About The Testing Opportunity
MyGolfSpy Forum staff selected 30 members to participate in a detailed testing of Bridgestone’s new Mindset golf ball with the goal of providing comprehensive feedback on their experiences. The evaluation focused on key aspects from data collected from their Shot Scope devices. (Shot Scope is the official on-course data partner of MyGolfSpy.)
Some of these data points were driving performance, fairway accuracy, greens in regulation and putting efficiency. Subjective feedback, such as overall satisfaction compared to their usual golf balls, was also solicited.
Selected testers went through the ball fitting guide on Bridgestone’s website to make sure they got the proper golf ball for their game. In addition, prior to receiving the Bridgestone Mindset golf balls, testers filled out a survey collecting baseline data. All testers had a minimum of 10 rounds collected on their Shot Scope accounts. Over the course of testing, the members played in tournaments, casual rounds and collected launch monitor data. All of this was used to compare and provide an overview on how their games changed using the Bridgestone Mindset golf balls—for better or worse.
The Bridgestone Mindset Golf Ball
Mindset golf balls are a new addition to the Bridgestone Tour B lineup as a visual aid to help golfers in their shot preparation. The Mindset design consists of three colors and shapes that represent different stages in a simple three-stage process.
The outermost red circle and arrow are meant for alignment and identifying the target.
The yellow middle circle is for visualizing the shot path, encouraging a clear idea of what and where you want the golf ball to go.
The green dot is the final step. The dot provides a specific spot to focus on throughout the swing or putt.
Golf Ball Performance Overview
Driving Performance: Testers reported varying driving distances, with many noting an average improvement. For some, the key gain in distance was due to being fitted into a better ball for their game. The largest gain for any tester was going from a 268-yard pre-test average driver performance to 286 yards. However, several testers recorded up to five yards of distance loss.
Fairway Accuracy: The fairway percentage was equally varied among participants. For example, one golfer improved from a 29 percent to a 44 percent fairways hit rate using the Bridgestone ball. Another tester had a decrease from 30 to 17 percent. We beleive some of this can be correlated to higher handicaps, early course conditions and other factors.
Greens in Regulation (GIR): Being able to align the Mindset feature only for putts and off the tee, we expected GIR to remain unchanged among testers. As forecast, the variance between testers’ GIR data before and during the testing period remained within a few percentage points.
Greenside Performance: The ball’s performance around the greens was consistently praised. Testers found it provided good spin and control.
Durability: While most feedback was positive, some testers noted that the ball marked up more easily than their previous balls, indicating potential durability concerns.
Putting Efficiency: A common theme was a decrease in average putts per round and a reduction in three-putts. Participants appreciated the feel of the ball on the green, with some reducing their three-putts per round by up to 16 percent. All testers showed an improvement in two-putt and three-putt percentage using the Bridgestone Mindset golf balls.
Improvements from Using the Bridgestone Golf Ball
Distance and Control: Many participants highlighted the improved distance and control with the Bridgestone ball. Golfers like those previously using the ODIN X1 and Oncor Elixr noted additional yards off the tee and better spin control around the greens. While this may not have been as much to do with the Mindset feature, it does speak to being fitted into the proper golf ball.
Feel and Feedback: The feel of the ball was a significant improvement for many. Golfers described the Bridgestone ball as softer and more responsive without feeling mushy. This enhanced feel was particularly beneficial in putting, where a softer ball provided better feedback and control.
Consistency in Performance: Testers reported greater consistency with the Bridgestone golf balls. The Mindset alignment aid was praised for helping to focus and improve their pre-shot routines, leading to better shot execution and mental clarity.
The Right Mindset
Pre-Shot Routine Changes: Many testers adopted new pre-shot routines, emphasizing visualization and shot shaping. Testers also noted how the Mindset symbol sped up their pre-shot routines and allowed them to have a more consistent and efficient routine on the tee and greens, leading to faster play.
Not all the testers enjoyed the visual aid but it did encourage many to create a pre-shot routine if they previously did not have one.
Mindset and Alignment Aids:
Alignment Aid Effectiveness: The Mindset alignment aid was highlighted as a beneficial feature for many golfers. It helped them focus better during putting and tee shots. One tester, initially skeptical about the alignment aid, found it significantly improved their putting accuracy. That said, not all were appreciative of the aid and found it distracting. This particular group preferred a normal line on the golf ball. This discrepancy with testers was more apparent on the greens than on the tee.
Mental Approach: The Mindset ball encouraged golfers to be more mindful of their pre-shot routines. Several testers found it improved their mental game, helping them maintain focus and reduce distractions.
Summary of Participant Feedback
Participants provided mixed but generally positive feedback on the Bridgestone Mindset golf ball. Here are a couple of quotes from our testers when asked what they thought of the Mindset process and alignment aid.
Tester Everado: “Took a while to adjust to, particularly on putting. I didn’t realize until I used the Mindset that my focus was more on the putter head than the ball. Now with the Mindset ball I keep my focus on the ball during putting.“
Tester Wsmiley: “Love the Mindset alignment aid for putting. I like the Mindset process as a pre-shot routine”
In follow-up, we asked if they felt it was a positive feature. The overwhelming majority of the 30 testers felt it was
Game It Or Trade It?
The answer to this is foggy, to say the least. Many of the testers liked the feature and did find it was a benefit. However, the performance gains didn’t outweigh their preference for their prior gamers.
Of the 30 testers selected, only 10 said they would be making the switch to the Mindset. Fifteen were on the fence, saying they would likely buy another box to test but wouldn’t commit to making the switch. The remaining five decided it wasn’t for them and would stick with their gamer.
Best Part of Mindset?
What was their favorite aspect of the Mindset golf ball?
Tester Greggb: “The shot shape focus on Mindset, the softer driver feel on the ball.”
Tester Bsoccer: “I like the simplicity of the markings on the ball and found this to have a profound impact on my ability to recover from less than optional shots/holes and get into a better frame of mind before taking a shot.”Tester Everado: “Having that mental switch or trigger to start and stop the pre-shot routine. It really has helped me to have the green focus dot to use”
Final Thoughts:
The Bridgestone Mindset golf ball provided noticeable improvements for many testers, but not all. Several testers saw gains in driving distance and fairway accuracy but putting efficiency was the standout metric that saw the most gains. The alignment aid and pre-shot routine focus enhanced the overall golfing experience for the majority.
Bridgestone set out to make a feature that would help golfers in a simple and effective manner. In general, our testers and the results they reported suggest this was accomplished with the Mindset. Although not all the testers will be converting, that doesn’t mean this isn’t an option that shouldn’t be considered, especially if you do not have a pre-shot routine and are looking to adopt one.
This article was written in partnership with Bridgestone Golf.
The post Forum Member Review: Bridgestone Mindset Golf Balls appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
Article Link: https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/bridgestone-mindset-golf-balls/