Leaders in Innovation push the limits of ball speed
COVINGTON, Ga. – Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, announced today the new e9 Long Drive, a new golf ball designed in conjunction with World Long Drive professionals. The new e9, the Official Ball of World Long Drive, will be used in all WLD competitions and is the longest ball in the Bridgestone Golf portfolio.
The new ball, which is aimed at players looking for maximum carry and the ultimate in overall distance, features a two-piece construction with injection molded seamless Surlyn cover and Bridgestone’s Tour-proven 330 dimple pattern. An extreme gradational core (softer in the center, firmer toward the exterior) promotes extreme ball speed and lower long game spin. The uniquely-designed e9 Long Drive also offers higher launch, more carry, and more overall efficiency.
“It was great to work with the athletes from World Long Drive to develop the new e9,” said David Vogrin, Bridgestone’s Director of Marketing. “Innovation that leads to advanced performance is always our focus, and with over 900 Polymer engineers on staff and pioneering technologies like our gradational core and seamless cover, we’re confident this new golf ball will provide exceptional distance for professional long drivers but more importantly for recreational golfers. This is the ball you will take out for the long drive hole in a scramble and end up using for the entire round.”
Though the e9 Long Drive was designed with input from professional long drivers and will be used in all official WLD events in 2023, it is also ideal for players who don’t possess long drive swing speeds. Unlike many distance-oriented models aimed at faster swingers, the e9 Long Drive was designed with a slightly lower compression core, making it a great choice for anyone, including average swingers, who desire higher launch, more speed, and longer carry distance.
“Long drive competitors and recreational golfers alike play in a variety of turf conditions, some of which don’t allow for much roll,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager for Bridgestone Golf. “Through our work with WLD contestants we determined that the e9 Long Drive would need to promote maximum carry for optimum performance, as well as less driver spin. Our engineers combined Bridgestone’s gradational core design with our aerodynamically superior 330-dimple pattern to develop an impressive package.”
The two-piece Bridgestone e9 Long Drive will be available (classic white only) at retail in March 2023 with a street price of $29.99 per dozen. For help selecting which premium Bridgestone model is the right ball for them, consumers should try Bridgestone’s Golf Ball Selection Guide.
About Bridgestone Golf
Based in Covington, GA, Bridgestone Golf USA manufactures premium golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brands. The company started making golf balls in 1935 and today has more golf ball design patents than any other company. Beginning in 2006, Bridgestone revolutionized golf ball selection with its custom ball-fitting program, identifying a golfer’s ideal golf ball based on personal swing characteristics. Today, as the #1 Ball-Fitter in Golf, Bridgestone has conducted over four million fittings via a combination of live-fitting, online selection, OTTO Autonomous Ball Fitting, and its V-FIT video ball fitting. The consumer data gathered from ball-fitting continues to inspire Bridgestone’s innovative new golf ball designs, yielding industry-leading performance products for the entire range of players, from recreational golfers to the best in the world. Bridgestone Golf is proudly represented on international professional tours by icons such as Tiger Woods, Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Jason Day, and Lexi Thompson. Bridgestone Golf USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo. More information: bridgestonegolf.com.
About World Long Drive:
The World Long Drive Championship is the largest annual domestic professional golf event not associated with the PGA of America, the PGA Tour, or the LPGA. It was first held in 1974, and since 2000 consisted of Open, Women’s, Seniors (over-45s), and Amateur events. The World Long Drive tour is comprised of over 12 events domestically and over 30 events internationally all culminating for the season finale World Long Drive Championship. World Long Drive tour and championship is owned and operated by GF Sports and Entertainment based out of New York, NY. To learn more about the tour, memberships and how to qualify for the World Long Drive championship visit worldlongdrive.com.
Media Contact:
Mike Chwasky, JDPR, mikec@jdpr.com, cell: 310.614.6249
