The golf ball is such an unassuming piece of equipment, a little white orb you often just want to hit as hard as possible. Yet, when it comes time to evaluate (or re-evaluate) which one you want in your hand on the first tee, it can feel confounding.

For the first decade of my golfing life, I severely underestimated how ball-fitting helps the game. I would play any balls I found on the course or whatever looked cool in the pro shop and was within my price range. Then, one day, I told the pro at my local course that I couldn’t keep the ball in play off the tee, and he asked which ball I played. When he heard my answer, he blankly stared at me and handed me a Bridgestone B X. For someone who generated plenty of spin naturally, it was a match made in heaven, and now I know which letters to look for in the golf ball aisle.

However, the fix for me won’t be the fix for you — that’s why we’re here. There seems to be an avalanche of options and seemingly minute differences from ball to ball. This one offers a higher ball flight. This one offers a lower ball flight. One gives you spin around the greens, but another offers extra spin around the greens. Do you want distance? More spin with your long irons? Less?

It can all feel a little overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, one of the easiest places to jump in is by choosing a brand you trust, and there are few better choices than Bridgestone. Perhaps you’ve been a longtime fan since the company has existed near the top of golf ball manufacturers for decades. Or maybe you’re intrigued by notable professionals who use Bridgestone, including Matt Kuchar, Jason Day, and Lexi Thompson. And if they aren’t enough of a recommendation, what about a guy named Tiger Woods?

So whether you want to play the ball Tiger plays or just want to try and see what all the Bridgestone fuss is about, here are some recommendations to find Bridgestone's best golf balls for you.

To Play or Not to Play the Tour Ball

One of the coolest aspects of playing golf is that any weekend warrior can use the same equipment as the best players in the world, the ones you watch compete for millions each and every week. The ball you watch Tiger use to win his remarkable 15th major at the 2019 Masters could be the same one you use at your home course. But just because the golf ball the pros play can be yours with just a few clicks doesn’t mean that it should.

The main thing to keep in mind when looking into Bridgestone’s premium golf balls is your swing speed or ball speed. If your top clubhead speed doesn’t reach 105 miles per hour (or, in a more easily obtainable measurement, if you hit your driver less than 275 yards), the high-end tour models probably aren’t the best fit for your game. There are more technical and jargon-filled explanations elsewhere, but essentially, the features that provide more spin around the greens and a more penetrating ball flight for high swing speeds end up punishing golfers who don’t hit the ball as far with exacerbated mis-hits.

Also, remember the premium balls offered by brands like Bridgestone run about $50 per dozen. If you only lose one ball a round, it might not feel like much of a dent. But if you sweat any time you see a red stake — there are some more budget-friendly options included here, too.

What Are the Different Types of Bridgestone Golf Balls?

1. Bridgestone Tour B XS

Okay, let’s not bury the lede here: Which one of these does Tiger play? Well, I can offer you one better. According to the company website, the 15-time major champion helped in the development of the Tour B XS to get it just right.

This Bridgestone ball most resembles the Titleist ProV1 with its soft feel and heightened short-game spin. If a low-handicap golfer likes a lower trajectory off the tee, prefers their iron shots to grab quickly, and wants control with their wedges, the Tour B XS is the best premium ball the brand offers. With its Dual Dimple design and REACTIV cover technology, the B XS's more piercing ball flight will also assist with accuracy in windy conditions. However, the spin rate stays up through the bag, even in the long game.

If you want a higher ball flight or more rollout off the tee, this might not be the right choice for you, even if it is the right choice for Tiger. And to reiterate, if you don’t routinely reach 105 mph with your driver, these might not be the best fit for your game.

2. Bridgestone Tour B X

The Tour B X might not boast Tiger’s stamp of approval like its compatriot, but Bridgestone’s other high-swing-speed model offers a sales pitch all its own. The urethane cover and Dual Dimple technology offer spin like its relative, but the Tour B X is firmer. It more resembles the Pro V1x, helpful for getting the ball up in the air a little higher and bouncing a little further down the fairway.

The best mental image for this ball’s sales pitch is the fact that Bryson DeChambeau used a Tour B X on his way to victory at the 2020 U.S. Open. The ball still generates high levels of spin, but those looking for maximum levels of control with their short irons and short game would probably be more interested in the B XS. And those with lower swing speeds should be more interested in the RX models below.

3. Bridgestone Tour B RX

If you’re looking for professional-quality spin and ball control but can’t quite bomb the ball as far as the pros, the RX series is what you’re looking for. The RX serves as the low-compression counterpart to the B X series ball listed above. It still has the urethane cover, the Dual Dimple design, and the fancy bits of the B X series balls, but these low-compression golf balls come off the face a little bouncier, giving more distance to the average golfer and average swing speeds.

A golfer with a higher swing speed won’t be able to maximize their yardages with a lower compression ball, but any golfers who don’t routinely carry their driver past 270 yards should see a higher launch angle and a distance boost, especially with the RX model.

4. Bridgestone Tour B RXS

Where the Bridgestone RX is designed to give average golfers as much distance as possible, the RXS is meant to make them feel like Tiger with their irons and wedges. This won’t fly or roll quite as far as the balls in the red box, so if distance is your main prerogative, the RX is better suited. But the RXS is meant to offer a softer feel, more control around the greens, and consistent spin on approach while still offering a low compression core.

Any golfers who struggle to hold greens with their irons or on chip and pitch shots would probably most benefit from the RXS.

5. Bridgestone e6

If you have an average swing speed and tend to leave the course with a lighter bag than when you arrived, the e6 offers a great compromise for your game with a smaller dent in your wallet. The lowest compression core Bridgestone offers won’t offer the same greenside spin and feel as its premium counterparts, but it is meant to maximize distance for golfers with normal swing speeds.

Finding the Right Golf Ball for You

If you want an expert opinion on which Bridgestone ball is the best fit for your bag, don’t hesitate to chat with me or one of my fellow Curated Golf Experts for personalized, free advice on which ball you should have in your hand next time you’re on the first tee.