PINNACLE ENTERS NEW DIMENSION WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCT LINE

October 6th, 2009

Advances Position as Distance, Performance and Value Brand Category Leader with Five New Models

Fairhaven, MA (September 9, 2009) – Building upon its position as the long-standing leader in the distance and performance value golf ball category, Pinnacle introduces its new five-model family, including an exciting new microbrand, the Pinnacle Dimension.

The second-best selling golf ball brand in the marketplace, only behind its Acushnet Company companion Titleist, Pinnacle continues to serve as the top choice for value-conscious golfers who seek distance, quality and performance. In addition to the launch of the new Dimension, Pinnacle has also reanimated its legendary Gold franchise with the introduction of the new Pinnacle Gold Precision and Pinnacle Gold Distance offerings. Pinnacle also continues its support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, while providing women golfers two quality offerings under the Ribbon microbrand.

Click below to download hi-res images of all
Pinnacle Fall 2009 Products.

“Pinnacle has been soundly established as the product and quality leader in the value segment for over 25 years,” said George Sine, Vice President Golf Ball Marketing and Strategic Planning, Acushnet Company. “The new and improved product offerings, in concert with reanimated Pinnacle brand positioning and personality will include a new tag line and brand attitude to exceed the distance, performance, quality and value requirements of the recreational golfer segment.”

“The Pinnacle brand strategy will continue to capitalize upon its reputation of providing golfers with distance and performance choices at a great value, as well as separate itself from the escalating price clutter in the market place where performance and quality are being sacrificed by some brands to merely deliver lower price points,” added Sine.

DIMENSION: Designed and engineered for golfers seeking straight flight, soft feel and long distance, the new Pinnacle Dimension’s new soft, thin 3D (3 Dimensional = Distance, Durability and Dispersion) Ionomer cover formulation provides cut-proof durability. New large, soft core technology contributes to soft feel with a high initial velocity and long distance with exceptional greenside control, while a high-coverage 332 Icosahedral dimple design helps provide consistent ball flight and minimize dispersion.

In concert with the new, contemporary personality of the Pinnacle Dimension product, the golf ball features the dynamic jet trail logo nameplate and “Dimension” alignment sidestamp for better putting accuracy. The packaging employs a striking new electric blue and vibrant orange color combination to pronounce its energetic personality, as well as elevate and pronounce its presence and positioning among other value products. The new “Take Your Game to a New Dimension” tagline invites golfers to experience the new level of distance, responsive feel and greenside performance attainable with the Dimension golf ball.

“With the new Pinnacle Dimension, we reinforce our commitment to long distance and superior quality and advance the performance expectations of soft feel and short game control for value conscious recreational golfers and particularly those new to the game or the Pinnacle brand,” said Sine. “The Dimension replaces the prior two-model Pinnacle Platinum Feel and Distance golf ball models to provide a simplified, single offering for competitive value products.

Comprehensive merchandising initiatives will accompany the launch of the new Pinnacle Dimension microbrand, including in-shop collateral featuring the “Take Your Game to a New Dimension” tagline. Trial will be encouraged via 2-ball packs available at the onset of the launch, as well as sustaining 4-ball and 6-ball sidekick offerings throughout the season. The Pinnacle Dimension carries an MSRP of $18 per dozen and $14.99 MAP.

GOLD PRECISION: Complementing Pinnacle’s Dimension introduction is the new and improved Pinnacle Gold Precision, which has been advanced to provide improved accuracy and legendary Pinnacle Gold distance, while delivering soft feel on all shots. Designed for competitive value conscious golfers seeking long, accurate distance with superior quality, the new Pinnacle Gold Precision features a soft responsive Ionomer cover and high speed, soft compression core. A high coverage 392 Icosahedral dimple design provides consistent ball flight with a flatter trajectory for long distance, while a new alignment “Precision” sidestamp promotes better putting accuracy.

GOLD DISTANCE: Consistent with its distance heritage, Pinnacle continues to provide a golf ball product that exceeds those golfer’s expectations whose first priority is to hit the golf ball as long as humanly possible. The new Pinnacle Gold Distance will appeal to value conscious recreational golfers who prioritize long, straight distance. Designed to deliver maximum distance for average and recreational golfers, the new Pinnacle Gold Distance features a low spin, resilient Ionomer cover and a high speed core to provide long, straight distance from tee to green. A 332 Icosahedral dimple design helps provide consistent ball flight from tee to green with a higher trajectory for maximum distance. A new “Distance” alignment sidestamp promotes better putting accuracy.

“Pinnacle Gold players are among the most loyal and enthusiastic golfers in the game, and the new Pinnacle Gold offerings will instill further confidence in the quality and consistency of the brand, as well as provide tangible and noticeable product improvements ,” said Sine. “Gold Precision and Gold Distance represent the best of what Pinnacle Gold consumers have come to expect through the years – quality, long, straight distance, performance and value.”

The new “Distance Yourself” positioning uppercases the game improvement enhancements of Gold Precision and Gold Distance, and invites golfers to distinguish themselves from others in their foursomes by hitting it farther and straighter. Gold Precision and Gold Distance feature an MSRP of $18 per 15-ball pack and $14.99 MAP. They are packaged in a new, smaller, eco-friendly 15-ball pack configuration.

PINNACLE RIBBON: The new Pinnacle Ribbon product is designed to provide value-conscious women golfers with superior distance and soft feel in traditional white and new lavender pearl cover options. A soft Ionomer cover in combination with a soft compression, faster core promotes longer distance, soft feel and improved short game control. A high coverage 392 Icosahedral dimple design helps provide consistent ball flight.

Pinnacle continues to align the Ribbon product offering with its support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, prioritizing the importance of the awareness icon and the new Ribbon positioning. In addition to the Pinnacle “jet trail logo,” Ribbon nameplate and pink or lavender play number, the golf balls feature the Susan G. Komen for the Cure logo and accompanying ribbon. The new and contemporary packaging will feature a soft white primary color with a pink or lavender flowing ribbon design to clearly differentiate between the two offerings and establish a distinctive impression and shelf presence. The Acushnet Company is a proud member of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Million Dollar Council and is dedicated to increasing breast cancer awareness. The Pinnacle Ribbon carries an MSRP of $18 per 15-ball pack and $14.99 MAP.

The entire line of new Pinnacle product offerings begins shipping to golf shops on October 1, 2009.

“With the Pinnacle brand we strive to provide discernible points of difference and a higher realized value for the golfer,” said Sine. “With our new Pinnacle Dimension, Gold Precision and Gold Distance, and Ribbon introductions, we are committed to exceeding the distance and performance requirements of value conscious recreational golfers of all levels. This is, without a doubt, the strongest, most comprehensive Pinnacle golf ball product line in the brand’s legendary history, with products reaching a wider range of golfers that will improve their distance and performance, as well as enhance their golfing experience.”

For more information, please visit us online at www.pinnaclegolf.com or contact:
Joe Gomes, Director of Communications, Acushnet Company (508.979.3211) or joe.gomes@acushnetgolf.com.

Titleist, FootJoy, Cobra and Pinnacle comprise the major golf brands of the Acushnet Company, an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE – FO).

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