For years now, Bridgestone Golf has been designing balls that segregate players into each of two categories: players who swing above and below 105 mph and players who adequately spin the ball or need more of it.
The company's 2016 line of Tour B330 balls takes customization further for those buckets of players.
The Tour B330RX and Tour B330RXS ball are built for players who swing below 105 mph, optimizing distance for those players and offering improved spin around the greens. The RXS model offers additional spin.
The big update in these 2016 models is the company's Amatour Core, which the company says is 28 percent softer than the average firm tour ball's core. It also is much softer in the most inner part of the core compared to the outer part, delivering improved ball speed and reduced spin off the driver face. Bridgestone has put these features into a single, smooth core instead of using multi-piece construction, something we're seeing more of in 2016 balls. Doing it with one layer means energy transfer protection for the player.
The company has also introduced a new SlipRes cover, which increases friction with the aim of keeping the ball more stable on the clubface and improving spin with short irons. The company says the SlipRes cover kills spin with the driver because of the different, higher force imparted on the ball. The cover is also more durable, the company says, meaning it'll last longer and take more abuse as you smash it around the course.
The balls, available in a Tour Yellow, are available Jan. 26 for $40 per dozen.
The B330 and B330S balls are built for players who swing at or above 105 mph. They also sport the SlipRes cover, but they have a different core: the new Tour Core, which is 6 percent larger than the prior generation. Similar to the Amatour Core, the Tour Core is one piece with a softer inner portion of the core compared to its outer region.
The company also says that the B330 and B330S, which both have a softer cover than the prior generation, are more different than ever in terms of their spin profiles, with the B330S offering more greenside spin.
The Tour B330 and Tour B330S balls will be available March 4 and cost $45 per dozen.
