B330-S: 2014 vs. 2016

[HoganHO]

Have seen others touting and loving the 2014 B330-S in many threads.

 

But, what is it specifically that you like about the 2014 better than '16 (or vice versa)?

[cmb71]

For me, love the 2014 with HydroCore... better feel with every club in the bag, the right amount of spin control, great wind ball, and durable enough for a urethane ball.

 

The 2016 version feels a little firmer to me... still a great ball, but the 2014 version just works for my game better than any other ball I have used in the last few years.

[ignitewvu]

I'm not a power hitter with a WRX Swing but I can say without a doubt, from 150 Into the Cup I have never hit a ball with the consistency & confidence in my swing as I have with the 2014 B330S. It just feels like perfection off my BStone Irons & MD2 TG Wedges. When I have a wedge in my hands I just know the ball is going to do what I want it to do every single swing. Also, it is abnormally LONG for a B330S with my current Driver/Fairway set up.

 

The 2016 Doesn't "Feel" the same nor is it as long off the tee......that doesn't mean it's NOT a good ball....that just means it's not as good. The original "Double Dimple" B330S 2012 was just a mediocre ball IMO.

 

Remember I only swing 100-105 I'm no 1" Tipped XXTXXXXX Flex WRX Guy. I will say this balls performance in long distances with my swing does seem to tie into Ambient Temperature. I played yesterday morning and it didn't get above 50 & my body was tight & It did penalize me with long irons-driver. The previous Saturday in 75 Degree temps it didn't.

 

Whats funny is KSouth on ebay is selling the 2014's by the 6 Dozen & these threads have really started to mess with the price.

[buckI]

To me I found the 2014 version longer and better feel. I switched to V1x in 2015 to support my club pro since he sold Titleist and I like that and the the new V1x. Not sure exactly what they switched with the 2016 model but just seemed shorter to me with both woods and irons. To me the 2014 was awesome in all areas except I did not find it as durable (I know others have) but it was great in all other facets including in the wind. Will be interesting to see what changes Bridgestone makes for 2018.

[MileHighGuye]

I've seen pricing on these all over the board from $119 to 175 for 6 dozen on ksouth on eBay. Will pull the trigger but make sure it's a good deal too.

[danielryanw]

Have seen others touting and loving the 2014 B330-S in many threads.

 

But, what is it specifically that you like about the 2014 better than '16 (or vice versa)?

 

Give it a couple months and they'll be praising a different ball lol it's the wrx cycle

[fluffy265]

I had a huge stash of 2012 B330S' to work though, got very used to them & like everything about them performance wise, I've always loved the consistency of these balls around the green.

I ran out of my 2012's earlier this year. I missed out on the 2014 series. Now I am getting used to the 2016 models. I don't know why and I can't put my finger on it but the new B330S isn't doing anything for me, I like the B330 much more.

The first thing I noticed was that I was getting significantly more carry down wind with these which initially had me blowing through greens but that's no problem now that I'm more familiar with them, performance is good both off the tee and stable around the greens. However I find that these balls are no where near as durable as their predecessors, rarely do I now get more than a single round out of ball.

 

The B330 series and have been my preferred ball for several years, now for the first time I'd rather play a PRO V1X.

 

J

[HoganHO]

I played a round with the 2014 (hydrocore) B330s yesterday. I did find it longer, and maybe a touch softer than the 2016 version. I also found the same amount of spin and short game control (fantastic) as I have been experiencing with the 2016 version.

 

Based on this I think I am gonna stock up on some 2014s

[ignitewvu]

I played a round with the 2014 (hydrocore) B330s yesterday. I did find it longer, and maybe a touch softer than the 2016 version. I also found the same amount of spin and short game control (fantastic) as I have been experiencing with the 2016 version.

 

Based on this I think I am gonna stock up on some 2014s

 

There is no doubt in my mind the 2014 is a better ball in all facets of the game.

[HoganHO]

Got 6 Dozen 2014 B330s off eBay for $24.16 per (all-in, with shipping) I'm happy with that deal and they should last me a while.

 

Only question is, if I really continue to love the ball, when do I stock up on more!!

[HoganHO]

I will say the only thing I like better about the 2016 is the "B" version, but I'm over it in exchange for the performance of the '14.

[WildcatGolfer]

Is the 2014 the red number version and 2016 the blue number version?

[WidespreadPanic]

Is the 2014 the red number version and 2016 the blue number version?

Just as I answered you in a different thread - yes.

[WildcatGolfer]

Is the 2014 the red number version and 2016 the blue number version?

Just as I answered you in a different thread - yes.

 

This thread was getting more action so I jumped in lol

[MileHighGuye]

Damn this site. Just ordered 12 dozen of the 14' b330s.

[HoganHO]

Another 18 with the 2014 version today. My regular playing partners kept commenting about how far I was hitting it. I was more impressed with the trajectory control and spin from 100 and in. Oh, and the feel is perfect.

May need to order another 6 Dozen to start building a legit stash!

[trackcoach13]

I have hit the 2016 version to places on my home course that I have never visited. I would recommend folks test them both because the 2016 is the much longer for me.

[North Butte]

When I was accumulating my stash of balls to use in 2017 mostly I grabbed the 2014/2015 version of B330. Bought a year's worth. But I also saw a deal too good to pass up on two dozen 2016/2017 B330S for 30 bucks ($15/dozen) so I bought them too.

 

After four months of using the 2014 B330 for no particular reason last weekend I used some of the 2016 B330S. They pretty much seemed to play the same to me (I'm not generally able to distinguish brands or models of urethane balls from each other). Except for one thing. I had several driver tee shots, ones where I really caught it flush and expected better than usual distance, go remarkably far.

 

Normally I hit a lot of 200, 205, 210 yard drives with one or two per round getting out there 220 or so. One of those B330S shots was 246 yards and two others were around 235 or so. That's three of the five or ten longest drives I've hit in the past year coming in two rounds. I also had a 4-iron shot that I mean to play to the middle of the green because the carry over a bunker was too far. I accidentally hit it over the corner of the bunker and it did, in fact, make it onto the green.

 

It's probably just luck of the draw and swing variance. But it was not otherwise a weekend where I was hitting the ball particularly well and that's three drives and one 4-iron going noticeably farther than average for me.

 

Oh well. I'm going back to the 2014 B330 this weekend. I don't want to convince myself that the balls I only have two dozen of are actually better than the ones I have 10x as many!

[ignitewvu]

Another 18 with the 2014 version today. My regular playing partners kept commenting about how far I was hitting it. I was more impressed with the trajectory control and spin from 100 and in. Oh, and the feel is perfect.

May need to order another 6 Dozen to start building a legit stash!

 

Exactly my point from 150 in nothing touches it.

[trackcoach13]

When I was accumulating my stash of balls to use in 2017 mostly I grabbed the 2014/2015 version of B330. Bought a year's worth. But I also saw a deal too good to pass up on two dozen 2016/2017 B330S for 30 bucks ($15/dozen) so I bought them too.

 

After four months of using the 2014 B330 for no particular reason last weekend I used some of the 2016 B330S. They pretty much seemed to play the same to me (I'm not generally able to distinguish brands or models of urethane balls from each other). Except for one thing. I had several driver tee shots, ones where I really caught it flush and expected better than usual distance, go remarkably far.

 

Normally I hit a lot of 200, 205, 210 yard drives with one or two per round getting out there 220 or so. One of those B330S shots was 246 yards and two others were around 235 or so. That's three of the five or ten longest drives I've hit in the past year coming in two rounds. I also had a 4-iron shot that I mean to play to the middle of the green because the carry over a bunker was too far. I accidentally hit it over the corner of the bunker and it did, in fact, make it onto the green.

 

It's probably just luck of the draw and swing variance. But it was not otherwise a weekend where I was hitting the ball particularly well and that's three drives and one 4-iron going noticeably farther than average for me.

 

Oh well. I'm going back to the 2014 B330 this weekend. I don't want to convince myself that the balls I only have two dozen of are actually better than the ones I have 10x as many!

 

Kind of what I have seen with the 2016 B330S. On both 16 and 18 at my home course I have been to spots I have never reached in 20 years of playing the course. Between the two holes it has happened about 8 times the last few weeks. So much so the other day, my buddies used rangefinders and watches to verify a 300 yard drive on 16 and a 310 yard drive on 18. My normal is about 265 with a flushed one with the wind doing 280+. I play there 100 times a year and have never been that close to the green on 18.

[ConstantineJr79]

Just scored 6 dozen on 2014-15 on the Bay for $137.99 shipped. Excited as all hell.

[Mike Jamieson]

According to Golfballtest.org the 2014 is 78 compression vs the 2016 at 73

 

also the cover hardness of the 2014 is 89 vs 86 for the 2016 (the 2014 is a higher compression ball with a firmer cover)

 

https://www.golfballselector.com/pdf/GBS_CompressionHardness_Test_073116_FINAL_webrelease.pdf

 

I've used both and use both currently - in hot weather (now) the 2014 seems better all around - when its cooler the 2016...being softer...(eg Chrome Soft) performs a little better

 

the 2014 can be had for great deals on the bay...btw

[wfrogge1]

Those that say a golfball is longer than another are not lying, its a placebo effect. You can take all the top golf balls on the market and they will be within 5 yards of each other...... With that said the 2014 version "feels" softer to me. I like the current model better.

[monks66]

i just cant get past the blue numbers with 2016, cant help it

[Mob]

Just got 6 dozen of the 2014 B330-S off eBay for about $20/dozen. Will wait to comment until I have several rounds under my belt.

[monks66]

Just got 6 dozen of the 2014 B330-S off eBay for about $20/dozen. Will wait to comment until I have several rounds under my belt.

 

yes, give us feedback, didnt realize the 14 B330-s's was that good...may want to try them out

[North Butte]

According to Golfballtest.org the 2014 is 78 compression vs the 2016 at 73

 

also the cover hardness of the 2014 is 89 vs 86 for the 2016 (the 2014 is a higher compression ball with a firmer cover)

 

https://www.golfball..._webrelease.pdf

 

I've used both and use both currently - in hot weather (now) the 2014 seems better all around - when its cooler the 2016...being softer...(eg Chrome Soft) performs a little better

 

the 2014 can be had for great deals on the bay...btw

 

You've quoted the hardness and compression numbers backwards.

[Pi5seeker]

Making me anxious to try them...I just wish they were yellow.

[storm3]

According to Golfballtest.org the 2014 is 78 compression vs the 2016 at 73

 

also the cover hardness of the 2014 is 89 vs 86 for the 2016 (the 2014 is a higher compression ball with a firmer cover)

 

https://www.golfball..._webrelease.pdf

 

I've used both and use both currently - in hot weather (now) the 2014 seems better all around - when its cooler the 2016...being softer...(eg Chrome Soft) performs a little better

 

the 2014 can be had for great deals on the bay...btw

 

You've quoted the hardness and compression numbers backwards.

 

No he just referenced the MPI column instead of the average column which are the real measurements.

 

2014 = 97 (atti comp) / 79 (cover)

2016 = 91 (atti comp) / 76 (cover)

 

Biggest difference is the construction (2014 4-piece vs 2016 3-piece).

[lolo_head]

Damn this site. I have 3 dozen 2016s sitting on my desk and now I'm off to the bay...