Bridgestone’s VS Prototype Project is powered by a revolutionary new material and the test results are adding serious distance for players at every level.
Bridgestone Golf recently shared insights from the VS Prototype Project, an extensive, multi-year R&D effort that involved exploring dozens of formulations to develop a truly groundbreaking new golf ball platform. Initial testing shows the performance numbers from this project are significant.
The project started as one of the most ambitious R&D undertakings in company history. It has evolved into a multi-year, relentless engineering effort which explored over twenty different material formulations. They also produced more than 240 prototypes across multiple variations. This mission culminated in the discovery of an all-new material. This is the key to the VS Prototype’s staggering performance. The innovation is engineered to simultaneously increase ball speed while stabilizing flight consistency.
Bridgestone VS Prototype A Gain for Every Golfer
Bridgestone’s new material’s impact was validated through player testing, where golfers were fitted into the VS Prototypes from their current ball. The results demonstrated clear, quantifiable performance gains for the amateur player. Golfers realized an average increase of in ball speed. This increased speed translated directly to an average of of added distance. These gains illustrate the core benefit of the new material discovery. It delivers higher initial velocity off the club face which translates into measurable distance gains.
Jason Day put the VS Black in play during the FedEx Cup Playoffs and saw immediate, significant results. Gaining 9.2 yards off the tee, he improved to +2.339 in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green, and enjoyed an +8.6% jump in driving accuracy. Meanwhile, Chris Gotterup averaged 312 yards off the tee (2nd in the field) and finished first in Strokes Gained off the tee () in his first event with the VS Black.
Jason Day first put the VS Black in play during the FedEx Cup Playoffs. He saw immediate, significant results from the new ball. Gaining off the tee, he improved to in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green. He also enjoyed a jump in driving accuracy. Meanwhile, Chris Gotterup put the VS Black in play and averaged off the tee (2nd in the field). He finished first in Strokes Gained off the tee ().
Even Tiger Woods confirmed the ball speed increases during his testing and has expressed genuine excitement for putting the new model in play in 2026.
Final Thoughts – The Future is Faster
The VS Prototype Project is proving to be one of Bridgestone’s most significant performance breakthroughs in golf balls. By developing this new core material, Bridgestone has created a ball that delivers higher speed and straighter flight. A winning combination that benefits players of every skill level. With overwhelmingly positive feedback from pros and amateurs alike, the VS Prototype is an exciting preview of what’s soon to come from Bridgestone.
