Bridgestone Tour B RX and RXS Golf Ball Review

Bridgestone Tour B RX Review

Bridgestone Tour B RX and RXS
Grade: A
Teachers’ Comments: This ball really flies, but still can be controlled around the greens. I want a season’s supply of the Tour B RX.

Manufacturer’s Site
Bridgestone TOUR B RX and RXS On Amazon

I cannot recall ever having been as thrilled with golf balls as I am with the Bridgestone Tour B RX and RXS. I like them so much that losing one of my limited supply actually makes me sad.

The Tour B RX and RXS are marketed as balls for golfers with swing speeds under 105 mph. The RX model is designed for more distance, while the RXS is said to have more spin. The balls have a reported compression of 66, which is in line with what a slower-swinging player requires.

I look for a four things in a golf ball. First — like every other golfer in the world — I want excellent distance. Second, I want a ball that will stop quickly on a wedge shot — because I miss a lot of greens. Third, I want steady flight and accuracy. I can get wild on my shots. Finally, I look for “feel.” Whether off a driver, iron or putter, I want a ball that is neither “clicky,” nor “squishy.” I’m a feel player. Things have to feel right for me to play well.

That’s not a lot to ask for, right?

Obviously, I think the Bridgestone Tour B RX and RXS excel in all of those categories.

First, distance. Both the Tour B RX and RXS produce outstanding distance for my relatively low-speed swing. In testing these balls, I find I get the sort of distance that a pure distance ball might produce (but without all the downsides of such). Is it the longest ball I’ve ever played? No. But the RX and RXS are close enough given their other qualities.

I think that the RX is measurably longer than the RXS in this standard.

Unlike pure distance balls, the Bridgestone Tour B RX and RXS check quickly on wedge shots. This ball holds the fast, old-school elevated greens at Washtenaw Golf Club very well. Chips are crisp and sharp.

In spite of the different billings for the RX and RXS (spin), I was unable to detect any difference in my short game play between the two. Perhaps I don’t swing fast enough on the short shots to produce a spin difference.

While no ball can save a bad tee shot, the Bridgestone Tour Bs at least don’t seem to exacerbate them. I know when I’ve not made good contact, or a full turn, and have been happy to see that the balls reduce the expected consequences.

Off the irons, I’ve found the Tour B balls to be very straight. Better players may want a ball that they can work, but as a mid-handicapper, I want one that goes where I aim it.

I would give neither ball the edge in this arena.

However, the outstanding feature of the Bridgestone RX and RXS for me is the feel. These balls absolutely pop off the face of my clubs. They just feel explosive.

Of the two, I prefer the Tour B RX. The RXS feels just a bit more muted — less explosive — a little sluggish, even. I also have not matched the distances with the RXS that I achieved with the RX.

The key technology of the Bridgestone RX and RXS balls is the REACTIV Urethane Cover.

REACTIV is a “smart Urethane” that reacts differently depending upon the force of the impact. It absorbs shock absorbing cover on slow impact shots for more spin and control (wedge) but delivers high resilience on high impact shots for more power and distance (drive).

“Reinventing the Tour ball wasn’t something that happened overnight, this is a new technology that we have been working on for years,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager for Bridgestone Golf. “We knew that there was a fundamental issue with traditional urethane covers that we needed to overcome – golfers historically have had to choose distance OR spin in a Tour ball. We are pioneering a new age in Tour ball design with this REACTIV cover. It’s rather remarkable that this new cover provides more distance AND more spin in the same ball, thus giving golfers better performance on all shots.”   

Another key technology is the “Gradational Compression Core,” which Bridgestone says adds additional distance and forgiveness through higher initial ball speed and lower side spin.

The Tour B RX and RXS also feature a dual dimple design for less drag and more efficient ball trajectory. Finally, the seamless cover produces a balanced dimple pattern.

For what it’s worth, Fred Couples and Rocco Mediate play the Tour B RXS on the PGA TOUR Champions

“I don’t play the same ball as Tiger, but I found a better ball for me,” said Couples. “The softer RXS is a perfect fit for me. Bridgestone ball fitting has opened my eyes to this better technology. For my swing these balls allow me to boom it off the tee and also give me more spin and feel greenside.” 

The one downside for me of the Tour B line is the price, with an MSRP of $39.99 a dozen.

If you’re a slower swinger, I think you should give the Bridgestone Tour B RX and Tour B RXS a try.