Expert Review: Bridgestone Golf Tour B XS Golf Balls
Premium Design, fantastic look, even better performance. All photos courtesy of Michael V.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the golf balls, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2022.
My take
The Bridgestone Golf Tour B XS is a golf ball designed for golfers with a driver clubhead speed over 115mph who are looking to gain some additional green-side spin. It is also a great option for competitive golfers who want a softer green-side feel without having to use a lower-compression ball.
About the golf ball I own
- Model: Bridgestone Golf Tour B XS
- Color: White
About me
- Average score: <75
- Handicap: 0.7 index
- Experience: 10+ years playing golf
- Right/Left-handed: Right-handed golfer
- Typical shot shape: A slight draw or fade
- Typical trajectory: Low knockdown shots to control ball flight
- Club swing speed: Average clubhead speed with a driver is around 115 mph
Test conditions
- When I bought this ball: Late April 2022
- Days tested: About 20 rounds of golf
- Where I’ve used it: Mostly in the midwest, at simulator businesses such as Under Par Golf, but I take the Tour B XS with me wherever I am playing.
- Weather and wind conditions: Used in all weather conditions except rain
- Turf conditions: Firm and soft conditions
- Green speeds: Slow and fast greens
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was looking for a go-to golf ball that offered the best performance and feel on the market. I wanted lower spin rates off the tee box and some additional spin control around the greens.
Why I chose this golf ball
I chose this golf ball for the feel, but also because Tiger Woods plays it and I would like to think that I have a similar game. Before choosing this to be my new favorite golf ball, I made sure to test out some similar golf balls, such as Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x, as well as TaylorMade’s TP5x.
Quality product!
What I love about it
- Distance: The Tour B XS offers tour-level distance which can compete with the longest golf balls on the market.
- Feel: Bridgestone’s selling point is their feel and it’s exceptional here. The ball compresses off the face nicely.
- Green Spin: There is very controllable green-side spin. For better players it is easier to take off spin than to add it, so having that extra spin option comes in handy.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Green Spin: Green spin can be a bit more than expected at times, which has me considering the Bridgestone Tour B X golf balls instead.
- Durability: This is not the most durable golf ball in comparison to other options with similar compression. It shows scuff marks earlier than golfers would likely prefer.
Best shot with this golf ball
My best shot with the Bridgestone Tour B XS golf balls so far was a chip-in. After going past the green by 10 yards, I had an impossible, downhill chip shot that had to land on the fringe and bounce a few times for me to be able to keep the ball on the green. It ended up being my favorite shot because I hit it perfectly and chipped it in for a birdie. Conquering your fears is always memorable.
Value for the money vs. other options
The Tour B XS golf balls are worth their price tag, especially if feel and performance is a priority. I would recommend the Tour B XS to any golfer wanting something in-between Titleist ProV1 and ProV1x for feel, but the Tour B X would also be a nice option for golfers wanting less green-side spin.
Final verdict
Bridgestone’s Tour B XS golf balls are a boon to the game of golf. After all, there is a reason that Tiger Woods plays with this golf ball. The additional green-side spin is very appealing for skilled players, and so is the ball’s premium feel and performance. If golf balls continue to improve like this, there will be plenty of happy golfers in the near future.
