Bridgestone J40 430 Driver REVIEW

[rightlefty]

[quote name='jdubbs' timestamp='1322425323' post='3858215']
Just another company that doesnt like to make LH clubs.....
[/quote]


Its not right that companys discriminate against left handed people like that. I dont see how they get away with it.


I wish the righties would boycott these companys, and give us some support ! Fortunetly for me I can play either left of right handed so I can use these clubs. However I will only buy from companys that dont make left handed clubs when I can get them very very cheap, like used demos or close outs. And I will not use the headcovers, I switch to headcovers from a company that makes both left and right handed clubs.

[tom93084]

Lower or higher spin then the j33 r 460? Anybody know?

[wvularc11]

[quote name='rightlefty' timestamp='1322501199' post='3861665']
[quote name='jdubbs' timestamp='1322425323' post='3858215']
Just another company that doesnt like to make LH clubs.....
[/quote]


Its not right that companys discriminate against left handed people like that. I dont see how they get away with it.


I wish the righties would boycott these companys, and give us some support ! Fortunetly for me I can play either left of right handed so I can use these clubs. However I will only buy from companys that dont make left handed clubs when I can get them very very cheap, like used demos or close outs. And I will not use the headcovers, I switch to headcovers from a company that makes both left and right handed clubs.
[/quote]


It's not discrimination, it is business - a privately owned business can choose to provide a product for any person they wish, and I am sure they have run the numbers and determined that as the majority of player are right handed an they are a niche market in the club market that it doesn't make financial sense to create / redo their manufacturing to produce a left handed club to have minimal sales which overtime they may not even break even on with the cost of revamping their entire manufacturing process. It is like a private club only allowing men to be members, if you don't like it you can join somewhere else or asking Mercedes to make a car that is only $15,000 dollars so that a poor person doesn't feel left out because they don't make a car they can afford and want to drive a luxury car. They have marketed their products to the right handed players and it's probably a sound business move. there are plenty of other manufacturers that make left handed clubs to choose from.

[J13]

It does stink when clubs aren't available for lefties. I'm a left handed person but play golf right handed. Thank you weirdo genetics

[PKMillerJr]

[quote name='rightlefty' timestamp='1322501199' post='3861665']
[quote name='jdubbs' timestamp='1322425323' post='3858215']
Just another company that doesnt like to make LH clubs.....
[/quote]


Its not right that companys discriminate against left handed people like that. I dont see how they get away with it.


I wish the righties would boycott these companys, and give us some support ! Fortunetly for me I can play either left of right handed so I can use these clubs. However I will only buy from companys that dont make left handed clubs when I can get them very very cheap, like used demos or close outs. And I will not use the headcovers, I switch to headcovers from a company that makes both left and right handed clubs.
[/quote]

It is a business decision not discrimination. If I owned my own company and couldn't make a decent profit off of lefties due to limited demand (estimates I have seen put the lefty population at 10% of general population), then I would not invest in left handed forging dies and/or casting molds to make the products.

[onwrd2vctry]

Bump...Any follow up info from OP???

[Skaffa77]

[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]


I currently own both (J40 445 & J38)...the J40 445 is a little deeper. Someone described it best...the J40 445 face depth is between the J38 and J40 430.

[J13]

[quote name='onwrd2vctry' timestamp='1325752095' post='4031537']
Bump...Any follow up info from OP???
[/quote]

What type of follow up info you looking for? At the moment not much golf being played being winter so nothing new to report.

[brentj40]

the j40 430 is a driver im seriously considering , any update from 430 users?

[pureswings1]

Just got my 9.5 degree 430 with a PX 6.5 this week. Great driver, period. Two rounds under my belt with it, and I haven't had so much fun driving the ball in a long time. Easy to work both ways and much more precise than my R11, with no noticeable loss in distance. I have a state open qualifier coming on Wednesday and plan to game it. Can't recommend this club enough.

[Cwebb]

How does the the face angle setup on most of these? Has anyone had them measured?

[nitram]

[quote name='ATXHorn' timestamp='1322023658' post='3839767']
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?
[/quote]

Just as long and low spin with a sweet spot 10 times larger than the J33. Both the 430 and 445 are outstanding drivers and given more exposure they'd replace the one in your bag.

[Cwebb]

[quote name='Cwebb' timestamp='1339817000' post='5105044']
How does the the face angle setup on most of these? Has anyone had them measured?
[/quote]

I also noticed that these have a long hosel. Has anyone tried to have one bent for face angle and or lie?

[pureswings1]

[quote name='Cwebb' timestamp='1339817000' post='5105044']
How does the the face angle setup on most of these? Has anyone had them measured?
[/quote]

The 430 sets up at least 2 degrees open, but I've had no problem working it both ways. Had another range session with it today and it blew away my R11 and an R11s with the same setup. Feel and trajectory are incredible.

[Cwebb]

[quote name='pureswings1' timestamp='1339893557' post='5110084']
[quote name='Cwebb' timestamp='1339817000' post='5105044']
How does the the face angle setup on most of these? Has anyone had them measured?
[/quote]

The 430 sets up at least 2 degrees open, but I've had no problem working it both ways. Had another range session with it today and it blew away my R11 and an R11s with the same setup. Feel and trajectory are incredible.
[/quote]

That's good news on the open face. I gotta get a closer look at these

[esketores]

Screw Bridgestone.
No left handed versions.
If they are not willing to step up to the plate and support lefties then the product should be reviewed with caveats.
And to think I gamed the e6. No more.

[mrfols]

At least the e6 comes left handed!

[shankarrific]

Just acquired the 430. Was using Titleist 983k. Have only hit approximately 50 range balls so far will not really be able to tell until I play. It looks like I hit the 430 higher than the 983k and the ball looks like it has more of a boring flight than the 983k even though I hit it higher. Club face sets up square and feels very solid but has a slight ting sound when hitting range balls. The ting sound just about disappears when using Pro V1 x's. Does'nt seems like its to penalizing on mishits. But all that depends on how bad the mishit is. Has the stock Project X in it at 6.0. Will update once I decide to play. On a side note for you lefty's, you can turn the driver upside down down and hit it from the left side. The head is deep enough to accommodate it.

[J13]

It's a great driver for sure glad you are enjoying it. I just wish Bstone would get the equipment into the stores so more people could try it before they buy it. I loved testing this driver but it's hard for people to truly get a feel for it if they can't hold it in their hands. Enjoy the 430 the driver is a workable monster!

[swanry30]

J40 430 with PX black 7.0 is a rocket!!!

[thomas55]

I know the topics old but just had to ask. I want to see if I can replace my 909D3/ SVS7 stiff voodoo. I was thinking about the 910D3 but I have read many great reviews on this club. Is there a really big difference between the 445 and the 430? Is the 430 that much harder to hit?

[radtech]

[quote name='nitram' timestamp='1339857437' post='5107020']
[quote name='ATXHorn' timestamp='1322023658' post='3839767']
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?
[/quote]

Just as long and low spin with a sweet spot 10 times larger than the J33. Both the 430 and 445 are outstanding drivers and given more exposure they'd replace the one in your bag.
[/quote]

I wish I could find a J40!!! I to love my J33R 460. Is the face as deep as the J33R? With the J40 being more forgiving does that mean you see more spin? The J33R is the lowest spinner I have owned and will probably buy a J40 without hitting it. But if someone can give any insight into the spin difference would be GREAT!

[J13]

Plenty on ebay to find. It's a solid driver and VERY workable.

[killerbackswing]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1320936737' post='3783429']
[size="5"][b]**************** Bridgestone J40 430cc Driver (8.5*)****************[/b][/size]

[size="2"][/size]

[b][u][size="3"]Pros-[/size][/u][/b]

[size="2"] This driver is a deep faced, low spin machine. Being honest I've never played a Bridgestone club in my life but have to say this one has made an incredible first impression. Sleek lines with a slightly squared toe leaves this driver begging to be worked both left and right. If what you are looking for is a more traditional head that from the top looks more like 380cc instead of 400 plus this is your stick. [/size]

[size="2"][/size]

[b][u][size="3"]Cons-[/size][/u][/b]

[size="2"] This driver is made for the better player that wants to work the ball rather then straight down the fairway. Although this driver has some forgiveness it's more vertical then horizontal so anyone who's not consistent in the ball striking department may want to opt for the 445cc head.[/size]

[size="2"][/size]

[b][u][size="3"]Bottom Line-[/size][/u][/b]

[size="2"] This driver has shocked me. This is my introduction in the world of Bridgestone clubs and as I stated above I'm impressed. As a result I will be looking hard into the J40 irons as well. Low Spin, Low launch with a lot of workability, I'm all in. Combine that with a stock real deal Project X shaft and it's time to launch some missiles.[/size]

[size="2"][/size]

[b][i][size="3"]Review:[/size][/i][/b]

[size="2"][/size]
[b][u][size="3"]Looks-[/size][/u][/b]

[size="2"] As I said above the club is drop dead sexy. The J40 430 has a traditional pear shaped crown that is clean as a whistle with no alignment aid or any other distracting graphics. The sole of the club just looks down right mean. Looking down at this club inspires confidence and accuracy. It looks sub 400 from the top which is what we've all been asking for from an OEM. Well Bridgestone listened and delivered. At address the driver sits dead square and brings you back to the days before we had refrigerators on a broom stick. This is the first driver in years that actually has modern tech in a traditional, workable head. [/size]

[size="2"][/size]

[b][u][size="3"]Performance-[/size][/u][/b]

[size="2"] Although sometimes looks are enough for some of us on Golfwrx the club actually performs even better. The 430 head combined with real deal Project X shafts creates a low to mid trajectory launch while maintaining low spin. It's like peanut butter and jelly, the perfect match. At the time of writing this review I've played 5 rounds and 3 practice sessions with this driver and went so far as to take the 3wood out of the bag to see if I could hit this driver using 3 quarter shots, up, down, left, right, sideways, and highways haha You name it I did it. Bottom line is the club did everything Bridgestone claims it would. I was actually able to work a draw just as easily as a fade. I was also able to hit stinger type shots off the tee to keep the ball under the wind. I had FUN off the tee again. I forgot how fun it is to work the golf ball with a wood. I also have to note this thing is LOW spin. I've been know to impart too much spin with drivers so this is a great head for me. Tee shots bored through the wind with ease.[/size]

[size="2"][/size]

[b][u][size="3"]Feel-[/size][/u][/b]

[size="2"] Feel is subjective and with drivers it's something I'm very sensitive to. I'm a fan of more muted drivers that tend to feel very solid at impact. The J40 430 gets real close to being ideal. This driver has a small ting to it but feels extremely solid. It also feels a bit lighter then what I normally play so I will most likely add some hotmelt or cotton to the head as I also play drivers a bit shorter then today's standard. For me sound and feel are almost the same thing so I typically hotmelt all of my drivers as I'm always looking for a driver that sounds like a persimmon wood lol. Either way the 430 for most will sound great.. For those that like a very muted sound you will need to add a dab or two of hotmelt or some cotton to adjust it to your liking. And the Project X shaft as we all know is super stable and compliments the J40 quite nicely. What you get is a smooth yet stable driver. Perfect combo.[/size]

[size="2"][/size]

[b][u][size="3"]Overall Bottom Line:[/size][/u][/b]

[size="2"] I AM SOLD. Bridgestone has made a believer out of me and I'm now looking into the J40 PC irons. My previous gamer was the R11 which isn't getting kicked to the curb but instead sharing space with a new friend. As you can see below I'm done a few comparision pics with my R11 to help see shape and size. So moving forward and depending on course and conditions I will be further experimenting with both drivers to see who will be king of the hill. Have to say I haven't been this excited about a driver in a long time. Working the ball off the tee is tons of fun and I darn near forgot how to do it. Clubs today are designed to be maxed out in size and want the ball coming off the face straight as an arrow. That is all well and good but when you're playing at a high level and need to work the ball the big block heads don't help. If you want a pear shaped clean crown with modern tech, low spin, and low-mid trajectory, BUY THIS DRIVER. Now the only thing I need is an old balata and I'll really be working it !


Top view is classic. and J40 compared to R11 from the top

[attachment=911225:CIMG0843.JPG]

[attachment=911245:CIMG0860.JPG]

Face on with comparison as well to R11:

[attachment=911231:CIMG0847.JPG][attachment=911227:CIMG0844.JPG][attachment=911237:CIMG0855.JPG][attachment=911255:CIMG0864.JPG][attachment=911251:CIMG0863.JPG]

Sole just looks awesome as well as the shaft (project x)
[attachment=911233:CIMG0850.JPG][attachment=911235:CIMG0853.JPG][attachment=911229:CIMG0846.JPG][attachment=911241:CIMG0858.JPG]

[/size]
[/quote]

Beast. Just got one in 8.5, couldn't be happier.

[JakeBarnes]

So I got a J40 430 and dropped in a PX 7A3. Holy crap. I think I finally found the driver that will replace my Cobra S9-1 Pro D at long last. A few quick observations after my first range session with it:

1. This is one of the better feeling drivers I have hit. Outside of forged drivers, the J40 430 is really only matched by the SLDR in terms of feel for me. I like the sort of springy-spongy feel with slightly more dampened vibrations compared to my S9-1 Pro D. However, the dampening does not detract from knowing where you hit the ball off the face, which is nice for those of you that like to know just how you missed without looking.

2. Really boring flight. Honestly, this is a required thing for me. Luckily it stayed about the same if not slightly less-spinny than my S9-1 and slightly higher than a SLDR with a Black Tie 7M3. The nice part is, I was getting more roll out with the 430 than the Pro D.

3. It's a cannon. I could say the same about my Pro D, but the Bridgestone appeared to be around 5-10 yards longer. However, the most important factor is that my misses were slightly less of a right or left miss. When I would have a bad miss to the right with the Pro D, it was BAD. However, when I would re-create the same miss with the 430, it would stay about 5-10 yards more on target (read: nearer to the fairway). Misses will be misses, but at least they are a little bit mitigated. Despite this, I found the driver to by very easy to work and it did everything I wanted to when I called on it to.

Overall, color me impressed. I've been a Bridgestone fanboy for a long time, but really hadn't ventured into their driver offerings since the J33. I have a feeling this stick will stay in the bag for a while!

[Dhurley7]

don't love the shape. but I would love to hit one. have heard good things about Bridgestone clubs but never hit any.

[J13]

The 430 is a great driver and sounds like it's filled with hotmelt. Not very forgiving but again it's their players driver. The J40 CB's are some of my favorite irons ever. I regret selling my set.

[JakeBarnes]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1377893550' post='7773385']
The 430 is a great driver and sounds like it's filled with hotmelt. Not very forgiving but again it's their players driver. The J40 CB's are some of my favorite irons ever. I regret selling my set.
[/quote]

Honestly, I found the forgiveness to exceed my expectations for a players club. The variable thickness face really mitigated some of my misses today and shocked the people I was with that hit it. Such a muted and nice feeling and sounding driver. It looks like a players driver should: clean, powerful, and only there for business. Really cannot wait to see what I can do with this for the rest of the season!

[Joe9977]

[quote name='pureswings1' timestamp='1339893557' post='5110084']
[quote name='Cwebb' timestamp='1339817000' post='5105044']
How does the the face angle setup on most of these? Has anyone had them measured?
[/quote]

The 430 sets up at least 2 degrees open, but I've had no problem working it both ways. Had another range session with it today and it blew away my R11 and an R11s with the same setup. Feel and trajectory are incredible.
[/quote]

[Joe9977]

Can you elaborate on the 2 degrees open? Was that Bridgestones intent and what they market? It's good news due to my draw/hook, I have to try to play a slight cut with most clubs just to be straight. Any feedback is appreciated. I like that this isn't a newer driver that can be tuned to different lofts etc. that just confuses me and ruins my confidence. I tune driver then stand there on the tee and wonder if it's right.