Bridgestone J40 430 Driver REVIEW

[dsparob]

[quote name='FairwayFred' timestamp='1320982970' post='3786835']
[quote name='PKMillerJr' timestamp='1320977324' post='3786433']
[quote name='FairwayFred' timestamp='1320975502' post='3786301']
I might have to pick one up with the highest actual loft I can find. Reminds me of the shape of the TourStage 430P. Good stuff.
[/quote]

Why would you want to replace your ezone 380?
[/quote]

No good reason at all lol. The ezone is fantastic.
[/quote]

Any chance you could start another thread and review that EZone? I'm on the driver market and it's on my short list.

[BNich0622]

I want one of these bad boys so bad. Want a sexy looking driver. One of the cleanest I have seen in quite some time.

[J13]

[quote name='BNich0622' timestamp='1321019094' post='3787653']
I want one of these bad boys so bad. Want a sexy looking driver. One of the cleanest I have seen in quite some time.
[/quote]


I agree. Flat out clean. I heard the release date is early next year but not positive.

[Myherobobhope]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1321020668' post='3787781']
[quote name='BNich0622' timestamp='1321019094' post='3787653']
I want one of these bad boys so bad. Want a sexy looking driver. One of the cleanest I have seen in quite some time.
[/quote]


I agree. Flat out clean. I heard the release date is early next year but not positive.
[/quote]

Everything I've seen has said January... but who knows with these things.

[dsparob]

[quote name='Myherobobhope' timestamp='1321021436' post='3787827']
[quote name='J13' timestamp='1321020668' post='3787781']
[quote name='BNich0622' timestamp='1321019094' post='3787653']
I want one of these bad boys so bad. Want a sexy looking driver. One of the cleanest I have seen in quite some time.
[/quote]


I agree. Flat out clean. I heard the release date is early next year but not positive.
[/quote]

Everything I've seen has said January... but who knows with these things.
[/quote]

Bridgestone press release says January 2012 for the 430, most everything else is already available.

[GooseHook]

[quote name='dsparob' timestamp='1321014262' post='3787509']
If anyone is worried about the project x shaft being higher torque, take a look on the custom shaft options on the Bridgestone website. They have a bunch of great options that are in stock with no upcharge.

Thanks for the write up J13, very well done. After cracking one composite head, and hearing many stories like mine, I am leaning towards going back to all metal. I love a good deep face and have been looking at the Cobra S3 very closely, but this driver just looks phenomenal. I just hope like most that I'll have an opportunity to try it, as Bridgestone isn't well represented in my neck of the woods.
[/quote]

Wow, the sheer number of no-upcharge shafts is incredible. Here's the link for anyone who wants to take a look:

http://www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/clubs/custom-wood-options

[ram01002]

Impressive free shaft options . . . earth to Callaway . . .

[dsparob]

You can even get a Tour Velvet Full Cord no upcharge as well, which is right up my alley!!! Bridgestone is looking more and more like it's going to be taking up the majority of my bag. Wedges look great, irons look great, smaller headed, deep faced driver...great shaft options for drivers and irons, good on ya Bridgestone, get your product out a little bit more and this could be a big year!!!

[Myherobobhope]

Just got word back from a friendly Bridgestone customer service rep (Amy)... club is out 1/1/2012.

[J13]

The custom shaft list is darn impressive, never looked at it before. Well done Bstone. Like I stated before they just need to get in all of the darn SHOPS!!!! People need to know these clubs exist. I would launch a club fitting program very similar to the ball fitting. DO IT BSTONE you'll sell tons of these babies

[HISPL]

Can't wait to get mine! I ordered one with the Tour AD DI 6S tipped an inch.

Sounds like I'll have an awesome combo!

[puttitin]

[quote name='tampay' timestamp='1320946575' post='3784107']
[quote name='abewley' timestamp='1320946159' post='3784079']
does the 445 cc head share the same face size? just bigger body?
[/quote]

The 445 cc has a bigger, shallower face. It's stretched back and lower to the ground in general for higher launch and forgiveness. 445 is geared for the mid/high - low handicap. While I'd call the 430 a low handicap / good strikers driver.
[/quote]


Would you say the 445 cc looks more like the J38 460 cc driver? I know it has a relatively shallow face ,but I would'nt know if it is more or less stretched back .By the way I love my J38 with the stock Motore shaft!

[J13]

[quote name='HISPL' timestamp='1321033700' post='3788531']
Can't wait to get mine! I ordered one with the Tour AD DI 6S tipped an inch.

Sounds like I'll have an awesome combo!
[/quote]


That is gonna be a sweet combo

[tampay]

[quote name='puttitin' timestamp='1321097053' post='3791399']
[quote name='tampay' timestamp='1320946575' post='3784107']
[quote name='abewley' timestamp='1320946159' post='3784079']
does the 445 cc head share the same face size? just bigger body?
[/quote]

The 445 cc has a bigger, shallower face. It's stretched back and lower to the ground in general for higher launch and forgiveness. 445 is geared for the mid/high - low handicap. While I'd call the 430 a low handicap / good strikers driver.
[/quote]


Would you say the 445 cc looks more like the J38 460 cc driver? I know it has a relatively shallow face ,but I would'nt know if it is more or less stretched back .By the way I love my J38 with the stock Motore shaft!
[/quote]

They are very similar in appearance. The face is basically the same.

The 430 is a different animal. Smaller all around with a deeper face.

[LONG&STR8]

From address it reminds me of the J33R 420. With my J36 PCs firmly in the bag this driver and the latest wedges could very well have me all Bridgestone in the very near future. Wish the tour issue PX shafts were available though.

[kuyaariel]

I have the j38 driver in the bag. Can't see how the j40 can be that much better.

[J13]

[quote name='kuyaariel' timestamp='1321149826' post='3793613']
I have the j38 driver in the bag. Can't see how the j40 can be that much better.
[/quote]


Only 1 way to find out. Test it out at a demo day. I personally hate indoor cages for testing clubs.

[tampay]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1321296139' post='3799509']
[quote name='kuyaariel' timestamp='1321149826' post='3793613']
I have the j38 driver in the bag. Can't see how the j40 can be that much better.
[/quote]


Only 1 way to find out. Test it out at a demo day. I personally hate indoor cages for testing clubs.
[/quote]

I wish Bridgestone would get these things in the stores. We don't have the option around here to demo them sadly. I'd love to test the 430 against the new limited nike. I still might have to buy the 430 tho. It looks so good !

[vwgolfer]

Good stuff. By next week my bag will be all J40. I have been hitting BS from j33 to J36 to J38. The only club I did not like was the j36 hybrid. J33 hybrid still in my bag. I have tried different brands through the last few years and always come back to my Bridgestone clubs. Now I don't waste my time and effort and money anymore. I may be missing out on other good clubs but for my game Bridgestone equals or excels all other clubs easily available to me. This driver looks freaking awesome.

But the j40 line seems to be the best yet from Bridgestone.

[J13]

[quote name='vwgolfer' timestamp='1321485342' post='3809799']
Good stuff. By next week my bag will be all J40. I have been hitting BS from j33 to J36 to J38. The only club I did not like was the j36 hybrid. J33 hybrid still in my bag. I have tried different brands through the last few years and always come back to my Bridgestone clubs. Now I don't waste my time and effort and money anymore. I may be missing out on other good clubs but for my game Bridgestone equals or excels all other clubs easily available to me. This driver looks freaking awesome.

But the j40 line seems to be the best yet from Bridgestone.
[/quote]

Agree. I just bought a set of J40 PC's as I actually liked them better then the CB's. I was surprised as I usually like smaller type irons like blades ect...

[scratchswinger]

Has anyone tried the 3 wood?

[ATXHorn]

For my game the J33 460 is the best driver ever. Deep face, low spin, somewhat forgiving. Any idea how these j40 options stack up vs j33460?

[speeder757]

I have seen the 445 in the stores......
Is it only the 430 that isn't out till January?

[pjccjp]

Has anyone tried the new j40 3 woods? Any feedback?

[swanry30]

I would love to hear an update! Has it overtaken the r11?

[jdubbs]

Just another company that doesnt like to make LH clubs.....

[J13]

[quote name='swanry30' timestamp='1322176315' post='3848107']
I would love to hear an update! Has it overtaken the r11?
[/quote]


okay I'll give a little update for ya. The R11 is still the go to. Reason being is I need to add weight to the head of the 430 still. I popped in the project X 7a3 at 44.5" and it's just not heavy enough. I need to add hotmelt or a brass plug in the shaft but haven't had time to do the work. Kids and the holidays have made things tough and haven't played a ton in the last few weeks due to another factor, weather (rain, cold). I should be able to get this done in the next week so hopefully I can get out and take her for another spin and do a head to head with the R11. I already know who wins in the workability department

[HISPL]

I've got the 3 wood... Awesome is the best way to describe it!

[tampay]

The 3 wood is quite big and has a shallow face. Great from the fairway but I'd prefer a deeper face for off the tee.

[silverdollar]

What stores are u guys seeing the already released 445cc model. Also which model would u compare it to the speedline classic, launch and spin wise for those few who have hit both. I have a 10.5 classic and think a 8.5 430 would be the ticket.