Bridgestone Makes A Key Manufacturing Move

Bye bye Bridgestone. Shocking news that Bridgestone is closing its golf ball plant and test facility in Georgia after 36 years and shifting its manufacturing to Japan on June 30. The bulk of Bridgestone balls are manufactured in Japan anyway. As one of the top five golf ball manufacturing companies, Bridgestone got a huge lift when Tiger Woods became its top player. Chris Gotterup (Bridgestone Tour B X) is its top PGA Tour ambassador now. It will be interesting to see if Bridgestone makes a huge marketing push to tag along to the current popularity of Japanese men's and women's golf.

A good set of golf balls can make a big difference to your game, especially for high handicappers who lack consistency and control over distance. No golfer, regardless of experience, would go out to play on the course with the wrong equipment, including golf balls, an integral part of their golfing game.

Image Source: USA Today While the overwhelming majority of pro golfers use Titleist balls, there are others who play with different brands, and for Srixon last week was a chance to promote itself significantly by virtue of some of its “ambassadors” in The Open Championship.

When it comes to golf balls, Callaway is considered one of the best manufacturers. They're known for creating a line of golf balls that are pro quality - but can also be used by golfers suffering from too much slice or hook.

When the manufacturer of the world’s top golf balls produce new products, people listen.

There is an old saying in golf: you drive for show and put for dough.

You have to give credit to the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club for modernizing the game with some progressive rule changes, making if far less complicated for players of all ages and abilities, and let’s hope the collective bodies put to rest any suggestion of rolling the ball back.