 
Still continue to be impressed with the Tour B RXS, while there is not a ton of difference between the RX and RXS I love the softer feel and the little extra spin on approach shots and chip shots around the green. Had a lot of GIR today when playing and the ball reacted just how I wanted. On the longer irons there was a hop or two and the ball would check up with a little roll out. On the shorter irons they were mostly a hop and stop and even had some come back a little. On the pitch and chip shot they checked up nicely just how I like, and I love the soft feel off the putter. Also loving a saw a good deal on Amazon recently and purchased a bunch for the stock pile.
 
With the preface that it's me, I'm the problem. Incosistent swing and therefore cherry picked data. But what would you choose?

Driver:
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7 iron:
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BX looks well balanced. Spin off driver is a bit high but that may have also helped carry.
 
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BX looks well balanced. Spin off driver is a bit high but that may have also helped carry.
It was good on the driver. But struggled on irons and I hate the feel of it on the irons and wedges.
 
Listed to the Off Course podcast episode with Bridgestone Golf today. A ton of good information on these balls. And after listening, I’m wondering if o should give the Tour B XS a try. Maybe the B X with the low spin driver I have this year. I’m also starting to float south of the 105 mph driver swing speed as I get older.
 
Listed to the Off Course podcast episode with Bridgestone Golf today. A ton of good information on these balls. And after listening, I’m wondering if o should give the Tour B XS a try. Maybe the B X with the low spin driver I have this year. I’m also starting to float south of the 105 mph driver swing speed as I get older.
The B XS is such a good ball even for someone a bit below 105. But the B RXS has been money for me this year. It was my favourite of the lineup after testing all of them.

The episode was really informative as to what they are going for with each ball in the lineup.
 
It was good on the driver. But struggled on irons and I hate the feel of it on the irons and wedges.
What didn't you like about the feel?
 
Puetz golf seems to have the 3 packs 2024 balls for $99 at least today.

I’m tempted. But being patient.
 
What didn't you like about the feel?
On the King Tours, it was really harsh and clicky. I prefer a soft feeling, especially on irons and putter. And the B X was noticeably harsher and clickier on irons than the rest of the lineup.
 
On the King Tours, it was really harsh and clicky. I prefer a soft feeling, especially on irons and putter. And the B X was noticeably harsher and clickier on irons than the rest of the lineup.
Shows how different we all are and what we're used to. Compared to every other ball I typically play it feels and sounds softer by a lot through that part of the bag.
 
Shows how different we all are and what we're used to. Compared to every other ball I typically play it feels and sounds softer by a lot through that part of the bag.
It is funny. I had it on the course earlier and didn't feel it was that harsh. But hitting it next to the full lineup and some competitors, it really stood out.

The performance is there and I can see why it's one of their most popular ones. But I couldn't get over the harshness.

For me, it's up there with ProV1X and the Z-Star XV in feeling the harshest and clickiest.
 
The B XS is such a good ball even for someone a bit below 105. But the B RXS has been money for me this year. It was my favourite of the lineup after testing all of them.

The episode was really informative as to what they are going for with each ball in the lineup.
I have been playing mainly the RXS but will go with the XS from time to time. Love them both!! But as a 70 year old golfer I sure would love at least RXS in yellow. My playing partner can't see the white balls at all and I certainly see the yellow tons better.
 
I have been playing mainly the RXS but will go with the XS from time to time. Love them both!! But as a 70 year old golfer I sure would love at least RXS in yellow. My playing partner can't see the white balls at all and I certainly see the yellow tons better.
It's in line with how Bridgestone does things. But I'd also like a yellow ball for the summer rounds, when leaves aren't an issue.
 
It is funny. I had it on the course earlier and didn't feel it was that harsh. But hitting it next to the full lineup and some competitors, it really stood out.

The performance is there and I can see why it's one of their most popular ones. But I couldn't get over the harshness.

For me, it's up there with ProV1X and the Z-Star XV in feeling the harshest and clickiest.
I played the XS through several iterations and love it. I tried the BX after it was the #1 rec on a Ballnamic fitting. I was blown away. I didn’t think it sounded much firmer than the XS,

I like the spin from the ProV1x and most other X balls but didn’t particularly care for the harsher feel and sound. I didn’t find that harshness with the BX.

Glad you found a Tour B you like.
 
I played the XS through several iterations and love it. I tried the BX after it was the #1 rec on a Ballnamic fitting. I was blown away. I didn’t think it sounded much firmer than the XS,

I like the spin from the ProV1x and most other X balls but didn’t particularly care for the harsher feel and sound. I didn’t find that harshness with the BX.

Glad you found a Tour B you like.
I can't explain why it was so 🤷 I may need to revisit the B X after the Morgan Cup to see if I still feel the same.

I need spin on driver and especially from the irons and wedges due to my delivery. So the B XS and RXS were what I was going for initially.

The B X was also a top recommendation for me in Ballnamic as well.
 
I’ve been bouncing around playing different golf balls all month. For today’s round, I went back to BX.

Every time I do this and go back to BX I’m reminded just how damn good the ball is overall. It just does everything well for me. And it cannot be beaten inside of 100 yards. Trust me I’ve tried.
 
I’ve been bouncing around playing different golf balls all month. For today’s round, I went back to BX.

Every time I do this and go back to BX I’m reminded just how damn good the ball is overall. It just does everything well for me. And it cannot be beaten inside of 100 yards. Trust me I’ve tried.
I'll be going back to it, as well. Top to bottom, it performs very well for me. As important to me as performance, it feels much softer off the putter than other "X" balls. I think if I was blindfolded and asked to putt the the BX and BXS, I'm not sure I could tell the difference.
 
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