Bridgestone B330 - Found a new Ball

[gas_can]

I got the chance to try Bridgestone's new B330 ball this weekend and was very impressed. Played two rounds on friday and saturday and this ball simply amazed me.

I usually play with Pro V1X, but there's no comparison. We played on a relatively flat course, very humid, about fifty degrees, soggy fairways, not great conditions.

This ball has incredible distance. I'm a pretty long player, usually carry 270-280. The shortest drive I hit was 290, every other one was 300+. Flat out, Bridgestone's ball is about 15 yards longer than V1X off my driver and 10 yards off my irons. I flew my first two greens before I finally compensated. :-O

Even though it plays about a club more than V1X, it's still able to spin more than the V1X. I had no problems holding greens or backing up shots. However, the biggest bonus for me, was that the ball seemed more durable than the V1X. Even full swings with my toothy vokeys didn't scuff the cover badly. I'm going to play a few more rounds this week to be sure it wasn't a fluke before I make the permanent switch.

I never thought I'd find a replacement for the V1X, but it looks like I have. This ball is longer off the driver and spins more off the irons than the V1X. Off the putter, they feel identical. I hope Titleist has some big plans for the remodeled V1X, because they're going to need it if they want to retain their title as the #1 ball in golf.

I also got to sneak a peek at Bridgestone's new irons. They had a forged blade/cavity back set which consisted of a true muscle back in PW-8, a half cavity in 7-5, and a full cavity in 4-3. Despite my begging, I wasn't allowed to hit with them, but I really like the idea better than a standard muscleback/half cavity most combo sets are. They are also introducing a true forged muslce back set. It appears as though Bridgestone has their act together and has done quite a bit of research and development on their product offerings.

[iacas]

I got the chance to try Bridgestone's new B330 ball this weekend and was very impressed. Played two rounds on friday and saturday and this ball simply amazed me.

You like the ONE Black too, don't you? Bridgestone also makes the Nike balls.

I also got to sneak a peek at Bridgestone's new irons. They had a forged blade/cavity back set which consisted of a true muscle back in PW-8, a half cavity in 7-5, and a full cavity in 4-3. Despite my begging, I wasn't allowed to hit with them, but I really like the idea better than a standard muscleback/half cavity most combo sets are. They are also introducing a true forged muslce back set. It appears as though Bridgestone has their act together and has done quite a bit of research and development on their product offerings.

That sounds good... Didn't they do the PowerBILT stuff many years ago? And aren't Maxfli or some other ball also Bridgestone? Hmm... My memory is faltering at 2am. :-)

B330s can be had for $39.99 at GolfGalaxy (http://www.golfgalaxy.com/galaxy/product.asp?s%5Fid=0&dept%5Fid=4953&pf%5Fid=PAPMACBBIENGMNBP&) but I didn't find them on too many other sites.

[Ben]

I'm interested in giving these things a try.

I actually lived in Japan a while back ('95/'96) and back in my days Bridgestone had their Reygrande ball as their top ball. I loved those things! I'm sure these B330 will be just as good. $39.99/dozen doesn't sound all that bad either!

[skrumple]

I have heard that these balls go a long way a spin well too. I cant wait to give them a try. I dont think they will replace the prov1 in my bag but we will ahve to wait and see.

[iacas]

I have heard that these balls go a long way a spin well too. I cant wait to give them a try. I dont think they will replace the prov1 in my bag but we will ahve to wait and see.
Stopped in to my pro shop (in the golf dome) today and asked if they'd be carrying the B330. He said "you bet, same price as the ProV1" (which seems to me to be a tad high, really). Sometime in March (to get them before that is pointless, after all, in PA).

Then he gave me a sleeve of prototypes they had sitting around. Not sure what I'm gonna do with them (well, not until April anyway).

So, here's my understanding of the golf ball market for "better" players right now. Four balls:

Titleist Pro V1(x)
Nike One (Gold/Black)
Callway HX Tour
Bridgestone B330

Leave any out?

[gas_can]

So, here's my understanding of the golf ball market for "better" players right now. Four balls:

Titleist Pro V1(x)
Nike One (Gold/Black)
Callway HX Tour
Bridgestone B330

Leave any out?

I can definately add some to that:
I've been hearing great things about Ben Hogan's new Apex Black (www.benhogan.com/products/balls/index.html)
Strata Tour Ace, but they're gone now that Callaway killed Topflite :doh:
Maxfli Revolution Tour (www.maxfli.com/) is okay, not outstanding, but a cheaper option with decent performance

[Ben]

I got my hands on a sleeve of these today. Course is a bit wet so I'll hold off on giving them a shot for a while, but I'm excited to hit'em.

[mediaguru]

I was going to mention the same thing. I wonder if that ball is simply a Nike One Black...

[iacas]

I'm going to alternate between the B330 and the new V1x. After I run out of my old V1xs, that is.

The B330 is great.

[gas_can]

I was going to mention the same thing. I wonder if that ball is simply a Nike One Black...

IMHO, Bridgestone is flat out longer, and Nike One Black doesn't have the same spin around the greens as the Bridgestone. Most importantly, the Bridgestone is the most stable ball I've ever tried in the wind.

[TexasTitleistGuy]

Has anyone tried the new ProV1x? Is there a noticable difference between the new and old prov1x. Has anyone compared the new prov1x and the B330?

[gas_can]

Has anyone tried the new ProV1x? Is there a noticable difference between the new and old prov1x. Has anyone compared the new prov1x and the B330?

I have played both. The new V1 X-332 is longer, but not by much. Even Titleist only claims 3 yards off the tee (http://www.titleist.com/golfballs/prov1x.asp). However, it does spin better. For me and my game, the B330 is suited perfectly, I've never played a better ball than it, it does everything very well.

If you want some hard numbers I did a launch monitor test in my review of Maxfli's BlackMAX (http://thesandtrap.com/archives/balls/maxfli_blackmax_the_newest_challenger.php). It's clearly better, but not as good as the Bridgestone.

Brand / Ball Speed Launch Spin Carry
Bridgestone B330 184.1 12.8° 2809 303.1
Maxfli BlackMAX * 182.7 13.9° 2895 297.4
Nike One Black 181.9 13.0° 2874 297.1
Titleist Pro V1-x ** 183.3 13.5° 2865 299.1
Titleist Pro V1 x 182.9 13.8° 2902 296.8

[mediaguru]

How do you like the Hex series in the wind. Everyone says the hex pattern is better...

[iacas]

How do you like the Hex series in the wind. Everyone says the hex pattern is better...
No Pro V1 has a "hex" pattern.

[mediaguru]

I know no V1 has a hex pattern. I never said it did.

[gas_can]

How do you like the Hex series in the wind. Everyone says the hex pattern is better...

That's the one ball I've been meaning to try. I haven't found any at the course, and don't really want to spend the $$$ right now.

I've heard very good things about it in the wind, and its performance overall. It'd be interesting to try. I should have included that with the launch monitor test.

One thing is, they still haven't released Phil's ball yet. They're supposed to be releasing it this summer, so I'll probably wait till then. The bridgestone is the same ball Freddie, Stuart, and Shigeki play with.

Hopefully they'll have another run of "send us your Pro V1X's in any shape and we'll send you 2 HX's to try." I should have taken them up on that offer the first time.

[iacas]

Hopefully they'll have another run of "send us your Pro V1X's in any shape and we'll send you 2 HX's to try." I should have taken them up on that offer the first time.

Ooh, that sounds like a good deal. I have a few pretty nicely bruised ones I'd love to trade in. For practice balls if nothing else, eh?! :-)

[djhgolf]

As a religious v1x user and at the end of our summer. There is certainly plenty of hipe regarding the b330 I hope I can get my hands on it soon.

Where did some one say Galaxy golf has some??

This would be the best time to try new balls down here! :-)

[TexasTitleistGuy]

I have played 2 rounds with the B330 and love it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[Ben]

Well, I finally got around to giving these things a chance and, I LOVE 'EM! Great crisp feel off the club, a tad hard on chip shots, but still a lot more manageable than those damn HX Tours. Problem is we don't carry anything Bridgestone golf in the shop so I can't get them. Man do I sounds spoiled or what!?

We just got in our first boxes of the new ProV1s and Xs. For free, I suppose I'll have to stick with them.

[iacas]

I didn't find that they were too bad around greens. In fact, I was very impressed with how much they spun on short shots around the greens.

But I played 'em in 50deg weather, too, so maybe I was expecting them to be a little harder feeling. Or maybe I never had to chip... :-)

[TexasTitleistGuy]

After testing the B330, Nike one Gold and Black, & Prov1x with my new driver I cant tell a difference between the B330, Prov1x and One Black. The distance I found with the ball was due to my new r7 not the ball. Same with the improved accuaracy. I still think it is a great ball, just about the same as the others. I will say that it is a bit better in the wind than the others. Right now I am trying to decide whether I like the Prov1/v1x or the Nike One Black/Gold is right for me.

[pmclamb]

I just bought a box of these. So far I havent had the chance to hit full shots with them, but I have pitched, chipped, hit sand shots, and putted with them, and so far they feel like rocks. I dunno what it is, after reading everywhere that they are supposed to be soft and someone said they feel like Pro V1s. Is no one else feeling this? I am still going to give them a chance next time I play, I am just wary of them. I play the DT So/Lo's right now, and I hit a putt with the Bridgestone, and then with the So/Lo, and the Titleist felt 10 times better. Maybe it's just me, who knows.

[gas_can]

I just bought a box of these. So far I havent had the chance to hit full shots with them, but I have pitched, chipped, hit sand shots, and putted with them, and so far they feel like rocks. I dunno what it is, after reading everywhere that they are supposed to be soft and someone said they feel like Pro V1s. Is no one else feeling this? I am still going to give them a chance next time I play, I am just wary of them. I play the DT So/Lo's right now, and I hit a putt with the Bridgestone, and then with the So/Lo, and the Titleist felt 10 times better. Maybe it's just me, who knows.

I love this ball to death, I haven't found anything near as good as it, especially considering its price. With that in mind, I will say it's not as soft feeling off the putter as the Pro V1 series, they probably do the best job of being low spin off the driver while still being very soft off the putter. Feel off the putter's not as big a priority for me, and I've come to really appreciate the added length and flat trajectory I've gotten with the Bridgestone.

I can't really agree with you about the So/Lo though, I've yet to see any two piece ball that's anywhere as soft as any multi-layer ball, but that's just me. The great thing about golf is that there are so many options you can pick the one that's perfect for you!

:dance:

[gripitandripit]

I bought a sleeve of the HX Tours and thought they felt really hard. It was about 55 degrees so I'm sure that was a factor. I have a tough time feeling comfortable with a ball that has a hard feel. Has anybody played in warm and cold conditions and was there a big difference in feel?

*I'm gonna try the B330 because of all the good things you guys say about it*

[mediaguru]

I've heard many poeple say those HX tours are hard. They feel MUSHY to me! I must be strange.

[iacas]

I must be strange.
You are. But would you have it any other way? ;-)

[mediaguru]

nope

[gripitandripit]

The Indiana weather finally improved this week and I played twice. I tried the B330 and was very impressed. It was pretty windy on Tues. and REALLY windy on Wed. and the B330 seemed to be less affected than other balls. They have a nice feel and are very long. I probably wouldn't have tried the B330 except for the good things written here. A+

[sevenfourate]

GOD DAMMIT ! Ive read so many good reviews of these balls in the last few days,after much searching i had to buy myself 3 dozen.Really hard to get over here in the UK - NO chance of getting the B330S yet.

After a few rounds i will write down my thoughts.Ive been using the PRO V1X since it came out and Titleist balls in general for eons.Fantastic balls,just no exclusivity as everyone else uses them too.Nowt worse than pegging up on the first tee to find everyone else in the group has a PRO V number 2.......

CANT WAIT ! .... if half the things ive read are true.

:-D :-D :-D :-D

[Rafcin]

the only thing I didn't like about B330's was the "click" off my putter face. Kind of like a ping-pong ball would do (dramatized of course). BlackMax is "THE SH%^$" for me ;-)

[sevenfourate]

Hope i feel as good about the B330 as you do about the blackmax :-D

Anyway,dont they have earplugs in your parts ? lol

[aceadair]

Titleist is the BEST! No matter what other "imitations" come out.

[Rafcin]

Anyway,dont they have earplugs in your parts ? lol if it was sound only... I felt it too. Maybe I'm delusional, but I also "feel" Prov1x as much harder surface while putting. I guess bottom line is - all the "top" balls are very, very close to each other. Find what you like and stick with it ;)

[aceadair]

Stick with TITLEIST!

[sevenfourate]

Titleist make an awesome golf ball.The ProV / ProVX are of unquestionable quality and have a heritage bend them we all know about.

Ive personaly seriously tried just about every top ball out there and have always come back to the titleist - so far.............

Dont discount it happening again aceadair ;-)

The last quality Bridgestone i used for any length of time was the Rextar Pro-Model that a certain nick Faldo used.Does anyone remember those.Boy,did they spin - they made Titleist balata's feel like rock-flite's :-*

[aceadair]

-------- The last quality Bridgestone i used for any length of time was the Rextar Pro-Model that a certain nick Faldo used.Does anyone remember those.Boy,did they spin - they made Titleist balata's feel like rock-flite's--------


O THAT HURTS! :-P

[sevenfourate]

Ha Ha Ha :-D

For such a "staunch" supporter of Titleist i dont see many Titleist clubs in your bag..........

[aceadair]

Titleist CLUBS! I am a huge believer in the Titleist Balls. The wedges are the best in golf but I am a firm believer that their balls give me the best chance to score.

[iacas]

My own signature bears out my belief that all Titleist equipment gives me the chance to enjoy what I'm doing the most. Great combination of feel and science, and a bit more "true player's clubs". :-D

That being said, I occasionally play the B330. The V1, for my game, is no good though. Too much spin. Way too much spin.

[aceadair]

I am not talking about the performance of the clubs.. I just dont like the looks of them.. I am sure they preform very well. :whistle:

[Rafcin]

...the B330...
TGW.COM has the new B330-S - 15% softer than the original 330's.
That could be something for me ;-)

[aceadair]

Cool I just might try them. :bugout:

[sevenfourate]

B330S - Some reports ive read say that they're just as long as the B330,BUT with extra green-holding spin.Other people say they dont hit them nearly as far as the original.

I would be really interested to here any reports on here from anyone that has had a chance to really test the B330,and now has a good go with the softer "S" version.

[Rafcin]

Cool I just might try them. :bugout:

go to TGW.COM and type "B330-S" in the "Quick search". It should show you the "Special Offer" on 2-ball trial packs for 3.95 each. That makes a dozen of them only $23.70. If you buy other stuff (or more of them) to cross $75 total order - shipping is free. God Bless America ;-)

[Rafcin]

I would be really interested to here any reports on here from anyone that has had a chance to really test the B330,and now has a good go with the softer "S" version.
I've 10 2-packs on the way (see above post about TGW.COM).
Review will be posted ;-)

[i2!ch]

my cousin actually got me a prototype 2-pack way before they fully released it. I had no idea and gave them to my 5 handicap friend.....
anyways, has anyone tried out the Nike One Platinum? i bought a 2-pack cuz it looked cool but it's just sitting in my bag. i'm afraid to lose them lol

[Rafcin]

...has anyone tried out the Nike One Platinum? ...
Not yet, but friend of mine told me, that if you don't swing like Tiger (120mph+) you'll lose lots of distance with it. That stopped me from trying. I love the blacks, gold ones were fine too ( prov1 and prov1x replacements respectively), let me know how the plats work.
About being afraid of losing it - you right, with today's prizes one shall put these bastards on a string - almost $4 a ball and my course is tight, tight, tight... :-(

[aceadair]

Thats is excatly how I feel when I buy or even been giving a dozen Pro-V's. At almost $5 dollars a ball(with tax and all). Losing them is almost worth a funeral! :~(

[i2!ch]

Thats is excatly how I feel when I buy or even been giving a dozen Pro-V's. At almost $5 dollars a ball(with tax and all). Losing them is almost worth a funeral! :~(
hahah
glad to know people feel the same way
anyway, i'll try out the platinums tomorrow. i'll need every edge if i want to beat my friend who's a compulsive gambler especially on the course
where I play, the fairways are too generous and I'm not a bad iron player ;-)

[aceadair]

Good luck!!! :dance:

[i2!ch]

things went well today........
i scrambled a little less than 1 out of every 2 missed greens and i 3 putted only ONCE the entire entire round...

then i pulled out the Nike One Platinum...

i pulled out the platinum at the 10th hole after i shot a unsatisfying front 9. the first shot at the platinum was a jump start to my downhill ride... i pushed it hard to the right with an 8 iron on the par 3, the same 8 iron i stuck on the green for a par on the previous hole which was also a par 3 (bad course design?). i found the ball and tried to get things together but i ended up picking up......... i figured it was the chinese food i had for lunch that was stirring up that was bugging me but then i push/cut the ball off the tee with my friggin 3-wood into the trees where i scuffed it........ enough said, i'm sticking with the maxfli rev- series
if you want more info on the platinum, check out this site http://www.equip2golf.com/

i had a feeling it was the thought of using such a nice ball but once i lost it, i saw no change in my performance

need to hit the range....... :-\

[aceadair]

Did it feel ok when you hit it wrong?

[i2!ch]

Did it feel ok when you hit it wrong?
I was playing a callaway HX-Red before I tried out the Nike One Platinum so the Nike ball felt a bit harder in general. I couldn't tell if i hit the nike farther than the callaway because I didn't it well at all. The cover DID seem to feel a little more tacky which was definitely good around the greens. It does feel a bit un-durable but it didn't scuff when i expected it to until i hit a branch pretty hard.
I would suggest this ball for fast swingers because it takes some power to crush this rock and get the most distance out of it AND it has good control around the greens. for everyone else with either a low budget or a swing speed under 105-110ish, stick to something more affordable and fit for ur swing speed

[i2!ch]

I've done a lot of research on affordable yet exceptional balls and i think i'm gonna settle down with either the Callaway HX 3 Piece Series or the Maxfli Revolution Tour.

any info or thoughts before I make my final decision?

[Rafcin]

I've done a lot of research on affordable yet exceptional balls and i think i'm gonna settle down with either the Callaway HX 3 Piece Series or the Maxfli Revolution Tour.

any info or thoughts before I make my final decision?

http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp?SUBCATEGORY_ID=4398

I think $17.88 a dz. should make your decision easier ;-)

[gripitandripit]

I would be really interested to here any reports on here from anyone that has had a chance to really test the B330,and now has a good go with the softer "S" version.

I bought a sleeve of the B330-S and played a round with them yesterday. They certainly have more spin than the B330. I usually don't generate much spin, but backed up the ball on all four par-3s. I didn't notice any difference in distances between the two. It's got a great feel. I don't see any reason to play the original over the S. I'm to the point now where I prefer the B330/B330-s and the HX-tour over the Pro-Vs.

[i2!ch]

http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp?SUBCATEGORY_ID=4398

I think $17.88 a dz. should make your decision easier ;-)Maxfli it is! :-P thanks for the link

[aceadair]

Thanks for the info! :banana:

[sevenfourate]

B330T :-\

The jury is still out for me.

DISTANCE: Difficult to tell,but it certainly aint short.The same perhaps very slightly longer than a 2005 ProvX - however i THINK it achieves this in total distance (inc run) not carry distance.

FEEL: Bloody hard - this ball is in a different leage in my opinion to a ProvX and is similiar in noise and feel on woods,irons and putting to a Topflite XL ! I got one out of the toe of the club a bit and i imagined it sounded what hitting a Coke can with an aliminium baseball bat would sound like....

SPIN: Got a few to back up slightly with short irons - not as much as the Titleist ProvX.Mid irons stopped "ok" - again not as quick as the Titty in my opinion.

DURABILITY: Shocking.No-where near as good as the "X".After 9 holes it was a sorry sight and after 18 looked like a sprout left over from Xmas :-O

However,this ball held its own very,very well in crosswinds - BETTER than the ProvX for me and THE MOST AMAZING THING for me was how much it lowered my ball flight.Not necessarily good or bad and its as all the product blurb says it will.I found the difference in flight amazing and especially on my driver it has trimmed up my ball-flight a treat.

On reflection i wish id have bought three dozen of the "S" model now :-( - especially for summer use.And with the flight and wind-cheating performance, save the "T" model balls for use in our lovely English winter.