Bridgestone J40 445 Driver Review

Bottom Line
The Bridgestone J40 445 driver is a pro-style 445cc driver that promotes a mid-to-high launch trajectory with low spin for long, accurate drives.

Pros

• Smaller appearance of 445cc round clubhead shape designed for stability
• 4-piece head construction moves discretionary weight to the perimeter of the clubhead for increased MOI
• Variable Face Thickness provides increased mass towards the club heel and toe for higher ball speed on off-center hits

Cons

• May not benefit high handicap players

Sept. 20, 2011 - Once upon a time, many golfers associated the Bridgestone brand more with tires and tournaments than with golf clubs. Bridgestone Golf's addition of a high-profile tour staff that includes Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Matt Kuchar helped bring the brand a higher profile. And so will the new Bridgestone J40 445 driver.

Pick up the Bridgestone J40 driver and the reaction is a powerful "Wow!" A clean, sleek, small profile topline look gets the pulse revving.

With the trend toward larger and larger-looking heads, one has to search to find a driver head with the look of a more traditional size. Bridgestone Golf has captured that pro look in a very forgiving package with the J40 445 driver. (The company also has a 430cc version - the J40 430 - due in January 2012 for those who like an even smaller driver head.)

The driver is completed by a True Temper Project X graphite shaft. The shaft is responsive-feeling yet stable with a slightly firm-feeling tip. The sound of the driver off the tee is pleasing - a sharp crack, no "boing."

Performance is outstanding. The high launch, low-spin mantra of touring pros comes to life through the J40. Testers unleashed bomb after bomb with big grins. Distance was about the same as other premium drivers on the market. The difference was slightly easier left-to-right workability with the J40 445. This is a trajectory that is more desirable for low-to-mid handicappers capable of hitting power fades. But draws were also easily accomplished.

Simple, clean and bold are the adjectives that describe the looks and performance of the Bridgestone J40 445 driver. If 40 is the new 30, can Bridgestone be the new proline standard by making the size of driver heads smaller? If the reaction of a dozen low-to-mid handicappers getting their hands on my test J40 445 is any indication, we'll be seeing plenty of J40 drivers on the course.

MSRP at the time of launch was $399. The J40 445 driver is available in lofts of 9, 10.5 and 12 degrees, and flexes of R, S and X.

Add Your Own Review
If you've tried the Bridgestone J40 445 driver, you can add your brief comments below. Or, to submit a full review of your experience with this (or any other) Bridgestone driver, see our Bridgestone Golf Reviews index.