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Bridgestone Golf MINDSET Visual Technology

SuperStroke
Ran out of my dozen unfortunately but I'm very pleased with the performance and feel of the B XS. I do think the ball is a little bit faster over previous models i used to play which was my gamer for 5 years. The B XS remains one of the spiniest balls on approach shots and around the green. As someone who hits irons high with lower spin, I gravitate towards balls with a lower launch and higher spin. The B XS fits that bill perfectly

As for the Mindset technology I personally did not care for it. It's not that it was bad, I just did not care for it. I found it more difficult to line up the outer red ring/arrow to my target line than I did with the traditional side stamping TOUR B XS line
 
@jfrigo1003 - I took to lining up my club with the arrow pointed to my club and not to the target. that has helped me some with the design. If I had one suggestion for Bridgestone it would be to make the arrow a little longer -it would help on lining up putts especially as well as drives.

As a high handicapper the tech or rather the step process did help me. Sometimes getting flustered on the course, my reaction would be to hit the next shot quicker, but seeing the circles made me pause and focus. Yes it is true that one does not need the circles to go thru the steps, but having it on the ball just reinforced the concepts for me.
 
I finally put the extra sleeve of B RX MindSet that I picked up in July in play today. After a couple straight months of playing nothing but Titleist, I felt it was time to see what coming back to the MindSet would do. But I was also curious because with the hand/wrist injury I've been dealing with for the past month of so, my swing thoughts have become far more cluttered and my driver swing has been struggling mightily. The injury seems to largely be dormant right now, but there is still the fear, especially on the first swing, that the pain is going to return. All that to say, the task ahead of MindSet was not a small one.

I had some of the best drives I've had in months with the MindSet in play. Because I was doing most of the process (I didn't put the logo up except on the final drive, more on that in a second), I was being more intentional with my setup. But more importantly, I slowed down. I had been getting way to quick in my transition ever since the injury, first because the pain was strongest at the top and then later because I was in my head about fixing everything. That went away with the MindSet which I believe also helped get more out of the driver setup I was fit into. We purposely went with the shaft we did because I was having more success with a smoother swing. Now that is back.

Like I mentioned before I did try the tee shot on hole 8 with the logo up. Just like in my initial testing, this brought about a rather large slice. I think focusing on the dot itself gets TOO in my head and also causes me to come more OTT than normal (I play a fade as it is) to "hit the logo" even though its on the top of the ball. But the logo is a good reminder to do the process while I'm teeing up the ball.

I think next season I might try the B X MindSet once or twice, as while the B RX is a great ball I am seeing better results in the rest of my game with the Left Dash I've been playing and B X might get closer to that.


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I was a tester for these, but did not stick with them after as I felt there were better balls for me, and didn't find having the Mindset logo on the ball was really a differentiator to using the process. After a couple of poor rounds a few weeks ago, I kind of recommitted to using the yellow step and have seen some good results. Would encourage anyone to at least give the process a go even if you aren't gaming these balls.
 
My Asst Mgr at PGATSS gave me a dozen RXS Mindset balls the other day. One day in the next few months when I can play again without pain I’ll try them out and review.
 
I reupped 3dz B RXS's for next season after good experiences with both the ball and the process. The new ones don't have the visual reminder, but I'm confident I don't need it anymore, as the process is a part of my routine now.
 
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Nice little drive today with my Mindset ball. Nice cold 42 degree morning.
 
SVonhof said:
Yes, but did you make par or birdie from the trees? ;)
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Par 😢 had a generally open shot. Had to hit a sort of punch runner. Rolled it on to about 10-12 feet. Putt lipped out. Tap in for par.
 
TJRyska said:
Par 😢 had a generally open shot. Had to hit a sort of punch runner. Rolled it on to about 10-12 feet. Putt lipped out. Tap in for par.
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Bummer! I love making a good score after hitting a bomb that looks great until it's not.
 
Like seeing this thread pop back up. This technology was one I thought was very pointless at first but once getting a chance to try it, was very much a fan.

Really enjoyed thinking through my shot prior to hitting the ball and then picking a spot on the ball to hit. Even when I am using balls without the mindset technology, I find myself picking a spot to hit to help me out.
 
Found a Mindset XS in my bevy of spare golf balls and was really surprised how much I liked the XS and the MINDSET logo. Short game spin is just crazy and the MINDSET logo is a reminder to slow down and think. With Divides being hard to see in browning grass, I picked up 2 dozen of the XS MINDSET for $80. I’ll put them in play starting tomorrow.
 
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I didn't mind the logo but the technique is a really good one that can be applied to any ball once you get in the habit. The Mindset ball just gives you that reminder every time.
The ball itself was good, I had zero issues playing it.
 
When driver gets sketchy I still think about pulling mine out. It’s really good for me there. Helps me not overthink it.
 
Coming back to this, I think the mindset concept is solid, but I am not sure I love the red and yellow and red component of it. I would like it more if there was more neutral colors, maybe a blue or a grey gradation. I understand the logic and intention of putting the red and yellow in. But for me, it just gave me some anxiousness over the ball on the tee, I think.
 
I've continued to use Mindset ever since I first tried out the full range of Tour B balls. I think I'm going back to my stash of RXS after my Chrome Softs are depleted.

I've found the process helps me plan the shots better and make better decisions. After some time, the logo isn't really needed, even though I have no problem using one with it.
 
Inioch said:
I've continued to use Mindset ever since I first tried out the full range of Tour B balls. I think I'm going back to my stash of RXS after my Chrome Softs are depleted.

I've found the process helps me plan the shots better and make better decisions. After some time, the logo isn't really needed, even though I have no problem using one with it.
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Haven't tried it yet, as it seems like there isn't a whole lot of concrete evidence of it's value. Curious if you can elaborate a bit? Do you think putting a red dot on any ball would have the same effect for example?
 
73monte said:
Haven't tried it yet, as it seems like there isn't a whole lot of concrete evidence of it's value. Curious if you can elaborate a bit? Do you think putting a red dot on any ball would have the same effect for example?
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Sorry for the late reply, home has been insanely hectic with kids being sick.

I'll start by separating two components, the process of Mindset and the visuals on the Bridgestone balls.

The visuals:
When the Mindset balls came out, there wasn't really a consensus here on whether the graphics work or not. For me, the visuals are ok and never bothered me during swinging and I used it to line up putts too. But didn't use it on the tee. The idea of the three concentric rings with the red dot is to help you remember the steps and then focus on the shot when stepping to the ball.

My test balls were lost somewhere on the cross-Atlantic trip, so I started learning the process without the graphics, before I bought the balls to try that out too. I don't feel like I need the ball visuals to be able to execute the process, but ymmv.

The process:
I think the videos on Bridgestone's webpage explain the process quite well. But the process is made up of three steps, Identify, Visualize and Focus. It's pretty similiar in a way to the Think Box – Play Box concept developed by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott when they were working with Annika Sorenstam.

In the Identify phase, you're looking at all the variables that affect the shot and what you want to do with it. Where you want to land it and what you want there to happen next. This is something I was really bad at before. Or I thought I was decent, but actually wasn't. I'd go to a ball and hit it "somewhere over there" without considering what the actual intent and aim of the shot was. With the Mindset process, I make better decisions for shots, club selection and aiming. 100%.

For the Visualize phase, you're seeing the shot that you've planned in the Identify phase. This gives your body and mind the cues to execute it. There are many ways to do it, I don't see a tracker in my head, but the ball flying through the air on fast forward speed and going where I want it to. It has helped identify potential things I might have missed earlier and also to commit to making the shot.

In the Focus phase, the visuals on the balls can come in or not. The idea is to have done all the prerequisite work beforehand and have only the shot in your mind and the body ready to execute it. Now swing thoughts, no extra baggage. For me, having the process stops me from being scared over a shot, having unnecessary swing thoughts while I'm doing it or any other nuisance to actually playing the shot.

Do I do all of this perfectly and shoot under par? Of course not. But the process helps me move from talking **** with my playing partners or thinking about other stuff than the shot, when I come to my ball. I have absolutely played better golf when I'm doing the process. I can't give you any quantitative results compared to before, but the process was for sure one part of me dropping my hcp by 10 last year after learning it.

This is one of those things that you will have to try and see if it works for you and if you like the ball visuals to be there to help you or not.
 
Inioch said:
Sorry for the late reply, home has been insanely hectic with kids being sick.

I'll start by separating two components, the process of Mindset and the visuals on the Bridgestone balls.

The visuals:
When the Mindset balls came out, there wasn't really a consensus here on whether the graphics work or not. For me, the visuals are ok and never bothered me during swinging and I used it to line up putts too. But didn't use it on the tee. The idea of the three concentric rings with the red dot is to help you remember the steps and then focus on the shot when stepping to the ball.

My test balls were lost somewhere on the cross-Atlantic trip, so I started learning the process without the graphics, before I bought the balls to try that out too. I don't feel like I need the ball visuals to be able to execute the process, but ymmv.

The process:
I think the videos on Bridgestone's webpage explain the process quite well. But the process is made up of three steps, Identify, Visualize and Focus. It's pretty similiar in a way to the Think Box – Play Box concept developed by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott when they were working with Annika Sorenstam.

In the Identify phase, you're looking at all the variables that affect the shot and what you want to do with it. Where you want to land it and what you want there to happen next. This is something I was really bad at before. Or I thought I was decent, but actually wasn't. I'd go to a ball and hit it "somewhere over there" without considering what the actual intent and aim of the shot was. With the Mindset process, I make better decisions for shots, club selection and aiming. 100%.

For the Visualize phase, you're seeing the shot that you've planned in the Identify phase. This gives your body and mind the cues to execute it. There are many ways to do it, I don't see a tracker in my head, but the ball flying through the air on fast forward speed and going where I want it to. It has helped identify potential things I might have missed earlier and also to commit to making the shot.

In the Focus phase, the visuals on the balls can come in or not. The idea is to have done all the prerequisite work beforehand and have only the shot in your mind and the body ready to execute it. Now swing thoughts, no extra baggage. For me, having the process stops me from being scared over a shot, having unnecessary swing thoughts while I'm doing it or any other nuisance to actually playing the shot.

Do I do all of this perfectly and shoot under par? Of course not. But the process helps me move from talking **** with my playing partners or thinking about other stuff than the shot, when I come to my ball. I have absolutely played better golf when I'm doing the process. I can't give you any quantitative results compared to before, but the process was for sure one part of me dropping my hcp by 10 last year after learning it.

This is one of those things that you will have to try and see if it works for you and if you like the ball visuals to be there to help you or not.
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Good write up. When I tested them last year I really liked them due to using the process. I think it did help me to visualize and focus leading to better shots/consistency.

The hard part for me is to remember to do the process. I tend to get started chatting with the group and don’t think about doing it.
 
Raiderboost said:
Good write up. When I tested them last year I really liked them due to using the process. I think it did help me to visualize and focus leading to better shots/consistency.

The hard part for me is to remember to do the process. I tend to get started chatting with the group and don’t think about doing it.
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I catch myself at times slipping from it and usually it has also coincided with me playing much worse. Fortunately it's quite easy to get back on that horse.
 
Inioch said:
Sorry for the late reply, home has been insanely hectic with kids being sick.

I'll start by separating two components, the process of Mindset and the visuals on the Bridgestone balls.

The visuals:
When the Mindset balls came out, there wasn't really a consensus here on whether the graphics work or not. For me, the visuals are ok and never bothered me during swinging and I used it to line up putts too. But didn't use it on the tee. The idea of the three concentric rings with the red dot is to help you remember the steps and then focus on the shot when stepping to the ball.

My test balls were lost somewhere on the cross-Atlantic trip, so I started learning the process without the graphics, before I bought the balls to try that out too. I don't feel like I need the ball visuals to be able to execute the process, but ymmv.

The process:
I think the videos on Bridgestone's webpage explain the process quite well. But the process is made up of three steps, Identify, Visualize and Focus. It's pretty similiar in a way to the Think Box – Play Box concept developed by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott when they were working with Annika Sorenstam.

In the Identify phase, you're looking at all the variables that affect the shot and what you want to do with it. Where you want to land it and what you want there to happen next. This is something I was really bad at before. Or I thought I was decent, but actually wasn't. I'd go to a ball and hit it "somewhere over there" without considering what the actual intent and aim of the shot was. With the Mindset process, I make better decisions for shots, club selection and aiming. 100%.

For the Visualize phase, you're seeing the shot that you've planned in the Identify phase. This gives your body and mind the cues to execute it. There are many ways to do it, I don't see a tracker in my head, but the ball flying through the air on fast forward speed and going where I want it to. It has helped identify potential things I might have missed earlier and also to commit to making the shot.

In the Focus phase, the visuals on the balls can come in or not. The idea is to have done all the prerequisite work beforehand and have only the shot in your mind and the body ready to execute it. Now swing thoughts, no extra baggage. For me, having the process stops me from being scared over a shot, having unnecessary swing thoughts while I'm doing it or any other nuisance to actually playing the shot.

Do I do all of this perfectly and shoot under par? Of course not. But the process helps me move from talking **** with my playing partners or thinking about other stuff than the shot, when I come to my ball. I have absolutely played better golf when I'm doing the process. I can't give you any quantitative results compared to before, but the process was for sure one part of me dropping my hcp by 10 last year after learning it.

This is one of those things that you will have to try and see if it works for you and if you like the ball visuals to be there to help you or not.
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Thanks so much for taking the time for such a detailed response. Much appreciated!!!
Suppose I'll just have to give it a try. I'm not likely the type of player that this will help, but willing to test it out, esp. after you're reply.
 
Tried the mindset visual technology today, that I was so curious about. I would prefer to refer to it now as mindF@@@ technology.
I spent most of my round laughing about the fact that I actually bought/tried these. I don't doubt for a second that this can help certain individuals, but for me it proved to be a complete crock.
I even tried to align the bullseye thing in several different directions to no avail. I think I would like to take the alignment logo off the ball and put it on the ground, or even on the top of my driver.
Anyway, nothing ventured I guess. The good news is, I bought the E12 straight ball with mindset, and while I don't need a ball to aid in sidespin, I didn't mind the ball in the least. I did overcut a 3 wood, and it peeled off to the right just as much as any other ball, but I would prefer this anyway.
 
73monte said:
Tried the mindset visual technology today, that I was so curious about. I would prefer to refer to it now as mindF@@@ technology.
I spent most of my round laughing about the fact that I actually bought/tried these. I don't doubt for a second that this can help certain individuals, but for me it proved to be a complete crock.
I even tried to align the bullseye thing in several different directions to no avail. I think I would like to take the alignment logo off the ball and put it on the ground, or even on the top of my driver.
Anyway, nothing ventured I guess. The good news is, I bought the E12 straight ball with mindset, and while I don't need a ball to aid in sidespin, I didn't mind the ball in the least. I did overcut a 3 wood, and it peeled off to the right just as much as any other ball, but I would prefer this anyway.
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Honestly mindset on the ball is wonky. The research behind it is legit. I find when I really focus on what I want to do not what I don’t want the results are so much better.
 
outlawx said:
Honestly mindset on the ball is wonky. The research behind it is legit. I find when I really focus on what I want to do not what I don’t want the results are so much better.
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Agreed, I found with mindset, I was just staring at the ball to the exclusion of all else. Felt like I froze over it. Ironically or comically depending on your perspective, I bombed my first drive of the day, and couldn't help thinking that this technology is unbelievable!!!
 
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