I’ve got my week 2 review sleeve with me. I’m optimistic that my day will let me get to my short game practice area so I can put in some quality time with the VS Red.
Bridgestone VS Prototype Golf Balls
I saw a nice jump in spin off wedges compared to Chrome Tour. My limited iron swings on my sim had then similar for me with those swings.
In course they preformed very similar. Which is a great thing to me.
OK so some thoughts here.....i have the VS GREEN and typically look for higher spinning and/or launching balls, as i am on the low end of both of these spectrums
I hit about 100 balls today. 50 with the VS Green and 50 with a ProV1x. I brought my 9 iron, 7 iron, 5 iron and driver. I hit about 25 balls with each (half/half between the balls)
I discarded poor swings for the sake of averages. So as you can imagine out of 100 swings, none were discarded
Some initial thoughts
-I swear to Allah, Bridgestone balls are just a pleasure to hit. They feel so good. Now i am on record that the ProV1x is not a favorite of mine....but still. You could've blindfolded me and still, very easily even in the trackman bay i could tell the balls apart. The VS reminds me of the B-XS i tested last year. Just a wonderful "thump"
-I did not really see launch or spin differences between the irons. I was generally in the same vicinity with each. Now 35 swings ~ with each maybe isn't enough. But i was consistently around the same . So about 7000~ with 9 iron, about 5800-5900 with 7 iron and about 4600-4700 with 5 iron (note,gulp).
-My longest shots of the day were usually with the Bridgestone. Now we're not talking miles here. But for example my longest 5 iron out of 13 swings with the ProV1x was 204 yards. I had 3 longer than this with the Bridgestone. Same kinda launch and spin. Not sure what to make of this, could be nothing
-With Driver----WOW did i see a difference. I absolutely got more launch and spin with the Bridgestone. We are talking about 2400rpm with the ProV1x and about 2800rpm with the VS Green. This is over 15 well struck shots with each ball. I also was getting about a degree higher launch. This didn't translate to a ton more distance, but it did give me better carry and theoretically the better spin should give me more control
Initially, my gut reaction from my first session is that this will perform like an "X" ball with irons, but even more exaggerated spin and launch with woods.
It will be VERY interesting to do a 3-wood test against the Chrome Tour X ----Some may recall from a year ago this was my all around ball winner for exactly this reason---performance with woods
I hit about 100 balls today. 50 with the VS Green and 50 with a ProV1x. I brought my 9 iron, 7 iron, 5 iron and driver. I hit about 25 balls with each (half/half between the balls)
I discarded poor swings for the sake of averages. So as you can imagine out of 100 swings, none were discarded
Some initial thoughts
-I swear to Allah, Bridgestone balls are just a pleasure to hit. They feel so good. Now i am on record that the ProV1x is not a favorite of mine....but still. You could've blindfolded me and still, very easily even in the trackman bay i could tell the balls apart. The VS reminds me of the B-XS i tested last year. Just a wonderful "thump"
-I did not really see launch or spin differences between the irons. I was generally in the same vicinity with each. Now 35 swings ~ with each maybe isn't enough. But i was consistently around the same . So about 7000~ with 9 iron, about 5800-5900 with 7 iron and about 4600-4700 with 5 iron (note,gulp).
-My longest shots of the day were usually with the Bridgestone. Now we're not talking miles here. But for example my longest 5 iron out of 13 swings with the ProV1x was 204 yards. I had 3 longer than this with the Bridgestone. Same kinda launch and spin. Not sure what to make of this, could be nothing
-With Driver----WOW did i see a difference. I absolutely got more launch and spin with the Bridgestone. We are talking about 2400rpm with the ProV1x and about 2800rpm with the VS Green. This is over 15 well struck shots with each ball. I also was getting about a degree higher launch. This didn't translate to a ton more distance, but it did give me better carry and theoretically the better spin should give me more control
Initially, my gut reaction from my first session is that this will perform like an "X" ball with irons, but even more exaggerated spin and launch with woods.
It will be VERY interesting to do a 3-wood test against the Chrome Tour X ----Some may recall from a year ago this was my all around ball winner for exactly this reason---performance with woods
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Ok, so lost the last ball of the first sleeve on the first shot. Wasn’t a bad shot just missed fairway to right and was in leaves and just didn’t have time to keep looking, so can’t speak if that ball had seem issues like the first 2 in that sleeve. Lost the first ball of the second sleeve due to same issue (leaves). It was right off the fairway too which sucks. Ok, the second ball I didn’t lose till hole 17 (and issue, but it was bc I did not expect to hit my 3w that far). Short par 4, 267 to pin mid to front pin. Pulled 3w and had a beautiful fade and it was right at the pin. It was over water and is my most birdied hole. That being said I flew it over the back of the green which was 280 to clear and it must have been under leaves bc we could not find it. That’s probably the farthest I e ever hit my 3w. That being said that ball lasted me 13 holes and outside of a little discoloration, there was no seem or durability issues today so must have been local to that sleeve. Here is some #s from driver and 7i today on 2 separate holes, plus a couple more pics.
This is from the 7i shot for showing spin from that distance. Minimal release.
Even had a shot (9i). Traveled about 140 into wind and landed and stayed in ball mark. Greens were relatively firm today. Spin is good with this ball.
This is from the 7i shot for showing spin from that distance. Minimal release.
Even had a shot (9i). Traveled about 140 into wind and landed and stayed in ball mark. Greens were relatively firm today. Spin is good with this ball.
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These seem to have some juice because my body does not right now. ball was hit well and went far with smooth swings... ball definitely has some spin on approach yet at the same time is not the softest ball i have hit with the putter.
I was able to play aggressive on the pins. I am not playing augusta and spongy a bit but i hit a few nippy wedge shots that had quite the spin on them. didnt bring an RXS to the green but initial thoughts are long distance shots and spinny approaches. Also never lost one on driver today, only played 9 holes with 5 driver holes.
I was able to play aggressive on the pins. I am not playing augusta and spongy a bit but i hit a few nippy wedge shots that had quite the spin on them. didnt bring an RXS to the green but initial thoughts are long distance shots and spinny approaches. Also never lost one on driver today, only played 9 holes with 5 driver holes.
Consistent ball flight and feel. While I am someone who tries to play a draw, I am not someone who works the ball a bunch. The Bridgestone VS Black has been awesome at holding a baby draw and giving me consistent numbers.
Plus the feel is really good. I previously described it as "crispy" and I think that's right. Its not soft but its not firm. Kind of like hitting a home run in baseball, its just a nice crack.
Here’s another to show how little this ball releases for me. This was 9i in. This is pretty much what I want from this type of ball. I’ll be honest as I’m spending more time with this ball…If I hadn’t picked my gamer for next season, I would highly consider gaming this ball full time.
Got out in Arizona for a round today and got out a sleeve in play of the VS Red. The ball flight I was getting today was really good. Nice piercing flight on my drives and really good stopping power on the greens.
This shot was with a 54 vokey from 85 out. Took one small hop and stopped.
On my last sleeve I mentioned that the durability don’t seem great as a few shots left noticeable marks but didn’t see that on this sleeve. They had really grown the rough out and ended up not being able to find my ball and lost all of them while still being in play.
This shot was with a 54 vokey from 85 out. Took one small hop and stopped.
On my last sleeve I mentioned that the durability don’t seem great as a few shots left noticeable marks but didn’t see that on this sleeve. They had really grown the rough out and ended up not being able to find my ball and lost all of them while still being in play.
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I’m perplexed again. Short Gabe area out doors. Juicy turf. I compared the VS Red and CT. Using my 58. Them AW from a variety of lies. All short sided type situations. Max 20 yard carry and closer.
Different flights. Open face, toe down. Back of stance, front of stance. It was crowded so no flops.
I could not tell a difference. The softness feel at the 75 yarders on my sim and muted sound of VS Red was not distinguishable. Maybe it’s me today.
VS red very nice in all the situations. No signs I couldn’t game this ball.
It’s looking like a cold and rainy weekend. So I’ll explore this shot on my sim later.
Different flights. Open face, toe down. Back of stance, front of stance. It was crowded so no flops.
I could not tell a difference. The softness feel at the 75 yarders on my sim and muted sound of VS Red was not distinguishable. Maybe it’s me today.
VS red very nice in all the situations. No signs I couldn’t game this ball.
It’s looking like a cold and rainy weekend. So I’ll explore this shot on my sim later.
I’m not sure I want to hear how you sin test a golfball
Lots of swear words at the moment.
I’ve never found talking dirty to my golfballs to help
Another 18 holes today with the VS Green. Consistent 15 mph wind so was able to give these a good test in different wind directions. The VS Green performed excellent in the wind. There were several shots where I overplayed the wind, thinking it would impact the ball much more than it did. The ball is extremely stable and does a good job cutting through the wind. This aspect of its performance exceeds expectations and continues to surprise me given the additional spin seen on iron shots into the green.
Swings and numbers.
54, PW, 7 iron and driver. Driver I am working through some things. These are pretty good. The ball is coming off a bit high spont. But I am getting mostly solid contact and that ball wouldn’t be playable.
54, PW, 7 iron and driver. Driver I am working through some things. These are pretty good. The ball is coming off a bit high spont. But I am getting mostly solid contact and that ball wouldn’t be playable.
Oh. This is the VS-blue.
I am playing virtual golf tomorrow at a place with a good LM. I'll use the VS Green for 9 holes and a Chrome Tour X for 9 holes.
Not sure i'll learn as much as a true trackman session. But it will be fun to see if i notice anything.
I will hit a few 3 woods before the round to see. As mentioned i'm really really interested to see how well i hit my 3 wood with the VS green. The launch i got with driver was just very shocking. And 3 wood is a club i can really nut, but struggle to launch high enough to really maximize
Not sure i'll learn as much as a true trackman session. But it will be fun to see if i notice anything.
I will hit a few 3 woods before the round to see. As mentioned i'm really really interested to see how well i hit my 3 wood with the VS green. The launch i got with driver was just very shocking. And 3 wood is a club i can really nut, but struggle to launch high enough to really maximize
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The stopping pour of the VS Red has surprised me. I got out for some practice yesterday and was seeing the same with just a few feet of release from the pitch mark. Extremely excited about that as I need that from a ball.
The stopping power is so good on the VS Blue too. Love seeing 1 hop and stop from 7i with it.
It’s rain all weekend so I’ve been indoors doing putting practice. I really love the feel of the VS Blue off the putter. Sounds soft but feels about the same as the Chrome Tour. Perfect combo imo.
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- #670
Okay so I was able to get the RX on the launch monitor and compared it directly to the previous line. Only got ten swings each but it’s rather interesting in that on driver I was .5* Higher launching with the new ball with driver and 1* lower launching with irons.
obviously impact plays a role here. But it was on the majority of shots. And in my mind it’s related to spin. There is definitely a level of consistency with the spin on the new ball, that surprised me a bit. I don’t remember that being a thing in the previous and older RX line.
I’m going to put them in play here in a bit for nine holes and see how it goes
obviously impact plays a role here. But it was on the majority of shots. And in my mind it’s related to spin. There is definitely a level of consistency with the spin on the new ball, that surprised me a bit. I don’t remember that being a thing in the previous and older RX line.
I’m going to put them in play here in a bit for nine holes and see how it goes
Second week playing with the VS Black. Again, I feel like they have improved from the Tour BX. Putting wise, the sound feels crispy off the face, I don't know if its my putter, but I like it. My biggest observation was certaintly around the greens and approach shots into the greens. When I hit wedge shots, I have full control on how spin will react on the green, you can definitely say that it grabs pretty well. The beauty of this ball, which I always would more spinny than Pro V1, is that you easily rely on the One stop hop or Hit and Sit shot since you can produce a good amount of spin. Around the greens, I feel it more grabby off the face, I mainly think its because of the dimple pattern on the ball which I talked in previous posts. This ball can definitely help create all short of shots around the green.
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- #673
Shot 39, on a pretty tough course, but that doesn’t tell you much, so I’ll go into a little bit of detail.
Off the tea below spin of the RX, Reali brought me back. I loved seeing the ball get out there a little bit. The interesting part was, I didn’t see any low spin out of the irons are around the green. They hit and held fine, Green side spin was really good. Missed three greens, and all three had decent lies, so I was able to really put some zip onto them.
I was fairly critical of the last release, not because it wasn’t a good golf ball, it was, it just didn’t seem like a major step when Bridgestone is so used to making major steps. But this one feels like it is.
I got 30 holes out of a VS Green and it still looked pretty good. Few minor marks (coloring from hitting trees more so than any cuts or scrapes) but nothing that would make me stop playing it. Was planning to take pics after the round to share and lost it in the water off the tee on 17.