BRIDGESTONE Tour B330-RX

Grade: B
Teacher’s Comments: A great ball, but too expensive for me to play on a regular basis. The price gives it a lesser grade

The Tour B330 series ball from Bridgestone are their top of the line products, aimed at the same crowd th tplays the Pro V1. Until this year, the line consisted of the Tour B330 and the Tour B330-S. The B330 is designed for swing speeds of 112+; The B330 is designed for players with swing speeds of between 105 and 115 mph, and is a little softer. The Bridgestone Tour 330-RX is the softest of the three and is designed for players with swing speeds of 105 mph or less. The 330 and 330-S are four piece balls; the RX is a three-piece.

Bridgestone really has going a good thing here. While I appreciate the qualities of the Pro V1, I’ve never had the swing speed to take advantage of it. The B330-RX is designed to let skilled, but slower swinging players take full advantage of a premium ball.

I’ve had very good success playing the Bridgestone B330-RX. Indeed, it’s one of the better balls I’ve used.

The Bridgestone B330-RX is plenty long and very consistent in its distance. Ball flight is moderately high and for me, very straight (but then, I don’t even try to “work” it).

The B330-Rx also has a nice soft feel, and is wonderful around the greens. Shots off the shorter irons stop quickly; I’m sure better players will be able to get that spin-back everyone seems to want so much.

In short, the Bridgestone B300-RX does everything well. 

The only problem is that it’s expensive. At $43 a dozen, I just can’t afford to play it, no matter how wonderful it is. The Bridgestone E6+, which I also like very much is nearly $20 cheaper; the TreoSoft—also a very good ball—is less expensive still.

I wonder why—other than positioning it as a “premium ball”—Bridgestone thinks $40 a dozen is an appropriate price for a three piece ball designed for slower swingers. Typically, those are in the mid- to upper- $20 range.

This ball gets an A for quality, but an E for price. Give it a B overall.

A company called Dixon Golf has released what it claims is the first “eco-friendly” golf ball.

The “Earth” apparently does not contain heavy-metal materials like tungsten, cobalt and lead, or non-renewable synthetic materials and compounds. Instead, it’s made from a proprietary polymer that can be recycled and used to make other consumer products. The ball’s packaging also is made from recycled material.

The company contends that the ball is as good as any two piece competitor, and better even than some three piece balls.

All for a mere $39 a dozen.

I’m all for reducing product waste, but I wonder about how many golfers would pay $40 for a two piece ball from an unknown company. I also wonder what kind of an impact an “environmentally friendly” ball actually would have on the environment. It strikes me that eco-conscious golfers would be better served convincing their local clubs to use less chemicals and water on fairways, greens and rough.

And EVERY golfer could do their part by walking more. Those carts—electric or gas—consume energy that could be better used elsewhere.

PINNACLE Platinum Feel

Now that the autumn is in full swing, it’s time for me to go back to cheaper golf balls. With all of the leaves on the fairways, and in the rough, I lose balls at an inordinate rate.

In the past, I’ve switched to Top Flite balls, but I’m intrigued by some of the new Pinnacles I’ve seen on sale. These Pinnacle Platinum Feel balls are relatively cheap, and the reviews look pretty good. Thin cover. Large soft core.

Or even cheaper are the Pinnacle PINNACLE Gold FX Soft White 15 Pack

These also promise to be long and soft, and even better they’re a buck each.

I’d really like to know if anyone has any experience with these. Let me know in the comments.

Srixon Soft Feel 12 Pack Golf Ball

Srixon’s new “Soft Feel” ball is a two piece, with an “energetic gradient core,” aimed at players with a slower swing speed. That core, Srixon says, offers more resilience for players at all swing speeds, but allows even the slowest good distance with soft feel. The ball’s new 328 dimple pattern is designed to offer greater surface area coverage. That should produce more lift, with less drag.

In spite of a sort of underdog status in the golf ball world, reviews of Srixon balls seem to be consistently good. I wonder if they are a bigger deal in Europe, or in Asia than they are in the United States.

NIKE NDX 2 Feel

I’ve always been torn on the Nike golf balls. I really like the way they play and feel, but absolutely hate their durability. I feel like I have to replace them every couple of holes because of how quickly they scruff.

The description of the NDX Feel doesn’t give me any hope: “softened Surlyn cover for enhanced iron control”

Softer than the rest of the line? Replace them on EVERY hole.