First Mini-Review - Bridgestone J36 Pocket Cavity

I've been eyeing these for quite some time, as the reviews on them (though sparse) are stellar, and the prices on eBay are pretty reasonable for a new set (~$300 if you want the pocket cavities, a little more if you're looking for a combo set etc.).

Well, we're part of the way into finals season here at Emory University and through some late night procrastination, I was "play" bidding on some random things. Basically just putting in nice and low numbers on stuff I want, but can't afford. Well, I got a set of 4-PW Bridgestone J36 PCs for less than $220 shipped. I truly never believed they'd arrive, and I'd be filing with PayPal. And if they arrived they'd be fake. And if they were somehow real, they'd be used.

BOY WAS I WRONG! Brand spankin' new, shrink wrap on the heads and grips, in a Bridgestone box. And took like 4 days to show up at my door.

I had previously been playing Cleveland TA6s, which I've gamed for about 3 years. I love these irons dearly, and have sold a number of others on Cleveland irons for game-improvement. My best friend plays TA7s, and I've seen my dad sneak my bag to the range when his game is falling apart. For my handicap, I hit my irons VERY well given my handicap, and have an aggressive and athletic swing. My irons were always the best part of my game, so like a true golfer, take what isn't broke and try and....well, make it better I guess?

I took the Bridgestone's to the range for the first time today, so I'll reserve this review as set in stone until I get more time with them.

That said, first impression was very, very good. I brought the J36s, along with my favorite Cleveland irons (6i, 8i, PW) to do some back to back testing. Today was VERY windy in Atlanta, which was kind of a good thing as I was really curious to see how well I could work these.

Initial impressions:
Sound - Very pure, and satisfying on a well struck shot. I never cared much about sound (I used to play a Callaway C4) so don't take my word on this. My Clevelands *sound* softer

Feel - Crisp, but dampened. While the feel was very direct, it felt somewhat muted. I mean this in a good way. Mishits sting a lot more than the Clevelands, but normal shots have a firm but not jolting feedback. After going back to the TA6s, they felt muddy and deaf.

Play - Here's where they shined. My ballflight is slightly lower now, and definitely a few yards longer. But the real beauty is in how easy they were to shape. With a 20+ MPH wind, left to right, I could hit a draw into it, and virtually eliminate its effects. I tried and tried with my Clevelands, but they just wanted to go straight. To play any noticable draw, you REALLY had to work at it, and often ended up with a mishit or a duck hook. The J36s are awesome in this regard, but this was expected with more of a player iron.

Mishits - This was surprising to me. Every ball I hit, was a shot I as a high-handicapper would call "good." 5-10 yards of error, even with all the wind. So I got curious....I started hitting balls off the toe intentionally. Where the TA6 would suck up some yardage and still go in some vague, general direction of intention, the J36 simply gave up if you REALLY miss the thing. And hurt like a banshee. But the surprise here was that you don't have to be a perfect golfer to hit these well, virtually all of the time .

I have no complaints so far, and was loving the fact that I can hit virtually any shot I want, and retain (almost) all of the forgiveness of a game-improvement iron.

I will be updating this with scores, more impressions, and I'm sure some pictures in the near future. But as of now, I can't see myself going back to my beloved TA6s.

Photos of these babies would be highly appreciated. These BStones are a member of my holy trinity in irons. (Mizuno-Srixon-Bridgestone)

That's exactly how I would describe the feel on my Mizunos (the PW-8i only, sadly the 7, 6 and 5 irons are hybrid irons, a little bit hollow feel)

They ARE supposed to be a bit friendly to high handicappers. What do you think that deep pocket is doing there? :D

Judging by your review, I think they're much like the MP52s.

Well, not what anyone wanted, but iPhone pictures. I should also clarify that I got these babies with the Project X 6.0 shafts.

Again, let me clarify. I assumed they'd still be forgiving, but I thought this was a close to zero sum game when you move among high quality clubs. For example, I was expecting to lose 50% forgiveness, and gain 50% workability (clearly these number are arbitrary, but stick around and you'll get the point). In actuality, between the TA6s (I went to a demo days and hit a LOT of irons before buying these...I truly don't believe there was a better GI iron set in the market 4 years ago), I'd say I lost 10% in forgiveness, and gained 50% workability. This was a VERY welcome surprise. And that 10% of forgiveness is only lost at the VERY edge (Difference between duffing a ball and whiffing altogether...). At this level of play, I don't think I lost much of anything.

To further elaborate, the MP52s and 57s (I think...I'm all confused lately...), were the benchmark I was aiming at. But I wanted to be different, try something new, and save some cash. And the glory shots....

nice clubs...


Your next to last photo concerns me... a 40 of Olde English 800, some feet, saltines, and siracha hot sauce????

College no parents.

You're also missing HeBrew. The chosen beer.

I'm shocked at that price.


I work for Bridgestone and can't get them for that price.


I hope they continue to work well for you. They are certainly great looking and great feeling sticks.

you guys dont have any of the old Precept clubs (new) laying around do you?

I don't work for the golf division but we supposedly get the same discounts. I'll buy the 330s occasionally but I can usually eBay gear cheaper.

Those pocket cavity irons are my favorite Bridgestone sticks to date. We do have a new driver coming out soon that is reported to be awesome...we will see.

You probably just made some guys wet themselves.

The feet are just icing on the cake. That's classic.

This mini-review is going to turn into a major-review. I'm setting sail (ok...I'm driving, but how much more exotic does it sound!) from Atlanta down to Sarasota, FL.

From there we will be playing: -Pine Barrens -Rolling Oaks -Copperhead -Island. More info on the courses here: http://www.golfflorida.com/departmen...a-bay-golf.htm I'm also hoping to get my dad's review of them. He's a much less technical and aggressive golfer, but has an interesting view on technology. He believes in ALL technology, EXCEPT iron tech....He's been through dozens of hybrids, drivers, fairway woods and putters, but has been playing Ping Eye2s for decades. That said, his iron game is by far the weakest part. I'm hoping some modern technology may help this (My Cleveland TA6s will come along as well, so there will be three iron sets compared).

I can't get over it either. There are some good deals still to be found on eBay. I can't wait to game these guys, as they're just awesome on the range.

yep, the J38 (looks just like their TourStage model)

here is a pic of the new J38 irons:

wow, have fun! Rolling Oaks is my favorite course at World Woods

I'm shocked as well, you work for Bridgestone and you play Ping Irons ?

those new J38 irons are supposed to be the bees knees. made from Magnesium, which is supposed to be lighter and softer feeling iirc. cant wait to try them

Just played Pine Barrens today. Wow! Absolutely great course.

As for the irons. Absolutely wonderful. Dad finally hit them, and loved how a clean hit felt.

My favorite parts and observations
-If you stop thinking, you will mis-hit. It's not like my old Clevelands, where anywhere on the face does the same thing. A mis-hit has its consequences.
-Trouble shots are FUN with these. They are awfully fun to work these around a corner, and very predictable in that dimension.
-The lower bounce of these clubs really helps me. I take a substantial divot, and the clubhead shape of the 'Stones is perfect for me.
-Long irons are penetrating and silly long. Short irons land VERY soft. I actually got myself in some trouble with this. When my typical 8 iron would fly about 145-150 and roll out another 10 or so (on the green), I will fly these about 155 and either stop the ball, back it up a few feet, or roll out very little. The issue here is that On a 160 yard shot (high pin placement) I found myself about 10 yards short on a very nice shot, as it hopped backwards a bit.
-When you're hitting well, they inspire huge confidence. After a few good holes, I would go right over trouble, and right at the pin with very little room to work. These things are almost telepathing if you're on your game.

So far:
-Incredible performance and build quality
-Tons of random compliments and questions from people who've never seen Bridgestones, and also, no one seems to ever have seen a set of J36PCs.
-For the price, not only are they unbeatable, but I'm not sure they're beatable at any price. Based on what I've played, there's nothing better. Others who have hit them seem to love them too.

those j36's are some of the best looking irons around... so nice and clean. Hope you enjoy them, and making me wish I could go out and buy an extra set of irons just to have.

Also, nice pics Rocketsauce.... those drivers look pretty sweet... too bad Bridgestone doesn't find it's way to the stores as much as it should.