Big News! MGS Forum To Visit Bridgestone HQ

[Kenny B]

Just received a bit of news. Looks like Matt Kuchar will be putting the new JGR driver in play, either this week or next.

 

So Kooch and Sneds are playing game improvement drivers !

 

 

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Doesn't everyone want game improvement... even pros?

[Undershooter]

Doesn't everyone want game improvement... even pros?

Nah I'm stubborn and want to struggle with my pretty clubs haha

[BigtazzGolf]

This is really cool.

Fat kid in candy store popped in my head as I read this thread lol.

Good time to wear the ole mc hammer pants?

 

 

@bigtazzGOLF on Twitter

[MGoBlue100]

This is really cool.

Fat kid in candy store popped in my head as I read this thread lol.

Good time to wear the ole mc hammer pants?

 

 

@bigtazzGOLF on Twitter

I resemble that remark...

 

 

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[BigtazzGolf]

I resemble that remark...

 

 

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You're not alone in that store haha

 

 

@bigtazzGOLF on Twitter

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Make sure you guys have Periscope - will try to do some broadcasting during the visit. And will be tweeting up a storm!

[fozcycle]

Which periscope app?  There are several.

 

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Which periscope app? There are several.

 

This is the one. There are lots of add-on apps for Periscope, but this is the one you'll need.

 

 

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[Kenny B]

 

 

 

We'll be having a couple of sit-downs with product managers, so please let me know what questions you have about Bridgestone clubs and balls, the fitting process, their R&D, etc.  

 

This is gonna be a hoot!!

 

John,

I have a question about the JGR Hybrid irons.  Why do the gaps between clubs start at 6* between the PW1/PW2 and drop one degree between clubs until there is only 2 degrees loft difference between the 6/7?  It seems to me that there should be bigger gaps between less lofted clubs.

 

6 24°

7 26°

8 29°

9 33° 

PW 1 38°

PW 2 44°

[Dieselsdad]

Just received a bit of news. Looks like Matt Kuchar will be putting the new JGR driver in play, either this week or next.

 

So Kooch and Sneds are playing game improvement drivers !

 

 

Beat Kuch to it. Just bought it tonight!

 

[Dieselsdad]

John,

I have a question about the JGR Hybrid irons. Why do the gaps between clubs start at 6* between the PW1/PW2 and drop one degree between clubs until there is only 2 degrees loft difference between the 6/7? It seems to me that there should be bigger gaps between less lofted clubs.

 

6 24°

7 26°

8 29°

9 33°

PW 1 38°

PW 2 44°

So I have these set of irons and I will tell the just that 2° and the length of the club makes 10 yard difference. They are an amazing set of irons. I'm 30 yrds further with these irons.

[Kenny B]

So I have these set of irons and I will tell the just that 2° and the length of the club makes 10 yard difference. They are an amazing set of irons. I'm 30 yrds further with these irons.

That's interesting. I'm scheduled to try these in a couple of weeks. If those 2* gives a 10 yard gap, how does the high lofted clubs give you a decent gap with 6* difference? I get 12 yards difference with my wedges that have 4* gaps.

 

 

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[~^~]

That JGR driver looks sweet!

[jbil8802]

Definitely weird loft gaps. But hey, if they work they work. Good luck with the driver looking forward to hearing how you like it.

[Dieselsdad]

I have about a 15 yard difference between P1 & P2. All I can tell you that they are unlike anything you have hit on the past.

 

Here is a video in Japanese of someone hitting the 7i then the 5i. It's in Japanese but they're using Trackman so they show yardage.

 

http://youtu.be/hMKYk9XRQLM

 

He is a little longer one but stay with it. There is 3 seniors just hammering away

http://youtu.be/LREd5AUPhro

[Dieselsdad]

That JGR driver looks sweet!

I hit this twice and out drove my BB Alpha 815 by 30 yards. More carry, more roll, faster ball speed and faster club speed. It was a no brainier.

[EthanSterlingPrice]

I've gotten to try some of their gear in the past and they know what their doing on irons at least. Just hard to get access to and when you can they get really pricey. Exclude those two factors and I'd give them a fair shot against my Nike gear

 

 

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[Kenny B]

He is a little longer one but stay with it. There is 3 seniors just hammering away

Those aren't seniors!  They are kids!!  

[Dieselsdad]

Those aren't seniors! They are kids!!

Ok " Champions Tour Players"

[Kenny B]

Ok " Champions Tour Players"

Happy Birthday!  Oh, so you are included in the Champions Tour player group.  Welcome, from a super senior!

[Kor.A.Door]

I have yet to see any Bridgestone clubs at any store.

 

My question is:

How do you get people to switch or play your equipment, when 98% of the golf population can't get their hands on the equipment to give it a try?, all we hear is these are great, or I hit this one 30 yards further, but how can I see if I hit it 30 yards further if I can't get my hands on it, I can see a few yards, but 30 yards is a bit difficult to believe. I've hit 20 drivers in the last couple years, and the most I've seen in gain is about 5 -10 yards. I find it difficult to believe a 30 yard increase, but I will never find out because I don't have anywhere to try it.

[Kenny B]

I have yet to see any Bridgestone clubs at any store.

 

My question is:

How do you get people to switch or play your equipment, when 98% of the golf population can't get their hands on the equipment to give it a try?, all we hear is these are great, or I hit this one 30 yards further, but how can I see if I hit it 30 yards further if I can't get my hands on it, I can see a few yards, but 30 yards is a bit difficult to believe. I've hit 20 drivers in the last couple years, and the most I've seen in gain is about 5 -10 yards. I find it difficult to believe a 30 yard increase, but I will never find out because I don't have anywhere to try it.

I'm with you.  My Bridgestone dealer does not stock clubs; he says that he will order me anything I want, but I can do that so why do I need him.  At the end of the month I will be making a trip to Oregon (300 miles) to see my parents and Mmmmmbuddy at Fiddler's Green Golf Shop in Eugene says that he has the clubs.  So I will give them a try.  I seriously doubt that they will be significantly better than what I have, but if they surprise me, I might be coming home with new clubs!!

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

I'm with you.  My Bridgestone dealer does not stock clubs; he says that he will order me anything I want, but I can do that so why do I need him.  At the end of the month I will be making a trip to Oregon (300 miles) to see my parents and Mmmmmbuddy at Fiddler's Green Golf Shop in Eugene says that he has the clubs.  So I will give them a try.  I seriously doubt that they will be significantly better than what I have, but if they surprise me, I might be coming home with new clubs!!

 

Bridgestone's fully aware of their distribution challenges...you can read all about it here and here.  

 

The Test Drive program is far from perfect, but it's a fairly clever way of dealing with a problem that isn't going to be fixed easily. Shelf space is at a premium, and companies with Bridgestone's market share aren't really in the running.  I mean, if Nike has a hard time getting their full lineup on the shelf, Bridgestone has no chance.  So, do they pack up and quit, or do they try to figure out ways to get people who really want to demo their clubs the opportunity to demo their clubs?  

 

Market realities are what they are - the big guys have the shelf space and like to keep competitors out, and retailers don't like to stock stuff that the majority of their customers aren't asking for. Getting better distribution isn't as simple as saying "get better distribution." It's a Catch-22 for companies like Bridgestone and many others - makers of dynamite equipment but owners of small, often insignificant market share. Basically, if you want to play Bridgestone, you're going to have to work for it. If you don't, then I think they're okay with that.

 

One thing I learned during the process of writing the story, success to Bridgestone looks very different than it does to companies like Callaway or PING. For Bridgestone it's balls first and foremost - they're very good at it and they make a lot of money at it. Clubs are big for them in Japan and the rest of Asia - the Tour Stage brand (now rebranded Bridgestone) is one of the dominant players there. I get the sense that if the North American equipment market share gets out of the "Other" category, they'd consider it a big success.  

 

Their marketing guy, Corey Consuegra, says he hates the cliche "one golfer at a time," but says the reality is that's the approach they have to take, hence the Test Drive program. I really don't know what the future holds for the equipment side. Recent changes in their PR representation are a little puzzling - I hope to learn more on Thursday - but it's clear the focus is on balls and ball fitting since that's where the money is. They certainly don't "expect" anyone to buy their stuff without trying it - that's unrealistic and they  know that. They do what they can, but the reality is that unless you have a green grass account or a PGA SuperStore nearby, you either have to try the Test Drive program, or look at something else.

[MmmmmmBuddy]

Bridgestone's fully aware of their distribution challenges...you can read all about it here and here.  

 

The Test Drive program is far from perfect, but it's a fairly clever way of dealing with a problem that isn't going to be fixed easily. Shelf space is at a premium, and companies with Bridgestone's market share aren't really in the running.  I mean, if Nike has a hard time getting their full lineup on the shelf, Bridgestone has no change.  So, do they pack up and quit, or do they try to figure out ways to get people who really want to demo their clubs the opportunity to demo their clubs?  

 

Market realities are what they are - the big guys have the shelf space and like to keep competitors out, and retailers don't like to stock stuff that the majority of their customers aren't asking for. Getting better distribution isn't as simple as saying "get better distribution." It's a Catch-22 for companies like Bridgestone and many others - makers of dynamite equipment but owners of small, often insignificant market share. Basically, if you want to play Bridgestone, you're going to have to work for it. If you don't, then I think they're okay with that.

 

One thing I learned during the process of writing the story, success to Bridgestone looks very different than it does to companies like Callaway or PING. For Bridgestone it's balls first and foremost - they're very good at it and they make a lot of money at it. Clubs are big for them in Japan and the rest of Asia - the Tour Stage brand (now rebranded Bridgestone) is one of the dominant players there. I get the sense that if the North American equipment market share gets out of the "Other" category, they'd consider it a big success.  

 

Their marketing guy, Corey Consuegra, says he hates the cliche "one golfer at a time," but says the reality is that's the approach they have to take, hence the Test Drive program. I really don't know what the future holds for the equipment side. Recent changes in their PR representation are a little puzzling - I hope to learn more on Thursday - but it's clear the focus is on balls and ball fitting since that's where the money is. They certainly don't "expect" anyone to buy their stuff without trying it - that's unrealistic and they  know that. They do what they can, but the reality is that unless you have a green grass account or a PGA SuperStore nearby, you either have to try the Test Drive program, or look at something else.

 

 

Nahhh...  Just come and see me on the way to Bandon Dunes.

[Kor.A.Door]

Thanks for the reply John

[Dieselsdad]

I was waiting for the JGR irons to come out for more than a month. Actually bought used set of AP1's in the meantime. March 5th came, one day after the release and I went to the PGATSS grabbed an iron from the sales rack and I said "I want to hit this". I bang a 7i 160 yards on the third swing and said to the fitter "I want these clubs, get the rest of them from the rack"

 

Traded in two sets of irons for these.

 

I didn't hesitate because I knew they only had one set. I actually overpaid by $50 and just got back yesterday on a price match. I bought the 5i and AW on EBay so that I have the complete set.

 

Just so you know. The shafts are long. They matched the GMax I had and they were a 1/2" long. And the heads are like 2* upright. Perfect set up for HH to keep from slicing.

 

 

[Kenny B]

Nahhh...  Just come and see me on the way to Bandon Dunes.

Will be there in a couple of weeks!!

[Kenny B]

I was waiting for the JGR irons to come out for more than a month. Actually bought used set of AP1's in the meantime. March 5th came, one day after the release and I went to the PGATSS grabbed an iron from the sales rack and I said "I want to hit this". I bang a 7i 160 yards on the third swing and said to the fitter "I want these clubs, get the rest of them from the rack"

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1458058321.954946.jpg

 

Traded in two sets of irons for these.

 

I didn't hesitate because I knew they only had one set. I actually overpaid by $50 and just got back yesterday on a price match. I bought the 5i and AW on EBay so that I have the complete set.

 

Just so you know. The shafts are long. They matched the GMax I had and they were a 1/2" long. And the heads are like 2* upright. Perfect set up for HH to keep from slicing.

 

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1458059015.908472.jpg

 

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1458059036.852456.jpg

Whoa!  Upright!  Gotta get them to 3*flat, or to whatever flat from what they call standard.

[fozcycle]

What's the skinny on the periscope deal tomorrow? Is there a certain passcode or do we just flip thru all the stuff from the United Kingdom and other countries. I tried it today and it was full f other stuff.

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

What's the skinny on the periscope deal tomorrow? Is there a certain passcode or do we just flip thru all the stuff from the United Kingdom and other countries. I tried it today and it was full f other stuff.

 

It'll be Thursday.  I think you need to follow me on Periscope -- or Twitter - and it should come up.  Search for me - @golfspybarbajo.