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REVIEW: Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF2 Irons
A Mid-Handicapper's Dream Iron
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What irons do you play if you are decent, but not great at golf? You know that blades are out of the questions, players cavities are probably too demanding, but game improvement irons are so clunky and are often lacking feel. It puts you in a strange position of finding clubs that are just right for you. While there a few options out there in this category, Bridgestone’s Tour B JGR HF2 irons are going to be a dream set for the mid handicap golfer. He’s got game, but isn’t setting any course records. These irons offer everything this golfer is looking for, forged feel, high launch, lots of forgiveness, a little offset and clean looks.
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Companies are finally realizing that forged irons don’t have to be exclusive with scratch golfers, that even weekend warriors like the feel of a forged iron. Bridgestone is bringing forged iron goodness to a segment of golfers that usually are stuck with cast clunky game improvement irons. The new Tour B JGR line has HF1 and HF2 options. The HF1 lean more toward game improvement while the HF2 lean toward players irons. While I can handle a true muscle back blade iron, I went with the HF2 and really enjoyed playing them. I was most impressed by their solid feel. These cavity back irons are aimed to be forgiving with the perimeter weighting, the big B in the sweet-spot creates an awesome feel at impact. The rubber polymer insert also helps damper the bad vibes so even if you are off center a little they still feel great. It isn’t until you hit an extremely bad shot that it feels bad.
The Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF2 irons are designed for that mid-handicap golfer in terms of looks too. They have really clean looks, which almost a players iron looking cavity and only moderate offset. This is mainly going to help the golfers pride. We like to have cool looking clubs, especially ones that might look better than our ability. These look really great in the bag and behind the ball. The combo of good looks and moderate offset are some really nice features that will appeal to the decent golfer. Not everyone wants or needs a ton of offset. Personally I struggle to hit clubs with significant offset, they actually hurt my game more than help it. These have just enough to help, but not too much to be distracting or require adjustment to the swing.
The Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF2 irons come stock with DG XP95 shafts and bright yellow golf pride grips. These too help the golfer swing easier and generate speed for distance without losing control. Even though I’m a DG S300 guy, these shafts worked well in this combo and helped launch the ball high, but straight. I didn’t lose any feel, nor did dispersion suffer with the lighter weight shafts. The higher launch wasn’t a problem because the carry distance was longer than my typical distances. The higher launch just helped them land softer which again just help with distance control. The shaft and head combo made the ball get up quick, stay on a high flight and land softly, even with long irons. They have hidden technology called Power Slit Face Design which is slot technology to help with shots hit lower on the face. While it isn’t visible, it does work.
On the course, the Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF2 irons are very easy to play. I did have to adjust my distance a club down since these were longer than my gamer irons, but after going a club down on every shot, I was able to enjoy the distance, the height, the forgiveness and the feel. I wasn’t able to work these clubs which again isn’t really something mid-handicap golfers should be doing anyways. High, straight and easy is the quality of shots that golfers should be happy with. The sole of these irons is again just wide enough to keep from digging, but not so fat that it wants to bounce, just a nice “in and out” of the turf on each swing. They were very playable from every lie. I was impressed by how easy the 4-irons is to launch. I hit it consistently around 200 yards. The middle irons go straight and also high for their respective lofts. The short irons go all the way down to AW which is a nice feature too, especially since I picked up an extra club of distance. Those short irons do go high, but were still very controllable for precise shots attacking the pin.
FlightScope Xi Tour Launch Monitor
Bridgestone Tour B JGR 6-iron
- Spin: 6295 rpms
Launch - Angle: 21.9*
- Dispersion: 3.2 yds
- Club Head Speed: 92.3 mph
- Ball Speed: 123.4 mph
- Total Distance: 183.9 yds
- Carry Distance: 177.3 yds yds
If you are a mid-handicap golfer, a weekend warrior, or a higher handicap golfer looking to transition lower, the Bridgestone Tour B JGR HF2 would be an ideal set. They offer great forged feel and stunning looks that are often reserved for better golfers, yet launch it high and long with lots of forgiveness for a wide cross section of golfers. Just because you don’t shoot par, doesn’t mean you want game improvement irons, these however are the perfect blend for the mid handicap golfer.
For more information: www.bridgestonegolf.com
Quick Hits:
+Clean looks
+Awesome forged feel
+High launching
+Moderate offset
+Easy swinging
+Very forgiving
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