By optimizing the moment of impact, Bridgestone Golf is hoping their new e12 Contact golf ball will give players a great combination of maximum distance, straighter overall shots, soft feel, and enhanced short game performance. They’ve carried some features of this popular line over from the most recent iteration while adding their fourth generation of “Contact Science”, which includes an all-new cover technology they are calling FLEXATIV.
Contact Science is all about optimizing the moment of impact. The 2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact FLEXATIV cover uses what they are calling “impact modifiers” that allow it to react to the amount of force applied at impact. At high impact speeds, like those produced from a driver swing, the cover is designed to behave like a firmer material, producing faster ball speeds and maximum distance. In addition, higher impact speeds result in less sidespin for enhanced forgiveness and straighter performance on off-center shots.
Alternatively, FLEXATIV reacts to wedge and short iron shots like a slower, softer material. When this is combined with their carryover technology, CONTACT Force dimples, the result is 46% more surface contact, which the company says creates significantly more spin and control around the greens.
“We borrowed the idea for the FLEXATIV cover from the design of the TOUR B line, and it works just as well with Surlyn as it does with Urethane,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager for Bridgestone Golf. “The new e12 CONTACT is about as advanced as any ball made today and can provide exceptional distance, straighter shots, and solid short game performance for a wide range of players.”
CONTACT Force dimples, which should be familiar to users of the previous generation e12 Contact, are hard to miss when looking at the ball. Rather than a standard dimple, there is a raised area in the center which is also designed to limit sidespin. In addition, the added surface area provides greater friction with the club face at impact.
Details
- Available March 2023
- $34.99 per dozen
- Available in White, Matte Green, Matte Red and Matte Yellow
I haven’t hit an e12 for a few years. Gonna need to give the new model a try
I played a box of last years e12’s and found them to be really nice. I’ll have to try these at some point as well to see the change.
Those are very interesting looking dimples there. I’m not used to seeing a little raised section in the dimple themselves.
How soft / firm are those balls? With the surlyn cover I assume it’s on the softer side than the tour balls.
bringing this lineup closer to the tour B is impressive. Pretty cool that this reduces sidespin on driver at faster soeeedw her allows greenside response as well will be interesting to hot a few
going back a bit I think simple in dimple is awesome look
I tried the previous generation e12 and thought it was a solid ball. Looking forward to giving these a try.
Interesting how they can get the skin of the ball to react differently based on the amount of force applied. Great price point for these.
[QUOTE=”Daluteh, post: 11250580, member: 59803″]
Those are very interesting looking dimples there. I’m not used to seeing a little raised section in the dimple themselves.
How soft / firm are those balls? With the surlyn cover I assume it’s on the softer side than the tour balls.
[/QUOTE]
IIRC it’s a bit softer than for example Chrome Soft or B XS.
[QUOTE=”Mmaynard11, post: 11250618, member: 19877″]
Interesting how they can get the skin of the ball to react differently based on the amount of force applied. Great price point for these.
[/QUOTE]
Great write up [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER]!
[USER=19877]@Mmaynard11[/USER] I was thinking the exact same thing. My question is, are others doing this too but not explaining it this way, or is this a differentiator for Bridgestone?
Great writeup [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER], the e12 Contact became my go-to ball last season, and I cannot wait to try the new version out. Solid performer all around the bag.
[QUOTE=”hadi05, post: 11250649, member: 50784″]
Great write up [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER]!
[USER=19877]@Mmaynard11[/USER] I was thinking the exact same thing. My question is, are others doing this too but not explaining it this way, or is this a differentiator for Bridgestone?
[/QUOTE]
another brand said similar things but mentioned this about a core… not cover…
The new core and cover design on the ball reduces drag for enhanced ball speed on all full swing shots
Have played the previous model and it preformed very well. Might actually have been the best ball for me off driver. Looking forward to giving this new release a try. Could see it being the ball I go to this year. Time and testing will tell.
[QUOTE=”Gman79, post: 11250658, member: 52297″]
another brand said similar things but mentioned this about a core… not cover…
The new core and cover design on the ball reduces drag for enhanced ball speed on all full swing shots
[/QUOTE]
Yea, I’ve heard it mentioned about the core before, but never about the cover that I can recall.
[QUOTE=”hadi05, post: 11250649, member: 50784″]
Great write up [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER]!
[USER=19877]@Mmaynard11[/USER] I was thinking the exact same thing. My question is, are others doing this too but not explaining it this way, or is this a differentiator for Bridgestone?
[/QUOTE]
I think two others that have cover modifiers that discuss how it impacts differently around the green but this approach is interesting
[QUOTE=”Scooby45, post: 11250670, member: 62865″]
I think two others that have cover modifiers that discuss how it impacts differently around the green but this approach is interesting
[/QUOTE]
Yea, kinda what I’m thinking too [USER=62865]@Scooby45[/USER]
Love the E12. Can’t wait to try this new rendition
It must be a slippery slope to improve the surlyn model. But, not to creep close the urethane space. Also, not get too expensive compared to the lower cost surlyn line. 35 for a surlyn ball. Times have changed.
[QUOTE=”hadi05, post: 11250668, member: 50784″]
Yea, I’ve heard it mentioned about the core before, but never about the cover that I can recall.
[/QUOTE]
I think REACTIV stated something similar about the cover and force. I could be wrong though. I wonder if it all relates to the force by the club that changes the shape of the ball that the then dimples reduce drag, etc.
I’m trying to think scientific this morning. ?
Thanks for the information [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] ! I played the previous iteration of the E12. It’s a really good “non-tour” ball. Bridgestone produces some of the most advanced golf balls available today. My one nit-pick is when non-urethane golf balls start encroaching on that $40.00 threshold.
[QUOTE=”Mmaynard11, post: 11250686, member: 19877″]
I think REACTIV stated something similar about the cover and force. I could be wrong though. I wonder if it all relates to the force by the club that changes the shape of the ball that the then dimples reduce drag, etc.
I’m trying to think scientific this morning. ?
[/QUOTE]
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It’s definitely strange. The $35’ish non-urethane ball is probably my least favorite segment. I can’t help but be annoyed when I see them in store for some reason.
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 11250689, member: 50607″]
Thanks for the information [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] ! I played the previous iteration of the E12. It’s a really good “non-tour” ball. Bridgestone produces some of the most advanced golf balls available today. My one nit-pick is when non-urethane golf balls start encroaching on that $40.00 threshold.
[/QUOTE]
Wait did these go up in cost from
Last year?
[QUOTE=”Mmaynard11, post: 11250705, member: 19877″]
Wait did these go up in cost from
Last year?
[/QUOTE]
Yes. They were $29.99 last year.
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11250708, member: 3″]
Yes. They were $29.99 last year.
[/QUOTE]
That does ring a bell…thanks for confirming.
I never gave these a shot last year but they were always in the back of my mind. I think with the improvements this year I’m gonna have to give them a shot.
A little disappointed by the price increase but I enjoyed my time with last year’s e12 so I can definitely see myself giving these a look.
[QUOTE=”Mmaynard11, post: 11250705, member: 19877″]
Wait did these go up in cost from
Last year?
[/QUOTE]
Yes sir. They were $29.99 I believe. But, you can add the Callaway ERC Soft to that list too.
[QUOTE=”Mmaynard11, post: 11250686, member: 19877″]
I think REACTIV stated something similar about the cover and force. I could be wrong though. I wonder if it all relates to the force by the club that changes the shape of the ball that the then dimples reduce drag, etc.
I’m trying to think scientific this morning. ?
[/QUOTE]
I understand that!
Interesting concept for sure. If I can put my hands on a sleeve or 2, I’d like to see what the ball can do.
Thanks, [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER].
I tried these last year and found them to be underperforming compared to the Srixon QTD balls I now game. For me, the driver distance was at least 20 yards shorter. Must be my swing, but they did go straighter for some reason.
FLEXATIV reminds me of those non-Newtonian fluids that act more like like a solid with more force applied. Sounds like a similar concept.
I still have a couple of e12 balls which I like. The dimples always puts me off for some reason though.
I tried these balls last year and the felt great but man did they fly high for me. Curious to see how they react around the greens with the new impact modifiers.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11250912, member: 5944″]
I tried these balls last year and the felt great but man did they fly high for me. Curious to see how they react around the greens with the new impact modifiers.
[/QUOTE]
I am actually a big fan of their higher flight.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 11250698, member: 1193″]
It’s definitely strange. The $35’ish non-urethane ball is probably my least favorite segment. I can’t help but be annoyed when I see them in store for some reason.
[/QUOTE]
that’s where they lose me in this ball. that and it’s called e12. not sure why but that turns me off and i used to love the e series.
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 11250689, member: 50607″]
Thanks for the information [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER] ! I played the previous iteration of the E12. It’s a really good “non-tour” ball. Bridgestone produces some of the most advanced golf balls available today. My one nit-pick is when non-urethane golf balls start encroaching on that $40.00 threshold.
[/QUOTE]
I unsdestand where you’re coming from as to the non-urethane cover and the price.
Good writeup, [USER=1193]@Hawk[/USER]. I played the e12 Contact for a lot of last year and really liked everything about it. But at $35/dozen I’ll stick with the Supersoft, which is an equally good performing ball for me at a better price, or go with the urethane QST for the same price.
The $35 price range creates a strange tipping point for this class of ball. Many people who play balls in this tier may be reluctant to pay that much when there are a lot of good balls at lower price points, and it just feels like if I’m going to pay $35, I might as well pay $45-50 and move up to a urethane “tour” ball.
seems this and another brand took a more than inflationary increase. a bit aggressive, but depends if this ball produces where people need it to which it sounds like great performance where it might make a difference in straight shots off driver and around greens
[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11251191, member: 3″]
I am actually a big fan of their higher flight.
[/QUOTE]
I’m sure its great if you are not a high ball hitter and also dependent on your clubs. It’s definitely a solid offering especially at the price point.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11251527, member: 5944″]
I’m sure its great if you are not a high ball hitter and also dependent on your clubs. It’s definitely a solid offering especially at the price point.
[/QUOTE]
I’m super curious what THPers find with this line. In the past they have been well received.
I gave my dad a couple sleeves of the prior gen e12 last year and he seemed to get along with them pretty well. I will have to let him know about the new version.
I like these in prior releases. There are just so many good golf balls and I can’t play them all.
[QUOTE=”oumagic, post: 11252524, member: 52535″]
I like these in prior releases. There are just so many good golf balls and I can’t play them all.
[/QUOTE]
So true. There are so many balls that I would like to try but I really don’t need that many balls.
Great write up. Ill likely look at trying these at some point this year.
[MEDIA=twitter]1617661815005286400[/MEDIA]
E12 soft is the ball that brought me to THP. The matte red will always have a special place in my heart. I will definitely try this version at some point
I’ll have to give these a go this year. I had really good results with them last year, loved the results I saw off the tee.
Nice writeup. Impact modifiers sound really trippy, and very interesting. Might have to give these a try at some point for kicks.
the e12 is my ‘wind’ and ‘i have a slice day’ ball. Its a straight flyer… (also a good on par 3’s.)
but i found it alittle short distance wise… I still play it; but the Srixon tour has become my go to distance ball.
ready to buy & try this new updated ball.
After reading the review and some of the thoughts on last year’s version, I decided to give these a shot. I bought a sleeve of the 2022 ball for today’s round and they were good enough that I’m looking forward to more play with the updated version.
Nice write up Hawk, without it this one would get lost in the shuffle for me. Just wish they’d make it in a glossy, non sparkly, yellow.
I really like the e12 Contact balls but the price increase makes the SuperSofts more appealing.