Bridgestone VS Prototype Golf Balls

[MMaynard11]

Just finished rolling some putts prior to my round.

The VS Black felt great rolling the ball. A bit more firm than the Chrome Tour, which is to be expected.

The VS Black felt like an improvement over the Tour BX. The Tour BX feels much more “muted” when putting, especially on longer putts. The VS Black had a crisper feel, while not feeling overly firm.

The VS Black is certainly on the firmer side of balls, but felt “crispy” when putting, if that makes sense. I felt the feedback and much preferred it over the Tour BX.

Crispy is ok…once we get firm I’m out.

 

[outlawx]

Finally have the black in hand and going to get a walking 9 in tomorrow. I’m going to give a little write up of my game and what I look for in a ball shortly

 

[FlipFlop]

So I’m an 8 handicap going through lessons at GOLFTEC. I play Chrome Tour and on really windy days, CT TD. That’s what most of my testing will be against. Here are some thoughts from the initial go with the VS Blue Prototype

Feel:
The VS Blue feels slightly softer than the Chrome Tour, especially noticeable on full shots through the bag.

Impact across clubs felt good with a lively response off the face. This was very noticeable with long and mid-irons, which seemed to launch a bit higher than expected.

Off the driver, the ball felt smooth and responsive. Even into the wind it was producing a confident and consistent flight.

Across the bag, the VS Blue maintained a balanced softness. Never mushy, just a touch more muted than the Chrome Tour to me. I felt like it was giving good feedback without harshness.

Spin
Control is what jumps out today. From 80–100 yards, wedges consistently produced one hop and stop shots.

54° from 80yds

Even on low-running chips and knockdown approach shots, the ball showed noticeably more check than I’m used to, grabbing quickly on the second bounce.

AW from 102yards hit low & punchy

Approach shots from distance (6i-9i) held greens easily with higher than normal trajectory and stopping quickly.

7i into a 178yd par 3

8i into the green from 166yards

9i from 154

 

[mtbloco]

I’m sending a theme. The line of VS balls has something going on with relative high spin with wedges. Then back on par with cohort profile balls with full swings.

 

[FlipFlop]

I’m sending a theme. The line of VS balls has something going on with relative high spin with wedges. Then back on par with cohort profile balls with full swings.

Definitely agree on the wedges from what I saw on course. I think it’s going to show a pretty big jump on irons as well for me. Ball flight was noticeably higher and a couple seemed to balloon a touch and come up a little shorter than expected. Tough to say for sure because the wind was up so it will be nice to get on a monitor.

 

[Nashtyone]

Agree with you on the color between the number and VS Red. Low hanging fruit but hope they make them the same color. Just takes that premium look away a tad.

Ya the difference in color is an odd choice for sure. Should match in my opinion

 

[ttucliffhanger]

Agree with you on the color between the number and VS Red. Low hanging fruit but hope they make them the same color. Just takes that premium look away a tad.

Just from pictures as well you would have thought the kept it the same red. That being said, I would think it’s would be cheaper to stay with one red, but maybe not.

 

[GolfSquatch]

I finally had a chance to sit down and catch up on this thread, and I'm loving what I am seeing and hearing. I got into the B line late this season when I was looking for a softer fall ball with some spin and decided to test out the Tour B RXS and really enjoyed playing it to finish off the season. It sounds like Bridgestone is following that line up well with these offerings, so I am excited to see what final production on these brings (hopefully mindset on the new models I know I am probably a bit weird, but I have really grown to like)

 

[MMaynard11]

Time for a quick nine with the VS Red!!!

 

[Tywithay]

I got home late last night so early morning photo shoot with the VS Red prototypes.

Visually they look good to my eye. The white is bright and no hint of yellow or pale blue. Personally I like the red used for the numbers better than the red on the alignment line. But that’s low hanging fruit.

If all goes well I’ll get out to the practice green and roll some afternoon putts with these. Testing them there against my gamer CT.

View attachment 9388421View attachment 9388422View attachment 9388423

I don't think I'd use these unless they lengthened the alignment line or came out with some other type of alignment altogether. That one is so small.

 

[Templet0n]

I went to the SIM with the intent on getting some data. But, I really was not able to. There was a league night happening so I could not take up a bay to myself for research purposes.

But, I was a little lucky in that they were short a man, so I filled in and used this ball to play. First impressions are interesting. I like how the blue feels. I did hit a few shots with the previous BXS ball mixed in to try and get some comparisons. From what I saw, heard and felt. There is a bit of a change but I cant quite yet voice what all those are. The ball feels snappy, its not clicky or harsh, but there is a snap to it that I dont feel off the BXS. The spin and launch numbers were right there with the previous model that I assume this ball is the replacement for.

From what I saw in a very limited experience I saw so far. The ball "seems" slower. Way more testing is required before I will say this definitively. But that is my first impression. Off all clubs, it was 3 or 4 MPH slower than the BXS.

I have a 9 hole par 3 round of golf with a buddy scheduled tomorrow so I will be able to get a good amount of wedge and short iron shots outside in the wild with this ball. There is only one hole that really has any length to it.

 

[MMaynard11]

Ok just finished up nine at the local Par 3 course. To put it into perspective the course is just average and not kept up very well, but fit in my schedule to get a round in. Today I was focused on ball flight, distance, feel off the club, short game and durability.

Fall golf in Florida brings in a lot of moisture in the mornings and one thing that stood out was how the VS Red golf ball interacted with that moisture on shots off the fairway or rough. Interestingly I didn’t see the ball launching higher, which is typically what I will see when moisture is on the golf ball or club face. That to me is a plus, because most rounds I play are in the morning where dew is an issue. Would be interesting to know if the covering of the golf ball has something to do with that.

Distance with the VS Red off irons and wedges seemed to be similar to what I am used to compared to my current gamer the CT . What I did notice though as the feel off specifically wedge shots the VS Red felt a tad bit firmer than what I’m used. Nothing concerning but I could definitely feel a difference as well as hear it at impact.

Now on to putting. On each hole I would throw two balls down to acquaint myself with how the VS Red came off the putter face and more important the sound and feel. I feel how well I am putting is directly related to the ball I have in play. This is one area the VS Red shines and I sank some longer than normal putts today. The feel off the putter is what @BigDill referred to as “crisp” and one that I want in a ball with putter in hand. The ball rolled end over end on some over seeded greens very nicely.

After nine holes the durability held up exceptionally well. No scuff marks after hitting one off a palm tree as a test to test out the durability.

Overall very impressed with first on course action with the Bridgestone Prototype VS Red.

 

[MMaynard11]

I don't think I'd use these unless they lengthened the alignment line or came out with some other type of alignment altogether. That one is so small.

I went in with an open mind today and while the shorter alignment line from my TT it was that detrimental in the end. Took some time getting used to it and I had to realign a few times. My hope would be that they make the length just a tad longer, UNLESS we hear there is a reason behind it being shorter.

 

[ddec]

I have my pack in hand. @jdtox asked me which color I thought I would be getting...I guessed Red. Sure enough, that was not the case. Green is what arrived for me. Looking forward to getting some action in with them. See if the weather cooperates enough to get an on-course round in, but it's quickly becoming indoor season up here.

 

[ddec]

I don't think I'd use these unless they lengthened the alignment line or came out with some other type of alignment altogether. That one is so small.

It's funny you say that because I've recently committed to using the alignment line on balls like Tour Soft, Exotics, and Chrome Soft. I kind of agree with you here based on my initial look at the ball in hand.

 

[MMaynard11]

It's funny you say that because I've recently committed to using the alignment line on balls like Tour Soft, Exotics, and Chrome Soft. I kind of agree with you here based on my initial look at the ball in hand.

 

[ddec]

never had that done to me before. What's it mean?

 

[PhillyV]

Ok just finished up nine at the local Par 3 course. To put it into perspective the course is just average and not kept up very well, but fit in my schedule to get a round in. Today I was focused on ball flight, distance, feel off the club, short game and durability.

View attachment 9388743
Fall golf in Florida brings in a lot of moisture in the mornings and one thing that stood out was how the VS Red golf ball interacted with that moisture on shots off the fairway or rough. Interestingly I didn’t see the ball launching higher, which is typically what I will see when moisture is on the golf ball or club face. That to me is a plus, because most rounds I play are in the morning where dew is an issue. Would be interesting to know if the covering of the golf ball has something to do with that.

Distance with the VS Red off irons and wedges seemed to be similar to what I am used to compared to my current gamer the CT . What I did notice though as the feel off specifically wedge shots the VS Red felt a tad bit firmer than what I’m used. Nothing concerning but I could definitely feel a difference as well as hear it at impact.

View attachment 9388752

Now on to putting. On each hole I would throw two balls down to acquaint myself with how the VS Red came off the putter face and more important the sound and feel. I feel how well I am putting is directly related to the ball I have in play. This is one area the VS Red shines and I sank some longer than normal putts today. The feel off the putter is what @BigDill referred to as “crisp” and one that I want in a ball with putter in hand. The ball rolled end over end on some over seeded greens very nicely.



View attachment 9388754

After nine holes the durability held up exceptionally well. No scuff marks after hitting one off a palm tree as a test to test out the durability.

Overall very impressed with first on course action with the Bridgestone Prototype VS Red.

love how you called out earlier the difference between crisp and firm. Im with you on that

 

[ChrisATL]

I went in with an open mind today and while the shorter alignment line from my TT it was that detrimental in the end. Took some time getting used to it and I had to realign a few times. My hope would be that they make the length just a tad longer, UNLESS we hear there is a reason behind it being shorter.

I think thats fair feedback, especially coming from a Triple Track. Regardless of alignment aide, I've been very impressed with the VS Blue so far - I like longer lines as well, but the feel / performance has been stellar so far.

 

[Tywithay]

It's funny you say that because I've recently committed to using the alignment line on balls like Tour Soft, Exotics, and Chrome Soft. I kind of agree with you here based on my initial look at the ball in hand.

After using triple track or zstar divide the past two years I don't know that I can go back to a ball without enhanced alignment of some sort.

 

[Templet0n]

Ok just finished up nine at the local Par 3 course. To put it into perspective the course is just average and not kept up very well, but fit in my schedule to get a round in. Today I was focused on ball flight, distance, feel off the club, short game and durability.

View attachment 9388743
Fall golf in Florida brings in a lot of moisture in the mornings and one thing that stood out was how the VS Red golf ball interacted with that moisture on shots off the fairway or rough. Interestingly I didn’t see the ball launching higher, which is typically what I will see when moisture is on the golf ball or club face. That to me is a plus, because most rounds I play are in the morning where dew is an issue. Would be interesting to know if the covering of the golf ball has something to do with that.

Distance with the VS Red off irons and wedges seemed to be similar to what I am used to compared to my current gamer the CT . What I did notice though as the feel off specifically wedge shots the VS Red felt a tad bit firmer than what I’m used. Nothing concerning but I could definitely feel a difference as well as hear it at impact.

View attachment 9388752

Now on to putting. On each hole I would throw two balls down to acquaint myself with how the VS Red came off the putter face and more important the sound and feel. I feel how well I am putting is directly related to the ball I have in play. This is one area the VS Red shines and I sank some longer than normal putts today. The feel off the putter is what @BigDill referred to as “crisp” and one that I want in a ball with putter in hand. The ball rolled end over end on some over seeded greens very nicely.



View attachment 9388754

After nine holes the durability held up exceptionally well. No scuff marks after hitting one off a palm tree as a test to test out the durability.

Overall very impressed with first on course action with the Bridgestone Prototype VS Red.

The Red felt firmer than the CT3D?

 

[ChrisATL]

After using triple track or zstar divide the past two years I don't know that I can go back to a ball without enhanced alignment of some sort.

Dumb question - can you not just draw a line? Obviously you'd rather purchase a ball already with one, but I'm curious how the testers that strongly prefer a longer line / aide will be going about this review.

 

[smgoldstein]

This is one area the VS Red shines and I sank some longer than normal putts today. The feel off the putter is what @BigDill referred to as “crisp” and one that I want in a ball with putter in hand. The ball rolled end over end on some over seeded greens very nicely.

I have only played nine holes with the VS Red but I also loved the feel off of the putter. Will get more action in over the weekend.

 

[Muchmore]

I have my pack in hand. @jdtox asked me which color I thought I would be getting...I guessed Red. Sure enough, that was not the case. Green is what arrived for me. Looking forward to getting some action in with them. See if the weather cooperates enough to get an on-course round in, but it's quickly becoming indoor season up here.

Hahahaha I actually bet you were supposed to be Red…but it works out

 

[MMaynard11]

love how you called out earlier the difference between crisp and firm. Im with you on that

I relate to firm as frozen or almost frozen golf balls in Ohio winters or ProV1.