B330-S vs NXT Tour

[neonsohc]

Today at Golfgalaxy they had a Bridgestone ball fitting and i tried it out. They had recommended the B330-S as my new ball. they said i gained an average of 20 more yards to my distance as well as lost a very good bit of sidespin. He had me try this ball due to the lower compression. I was just wondering if the compression numbers between the B330-s and NXT Tour were similar and if they would perform similarly. Hopefully some one maybe has info on this. I couldnt find anything on google.

 

any info would be great.

[Hnixon12]

I am not sure of the compression ratings, but if you aren't worried about $$ you have to go with the B33os, much better ball. The NXT tour won't hold the greens like the B330S, and thats where it counts...drive for show, chip and putt for doe, ya know? hope this helps..

[neonsohc]

I am not sure of the compression ratings, but if you aren't worried about $$ you have to go with the B33os, much better ball. The NXT tour won't hold the greens like the B330S, and thats where it counts...drive for show, chip and putt for doe, ya know? hope this helps..

 

 

Yeah, I figured that NXT Tour wouldn't stop as well on the green as well as the B330s but price of the ball is a bit of an issue at this time. Or I just have to suck it and pay the extra 12 bucks for a better ball.

[harold baines]

don't be fooled by misleading "fittings" too

 

a ball change won't give you 20 yards

[MBA-J]

I went through the Bridgestone fitting today at my local driving range. I picked up 5 yards of carry over the 09 ProV1x, as they recommended the Bridgestone B330-S. Unless you were using a balata ball, or a range ball, or one of those "limited flight" yellow practice balls with the red dot as the baseline, it's extremely difficult to comprehend how you can pick up so much distance with a simple ball change, especially over the NXT Tour.

 

I'm not implying that you are fibbing, but I'm just explaining how it could look a bit incredulous.

[MBA-J]

To answer one of your questions, I believe that the B330-S has a compression of 73, as I was told today.

[neonsohc]

I went through the Bridgestone fitting today at my local driving range. I picked up 5 yards of carry over the 09 ProV1x, as they recommended the Bridgestone B330-S. Unless you were using a balata ball, or a range ball, or one of those "limited flight" yellow practice balls with the red dot as the baseline, it's extremely difficult to comprehend how you can pick up so much distance with a simple ball change, especially over the NXT Tour.

 

I'm not implying that you are fibbing, but I'm just explaining how it could look a bit incredulous.

 

well just not going off of distance alone. my ball velocity went up 5 mph, backspin decreased by 600 rpms and again my side spin decreased which kept the ball straighter according to their graphing system. i tested compared to a pro v1 cause that is what i have been trying to play with lately and i got a couple dozen of them for relatively cheap. i cant get them anymore so i have to find another ball. ive always been a little skeptical about the ball fittings, especially since they fit you with one their balls instead of maybe giving the best ball for you. just seeing the results though made it intriguing.

[iKhanh]

i read in a different thread that bridgestone takes the average of your worst drives with your current ball and takes the avg of your BEST drives with their ball and show you those numbers. most people don't question it.

[heybrady]

I participated in a Bridgstone challenge last week too. I had a good time with it, but also took it with a grain of salt. Yeah, the e7 produced the best numbers for me because I battle spin with the driver and it is a low spin ball. Problem is the drive is only 7 times per 9 and I would be giving up alot in the short game and putting areas. For 5 yards less drive distance I would rather play a ball that is more versatile around the greens.

 

That being said, the guys running the demo were cool. They spent a good 10 minutes with each person and were chatting it up with those who were waiting. It was slow so maybe they had more time than normal but I still thought they did a good job. Oh, and they also said they got to play at Firestone while they were in town. Bastards.

[MBA-J]

I went through the Bridgestone fitting today at my local driving range. I picked up 5 yards of carry over the 09 ProV1x, as they recommended the Bridgestone B330-S. Unless you were using a balata ball, or a range ball, or one of those "limited flight" yellow practice balls with the red dot as the baseline, it's extremely difficult to comprehend how you can pick up so much distance with a simple ball change, especially over the NXT Tour.

 

I'm not implying that you are fibbing, but I'm just explaining how it could look a bit incredulous.

 

well just not going off of distance alone. my ball velocity went up 5 mph, backspin decreased by 600 rpms and again my side spin decreased which kept the ball straighter according to their graphing system. i tested compared to a pro v1 cause that is what i have been trying to play with lately and i got a couple dozen of them for relatively cheap. i cant get them anymore so i have to find another ball. ive always been a little skeptical about the ball fittings, especially since they fit you with one their balls instead of maybe giving the best ball for you. just seeing the results though made it intriguing.

 

The biggest difference I experienced was getting fit for a J33R 460 driver. My numbers were excellent with the 9.5* with VS Proto 60x. With the B330-S, my ball speed was 155, spin was 2300, and launch was 14*. In comparison, my SQ launched at 16 with 2995 RPM. I might be purchasing that combo pretty soon if I can find it cheaper than the $299 regular price.

 

I thought the J33 FW was the best FW I've ever hit...right up there with the 980F.

 

Were the black J36 special editions there as well? Those were super soft and very impressive.

[sk373]

if price is a consideration, but you want performance close to the B330-S, the Precept U-Tri-Tour for $19.88/doz + shipping is your ball. the U-Tri-Tour is the predecessor to the B330 series. the U-Tri Extra Distance is also a gr8 deal for $14.88/doz + shipping.

[SwingMan]

I remember when Titleist Reps once hyped the NXT Tour as the poor man's Pro V1 - OK, fool me once.

 

I always found the NXT Tour to be "dead feeling" and have as much greenside spin as $15 balls. If you go NXT Tour, save your money and buy a D2 Feel or something similar -- it will go farther.

 

As to the B330-S gaining 20 yards, you must have 105+ SS -- so you could gain a bunch by switching balls. I doubt if the NXT Tour was made for such SS -- launch angle, spin, ballspeed and sidespin can change matters.

[neonsohc]

they had the j33 drivers there. i swung one of them which was a 9.5 loft along with an aldilla vs proto by you shaft. which the shaft was the exact same one i hav eon my titleist driver.

 

My swing speed as well averaged at about 113 mph. the chart he gave me gave me ideal conditions and results and he was saying that with my swing speed i should be carrying the ball 290. i dont know how true that is or not but its what he said.

[sk373]

My swing speed as well averaged at about 113 mph. the chart he gave me gave me ideal conditions and results and he was saying that with my swing speed i should be carrying the ball 290. i dont know how true that is or not but its what he said.

 

that's a bit optimistic, but not crazy. it's roughly 2.5 yds carry for each mph of SS. 113 x 2.5 = 282.5 yds. more carry can be gained with a positive AoA (IIRC, that formula assumes a 0* AoA). however, this calculation also assumes a solid hit in the sweet spot. if you swing hard, but can't make solid contact, you'll lose distance.

[Uniongolf72194]

I agree with the drive for show and putt for dough, but it does help to not be all over the place starting your 2nd shot. Ive been practicing extensively on short game (emphasis on extensively) and i went out and played 9 and shot 52 (15 putts) i lost 8 balls and my driving was horrid! I also parred the last 2 holes. But that goes to show; focus on your short game, but dont forget to keep in touch with your driver and long irons.

 

P.S. I usually shoot 37-40 on a 9.

[stevestrike]

I played part of my round today with a B330s that I found on the course. I was surprised by how much spin I was getting. Balls were sucking back for me like I don't usually see with other balls--especially the NXT Tour. I've never felt the NXT Tour was an especially spiny ball, but I had no problem getting the B330s to check up nicely.

[storm319]

Compression ratings from golfballtest.com (2 different machines used in testing)

B330 s - 104 / 97
NXT Tour - 88 / 92

Most premium tour balls have compression rantings over 100. The only premium tour balls that have compression consistently [b]under[/b] 100:
Titleist Pro V1 (2007 93/95) (2009 95/98)
Srixon Z-Star (90/88)
TM TP Red LDP (95/92)
Bridgestone B330-RX (90/86)


There are no premium balls or any with a urethane cover with compression lower than 85.