Equipment

Bridgestone J15 fairway woods and hybrids

Published

11 years ago

Jan 12, 2015

Along with its new J715 drivers, Bridgestone golf will release new J15 fairway woods and hybrids that promise improved ball speeds, higher launch angles and more versatility than their predecessors.

The new woods and hybrids produce “high launching distance with soft landings and the ability to be played from anywhere, including the tee, fairway, rough and even greenside,” says Josh Kinchen, Golf Clubs and Accessories Marketing Manger at Bridgestone Golf.

To accomplish the desired performance improvements, Bridgestone designed its J15 woods and hybrids with three core technologies — F.A.S.T (Flex Action Speed Technology) Crowns, Hyper Stainless 455 Steel Faces and Weighted Port Technology.

The F.A.S.T Crown, made of High Strength AM355 Maraging Steel, is thinner near the clubface and gets progressively thicker toward the rear, which allows the club to flex more at impact producing a spring-like effect for higher launch and ball speeds.

Club faces of both the fairway wood and hybrids are made from Hyper Stainless 455 Steel, which is the thinnest face ever from Bridgestone, measuring 1.8 millimeters in thickness. This gives the clubs the “maximum repulsion within conforming rules” according to the company.

Bridgestone aficionados will notice alterations to the sole shapes, which enhanced the versatility of the woods and hybrids. By removing material from the sole’s heel, engineers were able to reduce club head drag from a multitude of lies. Also, Bridgestone lowered the rear soles to help encourage a sweeping motion as the club meets the turf at impact, eliminating the tendency of woods and hybrids to dig.

Both the fairway woods and hybrids have a removeable weight in their sole that allows golfers to tweak swingweight.

J15F Fairway Woods ($199) come stock with Mitsubishi Rayon’s Fubuki Z Fairway shaft and custom yellow Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip.

Lofts: 13.5, 15 and 18 degrees (15 and 18 available for left-handers on April 1).

J15HY Hybrids ($189) come stock with Mitsubishi Rayon’s Fubuki Z Hybrid shaft and a custom yellow Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip.

Lofts: 17, 19, 21 and 23 degrees (21 and 23 available for left-handers on April 1)

The J15 fairway woods and hybrids will be available on Feb. 1, 2015.

Related Topics:Bridgestone fairway woods hybrids

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Review: Ping G30 LS Tec Driver

Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

9 Comments

theo

Jan 13, 2015 at 8:24 pm

Wishon…pffff.

Reply Report comment
- kloyd0306
  
  Jan 13, 2015 at 9:01 pm
  
  Far from all good ideas originate with the major OEMs.
  
  The name inscribed on any branded club is merely that – inscribed. It does not mean that it is superior. Nor does it mean that that brand is the first to design something.
  
  To “raspberry” Tom Wishon and his ideas only indicates that you know very, very little about function and design.
  
  Reply Report comment
MAM

Jan 13, 2015 at 8:13 am

someone please explain what Hyper Stainless is, actually curious not being sarcastic!

it says “This gives the clubs the “maximum repulsion within conforming rules” as well as being the thinnest face ever from bridgestone. Do other OEM’s do this as well

Reply Report comment
- Wilbur
  
  Jul 24, 2015 at 11:51 pm
  
  its a buzz word like spin skin, zip grooves, or speed slot
  
  You don’t know what it is, but you know its good
  
  Reply Report comment
Garbage

Jan 12, 2015 at 2:05 pm

Everybody playing catch-up with TM

Reply Report comment
- frendy
  
  Jan 13, 2015 at 12:39 am
  
  No, everyone is playing catch-up with Wishon Golf. Carpenter 455, max COR, and cutaway soles were Wishon staples long before any Bridgestone or TM fw.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Nah
    
    Jan 13, 2015 at 3:35 am
    
    The weight forward in that spot is all TM
    
    Reply Report comment
    - TR1PTIK
      
      Jan 13, 2015 at 6:56 am
      
      Actually, other clubs had the CG positioned forward before TM. The only difference was their CG placement wasn’t visible. For instance, the Titleist 905S had a CG placement that was low and forward to lower ball flight and produce less spin. The TM drivers at that time were still placing the weight low and toward the rear for easy launch. I’m sure someone else probably had the weight low and forward before Titleist did…
      
      Reply Report comment
      - Wrong
        
        Jan 13, 2015 at 8:56 pm
        
        No, the 905S did NOT. Nowhere near forward as this or any of the TMs.
        
        Next!
        
        Reply Report comment

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Equipment

Interesting clubs at top of bag – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

14 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.

They wrote:

“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”

Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”

Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Members of the Mini Driver Club – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

14 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.

@TightFade asked:

“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”

Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Whats in the Bag

Chris Gotterup WITB 2026 (June)

Published

14 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g