Bridgestone Golf

Corporate Headquarters: Covington, Georgia

Website: http://www.bridgestonegolf.com

Category: Equipment

LEADERSHIP

Shigeru Nakayama — Chairman

Dan Murphy — President and CEO

Dan Mackin — VP of Sales

Elliott Mellow — Golf Products and Messaging

Company Overview

Bridgestone Golf is an industry leader in premium golf balls, clubs, and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brands. The company leverages its heritage as the world’s largest tire manufacturer, utilizing the expertise of over 900 engineers to maintain its position at the forefront of polymer science and golf equipment innovation.

With more than 800 golf ball patents, Bridgestone Golf has established itself as a technological pioneer in the golf industry. The company’s roster of brand ambassadors includes prominent players such as Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, Fred Couples, and Lexi Thompson.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd. (headquartered in Tokyo), the company carries forward the vision of its founder, golf enthusiast Shojiro Ishibashi, who began producing golf balls in 1935. Bridgestone’s engineering prowess in tire manufacturing led to breakthrough advances in golf ball technology, establishing the brand as the market leader in Japan before expanding globally.

Innovation and Technology

Bridgestone’s manufacturing prowess is exemplified in its unique injection molding process for urethane golf balls, which produces a seamless product distinct in the industry. In 2006, the company revolutionized golf ball selection by introducing its custom ball-fitting program, which matches golfers with their ideal ball based on individual swing characteristics.

Today, Bridgestone stands as the No. 1 ball-fitter in golf, having conducted over four million personal fittings through various channels including live fittings, online selection, and V-FIT video ball fitting. The company’s commitment to innovation continued with OTTO, an autonomous ball fitting cart introduced at the 2022 PGA Show, offering golfers another avenue to optimize their ball selection.

Recent Developments

In late 2024, Bridgestone Golf made a significant return to the U.S. club market with a lineup of premium forged irons and wedges. Manufactured in Japan through a partnership with the renowned Endo Manufacturing, these clubs target players seeking traditional designs with superior craftsmanship.

The company also introduced MINDSET in early 2024, a proprietary visual technology available across the TOUR B Series golf balls. Developed in collaboration with Jason Day and mental coach Jason Goldsmith, MINDSET implements a three-step process: Identify, Visualize, Focus.

Bridgestone has also expanded its market presence through strategic collaborations with brands like Eastside Golf, promoting diversity in the sport, and Period Correct, launching a premium lifestyle apparel collection. The company has also partnered with content creators St. André Golf to produce engaging content featuring their professional staff players.

Strategic Vision

“We are very excited to be back in the club market with premium Japanese forged offerings that are true to the Bridgestone legacy of Tour-quality equipment. And the new irons and wedges round out our full line of premium products including golf balls and accessories very nicely,” says Dan Murphy, President of Bridgestone Golf. “For now, we’re taking a scaled approach to clubs, focusing on premium irons and wedges with a heavy emphasis on fitting and customization. We have always believed strongly in golf ball fitting and the importance of playing optimized equipment.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Bridgestone Golf continues to leverage its technological expertise and innovation in polymer science to advance golf ball and club design. The company’s commitment to custom fitting, combined with strategic partnerships and product innovations, positions it for continued growth in the premium golf equipment market. Their return to the U.S. club market with high-end forged offerings, alongside their established leadership in the golf ball sector, demonstrates their dedication to providing tour-quality equipment across multiple product categories.