After more than a decade in development, Mizuno announced at the PGA Show in January its much rumored golf ball — the RB Tour X and the RB Tour. The ball enters a crowded market of tour-tested balls, and is another signifier of the resurgence of Mizuno, which saw Brooks Koepka win three majors with its irons.
Mizuno has developed balls for other markets—Japan and Europe, for instance—but this is company’s biggest push into the worldwide market with two versions of the RB—one for players requiring less spin (RB Tour) and one that is firmer for players who need more spin (RB Tour X).
“Mizuno has an incredible history when it comes to aerodynamics,” says Chris Caldwell, Mizuno’s Canadian territory manager. “And this is a ball that was developed from an incredible amount of research.” The balls will be available at Golf Town starting March 1.
Key Technologies
C-Dimple
Mizuno says the unique dimple pattern creates more “trigger points” and keeps fast flowing air close to the ball’s surface longer, improving the trajectory of the shot. The 360 Cone Dimples create a more controllable flight, with distance gains on longer iron shots.
Four-piece construction
Mizuno benefited from Nike’s exit from the club market in more ways than one. While numerous former Nike players started using Mizuno’s irons, the Japanese company was also able to repurpose an old Nike ball factory to create its new ball. In that regard, Mizuno’s ball uses a urethane cover, making it soft on chips and shorter shots, while its Butadiene Dual Core gives the ball its distance.
What makes these balls different?
The balls are the reverse of what we’ve seen from other manufacturers, with the X model being geared towards mid-driver spin for flat or upward strikes, while the Tour is ideal for those seeking to lower driver spin.
Who are they for?
Mizuno has created a premium golf ball designed to compete with the Pro V1s and Chrome Softs of the world. The company’s Tour RB and RB X are a tour-tested ball that will surely resonate with players who demand the soft touch of a ball with a urethane cover, and the options of lower and higher spin depending on their swing.