August 31, 2010
Bridgestone Looks to Extend Its Dominance of Japanese Colored Golf Ball Market to
the U.S.
Bridgestone answers consumers' call for sidespin reducing balls with better visibility
COVINGTON, GA - In a few short years, Bridgestone Golf's e6
has become one of the most popular game improvement golf balls in the
U.S. market. Widely renowned for its ability to help curb slices and hooks, thanks
to its maximum forgiveness on off-center hits, the ball has become a favorite for
those golfers seeking greater distance and accuracy. This fall, Bridgestone Golf,
the #1 ball-fitter in golf, is excited to unveil limited availability of two new
bright yellow and bright orange colored e6 balls.
While the yellow and orange e6 balls are exciting
new offerings in North America, colored golf balls are nothing new for Bridgestone,
especially in Japan. Nearly 2 out of every 5 golf balls sold in Japan are colored,
and Bridgestone currently is responsible for over 56% of all colored balls sold
in that market, ranging in various color and performance choices. In fact, colored
golf balls are even played by Bridgestone's Japanese Tour players, as illustrated
by Katsumasa Miyamoto's record-breaking back nine 29 with an orange ball at Firestone
Country Club during the 2010 WGC Bridgestone Invitational.
"The e6 is the 4th best-selling golf
ball model at off-course retailers year-to-date, because it significantly reduces
the excess sidespin that the majority of amateur golfers struggle with," said Brandon
Sowell, Director of Marketing - Bridgestone Golf, Inc. "As a result of its popularity,
we have received a lot of consumer requests to offer it in color options too. Those
requests along with our success with colored golf balls in Japan prompted us to
do a survey through our social media platforms last spring, to gauge whether or
not our customers would play a yellow or orange golf ball. The number that responded
with strong interest was impressive so we are going to give them what they wanted."
In the same survey, Bridgestone found an overwhelming amount of respondents (73%)
cited better visibility as the key reason for wanting to play a colored ball. As
a result, Bridgestone has introduced the concept of Super Visibility Coloring, making
the new yellow and orange versions of the e6 the
brightest premium golf balls on the market. The bright yellow and bright orange
e6 limited edition golf balls will feature the same
unique three-piece construction that the traditional white e6
has - maintaining its improved distance and accuracy performance. Proving
this point, the e6 took home best-in-class awards
for innovation, feel and performance in the $21-35 per dozen category of the 2010
Golf Digest Hot List. The e6 was the only golf ball
in the entire 2010 Hot List to garner 3 best-in-class awards for one category.
The new e6 balls will be available November 1st
at golf specialty stores and green grass retailers nationwide and will feature a
street price of $26.99 per dozen (MSRP - $38 per dozen).
For more information on the entire lineup of Bridgestone Golf products, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com
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Editor's Note: High-Res images of all Tour Staff and all new Bridgestone equipment are available upon request.
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, Matt Kuchar,
Davis Love III, Brandt Snedeker,
Paula Creamer, Nick Price,
and Lee Trevino.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd.,
whose headquarters are in Tokyo.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is proud to be the #1 Ball Fitter in Golf as the industry
leader in live launch monitor fittings. Bridgestone provides three ways for golfers
to find the ball that best fits their game: live fittings through the
Bridgestone Ball Fitting Challenge, live online
chats with ball fitting
experts through its B-FIT service, and an easily accessible
Online Ball Selection Guide. For more
information on ball fitting, including a complete schedule of Ball Fitting Challenge
events, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.
