Bridgestone Golf

July 20, 2005

BRIDGESTONE TAKES J33R DRIVERS TO THE LIMIT

New 460cc Model Offers Increased Forgiveness and Distance

Covington, Ga. — As the Boom begins to grow and Bridgestone Golf gains wide acceptance faster than expected among consumers, the company announced plans to expand upon this ultra successful line with the introduction of a new 460cc J33R driver.

Similar to its 420cc predecessor, the J33R 460cc driver boasts an oversized clubhead designed for a slightly higher launch, with less spin. The 460cc version is crafted from 6-4 Titanium, providing golfers with unrivaled feel and forgiveness.

However, by taking its driver design to the USGA size and C.O.R. limits, Bridgestone now offers golfers added forgiveness across the surface area of the clubface. The deep face design retains an optimal center-of-gravity location for maximized high launch, low spin ball flight and a high moment of inertia for added stability on mis-hits, resulting in a combination of feel and power that better players will love.

All of the Bridgestone J33 series drivers feature an elastomer compound insert within the clubhead for reducing vibration throughout the crown, sole and face of the club. The reduction in vibration accounts for a more efficient energy transfer resulting in more distance, particularly on mis-hits.

The engineers at Bridgestone will continue to use a patented Low Modulus (Thin) Crown in the J33R 460cc. The crown flexes slightly at impact adding loft to the clubhead, which enhances the vertical gear effect of the driver. The enhanced vertical gear effect then leads to an even higher launch and further decreased backspin off the tee.

“Golfers of all skill levels can appreciate the extra forgiveness that a 460cc driver provides,” said Mike Moxie, Golf Club Marketing, Bridgestone Golf, Inc. “The challenge was providing the larger more forgiving size, but still appealing to the eye of the traditional golfer, who appreciates an understated look at address. By using a deep face design, our engineers were able to create a club with the forgiveness demanded by golfers everywhere, yet not make them overwhelmed by the size of the clubhead.”

The J33R 460cc contains a tungsten weight in the sole, which helps to lower and deepen the center of gravity creating an optimized launch and ball flight for golfers.

In addition, the new Bridgestone 460cc driver will encompass the same stringent Exterior Crown Welding process that the original J33R and J33P drivers have, designed to help position the center of the faceplate closer to where golfers are making contact, maximizing velocity and expanding the “sweet spot.”

All Bridgestone Golf J33 driver models are available in 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 degrees of loft and come standard with an Aldila® NV 65 graphite shaft and Golf Pride® grips. Custom shaft and grip options will be available. The Bridgestone J33R 460cc driver will feature a suggested retail price of $499 and will join the J33R 420cc and J33P 375cc drivers at golf specialty stores and green grass retailers nationwide in Fall 2005. For more information on the J33R 460cc driver and Bridgestone’s entire product offering 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.