Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball

The original Bridgestone e12 Contact was an extremely versatile golf ball option that fit a wide range of players. Even better, the ball was very good at a very affordable price point. 2023 brings an updated version of the Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball featuring a new Flexativ cover for better control and more distance. There are also color options aside from classic white. You can get the 2023 e12 Contact in matte red, matte green, and matte yellow for $34.99 a box.

How Does it Feel?

I would describe the 2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact as somewhat of a “Goldilocks” golf ball for feel. It’s far from a super firm distance golf ball, but it’s also far from a dead marshmallow. With faster shots, such as with your woods and long irons, the ball feels firm and responsive, but has some life to it. If you’re at the absolute high end of speed, it’s possible the e12 Contact may not be firm enough for you. I’ll cover this more in the next section. For moderate to slower shots (mid through short irons), the feel is responsive and sweet. The ball has enough feel for precise feedback, but still soft enough to spin and manipulate.

Off the Tee

I swing my driver fairly consistently around 113-115 mph and can comfortably play the Bridgestone e12 Contact off the tee. While it doesn’t feel as firm as my usual gamer Tour B X, the e12 Contact is still firm enough for me to get the response I need at my swing speed. My spin stayed under control so I was able to keep the ball in play. This is a major benefit of the Flexativ cover. The Flexativ cover also “repels” off of the face quicker which helps achieve plenty of distance. Additionally, the Contact Force Dimple provides more contact with the golf ball so there’s a more efficient energy transfer at impact, which in theory will help with distance.

What really catches my attention with the e12 Contact is how well the same experience traverses swing speeds. I’ve asked players with driver swing speeds ranging from 85 mph to 105 mph to try the e12 and they all share similar feedback. The ball is powerful, easy to control, and has good feel off of the tee.

On the Approach

In my opinion, approach is where the advantages of the Bridgestone e12 Contact’s design really start kicking in. You still get the control and distance benefits of the Contact dimple design and Flexativ cover mentioned above, but you also start seeing the benefit of the increased friction from the dimple pattern. That increased friction helps you generate spin for more stopping power on the greens. In addition to the increased friction, the e12’s Gradational core allows you to easily compress the ball relative to your swing speed. Meaning, the core will hold up to a faster swing, but will then still compress on approach shots. In my opinion, the approach game is where the Bridgestone e12 Contact absolutely thrives.

Around the Green

Maybe it’s just me, but I absolutely hate too soft of a golf ball on and around the green. Don’t get me wrong, I want the benefits of a soft ball, but the lack of feel and precision just kills me. Fortunately the Goldilocks of a golf ball, Bridgestone e12 Contact, really addresses that area well for me. The ball feels soft enough for delicate pitches and chips, but has enough firmness to it that I can feel what the ball is going to do. Both chips and putts are soft, but responsive enough for precise distance control. I’m able to generate enough spin to make the ball grab on the green when needed. Good wedge rippers will have no problem achieving a solid bite.

Final Thoughts – Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball

The Bridgestone e12 Contact is one of the closest I’ve seen a golf ball come to a “one size fits all” option. Of course, there will be subjective factors that influence this, but I feel that’s a pretty accurate outlook of this ball. The 2023 e12 Contact is a strong performer from tee to green for a wide range of players with reliable consistency. What appeals to me the most, however, is its affordability. Golf ball prices have been soaring in recent years so to find a ball in 2023 as strong and versatile as the Bridgestone e12 Contact for a mere $35 is quite refreshing.

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