January 26, 2011
Bridgestone Adds Color to First and Only Tour Performance Series of Balls Designed for Amateur Swing Speeds
New Yellow TOUR B330-RX Answers Overwhelming Consumer Demand
COVINGTON, GA — In the Fall of 2010, Bridgestone Golf, the #1 ball-fitter
in golf, introduced optic yellow and optic orange versions of its popular e6 golf
balls - the first ever colored Bridgestone Golf ball options in the U.S. Almost
immediately, Internet discussion forums started a groundswell of demand requesting
a colored version of Bridgestone's most famous ball, the TOUR B330-RX. Bridgestone
heard the call loud and clear! Today, the company unveiled a bright optic yellow
version of the TOUR B330-RX, designed for optimum playability at moderate swing
speeds and maximum visibility.
Through nearly 100,000 launch monitor-based consumer ball-fittings, Bridgestone Golf
helped many golfers realize the importance of matching the right ball to each player's
game. From the data, Bridgestone discovered a need for a ball that offered Tour-level
performance around the greens, yet was engineered to optimize distance off the tee
for a moderate swing speed. Thus, the B330-RX was born and an entire new category
was created - Tour Performance Balls for Amateur Swing Speeds. The craze over the
original TOUR B330-RX spread like wildfire, and Lee Trevino's story of how he stumbled
upon the B330-RX and was blown away by its performance only fanned the flames. The
Yellow TOUR B330-RX now becomes the first colored Tour-level ball designed specifically
for amateur swing speeds.
The Yellow TOUR B330-RX boasts a soft core and mantle that reduces excess
spin (the most common challenge for amateur golfers), resulting in straighter, more
precise shots. With its Very SOFT gradational compression core, the ball is easily
compressed for longer distance and great feel. The core combined with B330-RX's
Ionomer Inner Cover provides an increase in velocity and reduction in sidespin with
the driver and long irons. The new Yellow B330-RX not only offers unparalleled distance
performance, but the Optic Yellow 330 Seamless Dimple-design urethane cover also
ensures Tour caliber greenside spin and control, with a consistent trajectory players
can count on, all while ensuring utmost visibility throughout the round.
"Over the past 4 months, U.S. golfers have clearly demonstrated to us that they
are excited about playing a high-quality and performance driven colored golf ball,"
said Brandon Sowell, Director of Marketing - Bridgestone Golf, Inc. "In terms of
our e6 colored ball success, sell through has surpassed our forecasts and our colored
golf balls are now selling at roughly 65% of our white model. In addition to the
retail success, we were amazed by the amount of requests we received and the buzz
created online over consumers demanding a Yellow RX. One discussion forum even had
polls encouraging members to vote as to whether or not they would play with a yellow
version of the RX. The response was staggering. Golfers out there can rest assure
that their voices are heard at Bridgestone. First, we delivered on the performance
that was demanded with the introduction of the original B330-RX and now we are giving
consumers what so many have asked for - the option of playing a bright yellow colored
version for better visibility."
The new Yellow TOUR B330-RX will be available at golf specialty stores and green
grass retailers on March 1st, 2011 and will feature a street price of
$42.99 per dozen (MSRP - $56 per dozen).
For more information on the new Yellow TOUR B330-RX or to locate a ball-fitting
site near you, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.
To date, Bridgestone has fit nearly 100,000 consumers through its launch monitor-based
ball-fitting initiative. For those that are not able to attend an in-person ball-fitting,
Bridgestone now offers several convenient options to help find the right ball for
your game. Bridgestone's multiple convenient options include: Click
(go.bridgestonegolf.com),
Call (877.411.BFIT) or Text (BFIT to 55678). More information is available at
bridgestonegolf.com/bfit.
# # #
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.
