My Comparison of the Bridgestone Tour B330 vs ProV1x

Hstead · September 19, 2013

Bridgestone recently came to the club to do a ball fitting. They set up on the range with a net and their launch monitor which I could not tell you the brand but they claimed it used "lasers" and was very accurate. I do know it was not radar like the Trackman or FlightScope.

The cool thing I thought about the ball fitting was that they had a sleeve of just about every ball you could think of. So when they asked what I currently played, and I said ProV1X, they pulled out a sleeve and had me hit it first. They ask some questions about what you are looking for etc, spin, distance, touch around the greens etc and then they pul their ball to compare.

I ended up hitting the Tour B330 about the same as the ProV1X off of the driver, but it launched slightly lower, spin a couple hundred rpms less, and went 2 more yards on a SS that was on average half mile an hour slower. Basically, from what I gathered it did seem to spin slightly less off of the driver, which was 2500 or so for the ProV1X and 2300 for the B330.

They then give you a couple of their balls to try. So I took the balls to the practice green today and pulled out a couple of ProV1Xs to compare them to. I could really not tell any difference pitching and chipping. Both balls felt very very similar. I even tried to throw them in similar lies where I couldn't see the logos and then see if I could tell which ball was which. I could not. They seemed to feel and spin the same from 40 yards and in whether I was hitting a low runner or a flop.

So next test is the putter. I could tell right away I liked the B330 just a fraction more off of the putter. It was barely softer feeling to me, which is what I want off of the putter. I do not like a louder clicky sound off of the putter, and the B330 was slightly less muted in sound and felt slightly softer because of this I believe.

So, overall I think I am going to switch from the ProV1x to the B330 since they are about $8 less per dozen at our course. The last thing to test will be how it flies in the wind and how it holds up to scuffing etc, durability. I have really liked the ProV1x but my gut is telling me the Tour B330 is going to perform similarly, with a little better feel off of the putter, and cost less.

That is my review anyway for what it is worth.

gpleonard · September 20, 2013

I like the Bridgestone line. I play the B330RX as my main ball with the E5 as a back up ball. Will most likely play the E5 today as I am playing in a member guest tournament. Definitely have plenty of both in my bag. A lot of it depend on how my swing is as to which ball I will play. IMO you can't go wrong with the Bridgestone golf ball line. Good luck with the switch to the B330.

LONG&STR8 · September 27, 2013

Been playing the ProV1X. The B330 has been very hard for me in the past but definitely worth another try.

drbonesvt · October 6, 2013

[quote name='Hstead' timestamp='1379565894' post='7875787']
Bridgestone recently came to the club to do a ball fitting. They set up on the range with a net and their launch monitor which I could not tell you the brand but they claimed it used "lasers" and was very accurate. I do know it was not radar like the Trackman or FlightScope.

The cool thing I thought about the ball fitting was that they had a sleeve of just about every ball you could think of. So when they asked what I currently played, and I said ProV1X, they pulled out a sleeve and had me hit it first. They ask some questions about what you are looking for etc, spin, distance, touch around the greens etc and then they pul their ball to compare.

I ended up hitting the Tour B330 about the same as the ProV1X off of the driver, but it launched slightly lower, spin a couple hundred rpms less, and went 2 more yards on a SS that was on average half mile an hour slower. Basically, from what I gathered it did seem to spin slightly less off of the driver, which was 2500 or so for the ProV1X and 2300 for the B330.

They then give you a couple of their balls to try. So I took the balls to the practice green today and pulled out a couple of ProV1Xs to compare them to. I could really not tell any difference pitching and chipping. Both balls felt very very similar. I even tried to throw them in similar lies where I couldn't see the logos and then see if I could tell which ball was which. I could not. They seemed to feel and spin the same from 40 yards and in whether I was hitting a low runner or a flop.

So next test is the putter. I could tell right away I liked the B330 just a fraction more off of the putter. It was barely softer feeling to me, which is what I want off of the putter. I do not like a louder clicky sound off of the putter, and the B330 was slightly less muted in sound and felt slightly softer because of this I believe.

So, overall I think I am going to switch from the ProV1x to the B330 since they are about $8 less per dozen at our course. The last thing to test will be how it flies in the wind and how it holds up to scuffing etc, durability. I have really liked the ProV1x but my gut is telling me the Tour B330 is going to perform similarly, with a little better feel off of the putter, and cost less.

That is my review anyway for what it is worth.
[/quote]

Nice write up - I grabbed a box of the 330's b.c the shot was out of the Prov1x. While I have not tech data to back up my findings, I would concur with your analysis on the 330, it performed VERY well on the course.

finalist · October 6, 2013

Did you find the Bstone LM adds about 5mph to SS like I did?
From what I hear they ask what ball you play to gauage what price point you are willing to pay. Then they match you into their version.

Hstead · October 6, 2013

[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1381080818' post='7960843']
Did you find the Bstone LM adds about 5mph to SS?
From what i hear they ask what ballmyou play to gauage what proce point you are willing to pay. Then they match you into their version.
[/quote]

That does not surprise me at all. The only ball they gave me to hit was the Tour 330 which I guess is their most comparable to the ProV1X. My SS was definitely too high with their monitor. I was averaging 124.7 or some crap which I told them I did not believe. They swore it was more accurate than Trackman or Flightscope. I have been on both TM and FS more than once each over the past three years and my SS is always around 116 to 118 on average. When I was in my 20's I used to swing over 120+ if I rearranged my underwear but my normal swing is usually around 117.

Either way though, marketing gimmic, sale bait and switch, whatever, I still find the Tour 330 to be similar to the ProV1x and they cost less so that is the ball I have been playing. I actually have been interchanging with ProV1X's I still have and Tour 330 and find them very similar with the putter being a slight edge to the Bstone.

peakposition · November 19, 2013

Definitly have to agree with you. The B330 is one of the best balls I've ever played. It is very long, feels soft, best ball in the wind, super consistency, and has a great touch.
Only deduction is the durability. For my wedge game the thin outer layer is just too thin. From 100-80 metres the ball is just "crushed" after a full wedge shot.
That's why I play more and more often the Srixon XV, great durability and as long as the B330. But in the wind it is not as consistent as the B330.

Tiger512 · November 19, 2013

[quote name='LONG&STR8 ' timestamp='1380255255' post='7917899']
Been playing the ProV1X. The B330 has been very hard for me in the past but definitely worth another try.
[/quote]

The 330 is actually softer. 103 vs 106 compression.

samawc · November 20, 2013

I love the ProV1X, I really do. Overall, I like it better than the B330…. but the close similarities and the cheaper price has made me a regular player of the B330 for quite some time. I may splurge from time to time and get a PROv1X dozen, but I much rather pay for the B330.

yhj · November 30, 2013

Thanks for the review!

Nelly32 · November 30, 2013

Good review! Bridgestone would be more popular overall if they could get their ball out to more Tour guys

RedSide · November 30, 2013

[quote name='Tiger512' timestamp='1384883438' post='8172736']
[quote name='LONG&STR8 ' timestamp='1380255255' post='7917899']
Been playing the ProV1X. The B330 has been very hard for me in the past but definitely worth another try.
[/quote]

The 330 is actually softer. 103 vs 106 compression.
[/quote]

During a test with the 2010 versions of each, I found that to be the EXACT thing I noticed and continued playing the Prov1x. After reading this I may have to give it another go with the new and improved balls.

At the time, I dont think there was any way the b330 was lower compression.

Hstead · November 30, 2013

Since this review has been revived and is a couple of months old, I now have more time in on the B330 Tour. I have played in some windy conditions with this ball and find it is very good in the wind. I had always found Callaway balls to be great wind balls, and this B330 Tour is not far behind. I played last weekend in constant 20 mph wind and the ball flew great. It is very consistent. The spin is also consistent and very very good. I now have enough time too with the ball to see how it would hold up off of all of the trees and cart paths I can put a ball through lol. They are just as durable as any of the other balls out there, including ProV1x. It is not more durable, but is close enough.

I bought 4 dozen a couple of weeks ago I like this ball so much. For now, I see me playing it all of next year unless there is a new ball released that can walk on water.