Srixon Z Star Vs Bridgestone Tour B RX Golf Balls Comparison Review
Taking your game to the next level has never had so many options for golfers. Aside from choosing which clubs to put in your bag, the market is flooded with balls that are designed for lower handicap players.
The question does not become one of quality – pretty much any tour-grade ball deserves a test. Instead, the question becomes one of emphasis. In other words, what points in your game are you focused on right now?
Srixon Z Star Golf Balls Overview
The Srixon Z Stars are tour-grade balls with a couple of surprises in store for anyone who plays them.
One of the things that made us do a double take with these balls was the ball flight. We were getting high launch angles with our drivers and our irons off the deck which gave us pause at first.
However, these balls are remarkably consistent. They hold their line even on high-arcing shots. It should be noted that some of our testers playing hybrids were getting the ball knocked off by wind on longer shots.
But by and large, these balls keep their line well for how high they launch.
The Z Stars also have a soft feel without being insubstantial. You can still feel them on the club face but they don’t disappear into it.
Bridgestone Tour B RX Golf Balls Overview
The Bridgestone Tour B RX actually has a lower compression rating than the Srixon Z Stars so right off the bat, they may be more advantageous for players seeking more distance.
This is what we were talking about when we mentioned emphasis in the intro. While some tour-grade balls are more focused on providing more short-game control; others lean more towards performance off the tee.
The Bridgestone Tour B RX balls are such balls. They have a compression rating of 66 and a urethane cover.
This combo gives these balls an incredibly soft feel that rebounds very well against the driver face.
The result is exceptional distance and forgiveness in a tour-grade ball. Slower swing speed players will definitely lean more towards the Bridgestone Tour B RX than the Srixon Z Stars.
Both of these balls had low spin rates off the tee and provided good distance on drives. The lower compression of the Bridgestone Tour B RX balls may make them more congenial for mid handicappers.
Srixon Z Star Quick Facts
Compression: 90
Cover Material: Urethane
How Many Pieces: 3
Core Material: Gradient Energy Type
Dimple Type: 344
Spin Level: Low long-game spin, very high short-game spin
Best Suited for: Low handicappers looking for more control around the green
Bridgestone Tour B RX Quick Facts
Compression: 66
Cover Material: Urethane
How Many Pieces: 3
Core Material: Gradient Type
Dimple Type: 338 Dimple within Dimple Pattern
Spin Level: Low long-game spin, low short-game spin
Best Suited for: Mid handicap players who are focusing more on distance from the tee
Performance Off the Tee
The faster swing speed testers in our party were able to get an average of 270 yards with these balls while the slower swing speed testers were relegated to an average of 245.
Performance from the Rough
The Z Stars launch very high for a tour grade ball which made them good for getting out of the rough.
Performance from the Fairway
This is where things got a bit tricky. The high launch caught too much wind sometimes even though these balls play pretty long on the fairway overall.
Our faster swing speed testers were also noticing that they were producing too much side spin with their long irons.
Performance Off the Tee
While our faster swing speed testers were getting better distance with the Srixon Z Stars, our slower swing speed testers were having a field day with the Bridgestone Tour B RX’s, yielding an average of 260 yards.
Performance from the Rough
The urethane cover of these balls makes it easier to grip them and swoop them out of the rough.
Performance from the Fairway
The Bridgestone Tour B RX balls keep a low spin rate pretty much across the board.
This was making it difficult for some of our better testers to work the ball the way they wanted to with their irons and hybrids.
Srixon Z Star Selling Points
- Tour-grade balls
- Great for low handicappers
- HIgh launch angles
- Great on pitches
- Satisfying sound on putts
- Keeps its line
Srixon Z Star Cons
- Not so great for slow swing speeds
- Sometimes launch is too high
- Lots of side spin on long iron shots
- A bit expensive
Bridgestone Tour B RX Selling Points
- Soft feel
- Low spin off the tee
- Low spin with long irons
- Urethane cover
- Great for mid handicappers
- Good rebound
Bridgestone Tour B RX Cons
- High bounce
- Not very workable
- Not great for lower handicap players
- More distance than tour-grade balls
Who are the Srixon Z Star Balls for?
Any player with a swing speed approaching 100 MPH and above should feel right at home with these balls.
They really shine around the green though. The spin gets picked up with the short irons and wedges and the urethane cover allows for optimal feel and control.
How are they with Short Irons?
In a word: superb. It seems that the Z Stars were built for short irons in fact. They do a really great job of checking bounce even with the exceptional launch angles.
This will make the Z Stars a dream for anyone who can consistently set themselves up for eagle.
On the Green
The Z Stars do an exceptional job of keeping true to their line on the green as well.
Overall Rating: 95/100
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Who are the Bridgestone Tour B RX Balls for?
The player in need of help with distance off the tee.
If you are looking to start more holes off on the right foot and not so much focused on the finer aspects of your short game yet, we would recommend the Bridgestone Tour B RX balls.
How are they with Short Irons?
A bit difficult to work overall. Not as much responsiveness with wedges.
On the Green
You get good feel on the green thanks to the urethane cover. They feel good off the face though they play a bit slow.
Overall Rating: 94/100
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