Tiger Woods plays a custom-built prototype of the Bridgestone Tour B X golf ball. This article won't just tell you about the ball, as a golf coach, I'll break down the technology behind it, explain why a player of Tiger’s caliber chooses it, and help you understand how this choice can inform you on how to select the best ball for your own game.
Let's get right to it. The golf ball that you'll find in Tiger Woods’ bag is the Bridgestone Tour B X. However, it's essential to understand that this isn’t just an off-the-shelf pack he grabs at the pro shop. His version is a specific prototype, often stamped with the name "TIGER" on the side. This ball has been meticulously co-developed by Tiger and Bridgestone's R&D team to match his exact, unparalleled standards for performance.
This partnership isn't a new development. After Nike exited the golf equipment market in 2016, Tiger undertook one of the most exhaustive testing processes imaginable to find a new ball. He landed on Bridgestone, not as a quick sponsorship deal, but because their technology gave him the precise performance characteristics he demanded from tee to green. He values the ball more than any other piece of equipment, seeing it as the one thing used on every single shot. His trust in this Tour B X model is a testament to its engineering and capabilities.
So, what makes the Tour B X Tiger's choice? It's a 3-piece ball with a tour-grade urethane cover, but the magic is in how its layers work together to complement his powerful and versatile game. For a player who can shape shots in ways others can only dream of, the ball has to be both a rocket off the tee and a feather around the greens.
The Bridgestone Tour B X is fundamentally engineered for players with high swing speeds, specifically those over 105 mph. Tiger, even post-surgeries, generates incredible speed and power. The core of the Tour B X is designed to activate at these high speeds, creating high initial velocity for maximum distance. More importantly for a player like Tiger, it creates lower spin with the driver. Too much spin can cause the ball to "balloon" into the air, losing distance and making it vulnerable to wind. The Tour B X provides a strong, piercing flight that helps him find fairways and set up his signature iron play.
The standout technology in the Tour B line is the REACTIV iQ® cover. Think of it as a "smart" material that acts differently depending on the club you're using.
This dual-personality cover is exactly what a great player needs. He gets the low-spin, high-speed performance off the tee without having to sacrifice the buttery feel and check-up spin around the greens. It’s what allows him to hit a towering 6-iron that lands softly just as well as he can hit a low, skidding chip shot that stops on a dime.
All premium golf balls used on Tour feature a urethane cover, and the Tour B X is no exception. More than any other material, urethane is soft and a little "tacky," allowing the sharp grooves of a wedge to grip it effectively. This is the source of Tiger's legendary short-game control. Whether he's hitting a flop shot from deep rough or a delicate pitch over a bunker, he needs to know the ball will react precisely as he intends. The Tour B X gives him that predictability, allowing him to control trajectory and spin with mastery.
One of the best things to come from Tiger’s partnership with Bridgestone is the light it shines on the company's core mission: ball fitting. Bridgestone advocates, and I wholeheartedly agree as a coach, that playing the right ball for your game is one of the quickest ways to shoot lower scores. Just because Tiger uses the Tour B X doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone.
Bridgestone simplifies this with its Tour B family, which is split by swing speed and desired feel:
To further illustrate the importance of fitting, it's interesting to note that for a long time, Tiger actually played the Tour B XS. This made perfect sense for the ultimate "feel" player who built his career on untouchable wedge control. The slightly softer, spinnier XS ball played right into his hands.
However, after his extensive surgeries, his body and his swing adapted. He worked to build more power and speed, and to manage that, he needed help controlling spin with the driver. The switch to the firmer Tour B X was a calculated one. It provided the lower-spin profile he wanted off the tee for more distance and accuracy, while the evolution of the REACTIV iQ cover meant he didn't have to give up the greenside performance he is famous for. This story is a powerful lesson: even the best player of all time adjusts his equipment to fit his game, not the other way around.
Now for the most important question: should you be playing Tiger's ball? Here's my simple, coach-centric guide to help you decide.
This is the most direct starting point. The Tour B X and XS are made for swing speeds over 105 mph. If you’re not there, playing these balls can actually hurt your game. A ball that's too firm for your swing speed won't compress properly at impact, leading to a loss of distance and a harsh feel. The best way to know your speed is to get on a launch monitor at a golf store or during a lesson. Be honest with yourself here - it's far better to play the right ball for your actual swing than the one you wish you had.
If you've confirmed your swing is over 105 mph, now you choose between the X and XS.
Remember, there isn’t a single right answer, only what’s right for your game.
The final step is to take feel from the practice green to the golf course. Buy a sleeve of your top two candidates (e.g., Tour B X and Tour B XS, or Tour B RX and RXS). Play a few holes with each and pay close attention to the shots that matter most to you. How does it sound and feel off the putter? When you hit a well-struck chip shot, does it check up how you expect? Hitting them head-to-head is the single best way to find the model that gives you the most confidence.
Tiger Woods uses the Bridgestone Tour B X because its design is a perfect match for his high-speed, powerful game, delivering less spin on drives and tremendous control around the greens. His choice reinforces the modern golf truth that a properly fitted golf ball is a critical component for better performance, no matter your skill level.
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