Alright, fellow duffers, Tyler Reed here, and today we’re dissecting the latest iteration of a golf ball shrouded in mystique and endorsed by the GOAT himself: the Bridgestone Tour B XS 2026. Bridgestone claims to have upped the ante, bridging the gap between the soft, spin-focused XS and the distance-oriented X model. The burning question, as always, is whether these claims hold up under the harsh glare of real-world data and on-course performance. I took this new ball to the lab, fired up the Foresight GC3, and put it through its paces against what I consider the gold standard, the Titleist Pro V1.
Bridging the Gap: The VeloSurge Promise
Bridgestone’s big push with the 2026 Tour B line is the new ‘VeloSurge’ core-mantle technology. They’re talking denser mantles, higher MOI, maximum energy transfer, and improved stability in the air. This all sounds fantastic on paper, a perfect blend of marketing buzzwords and scientific principles. In my experience fitting hundreds of golfers, denser mantles often correlate with increased ball speed and lower spin, which is a desirable trait off the tee for many players.
“Like the rest of the 2026 family, the Tour B XS features the VeloSurge technology. This denser mantle allows for a higher MOI, designed to maximize energy transfer at impact, while in theory remaining more stable through the air.”
The traditional identity of the Tour B XS has been for those with swing speeds north of 105 mph who prioritize feel and workability. Tiger Woods, after all, isn’t chasing every last yard; he wants precision and control. So, the challenge for Bridgestone was to infuse distance without sacrificing that core identity. Did they pull it off?
(Image credit: Future)
The Driver Data: A Surprising Turn of Events
Let’s get straight to the numbers, because that’s where the rubber meets the road. My testing with the Foresight GC3 against the Pro V1 yielded some fascinating, and frankly, surprising results with the driver. Traditionally, you expect the “softer” ball to be a touch shorter. But the data tells a different story here.
“Straight away with the driver, I noticed my ball speed with the Tour B XS was 165 mph on average, slightly slower than the Pro V1’s 166.8 mph. However, the efficiency of the Bridgestone was really impressive and mimicked what I saw on the Tour B X golf ball during testing. It actually spun less than the Pro V1 (2146 rpm vs 2312 rpm), which I wasn’t expecting, and launched slightly higher (14.7° vs 14.1°).”
A lower ball speed for the XS (165 mph vs 166.8 mph for Pro V1) initially raised an eyebrow. However, where the Tour B XS truly impressed was its efficiency. We’re talking less spin (2146 rpm versus Pro V1’s 2312 rpm) and a higher launch (14.7° versus 14.1°). This high-launch, low-spin combination is the holy grail for maximizing driver distance. And the outcome? The Tour B XS actually carried one yard further at 299 yards. One yard might not sound like a game-changer, but for a ball historically designed for feel over raw distance, this is a significant achievement and speaks volumes about the VeloSurge tech. It means Bridgestone isn’t just selling you a concept; they’re delivering performance at the crucial long-game end of the bag for a player who would ordinarily consider this a “feel” ball.
Capturing data inside using a GC3 launch Monitor
(Image credit: Future)
Iron Play: Where Feel Meets Performance
The 7-iron data is where the Tour B XS truly reveals its traditional characteristics, but with an added layer of impressive design. While ball speed off the 7-iron was still slightly lower than the Pro V1 (122.8 mph vs 124.7 mph), the spin numbers for the XS jumped significantly to 6096 rpm compared to the Pro V1’s 5798 rpm. This isn’t surprising for a ball designed for control and workability.
What I found particularly interesting was the launch and descent angle. The Tour B XS launched higher (21.3° vs 18.9°) and reached a higher peak height (122ft vs 118ft). While this did result in a slightly shorter carry (173 yards vs 175 yards), the combination of higher spin and a steeper descent angle means superior stopping power on the greens. For players who often struggle to hold firmer greens, especially later in the season, this trade-off for a couple of yards of carry is absolutely worth it. My fitting experience tells me that for many golfers, having that control and ability to stick a ball close is far more valuable than an extra two yards that might roll off the back of the green.
Bridgestone Tour B XS 2026 Golf Ball dispersion
(Image credit: Future)
Short Game: Control is King
For a ball historically renowned for its short game prowess, I approached this portion of the test with high expectations. The 50-yard pitch data showed the Tour B XS spinning at 7149 rpm with my 54° wedge. Interestingly, this was *lower* than the Pro V1’s 7645 rpm. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The XS launched significantly lower (26° vs 31.3° for the Pro V1). This lower launch, combined with excellent grab on the greens, offers a more penetrating flight, which many skilled players prefer for greater control and predictability, particularly in windy conditions or on tightly-mown areas around the green.
The key here isn’t just maximum spin; it’s *controllable* spin. Bridgestone seems to have delivered on a ball that gives you options. The feel off the face with wedges was noticeably softer than the Tour B X, which is a big win for those who value touch around the greens. In my fittings, players often sacrifice a bit of distance for that crucial soft feel and stopping power when it matters most.
Bridgestone Tour B XS and Tour B X 2026 Golf Balls
(Image credit: Future)
The Tyler Reed Verdict: Who is this ball for?
The 2026 Bridgestone Tour B XS is a genuine contender in the premium golf ball market. It’s not just Tiger’s ball; it’s a meticulously engineered piece of equipment that delivers on its promises. Bridgestone has genuinely injected distance into its higher-spinning model without sacrificing the critical feel and control that serious golfers demand. The VeloSurge technology isn’t just marketing fluff; the data backs up its effectiveness, especially the nuanced high-launch, low-spin driver performance that gives this ball surprising length.
My Rimac machine measured the compression at 86, which is firmly in the “player’s ball” category. This is for the golfer with a swing speed typically above 100-105 mph who is looking for a comprehensive package. If you’re a player who values the ability to stop a mid-iron on a dime and appreciates a penetrating wedge flight for ultimate control, but also wants to maximize driver carry without sacrificing feel, then the Tour B XS is absolutely worth testing. It offers a balanced blend of distance and control that few balls can match. In my numerous fitting sessions, I’ve seen countless golfers struggle with the trade-off between distance and greenside control. This ball, for the right player, minimizes that compromise.
It’s a complete package that offers genuine innovation and performance in the competitive premium golf ball segment. Don’t let the “softer” sibling label fool you; this ball has teeth off the tee and finesse around the greens. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the best, and for many, it might just be the missing piece in their bag.
