Bridgestone Electron ball for juniors: What you need to know

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Bridgestone launches the Electron, a new low-compression ball targeting junior golfers starting to develop an appreciation for the game. The Electron is designed with soft feel and higher flight. Launched in partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods and the First Tee, each ball features a sidestamp with one of the words reflecting the First Tee’s core values.

PRICE: $22, available exclusively at Dick’s and Golf Galaxy.
1. First ball. While NGF figures suggest junior golfers are the fastest growing segment in the industry (a 48 percent growth in the number of junior golfers since 2019), there has been a dearth of golf balls especially designed for their developing games. Certainly, the best highly competitive juniors are playing multilayer urethane covered models like those used by top pro and amateur players. But young golfers starting to develop skills in local junior programs or even the PGA Jr. League are looking for a more forgiving golf ball that might further foster their interest in continuing in golf with an economic sensitivity, said Bridgestone’s Elliot Mellow.

“We've been working on how can we come out with something that's exciting to the junior player but also still exciting to the parent who's ultimately the one spending the money to buy it,” Mellow said. “A good way to look at it is, ‘This is your first ball.’”

2. Basic needs. Mellow noted that the ball’s performance attributes are dialed into the specific needs of the beginning, but enthusiastic young golfer. The low compression of 43 (compared to the “low” compression of a ball like Bridgestone’s Tour B RXS at 65, for example) works best for slower speeds with inconsistent impact locations. The ionomer cover adds durability, increasing the value proposition, as well.

“It's designed to launch high,” he said, noting that the performance aspects came to light through numerous ball fittings with junior golfers. “It's got a shallow dimple on it so that it continues to climb when it's in the air to increase apex height and give them maximum carry distance and a more controlled landing angle.”

Mellow said the ideal candidate isn’t necessarily the junior contending for competitive titles but for the one developing an interest in continuing the game beyond a few introductory lessons.

3. Core values. One of the more distinctive aspects on the Electron comes from Bridgestone’s partnership with The First Tee. Taking a cue from The First Tee’s life skills curriculum and its focus on the Nine Core Values, each ball’s sidestamp references one of those values. Specifically, the Electron's four sidestamps read: CHARACTER, HONESTY, KINDNESS, RESPECT.

“So, we’ve got the performance that's designed specifically for a junior, and then from a visual technology standpoint, we've got the visual reminder on there of some of the First Tee messaging around junior etiquette,” Mellow said.