Bridgestone entered the golf ball business in 1935 and since then has been an active company in advancing a comprehensive diversity of golf balls with a keen emphasis on fitting golfers for all levels of play.
In the period of 1989/1990 the company established its dedicated US manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia marking a significant expansion into the American market.
On the promotional side — the signing of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods in December 2016 provided a clear desire to build brand awareness even more so. The most recent extension of the contract took place in January 2025.
Bridgestone is in fifth position in overall golf ball sales.
Adam Rehberg, senior marketing manager, provides insights on where the company is today and what it looks to achieve in the new year ahead in 2026.
The Rehberg Story
My career began with a passion for engineering, which led me to study civil engineering at Florida State University. Midway through my studies, I realized my passion for golf was just as strong, so I shifted my path and pursued becoming a golf professional at the green-grass level. I completed my PAT and began working my way through the PGA as an apprentice.
I was fortunate enough to merge both of these passions at Bridgestone Golf when I accepted an engineering position in the R&D department nearly 15 years ago, learning the intricacies of golf ball specification and design.
I then expanded my role at Bridgestone by moving into marketing after earning my master’s in marketing from the University of Alabama. For the past nine years, I’ve been part of Bridgestone Golf’s marketing department, combining all three of my passions to help bring golfers the most innovative golf balls in the game.
***
Bridgestone Golf is a main player in the golf ball arena. What is the company’s main focus in expanding its market share?
For nearly two decades, our main focus has been education, specifically on the topic of ball-fitting. The golf ball is the only piece of equipment in your bag that is used on every single shot of every round. It’s our mission to make sure that the ball you’re using is right for you, because it can be the quickest path to lower scores and greater consistency.
We’ve studied and analyzed nearly 5 million ball fittings over 20 years, so that we can successfully design golf balls for all demographics of golfers.
The company signed Tiger Woods a few years back. What impact has his involvement meant given his limited competitive appearances because of various injuries?
Tiger is a golf icon and his impact on the sport is immeasurable. Tiger doesn’t just move the needle; he is the needle. We’ve worked with Tiger for more than 25 years and are proud to say that we’ve designed a ball that works for his game.
We are excited about what’s in store for Tiger and look forward to him getting back out there! But as always, we are honored that he trusts Bridgestone Golf for the most crucial element of any golfer’s bag: the golf ball.
How long is the contract for Woods and what role do you see him playing for the company in the years ahead?
We see Tiger as a long-term Bridgestone guy! We rely on his expertise for our R&D and innovation, and he will continue to play a pivotal role as an advisor, partner and ambassador for Bridgestone Golf.
Do pro golfer endorsements matter in terms of generating overall sales?
We don’t see our endorsements as a sales tactic – they truly are partnerships. We stay in close contact with our Tour staffers and frequently use their feedback to shape product innovation.
For example, we worked directly with Jason Day to develop the MindSet ball and now he and several others play it in professional competition. Ultimately, our priority is making products that are high-quality and performance-driven to improve every golfer’s game, including our Tour team.
They certainly prove performance at the highest level and then help us get that message out to the masses.
Who is Bridgestone Golf’s customer?
Our customer is a discerning player that wants to play better golf. Whether you’re a beginner just learning to swing or a seasoned pro looking for tour-level equipment, we meet players where they are and help them discover how to improve their game on their terms.
For the golfer focused on fit and performance, Bridgestone has the tools and products to improve their game.
Given your involvement in Research and Development, how would you describe Bridgestone Golf’s approach to innovation?
Our commitment to innovation is part of our DNA at Bridgestone Golf. Whether it’s developing a game-changing mental approach process like MindSet, leading the charge on custom ball-fitting or creating new manufacturing techniques, we look to innovate everything we touch to make it better for golfers.
Material discovery is still out there and as a leading polymer and rubber company, that is at the core of what we do. Innovation is everything.
Companies regularly mention the importance of customer service. What role does it play with Bridgestone Golf and how are you seeking to constantly improve upon it?
It is important to our team to remember we are always in service of our customers. That means we are committed to supporting and educating golfers around the world by offering top-tier products and then teaching you how to use them, like at our ball-fitting events.
Bridgestone Golf is continually investing in digital ball-fitting tools, innovative product design and excellent customer service to make sure each customer has a positive experience.
Do you see tariffs playing a role in the future performance of Bridgestone Golf and the overall health of the golf ball category?
While tariffs are certainly a hot-button issue in the greater global economy, Bridgestone has been manufacturing golf balls in our state-of-the-art facility in Covington, Georgia (United States) for more than 35 years.
Domestic manufacturing here in the USA helps insulate us from some of those economic uncertainties and instead pass those savings onto our customers. We’re committed to keeping golf balls affordable and accessible for consumers.
If you could change one thing in golf unilaterally — what would it be and why?
The equipment conversation is getting so high-tech that it’s become confusing, so I’d like to simplify that conversation. It can be overwhelming to analyze your club specs, loft/lie and launch data, and yet the biggest factor to improve your game comes down to playing the right ball.
It’s the easiest and most cost-effective way to see real performance gains, but unfortunately, it’s often the most overlooked. If I could change one thing, I would get every golfer properly fitted for the right golf ball for their game!
Best advice you ever received – what was it and who was it from?
I never realized how important the advice “keep your eye on the ball” would become to me. Bridgestone Golf quite literally keeps its eyes on the ball every day, making sure we create the perfect product for each golfer with tangible impact.
But to take it a step further, it is a great reminder to stay focused on what’s in front of me. The world of golf, and the world in general, is moving really fast with a lot of noise. Keeping my eye on the ball, to me, means paying attention to what matters.
***
For more info go to:
Golf Balls Engineered To Fit Your Play – Bridgestone Golf
