Bridgestone Golf is expanding its popular Tour B330 golf ball line with the introduction of the Tour B330-S, which is designed for players seeking a softer feel and added spin control.
The Tour B330-S, according to Dan Murphy, director of marketing for Bridgestone Golf, is a three-piece urethane ball featuring a 330-dimple pattern for reduced drag during elevation and a prolonged lift after peak trajectory, causing a shallower angle of descent.
Bridgestone's Seamless Cover Technology (SCT) offers a superior alternative to other balls, Murphy said, with complete dimple coverage compared to conventional balls with a seam that might cause unexpected differences in ball flight. SCT, Murphy said, creates added distance and a more consistent flight for improved accuracy.
"We always intended to extend the success we've had with the B330," Murphy told PGA.com. "What basically caused us to move the launch date on the B330-S is the Tour. Our R&D guys went out and talked to [Bridgestone staff players] Nick Price and Stuart Appleby and did some research on a new ball that would be just a bit softer.
"We had a lot of positive feedback on the B330 but a few people said they?d like a little softer ball. We put some prototypes out for these guys to test and they really liked it," he said. "So we thought that if guys liked it that much on Tour, we should go ahead and launch it at retail, too."
Price and Appleby will play the new Tour B330-S, Murphy said, while Fred Couples and Scott Hend will continue to play the original Tour B330. Hend, by the way, leads the Tour in driving distance, averaging 319.2 yards, far ahead of Brett Wetterich, who is second at 307.8.
The Tour B330-S will be available beginning June 20 and will carry a suggested retail price of $54 per dozen.
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