Martin Hopley
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For some time now Bridgestone has been producing some very classy looking irons that Uncle Sam has kept to himself. However for 2015, the Bridgestone J15 irons have made it across the pond for the first time and headed up to the Golfalot HQ so I could put them through their paces.

There are four models in the J15 range starting with the MB muscle backs which are out and out blades and aimed at elite players, so unless that is you, I would move along to the more forgiving options.

These are three cavity back models called the J15 DF, CB and DPF that all feature similar characteristics and this review will look at the differences between them.

Bridgestone J15 Forged Irons

All the J15 irons are made from premium forged Carbon Steel and this gives them all very good feel. They also feature Bridgestone's new Sure Contact Sole that is based around slightly different heel shapes that are part of the forging process and not ground on afterwards.

Bridgestone J15 Forged Irons

The widths of the sole varies on the three cavity back models, but the aim is the same to enable better turf interaction at impact and all off them performed well in this regard.

Bridgestone J15 Forged Irons

Each model comes with a True Temper Dynamic Golf DP Pro Shaft in S200, which is slightly lighter than the traditional S300 flex and I think it suits this club well, along with the red Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip.

Bridgestone J15 DF Forged Irons

Bridgestone J15DF Forged Iron Review

Starting with the smallest cavity back head we have the J15DF, or Driving Forged irons. This features a two piece forged head with a hidden cavity between the front and rear of the head to increase ball speeds and add some forgiveness.

Bridgestone J15 DF Forged Irons

The hidden cavity can be heard if not seen as the J15DF has a slight ringing sound at impact, which you may or may not find a little disconcerting.

Bridgestone J15 DF Forged Irons

What is not in doubt is the feel which is excellent, although it probably does not give as much overall feedback as the J15CB.

Of the three heads, this had the nicest top line at address, with a good balance of thickness and head length that offered a little more forgiveness than its size might indicate at first glance.

Bridgestone J15 Forged Irons

Bridgestone J15CB Forged Iron Review

The Bridgestone J15CB iron is more of a classic forged Cavity Back (CB) iron and with its no-nonsense looks and slightly wider sole, it is more of what you would expect from a forged cavity back iron.

Bridgestone J15 CB Forged Irons

Whilst the feel feedback was not as good as the J15DF, the sound feedback was better because without the zing you could hear the impact more clearly.

Bridgestone J15 CB Forged Irons

Whilst it was a solid performer, it was maybe lacking a little in that all round feel that you would expect from forged iron as it could have been livelier. That does not mean it is not a good iron, just relative to its siblings it did not stand out as much.

Bridgestone J15 CB Forged Irons

However, I liked the head shape and size as the top line was a little longer that the J15DF and just right for the head length, so it may give you a little extra confidence if that is what you need.

Bridgestone J15 CB Forged Irons

Bridgestone J15DPF Forged Iron Review

Finally the J15DPF name stands for Dual Pocket Forged and not surprisingly features a cavity you can see in a longer, thinner head.

Bridgestone J15 DPF Forged Irons

The two cavities either side of the central muscle back are filled with something called Turbo Rubber Design that allows some weight to be saved and moved to the edges of the head to increase stability at impact.

Bridgestone J15 DPF Forged Irons

This it needs to do, as the head is longer than the other two models, which I like, but is also thinner, which I am not sure about.

Bridgestone J15 DPF Forged Irons

It does make it quite forgiving, but the top line looks a bit thin on such a long head and this affects the sound and feel, which is not as 'meaty' as the other two models.

Normally the more forgiving clubs have thicker top lines and heads to give that extra power and maybe some will like swinging with the bigger face, but this is probably the first iron I have looked at and thought that it could be better being a little chunkier.

Summary

Over the years I have drooled over the looks of Bridgestone irons and their forgings are very good. Now I have got my paws on these three J15 models I have to confess I am little confused. The product plays as good as it looks, but it just feels that they have made three sets of irons out of two, or maybe even one.

Maybe it’s a mix and match combo set nirvana I am missing, but even Bridgestone's own site says that all three models are for professionals to mid-amateur golfers, which is a large range.

If I had to pick a favourite then I am not sure I could because there are features of each of them that I like. I like the looks and feel of the DF and the sound and head shape of the CB and maybe that is a set where there could be some cross breeding.

Bridgestone J15 Forged Irons

The head size of the DPF is great for the longer irons, but if the top line was thicker with maybe a deeper cavity then you would have an excellent forgiving forged cavity back iron that would be a great set in its own right and an ideal long iron alternative to the DF/CB combo, provided they made the shaft length the same and matched up the lofts which are stronger in the DPF 7-iron downwards.

That said, I do like the J15 Forged irons so give them a hit and maybe one of the heads will work for you, as there is a great forged iron set in there somewhere waiting to get out.

Golfalot Rating: 4 stars
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Bridgestone J15 Forged Irons - Product Details

UK LaunchMarch 2015
UK Launch RRP£699
Handicap Range
Low
High
GolferMens
Hand AvailabilityRight
ManufactureForged
MaterialSteel
FinishChrome
Shaft NameTrue Temper Dynamic Gold Pro
Shaft TypesSteel
Shaft FlexRegular, Stiff
GripGolf Pride Red
DesignCavity Back
Set Makeup4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, PW
Manufacturer's WebsiteBridgestone Website

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User Reviews

David Potts
April 2018

I bought a set of J15 MB’s!! I am 70 years old! Scratch for a long time!! Won some tournaments over the years! Turned pro in the mid 80s. Won the Georgia section Pro in 85 I think. Anyway I have tried all kinds of game improvement clubs finally settled on a set of AP2 irons until I hit this J15 with KBS Tour 90 Shafts. The hit Fantastic! So soft feeling!! They look hard to hit, but are not. Trust me, it makes you play better with a smaller head!!!

February 2016

I have been playing golf for going on 57 years. I played in High School, College and have been on the Sunbelt Sr. Professional Golf Tour for 11 years. I have played all the different brands, and 3 years ago started playing the Bridgestone line of clubs. Last year I received the New J15 MB irons and fell in love with them from the first day I had them in my hands. The J15MB is a classic style golf club, pleasing to the eye and extremely solid. Granted it is not for the average golfer, but this club will stay in my bag for years to come, or until Bridgestone comes up with something better.

Great job Bridgestone.

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