Equipment Review:
Bridgestone Golf Tour B330-S, Tour B330-RX Golf Balls
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

The old saying, “Save the best for last,” proved correct recently as I tested the only premium Tour golf ball on today’s market which had yet to cross my desk. It was worth the wait. In fact, in my books, the Bridgestone Tour B330-S golf ball is the best ball on today’s market.

Another new offering from Bridgestone – the Tour B330-RX – has, like the Tour B330-S, grabbed headlines recently on the professional stage. But more on that ball later.

Onto Bridgestone Golf, Inc. Based in Covington, GA, Bridgestone manufactures and markets premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Precept and Bridgestone brand names. Bridgestone is represented on a world stage by a number of internationally famed golfers including Stuart Appleby, Fred “Boom Boom” Couples, Nick Price, Charles Howell III and Brandt Snedeker. Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., whose headquarters are in Tokyo.

Tour B330-S

Many premium three- and four-piece balls on today’s market claim to offer the dynamic duo of driver performance: high launch and low spin. Few deliver. The four-piece Bridgestone Tour B330-S, however, more than delivers. This is the best ball I have ever tested off the face of a modern 460cc driver which demands high launch and low spin. In fact, the Tour B330-S performs like a champ around the greens, too.

Just one week after making an impressive debut at retail, the new Bridgestone Tour B330-S registered its first win on the PGA Tour, in the hands of Will Mackenzie at the 2008 Viking Classic. 

The 2008 version of the Bridgestone Golf Tour B330-S features Bridgestone's brand new dual-mantle 4-piece construction technology. While some 4-piece balls feature a dual core, the Bridgestone Tour B330-S has dual mantle layers, providing several advantages over other 4-piece premium balls on the market. For instance, the new inner mantle provides reduced spin and a smoother energy transition resulting in even more distance off the tee. The inner mantle also performs better in windy conditions, giving the ball flight a more piercing trajectory making it less apt to be affected by sudden gusts. Furthermore, the new B330-S features a slightly softer core and cover for increased touch on the greens and even better spin performance on half wedge shots. 

The new Tour B330-S utilizes Bridgestone's Gradational Compression Technology in its core to produce greater repulsion, resulting in unparalleled distance off the tee. The ball also features a SOFT Gradational Compression Core for enhanced feel off of irons and wedges.

After a lengthy layoff late in the fall season, I hit the links at my club and hit the longest drives of my life at all three of the opening par-4s. In fact, it was a windy day, but this pill performed with gusto of its own, penetrating and sailing high with very little spin. It was a pleasure to play with off the tee, and just as rewarding when hitting wedges onto the green. I instantly fell in love with this ball. 

Compared to the Bridgestone Tour B330, the Tour B330-S offers identical maximum length, identical minimum driver spin, yet performs better in terms of short iron spin and feel. The Tour B330-S has been optimized for a Tour average swing speed of between 103-115 mph.

With a street price of $42.99 US per dozen, and MSRP of $56 per dozen, the Tour B330-S ranks amongst the best balls in the business. As a discerning player, I’m very cautious about changing any part of my game. The Tour B330-S will be in my bag in 2009 – enough said.

Tour B330-RX 

Paula Creamer is known for her pink apparel and “Pinky” Precept golf ball. But at the Samsung World Championship in October, Creamer played with parent company Bridgestone’s new Tour B330-RX ball – and won, posting three rounds in the 60s en route to victory.

That was the first professional victory of the Bridgestone Tour B330-RX, a revolutionary three-piece golf ball that offers Tour-like performance for players with slower swing speeds.

With its new Very SOFT Gradational Compression Core, the B330-RX delivers TOUR-level spin, control and feel, yet provides maximum distance to moderate swing speed players (less than 105 mph swing speeds) off the tee. Designed for swing speeds between 85-105 mph, the new B330-RX is the softest multilayer ball on the market, and the first TOUR performance ball designed specifically for low handicap amateurs.

In addition to the new core, the B330-RX features an Ionomer Inner Cover that provides increased velocity and reduced spin off the driver and long irons, allowing players to hit their tee shots, fairway woods and long irons further with less swing speed. The B330-RX utilizes the same industry leading Seamless Cover Technology that Bridgestone balls have become known for, and features a 330-dimple pattern for optimal trajectory and consistency of ball flight. Furthermore, the enhanced Urethane cover offers TOUR-calibre greenside control and buttery soft feel on putts. 

The Tour B330-RX carries a street price of $42.99 US per dozen, and MSRP of $56 per dozen.

If you haven’t hit a Bridgestone golf ball yet, take it from me: do yourself a favour and take the Bridgestone Golf Ball Fitting Challenge. Visit the company web site, www.bridgestonegolf.com for information on its entire lineup of premium golf balls.