If you have a slower swing speed, there is a good chance you have been told to play a softer golf ball. Bridgestone’s fitting recommendations would probably point you in that direction, too.
The Bridgestone TOUR B XS is a higher compression urethane ball that Bridgestone recommends for golfers swinging the driver faster than 105 mph. Yet, in our low swing speed testing, the TOUR B XS earned one of our three Top Pick spots for golfers who need more spin.
Why the TOUR B XS stood out
Our low swing speed driver test was conducted at 85 mph. At that speed, the TOUR B XS produced 194.9 yards of carry and 230.9 yards of total distance. That was the longest total distance of any Bridgestone ball in the test for slower swing speeds. It also generated 3,115 rpm of spin.
The driver distance alone isn’t enough to make the Tour B XS the right ball for your game. It’s middle of the pack but it won’t cost you.
What helped the TOUR B XS stand out was the overall combination of speed, trajectory, spin and distance. It joined the TaylorMade TP5 and Callaway Chrome Tour X as our three high-spin recommendations for slower swing speeds.
The XS also generated 5,948 rpm on our 35-yard wedge shot. If you need more control and spin around the greens, it’s a really strong option.
There is, however, a tradeoff.
The problem shows up with the 7-iron
At our 65-mph 7-iron speed, the TOUR B XS carried 123.3 yards and finished at 136.6 yards. That put it 47th out of 48 balls for total distance.
This was one of the clearest trends in the 2026 test. At slower iron speeds, extra spin can start costing distance.
If you already struggle to get enough distance from your irons, that’s something to consider before putting the TOUR B XS in play.
If iron distance is the priority, look at the e12 Straight
The Bridgestone e12 Straight finished second out of all 48 balls for total distance with the slow speed 7-iron.
It carried 128.2 yards and finished at 145.6 yards. That’s a full nine yards longer than the TOUR B XS. It also reached a peak height of 59 feet so it wasn’t producing that distance with an especially low flight.
As you probably expected, the tradeoff is greenside spin. It spins about 2,100 rpm less than the TOUR B XS.
Which Bridgestone should a slower swinger play?
If you want one Bridgestone ball to start testing, the TOUR B XS deserves a look. It was the only Bridgestone to earn one of our Top Pick spots for low swing speed golfers and it gives you significantly more short-game spin than the e12 Straight.
But if iron distance is one of the biggest weaknesses in your game, test the e12 Straight alongside it.
Use the MyGolfSpy Golf Ball Selector to compare 48 golf balls using data from our 2026 robot test. Filter by swing speed and see how each ball performs from driver to wedge to find the best fit for your game.
How did the Bridgestone TOUR B XS hold up in ball lab? – Full results here: Bridgestone Ball Lab
WYBob
1 week ago
Based on this article, I tried the Tour B XS yesterday. I ended up shooting one of my best rounds of the year using it. Driver distance, trajectory, and accuracy were excellent. I did not notice a significant drop off in distance with my irons. Shots into the green spun well and held the green better than the ball(s) I was using prior to this. I used to play the Tour B XS about 10-12 years ago but went away from it as my distance began became shorter due to age. The new Tour B XS seems to resolved that distance issue and I think I found my new gamer. Thanks for the article and insights.