Another Hit for Bridgestone

Bridgestone JGR CB irons available November 1, 2016
Bridgestone’s new JGR CB irons will be available on November 1, 2016. (Photo : Bridgestone Golf)

During its seemingly relentless march toward a 20 percent share of the golf ball market, Bridgestone could have been forgiven for disregarding clubs altogether.

And though it’s fair to say most of the Tokyo-headquartered company’s marketing dollars have been spent on establishing its popular and successful ball-fitting program (which first appeared in 2007), and introducing a string of high-performing golf balls, you’d also have a tough time finding a Bridgestone iron that hasn’t received positive feedback.

A large part of the reason for that success was Bridgestone’s steadfast refusal to arbitrarily churn clubs out in order to meet sales goals or volume quotas. “Unlike some other OEMs, we never bought a club to market that we didn’t believe was truly innovative in some way or offered something different and better,” says Dominic Selfa, Bridgestone’s Marketing Coordinator for Golf Clubs.

With the financial might of the Bridgestone Corporation (net sales of roughly $30 billion in 2015), Bridgestone Golf was certainly capable of introducing two drivers or two sets of irons every year, but it simply chose not to.

Bridgestone JGR CB irons review and price
The JGR CB irons are priced at $899 (steel) and $949 (graphite). (Photo: Bridgestone Golf)

Its recent iron launches include the very highly regarded J15CB and JGR Hybrid Forged Irons. Because of the response each club received and higher than anticipated demand, Bridgestone has produced a new iron that combines the best points of both, creating a club that looks far too sleek to be considered a super game-improvement iron but which possesses a number of features that make it incredibly easy to hit.

The fact the JGR CB is forged from premium 1020 carbon-steel suggests a players club much like the J15CB. And yet the considerable offset (75% more than on the J15CB), 4 percent larger hitting area, tapered rear mass for a lower Center of Gravity, wider sole and beveled edge and slightly longer face are features the high-handicapper will appreciate.

“While this club is not in the ‘super game-improvement’ category, the increased offset, increased sole width, and incredibly solid feel make it unique to the Bridgestone lineup,” says Selfa. “It is the perfect combination of style and forgiveness.”

The JGR CB was originally intended for the Japan market only, but Bridgestone decided it was a good fit for US golfers too, so a limited quantity will become available starting November 1st. The stock shaft is the True Temper XP 95 shaft which launches the ball high with mid-spin, but custom shafts are also available from Aerotech, FST, Nippon, Royal Precision, and UST Mamiya as well as True temper. Custom grip and ferrule options are also available. The set consists of seven irons (5-iron through AW).

Bridgestone JGR CB irons review
(Photo: Bridgestone Golf)

$899 (steel), $949 (graphite)
bridgestonegolf.com

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