Bridgestone's 241CB and 242CB

[autronicdsm]

New models out. Available on 9/6... surprised I haven't seen these announce anywhere or on blogs. 

 

https://jp.golf.bridgestone/bs-products/bsg/b_series/iron/241cb

[jholz]

Interesting. Kind of like Ping and Mizuno had a baby. Given the Bstone reputation, I'd probably throw them in the bag without hesitation. 

 

As always, the only problem is getting your hands on them. 

Edited August 7, 2024 by jholz

[bigberthapapi]

Lookswise, I like these better than the 221cb and 222cb+. Wasn't a fan of the 2 hollow cavities in the 221cb long irons and the 222cb+, but at least now it's hidden...

Edited August 7, 2024 by bigberthapapi

[autronicdsm]

2 hours ago, jholz said:

As always, the only problem is getting your hands on them. 

 

Rak... I don't know how many times I post this lol

[RangeBaller]

These...are NICE.  Just wish this tin/plastic badge trend would die out already

[meh]

Get rid of the B logo and they are close to perfect. I had the 221cb and they were brilliant irons, these look even better!

[Yoshifan151]

Not sure why they wouldn't have a stamped B with paint fill vs that cheap looking badge.

[AC-Golf]

Tour Spec has preorder... I think I like the 221 better.  But I do like the pockets are gone.  

 

[cmgolf]

These are nice. Would love to read reviews.

i am still playing my J40 when traveling and my J15 at home.
Been able to control myself and not order a 221cb set but it will be more difficult with the new models !

[autronicdsm]

On 8/8/2024 at 5:42 PM, RangeBaller said:

Just wish this tin/plastic badge trend would die out already

 

Have you seen them in person? I have the current wedges and they look fine.

[boddabing]

Yeah, from the manufacturers pics these caught my eye in a pleasing way. Still have that distinct Japanese look but ooze quality and charm. I’ll bet performance is right up there with the best on the market too. I am a faithful Yamaha iron guy and the Bridgestone brand has never really been on my radar, until now.

[Foreleft]

Good looking irons, but I gave up on BS irons long ago.

 

Their marketing department is more ineffective than Rosie O’Donnell’s nutritionist.

 

 

[GolfFinn]

3 hours ago, Foreleft said:

Good looking irons, but I gave up on BS irons long ago.

 

Their marketing department is more ineffective than Rosie O’Donnell’s nutritionist.

 

 

What? Let me get this straight… You’re are dismissing a product because the company’s advertising is nonexistent.

 

Man, you must be a great customer for the big brands.

Let me guess, you play the PROV1s and a Scotty? Not because you want but because an ad said they are the best?

[Foreleft]

19 hours ago, GolfFinn said:

What? Let me get this straight… You’re are dismissing a product because the company’s advertising is nonexistent.

 

Man, you must be a great customer for the big brands.

Let me guess, you play the PROV1s and a Scotty? Not because you want but because an ad said they are the best?

 

A knowledgeable person would realize that there is far more to marketing than just advertising, but yet here we are.

 

The Bridgestone marketing department repeatedly failed to appear at our local club’s demo days, after committing to do so.   This was the point in time when they were pushing clubs hard in the USA and were rebranding from Tourstage to BS.  After failing to meet the commitments they made for demo days, they also failed to deliver individual clubs for demo purposes, which they also had promised to do.  Clearly, this experience wasn’t unique, as BS has been forced to all but abandon its equipment sales in the US and focus on ball sales.  And tires.

  

Had nothing to do with with “advertising” and had everything to do with failing to deliver what they had promised.  

 

 

 

[pjc]

Bridgestone did f**k up big time during the times that they did full releases to NA.  The above story I am not shocked at all about and it's truly sad and I have no idea why they were so bad.  It's almost like they tried to not do what was needed to even just make a little noise for their products.  They probably sell as many iron sets to NA customer's now (that they are Asia only) as they did when they released to NA...lol

[corky]

Dropping the Tourstage branding was a major faux pas imho. The Z101 s gained some serious traction in the US, but they failed to capitalise on it…… 

[Jaywh2]

Ordered a Set of these and their new wedges. Will report back. 

[HandsomeMatt]

This almost looks like one of the first sets that isn't just a complete rehash of a previous design. I've played a lot of Bridgestone/Tourstage irons over the years and still own a few but they seemed to have been pretty cyclical with their designs . Hearing they failed to honor commitments and not really show up when they needed to explains even more why they've never gained a substantial footing. I have dealt with the tire side multiple times over the years and always come away disappointed as well.

Edited September 13, 2024 by HandsomeMatt

[bigdawg]

On 9/4/2024 at 9:27 PM, corky said:

Dropping the Tourstage branding was a major faux pas imho. The Z101 s gained some serious traction in the US, but they failed to capitalise on it…… 

 

So much so, Im still playing them and the recently acquired 221cb's haven't beaten them out of the bag yet though I am contemplating a possible shaft change (from stock NS Pro Modus 3 105g Stiff to gamer shafts KBS Tour 120g Stiff).

[JLP_GOLF]

Anyone have any feedback on these? Either through playing them or seeing IRL?

[corky]

Just got back from Japan and managed to sneak into a few stores in Tokyo, of everything I saw the Bridgestones 241 &  242 piqued my interest. They look pretty perfect for my taste, at address good sizes, profiles and offset. Soles are ‘medium’ to me with some pre worn and trail relief. My only. Criticism was the shiny, ie. Polished edges to the periphery, would prefer brushed. Could see me playing a combo set. I preferred them visually the Srixon ZX3/5……. Sadly the ZXI aren’t out yet even in Japan.

 

but for real lust…..saw the new Epon blades……mmmm

Edited October 9, 2024 by corky

[ramylson]

Forgive my ignorance, as I swayed from Bridgestone after the J33b. I'm older now, and clearly out of touch. But this new stuff has piqued by interest. Anyone care to fill me in a bit on these offerings? They say forged feeling, but are they still? I believe it was Endo, and I was completely in love with it along with the classic looks and thinner topline. IMO, it's a bit hard to tell from some of the marketing images, these seem to following the look at address that many of the larger bands seem to have. 

 

Trying really hard to not hit the "add to cart" button on the tourspec site.   

[JLP_GOLF]

On 10/9/2024 at 8:51 AM, corky said:

Just got back from Japan and managed to sneak into a few stores in Tokyo, of everything I saw the Bridgestones 241 &  242 piqued my interest. They look pretty perfect for my taste, at address good sizes, profiles and offset. Soles are ‘medium’ to me with some pre worn and trail relief. My only. Criticism was the shiny, ie. Polished edges to the periphery, would prefer brushed. Could see me playing a combo set. I preferred them visually the Srixon ZX3/5……. Sadly the ZXI aren’t out yet even in Japan.

 

but for real lust…..saw the new Epon blades……mmmm

Thanks for this.  Did you hit them at all?  
 

how do they compare in size to zx7?!

[corky]

16 hours ago, JLP_GOLF said:

Thanks for this.  Did you hit them at all?  
 

how do they compare in size to zx7?!

No didn’t have an opportunity to hit them, I’d say they were a little shorter in blade length but not by much. But don’t most irons of this ilk look pretty similar these days?
 

when Bridgestone ran the Tourstage line, their irons were Endo forged, no idea if current ones still are.

 

 Nevertheless these look a pretty solid offering, especially a 241/242 combo

[CAT GOLFER]

On 8/7/2024 at 12:44 PM, bigberthapapi said:

Lookswise, I like these better than the 221cb and 222cb+. Wasn't a fan of the 2 hollow cavities in the 221cb long irons and the 222cb+, but at least now it's hidden...

I actually got the 222’s because of the nostalgic j40 dpf look in a slightly more compact head. To each their own, the 242’s give me Tourstage  X-blade and Mizuno MP54 vibes.

[GolfyGolfy]

Well I have them and they are are better than my zx7mkiis as far as feel by a mile.  But imo the zx7mkiis never felt soft, just solid.  I don’t have the right shafts in them since they are off the rack and I scoured all the shops (over 20+) and found only 1 4i in the 242cb+ so I picked it up to combo with my 241cb.  The minimal offset, shaping and sole is much more to my preference.  Feel and forgiveness are great, super consistent distance across the face.  Looking forward to building them to my specs.  

[DRO28]

I just received my set of 242cb+. Don’t have a lot to compare to since I came from a set of 10 year old Pings. Have always loved Bstone clubs though - still play the J40 driver! These are very forgiving and feel great off the face. Much easier to hit the long irons than expected. 
 

I bought a 222cb+ 7 iron to test before I bought these. The 222 is nearly identical to the 242 except for the now hidden pockets. 
 

@GolfyGolfy I’d like to add the 4 iron as well. Deciding between that or more of a driving iron.

Edited November 19, 2024 by DRO28

[davo32683]

On 11/19/2024 at 11:14 AM, DRO28 said:

I just received my set of 242cb+. Don’t have a lot to compare to since I came from a set of 10 year old Pings. Have always loved Bstone clubs though - still play the J40 driver! These are very forgiving and feel great off the face. Much easier to hit the long irons than expected. 
 

I bought a 222cb+ 7 iron to test before I bought these. The 222 is nearly identical to the 242 except for the now hidden pockets. 
 

@GolfyGolfy I’d like to add the 4 iron as well. Deciding between that or more of a driving iron.

Can you post some address pics of the 5,8,P? Maybe the lead edge too? Thanks!

Edited November 25, 2024 by davo32683

[meh]

On 11/25/2024 at 12:42 PM, davo32683 said:

Can you post some address pics of the 5,8,P? Maybe the lead edge too? Thanks!

I'd love to that too, please.

 

[VGJeff]

Any difference in blade length on these like the 221 and 222?