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Bridgestone’s Tour B golf ball line up consist of four different models, RX, RXS, X & XS. We put them to the test to see how they perform…
Introduction
Bridgestone is renowned for producing high-quality golf balls, and its Tour B lineup has earned a strong reputation, receiving tour-level approval from players such as Chris Gotterup and Jason Day. The Tour B range consists of four models – RX, RXS, X, and XS – each designed to suit a different type of golfer.
In this review, we test all four models, evaluating their performance and comparing their characteristics to help determine which ball is best suited to different playing styles and swing speeds.
Keywords
Bridgestone, premium golf ball, Tour B
NCG Summary & rating
Bridgestone Tour B golf ball line up | Source: NCG
NCG SUMMARY
The Bridgestone Tour B line up consists of four different models. Whilst you might not think there could be too much difference between the models, this wasn’t the case.
The RXS is the softest out of the line up promoting a higher launch off the face. Its low compression make up offers a soft sound. It wasn’t the furthest but great for higher handicap golfers.
The RX was still soft but slightly firmer, offering more distance, less high and reduced spin. This favours mid handicap players.
The Tour X was the star of the show, demonstrating why it’s popular on the PGA and LPGA tour. It showed fantastic ball speed and distance, despite being labelled for player with swings over 105 mph (which I’m not).
The XS promised more spin but didn’t deliver with respectable data it very much didn’t suit my game.
Durable – having played with them all, I found the outer cover to be very durable.
Great sound and feel – no matter the model, each ball feels and sounds great off the clubface.
Something for everyone – it’s nice that the numbers aren’t the same with each model.
First Impressions
It’s been a good few years since I’ve hit a Bridgestone Golf ball and I’ve heard a lot of positive things recently regarding their performance and so I was excited to see how they performed.
As mentioned I have four models to test. Interestingly, Bridgestone offers an online ball selector which I used prior to testing – let’s see if what they’ve suggested works the best.
In the boxes, each model has their own colourway which helps to define which is which. I like the overall design of all the models and you still get the distinct dimple pattern you’d expect from a Bridgestone.
How I undertook the review
I hit each of the Bridgestone Tour B golf balls at an indoor studio using Trackman to gather data. Each ball was hit with a 58°, aiming to carry around 50 yards, a 7 iron and a driver. Then I used each ball out on the golf course to test how they felt around the greens and when putting.
Bridgestone Tour B RXS
The RXS is the softest ball in the Tour B line up. It’s designed for players with a swing speed under 105mph. It’s designed to produce impressive distances, with a soft feel whilst maintaining spin and control.
Starting with 58°, with just the first shot I was surprised how soft the RXS was. It produced a very soft, quiet sound and you could tell that this was a low compression golf ball. In terms of data, the RXS was higher launching than I tend to see with my standard Pro V1x but something that’s expected from a lower compression ball. Spin rates were very respectable at 6233 RPM.
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Bridgestone Tour B RXS-50-yard shot data | Source: NCG
With 7 iron the RXS felt very nice, easily bouncing off the clubface. Whilst the objective of this ball is distance I didn’t particularly see that in the numbers, only averaging 134.3 yards. The spin rate was very respectable at an average of 6512 RPM.
Bridgestone Tour B RXS-7 iron data | Source: NCG
Driver was a similar story, whilst it felt great the numbers were consistent yet the carry distance was pretty average. I liked the higher ball flight and there was certainly more spin that I tend to see with driver.
Bridgestone Tour B RXS driver data | Source: NCG
Overall, I enjoyed the spongey feel of this golf ball. The low compression rate and high launch makes a great for any mid to high handicap golfer looking for something soft that’s easy to get in the air.
Bridgestone Tour B RX
The Tour B RX is designed for distance with its new VeloSurge core-mantle integration technology. It’s aimed at golfers with a swing speed under 105 mph with a low compression rate. The new 320 dimple pattern helps to create a penetrating flight helping with distance. It’s currently used by Fred Couples.
Starting with 58°, this RX is also a soft golf ball but you could tell it that it was a little more crisp sounding off the face than the RXS. I saw a fractional reduction in launch angle, with spin rates just being a fraction less with an average of 6168 RPM.
Bridgestone Tour B RX 50 yard shot data | Source: NCG
With 7 iron, I saw an instant jump in both ball speed an carry distance compared to the RXS. Carry went up 5.7 yards on average to 140 yards and ball speed 3.1 mph to 104.2. However, the spin rate averaged 6320 RPM which was around 200 RPM less.
Bridgestone Tour B RX 7 iron data | Source: NCG
The driver data was very similar with a jump in carry from 212.7 yards up to 218.2 yards. Ball speed saw a 1.4 mph increase up to 136mph and the spin came down around 300 RPM to a much more respectable 3040. The peak height also reduced from 102ft to 90ft. And, as mentioned this ball is for players with swing speeds under 105 mph as was the RXS and I averaged 95mph.
Bridgestone Tour B RX driver data | Source: NCG
Overall, I enjoyed using this golf ball and was impressed with the data that it produced. It has a slightly firmer feel than the RXS but is still very much a soft, low compression golf ball. I would say that this is a great option for mid to low handicap golfers with moderate speeds.
Bridgestone Tour B X
The Tour B X is Bridgestone’s premium golf ball. It’s currently being played by several PGA and LPGA tour players including Chris Gotterup, Jason Day and Matt Kuchar. The Tour B X is designed for players with swing speeds over 105mph, with a higher compression rate. Its main focus is distance.
I’ve been excited to test the Bridgestone Tour B X as I’ve heard such positive feedback about. Starting with a 50 yard shot, the data was solid. The spin rate was at 6890 RPM which pretty much matched there data I get from a Pro V1x. Launch was lower than the previous two models which you’d expect to see. You could tell straight away that this ball was firmer than the other models, with a crisper sound off the face.
Bridgestone Tour B X 50 yard shot data | Source: NCG
With 7 iron the carry distance was impressive with an average of 141.8 yards. Spin rates were just down on the Tour B RX but still at 6233 RPM.
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Bridgestone Tour B X 7 iron data | Source: NCG
Recently I’ve seen a loss in driver carry distance and so was very pleased to see numbers close to 230 yards. The carry distance average was 225.6 yards with an impressive average ball speed of 138mph. Spin rates were the lowest out of the models by far with an average of 2473 RPM.
Bridgestone listed how this ball was for golfers with swing speeds over 105mph but as you can see I only averaged 95.5mph yet had a really good outcome, so don’t read into that too much.
Bridgestone Tour B XS
The Tour B XS is also a premium golf ball that is used on the PGA and LPGA tour. Much like the Tour B X, the focus of this ball is very much distance but with a greater emphasis on spin. Again, it still suits swing speeds over 105mph but is more for players wanting more control going into the greens.
Starting with the 50 yard shot, I saw an increase in launch angle moving back towards similar numbers to the RXS. This ball is all about spin but the RPM only averaged 6110 which was lower than I thought it would produce.
Bridgestone Tour B XS 50 yard shot data | Source: NCG
Spin rates with 7 iron were higher with an average of 6463 RPM. Carry distance averaged 137.6 yards but it didn’t quite match the 141.8 yards I saw with the Tour B X.
Bridgestone Tour B XS 7 iron data | Source: NCG
And, finally the driver data was struggled to compete with Tour B X. The carry was at an average of 213 yards compared to 225.6 yards, which is a big drop. The XS wasn’t as fast off the face losing 4mph to average 134.1 mph ball speed. Spin rates jumped up with an average of 3183 RPM but the did have a nice higher flight.
Overall, I surprised to see such a big difference in performance between the Tour B X and the Tour B XS. The XS is listed as keeping distance but upping spin and whilst spin was higher in the mid iron and driver it was reduced with wedges. I enjoyed the feel of the Tour B XS but performance wise it didn’t suit my game. Maybe my swing was just not fast enough to unlock the benefits.
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How the Tour B models compare
Below is a comparison table of how the 4 models compare with the driver – figures are averages taken from 6 or 7 shots.
Height (ft)
Carry (yards)
Total (yards)
Spin (Rpm)
Ball Spd (mph)
Tour B RXS
102
212.7
225.5
3320
133.4
Tour B RX
90
218.2
236.8
3040
136
Tour B X
83
225.6
250.7
2473
138
Tour B XS
89
213
230.6
3183
134.1
As you can see from the above data table the Tour B X was the clear winner in terms of carry distance with a strong average of 225.6 yards. It produced the lowest spin rate and a penetrating ball flight. The X and XS are, as Bridgestone state, for players with swing speeds over 105 mph, yet I was only averaging 95 mph – which goes to show that it’s worth testing different models to find which do work best.
The Tour B RXS had the most spin and highest ball flight, making it a great option for players wanting more height with their shots.
NCG Final Verdict
Overall, I enjoyed testing the Bridgestone Tour B line up. It was very insightful seeing the different between each model, in terms of feel, performance and data outcome. Before testing I completed the online ball fitter which recommended the Tour B RXS for my game yet the Tour B X was the clear winner for me. It produced the furtherest distance, the hottest ball speed and felt really nice to use.
Nicola is a professional golfer, playing on the Ladies European Access Series (LETAS). It is a developmental tour designed for aspiring female golfers.
Having played golf for 17 years, starting aged 8, Nicola has represented both her county and country at junior and senior levels. She currently a member at Hickleton Golf Club but has previously held memberships at five other courses.
Nicola holds a BA (Hons) degree in Sports Studies, from the University of Stirling. She completed a four-year course, with her final year project focusing on the barrier women face in golf. This combination of real-world experience and academic insight underscores her commitment to the sport and her desire to contribute to its growth, particularly for female golfers. At Stirling, she was part of the Golf Scholarship program. Involving regular golf specific fitness and practice sessions. She had the opportunity to partake in tournaments and training camps, worldwide.
Over the years, Nicola has accumulated a wealth of knowledge not just about her own performance, but also about the nuances of the sport. Given her extensive playing background she has a deep understanding of the technical aspects of golf gear and the golf swing itself.
