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2019 Mizuno RB Tour & RB Tour X
Mizuno’s reputation has always been one of high performance and quality. In golf, their irons have long been considered some of the best feeling and performing in the industry. So, I got excited when I heard they were finally releasing a golf ball in North America.
Mizuno’s brand recognition is greater in Asia and Europe, and they’ve been producing a golf ball in those markets for some time. This is the first time they are offering a full production run on a golf ball in the United States.
My hope with this post is to introduce the new offering from Mizuno and gauge player’s reactions to the news that the manufacturer of the best irons in golf also have a ball on the market.
Mizuno RB Tour
- Very Soft Feel
- Low Driver Spin
- 360 C-Dimple Technology
- Urethane Cover
Mizuno RB Tour X
- Soft Feel
- Mid-Low Driver Spin
- 360 C-Dimple Technology
- Urethane Cover
Technology
The Mizuno RB Tour and RB Tour X feature a lot of technology from 12-years of research and development packed into the two versions.
Both RB Tour versions feature the same basic makeup, a 4-piece construction with a urethane cover, high-energy ionomer layer and dual-core made from Butadiene rubber.
Maybe the most interesting feature of the ball is the C-Dimple technology. These are conical dimples with flat bottoms designed to reduce drag by keeping fast flowing air closer to the ball’s surface for a longer time. The reduced drag also strengthens trajectory, which equates to more stability in all conditions.
Mizuno RB Tour
- 4-Piece Construction
- Butadeine Rubber Dual-Core
- High-Energy Ionomer Layer
Mizuno RB Tour X
- 4-Piece Construction
- Butadeine Rubber Dual-Core
- High-Energy Ionomer Layer
Testing
I was champing at the bit to get out and give this ball a try when I first found out about it. Our rep dropped off a couple of two-ball packs for me to try and my immediate reaction to the ball was underwhelming. I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking at.
The cover had a soft feel, but visually it didn’t look like the other Tour-level balls on the market. The only thing to do was to hit some chip shots in the office and see how it compared to a Pro V1, an NXT Tour and a range ball.
After a few chips with each ball I thankfully found the feel most in line with the Pro V1, in fact, the Mizuno actually had a softer feel and sound. Time to take it to the course to see how it plays in the elements.
Claim: Better Stability In The Wind
I played the Mizuno RB Tour balls in both Seattle before the snow and in California on vacation. The most memorable shot I have while testing the RB Tour X was a drive at Angeles National on the Par-5 8th.
The wind was blowing about 10 mph from the left and slightly from the rear, a pond starts on the left at about 325 yards off the tee and the right is bordered by a series of unplayable native areas. I found my ball in the middle of the fairway after a monstrous 315-yard drive.
The distance was great, but what was even more impressive was how the ball held its line through the wind. At roughly 10 mph I wouldn’t even factor the wind into my shot equation with the Mizuno RB Tour.
Claim Affirmed
Claim: Excellent Control Around The Greens
Everything about the RB Tour golf balls has pointed in the right direction through my testing, but how did the ball do around the greens?
The feel around the greens was impressive. I was able to hit chip shots with enough spin for them to check on the quick Bermuda greens, and back a ball up with a full wedge swing.
Again, I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of these golf balls. There is no reason to think that players of most skill levels will find these a great offering.
Claim Affirmed
Final Thoughts
After many years of research and development, Mizuno finally brought a ball to the U.S. market. While I had my initial doubts due to the visual appearance, I shouldn’t have doubted Mizuno’s quality.
I’m not sure if you’ll see droves of players running out to switch from their current Tour-level gamer, but if you’re not married to one ball, you should do yourself a favor and give these a try.
I enjoyed the feel and flight trajectory of these golf balls. They reacted in the way that a Tour-level ball should. The slightly firmer RB Tour X was my preferred ball, but when it comes down to it, they played similarly.
We want to know what you think, are you excited to try out the new Mizuno ball?
Keith Schneider
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10 Comments
I played my first round with the Mizuno RB Tour golf ball. On the putting green, I was impressed. The ball comes off the face much faster the Titleist Pro V1, which normally play. I was striking the ball well, hitting 16 of 18 fairways, and one the fringe on one. What intrigued me even more was the work ability of the ball around the greens I could hit low flighted balls that checked up on the 2nd bound and came to rest on the third. But the one thing that I enjoyed the most out of this ball was the repose on the green. It catapulted off the putter face without feeling as if I had to putt the ball harder; yet, I could barely feel it. There was no “clicky” sound when putted, no matter if was a 4ft or 40ft putt.
You don’t have 75+ holes in one. Sorry
No indeed, just some unfortunate formatting.
Average Rounds Per Year: 75
Hole in Ones: 1
awesome!
Played with my buddy. Smoked a drive easily over 300. Ball was surprising. Might have to give it a serious look.
I’ve played a few rounds with the RB Tour and found it to perform well. Excellent ball in the wind and solid performance on approach shots and chips and putts. One thing I found was the ball did not tolerate wedge shots very well. The ball gets chewed up pretty hard and might not make it through a full round. Thoughts?
Played a round with these and I was rather underwhelmed by them. By usual ball is the Bridgestone B-RXS but had to give these a try when I saw them in the pro shop. Felt “ok”, a little too soft for my preference but the thing I was most disappointed in was the durability. Played the same ball for all 18 holes but by the end it was pretty tore up. (No I did not hit and cart paths)
I am an average 75 year old with drives of 215 – 220. The best balls I have found for me through extensive testing on my own with a dozen different balls are the Callaway Chrome Soft, Titleist ProV1x, and the ProV1. The Titleist balls never show up on any of the “Ball fitting” programs I’ve been through but on course results prove otherwise. Now I would like to know if the Mizuno tour balls will work well for new?
I happen to find and after reading up on it I gave it a try the next round out. Gained 15 to 20 yards off the driver and for the first time in my life I bought brand new golf balls.
I play mizuno JPX 900 irons and I absolutely love them so I decided why not try mizuno balls since I am so happy with my irons. I started playing golf in May 2020 and my handicap was stuck around 25. When I bought the mizuno irons about 4 months ago my handicap dropped to a 22 but since I started playing the rb tours, my handicap is now a 19. I’m pretty sure it’s because of the noticeable distance gained with my iron shots and the green side control I have with them. I’m a greenkeeper at the golf course in the small town I live in so I literally play golf everyday and find EVERY ball you can think of n played them all. By far the Mizuno rb tour is the best ball that fits my game. I love the feel the green side control I never had before and definitely the lower scores I’ve been posting!!!