Why it was great: Bridgestone J33R driver
This video series breaks down why certain clubs maintain such a cult following, and what made them so popular to begin with.
The first club in this series is the Bridgestone J33R – a driver from 2005 that was both hard to find and extremely sought after. In this video, equipment expert Ryan Barath breaks down some of the design attributes that still makes this a great club today.
Kristoffer Reitan just won his first PGA Tour event at the 2026 Truist Championship. He is a Ping staff member and has a complete set of clubs from the brand. He did make a late driver switch this weekend that helped propel him to victory.
Driver: Ping G440 Max (9 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
7-wood: Ping G440 Max (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 85 TX
Irons: Ping Blueprint S (4-9)
Shafts: KBS Tour X
Wedges: Ping S259
46-S
Shaft KBS Tour X
50-S
54-S
58-S
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Ping PLD Custom Ally Blue H (white finish)
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Midsize
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Videos
Finau’s unique long putter experiment, Webb’s WILD irons | Inside the Ropes | Truist Championship
In this week’s episode of Inside the Ropes from the Truist Championship, Alistair Cameron catches up with Tony Finau, who is in the midst of an interesting long-putter experiment, and Webb Simpson, whose irons must be seen to be believed. Also featuring: Sepp Straka, Ryan Gerard, and much more!
Right now, I am tied for first place in my league! Don’t worry, the wheels will fall off as we get further into the year, but let’s keep the train rolling with 14 brand new clubs this week. We are off on the back nine again, so the driver is back in, and the 7-wood is out, as the course dictates what clubs I tend not to use. Excited to get these New Level irons out there and see if I can catch some of that driver magic I had down at Pinehurst with the Wilson Dynapwr+.
Driver: Wilson Dynapwr Max+ (12 degrees @ 11)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6s
3-wood: Cobra OPTM Max (15.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VR-7s
Utility: PXG 0311 X Gen8
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85s Hybrid
Hybrid: Ping G440 4h (22 degrees @ 21)
Shaft: Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 85s
Irons: New Level 702+ (5 & 6)
Shafts: Project X Red 6.0
Irons: New Level 702 CB (7-PW)
Shafts: Project X REd 6.0
Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM11 (50.12F)
Shaft: Nippon Modus Tour 105 S
Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM11 (56.14F)
Shaft: Nippon Modus Tour 105 S
Wedge: Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (60V)
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200
Putter: PXG Hot Rod ZT
Ball: Titleist ProV1x Left Dash
Bag: Ghost GT-14 Patriot
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Kieffer Denning
Sep 24, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Found the J33r 460 in my attic this morning while looking for my Adams MB2 blades. I brought it to the range and I could not believe how nice it felt, how great it looks at address and I hit it very straight. I don’t think it is as long as my PXG driver but, at 70 yrs old, I have been having issues with the large club head feeling like I am swinging an old vacuum and slowing down at impact. The J33r evened out and flew through impact time and time again. Thank you for the video! I may need to find a new shaft as I may get more punch than the Adila NVS that is in it presently. If you haven’t reviewed the Adams MB2 irons from around 2015, they are another masterpiece of club building. Thanks again
steve
May 25, 2019 at 4:22 pm
My game (3 hdcp) may be an exception to the rule. But, I would be willing to bet that most players would shoot a comparable score using clubs they gamed 10+ years ago versus clubs they bought just last year. I’ve tried new equipment through the years but always come back to my TM R7TP irons and Burner driver and 3 wood. Something to be said for familiarity.
ken
May 25, 2019 at 10:22 pm
I have a 20 deg loft Callaway hybrid in my bag that took place of my 3 iron.
I absolutely can smoke this thing.
I use it in par 5’s when I’m in the “go zone”…I’m a middle hdcp player . Low to mid 80s.
I paid a whopping 20 bucks for the thing.
I play amateur tournament golf. I routinely score better than guys with much newer and more pricey equipment.
Patrick
May 25, 2019 at 3:49 pm
Would love to see something on the original Orlimar Trimetal fairway woods. Easy to hit, very hot off the face. Still using mine!
unknown ahlgren
May 25, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Loved the sound. The soft metallic “wheck” at impact was so much better than the cowbell contest of those days.
Kent Herndon
May 24, 2019 at 12:47 pm
As I watched this I realized I had several older drivers in by golf club collection. One was the Adams prototype (915) with Long Drivers of American logo attached and one was the Bridgestone J33R. Loved both these clubs. Took the Adams out today and it was almost as good as my Ping 410 Plus. Amazing. Thanks for a great video.
Dan
May 24, 2019 at 7:25 am
I saw one in goodwill last summer for $9.99. Should’ve picked it up
Joe
May 25, 2019 at 3:38 pm
Dude…you should have grabbed that (obviously).
S
May 23, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Sonartec rip off. That’s where they go that idea for the sliver
Joe
May 25, 2019 at 3:40 pm
You’re probably right. My SS03 3 wood is still my main 3 wood. Absolute howitzer.
john ballas
May 23, 2019 at 7:49 pm
hi ryan great information can you talk about the cleveland 460 launcher
C.B.
May 23, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Used my J33R 460 for 8 years. I still have it.
Tom Drew
May 23, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Great series! Would love to see more
Dan
May 24, 2019 at 3:32 pm
2nd that
Jose
May 23, 2019 at 2:20 pm
Looking forward to more of these vids
Kirby
May 23, 2019 at 2:07 pm
What do you think of the Taylor Made 360R’s?
TheTroll
May 23, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Hey Ryan, glad you’re enjoying the J33 driver I traded in late last year at FGO. Always liked that driver though peak height was an issue.
2putttom
May 23, 2019 at 11:10 am
well now I’ve learned something new.
Jim Shields
May 23, 2019 at 10:46 am
Good piece.
Overall, I agree. I still use my TaylorMade 540 driver that I bought many years ago.
I have taken to Golf Galaxy every 2 years and eventually do a “bake off” against the current top rated drivers. I came close last year to replacing it with the Calloway, but the guy I was working with at the store noted that the newer clubs were about an inch longer than my 540. I added an extension to the shaft and I’m back in business.
I just cannot justify the expense for 10-15 yards. I don’t need it.