Bridgestone Golf

January 16, 2008

BRIDGESTONE INTRODUCES J36 HYBRID TO ENABLE PLAYERS TO SHAPE SHOTS

Proprietary Weight Management Technology Maximizes Forgiveness;
Square Clubface and Neutral Weighting reduces typical hybrid draw-bias

Covington, Ga. — Today, Bridgestone Golf, headquartered outside Atlanta, GA, introduced its new J36 Hybrid. The J36 Hybrid offers better players the ability to get the ball in the air easier and land it softer, than with traditional long irons; yet, boasts a variety of features to make the club easier to work in any direction.

The J36 Hybrid utility clubs feature Bridgestone’s patented weight management technology in the sole of the club head. Through Bridgestone Golf’s proprietary C.A.D. process, weight is repositioned by thinning out club head walls. The weight is then applied to two weight pads that are located internally in the sole. The new J36 Hybrid uses a neutral weighting system, creating high-flying, soft landing shots that can be worked in either direction.

In addition, the repositioned weight helps to promote maximum moment-of-inertia resulting in less twisting of the club head at impact, even on mis-hits, offering forgiveness that golfers of any skill level appreciate.

Another distinguishing feature of the J36 Hybrids is their Progressive Leading Edge design. The series features four different lofts. As loft increases throughout the series, the leading edge gets progressively sharper to prevent the skipping off turf typically associated with higher lofted hybrid clubs. To inspire confidence at address, the face height gets deeper and the width of the sole wider as lofts increase.

"Many better players have been hesitant to adopt a hybrid in their bag, because they feel that they don’t have the ability to work the ball like they do with a long iron,” said Danny Le, Golf Club Marketing Manager, Bridgestone Golf. “With the J36 Hybrids we’ve created a club that is easy to get airborne, and still gives the player the option of shaping his shots in any direction, if necessary."

The J36 Hybrids are constructed from 17-4 stainless steel and are available in 16°, 19°, 22° and 25° lofts. The J36 Hybrids come standard with an Aldila® VS Proto-BR 80 Hybrid shaft for greater launch angle and increased carry distance. Custom options for grips and shafts are available.

The Bridgestone Golf J36 Hybrids will feature a suggested retail price of $179 (graphite) per club and will be available at golf specialty stores and green grass retailers nationwide, beginning April 2008. For more information on the J36 series and any other Bridgestone Golf products visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.

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* Aldila and Golf Pride are trademarks of other property of their respective owners.

Editors Note: High-Res images of all new Bridgestone equipment are available upon request.