Bridgestone J40 Drivers:
Forgiveness And Control
BY JOHN STEINBREDER
Though best known for the golf
balls it makes, Bridgestone also gets
plenty of props for its clubs. And the
company’s newest drivers, the J40
445 and the J40 430, are no exception.
Released last month, the J40
445 (for its 445cc head) is intended
to promote a mid-to-high launch
trajectory with low spin, to enhance
accuracy and distance. In construct-
ing the 6-4 titanium, four-piece
clubhead, Bridgestone found ways
to move discretionary weight to the
perimeter for increased MOI (Mo-
ment of Inertia) and less twisting at
impact, for greater forgiveness.
The equipment maker also uses
its proprietary Variable Face Thick-
ness design to enlarge the sweet
spot by putting increased mass
toward the heel and toe to produce
higher ball speeds on off-center hits.
It also employed a short hosel to
maximize control.
As for the J40 430, which has a
430cc head and is not expected to be
available at retail until the first of the
year, it is built to produce a low-to-
mid launch with a boring trajectory
and a bit more backspin
than the 445 model, for greater
workability. The 430 also employs
a longer hosel to enhance that same
attribute and utilizes the same Vari-
able Face Thickness technology as the
other J40 entry, as well as the four-
piece, 6-4 titanium face construction.
