Bridgestone Ball Comparison

[Fourputt]

Today I did a mini ball test. I played 4 different Bridgestone balls during my 18 hole round, and I found some significant differences.

E7+ - Ok ball, but I don't get much spin on short pitches. It's playable but doesn't perform where I need to have the performance. The natural low flight makes it harder to hit high when I need it, and it doesn't stop as precisely on the green.

Tour B330-RX - Says its for less than 105 mph swing speed. My driver SS is normally 95-100 mph, but this ball plays like a mush ball for me. I lose 15 yards from my IRON distance over almost any other ball, and with the driver they are a disaster. To me it plays like the NXT Tour and I had similar bad results with that ball. Not sure why, but there is some component of my swing that really hates those super soft balls.

Tour B330-S - Very nice ball. Good distance off the tee and seems to suit my game ok. Decent control around the green too. For 103-115 mph SS which should make it less suitable for my game, but I seem to be an aberration in that regard, an opinion that the next ball will reinforce.

Tour B330 - Of the four balls this is my preference. The website says it's for swing speeds of 112 mph and up, which I can't hit even if I swing right out of my shoes (highest I ever recorded is 108). It should be the worst of the lot for me, but this ball just works. I find it has better feel for me than the ProV1, and that has always been my yardstick. Around the greens it spins nicely and is very responsive on chips, pitches and putts. For approach shots, the ball will check or spin back a bit, even on semi frozen greens like I played on today. I get good distance with the driver, and my new Titleist AP2 irons hit this ball longer club for club than my King Cobras did, even though they are supposedly weaker lofts. The launch is higher too, which is a great help when I'm in my usual place behind a tall tree. I played a couple of shots today that I couldn't even have attempted with my Cobra's. Between the new irons and the B330 ball It felt like I just took 15 years off my age.

So, unless a miracle happens, I've found my ball for this season.

[GaijinGolfer]

  Fourputt said:

E7+ - Ok ball, but I don't get much spin on short pitches. It's playable but doesn't perform where I need to have the performance. The natural low flight makes it harder to hit high when I need it, and it doesn't stop as precisely on the green.

You might want to try the E5+. It would have a higher ballflight. The E7+ is designed for people who hit the ball really high and are looking for a lower, more piercing trajectory.

It probably still wont have the spin you are looking for though, but for $26 a dozen, you cant expect it to spin like crazy.

[Fourputt]

  TitleistWI said:

You might want to try the E5+. It would have a higher ballflight. The E7+ is designed for people who hit the ball really high and are looking for a lower, more piercing trajectory.

I tried and rejected the E5+ and E6+ last year. I get a good price break through the pro shop as a course employee, so the B330 is an affordable choice for me.

[GaijinGolfer]

Good deal. If I could get the B330s for cheap Id probably go that route too. I lose golfballs too often to spend $40+ a dozen though and until I stop losing balls, I'll keep playing the cheapies.

[PiKapp23]

I currently play the e7+ and really like it, but then I've always had a really high trajectory through my bag. I personally like the lower trajectory I get with the e7+ and it is as advertised in that respect - it's also very long. Fourputt is correct that is doesn't spin as much as most players might like, but it does still have a little bite. I also prefer the B330 as well as other premium 'tour' balls, but refuse to pay $40+ for them. After the premiums the e7+ is my favorite ball. I also like the e5 because it does spin more, but it also has a tendency to balloon on me because of my ball flight. When the greens get hard this summer I'll probably consider going to something with additional spin though.

[MrKadash]

I play the ProV1x only because I get them at cost, but have played the B330 line, e5 and 6 line, and the Prov1 line extensively over time. I have yet to try the e7+ or RX, and most likely will, but of those mentioned the only ball I don't care for is the e5+ and e6+ because for some reason I didn't score as well. I like the results and feel along with green side playability from the B330-s, and like the overall results from the V1x. It all depends on course and weather conditions for me. If it is a dry, firm course I always play a B330-s, with a wet, soft course the V1x. It's all personal preference, and I probably should play a $15/dozen ball, but i don't.

[misty_mountainhop]

Can I cast a vote for the E5+? Experimented a lot with these and for the money they're great but as someone said, they're definitely a higher flight ball (good for me as I tend to hit lowish).

It spins like mad though which must be to do with it's urethane cover (which doesn't immediately shear off when hit with a modern wedge). Bit firm on the putter but overall very good.

[Quinn07]

If the greens were nearly frozen, would it be safe to assume that the weather was cool as well? I would assume that the ball testing would be a little different in warmer weather?

[Dub]

I bought two dozen 330 RX balls for my father who usually games the ProV1. I don't think he's had too much time for golf lately...looking forward to his opinion.

I've really, really enjoyed the E5+ ball since I got back into the game last May. It does exactly what I need a ball to do...get up & then stop. I love the feel of them off my putters, too.

Congrats on finding a ball you love. It is a great feeling!!!

[Fat Slice]

I think you make a good point, which is that your individual swing will work better with one ball vs. another regardless of what the testing machines seem to report. I am a big fan of trying things out yourself.

Meanwhile, now that I am losing fewer balls (1 or 2 a round), I think I'll start seeing how the better balls play.

[Fourputt]

  Quinn07 said:

If the greens were nearly frozen, would it be safe to assume that the weather was cool as well? I would assume that the ball testing would be a little different in warmer weather?

The greens were frozen when we started but the air temp was already in the 50's. The balls were no colder than maybe 60° and were kept in my pocket until the temp went above 60° (3 in the left and the one I was using at the time in the right. By the time we started the back we were playing in regular polo shirts... one guy was even in shorts.

It isn't unusual on days like we are having this week to start out the day at 30° at sunrise, top out at 70°, then drop into the 40's again by dusk. The top inch or so of the turf will thaw during the day, then freeze solid again at night.

[GaijinGolfer]

I recently bought a couple dozen E6+s and Im looking foreward to trying them out this spring.
Bridgestone claims that they reduce sidespin for straighter shots, which is something that I struggle with on my driver and fairway wood shots; so it should be interesting to see how well they work.
I recently switched from an 8.5* driver with a stiff shaft to a 12* driver with a light/senior shaft and from a 15* 3-wood with a stiff shaft to a 4-wood (16.5*) with a regular flex shaft and Im hoping that by switching to a driver/fairway wood with more loft that it will help me to keep the ball in the short grass more often.
Based upon everything Ive read about my new driver and fairway wood and Bridgestone golfballs, to say that Im looking foreward to spring would be the understatement of the year.

[miller72]

actually, i just havent updated my sig. I am probably going to end up playing the e5+ this season. They actually helped my performance, and had good distance and spin. They are a good Cheap ball. I know that the nxt tour is a good ball but i feel that with the bridgestone, i am getting more bite for my buck.
~Chris

[booman32]

  Fourputt said:

The greens were frozen when we started but the air temp was already in the 50's. The balls were no colder than maybe 60° and were kept in my pocket until the temp went above 60° (3 in the left and the one I was using at the time in the right. By the time we started the back we were playing in regular polo shirts... one guy was even in shorts.

Yep sucks to live in CO in the winter doesn't it.

I went to the range the other day, it was a sloppy mess.

[GaijinGolfer]

  booman32 said:

Yep sucks to live in CO in the winter doesn't it.

At least the snow there melts and they can still play during the winter. Around here the golf courses are all buried under 6" of snow and are closed every year from late November-mid April.