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PRESS RELEASE

January 27, 2005

Bridgestone Makes Bridgestone J33™ Combo Irons Utilize Precision Engineering to Create Forgiving Premium Performance

Forged Iron Set Delivers Forgiveness, Stability and Control

Covington, Ga. — With the new J33 Forged Combo Irons, the designers at Bridgestone Golf set out to create the highest performing, perfect set of irons the golf industry has ever seen. Built from the ground-up, the J33 Forged Combo Irons proprietary F.S.C. design™ concentrates on raising the level of three important aspects of golfers' equipment; Forgiveness, Stability and Control.

The long irons (2-5) focus on forgiveness by lowering the center of gravity of traditionally "harder to hit" clubs. A tungsten insert strategically placed in the trailing edge of the long irons allows players to create a high, yet piercing ball flight, enabling them to attack pins with the confidence that long iron approach shots will stop on a dime. The set design's gradual center-of-gravity progression also allows for added forgiveness in the long irons.

The middle irons (6-7) concentrate on improving stability in a golfer's game with a clean, handsome head design intended to produce consistent, accurate shots. The middle irons utilize a similar design to the long irons, but do not feature a tungsten insert in the trailing edge, so as to create a lower, more penetrating ball flight.

The short irons (8-PW) feature a forged-trapezoid shaped muscle back design for incredible control and precision. The short irons boast a longer neck for added control and increased spin, giving pin-seekers the means they need to keep knocking it stiff hole-after-hole. In addition, all of the irons have been designed with a leading edge grind to reduce digging. The softened leading edge also helps to make the irons more playable from all of the various turf conditions a player could encounter in any given round.

"Unlike some previous combo sets, Bridgestone J33 Forged Combo Irons have been designed from the ground up as a combo set," said Mike Moxie, Golf Club Marketing, Bridgestone Golf, Inc. "That means the J33 Combos have a gradual center-of-gravity progression, providing golfers with the ability to execute a wide range of shots, consistently and with pinpoint accuracy."

The J33 Forged Combo Iron set has been constructed from 1020 Mild Carbon Steel to offer players a soft feel. The clubs are available in 2-PW with a choice of a True Temper® Dynamic® Gold R300, S300 or X100 shaft. The clubs also feature a Golf Pride® Tour Velvet grip. Custom options for grips and shafts are available.

The J33 Forged Combo Irons will feature a suggested retail price of $999 and will be available in early 2005 at golf specialty stores and green grass retailers nationwide.

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Bridgestone Golf, Inc., based in Covington, GA, manufactures and markets premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brand names. Bridgestone is represented on a world stage by a number of internationally famed golfers including
Fred Couples, Paula Creamer, Charles Howell III, Matt Kuchar and Brandt Snedeker. Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., whose headquarters are in Tokyo.