By Brian Sommer
One does not easily forget his or her first encounter with a genuinely superior golf ball, particularly in an era when most offerings were little more than over-hyped mediocrity. My own conversion occurred in the mid-1990s, when I discovered the four-piece Precept Double Cover, that minor miracle released in 1991 and wielded to ruthless efficiency by Nick Faldo at The Open Championship.
It was, to borrow a phrase, love at first compression. Since then, my trustworthiness to the brand has been basic in its consistency. From the seamless-covered MC to the Bridgestone B330s to the Tour B line that debuted in 2018, I have remained happily, unapologetically inside Bridgestone’s gravitational field.
Now comes 2026 and a new quartet: the Proto VS (Versatility/Speed) balls in Red, Green, Black, and Blue. Same color-coding as the ’25 models, and I am assuming the same breakdown, Bridgestone has yet to release much in way of details on the overall technology and construction of the new lineup. I am working off the premise that the Red is still designed for the mid-speed golfer desiring more spin; Green for the mid-speed golfer who fancies more distance; Black for the higher-speed player seeking more distance without sacrificing decency; Blue for the high-speed player who wants more spin. This is the same breakdown of the previous B330, and Tour B lineups, which honestly were a bit confusing to understand.
I played nine holes each with the Black and Blue and I can report without fear of contradiction, that Bridgestone has once again manufactured equipment that stands alone in a marketplace thick with pretenders and thin on substance.
VS Black — A Softer, Saner Evolution
The Black, nominally the “lower spinning” option, surprised me with a feel marginally softer than its Tour B ancestors. Distance remained intact, and spin when requested was right on time. A few tee shots spun more than anticipated, but nothing to send one running to the nearest confessional or break out a launch monitor to double check.
The most conspicuous shift was auditory. Off the putter, the Black showed up in a softer, subtler register, less click, than its predecessor. On this alone, it makes a persuasive argument for inclusion in my 2026 rotation.
VS Blue — The Quiet Assassin
The Blue, ostensibly the slightly higher-spinning sibling, revealed itself as the more intriguing of the two. It was longer, than the previous generation of Tour B. It held its line with a touch more defiance in shifting winds. Its launch angle was marginally higher but made no claim to sacrificing distance.
And most notably during the back nine the Bridgestone Blue’s sound has changed entirely. The Blue emits a muted, dense, almost stoic sound throughout the bag. Wedges, chips, putts: everything arrives with a pleasing dullness, as if the ball has grown weary of the overwrought acoustics plaguing the modern equipment landscape. This is a golf ball that refuses to shriek (thankfully!).
One of Bridgestone’s great virtues remains intact: there is no unwanted “jumpiness” off the clubface. The trajectory window stays loyal, predictable, and predicable, qualities other manufacturers seem determined to engineer out of existence.
Final Verdict
After a single round, my impressions are clear enough to commit to print:
The 2026 VS lineup is an unequivocal success.
The Black is worthy.
The Blue is more than worthy.
And the Blue, in particular, has earned a place in my bag for 2026, quietly, confidently, and without the theatrical fuss so common in lesser spheres of the industry.
To Be Continued….VS Red and Green
Brian Sommer holds a Ph.D. in Leadership from Concordia University Chicago, where his dissertation: “A Paradigm Shift in Teaching and Learning Golf”, reflected his commitment to presence-based learning. His academic background also includes degrees in History, Political Science, Business Administration, and Finance (Cornell University, University of Miami, and Lynn University).
As a Partner at CDI Global, Brian has advised clients across the aerospace, defense, construction, technology, and energy sectors, supporting transformational growth in companies ranging from startups to multinationals.
In each of his roles – coach, professor, strategist, and partner – Sommer brings people back to the ground of being. He invites them to look beyond technique, narrative, or image, and return to the source of authentic performance.