As the ball used by all competitors in the 2022 World Long Drive Association (WLD) Championship, Bridgestone claims their new e9 Long Drive ball is their longest golf ball to date. It was designed with assistance from several WLD competitors, including the association’s president, Bobby Peterson. Although the e9 will be used by the world’s fastest swingers in all official WLD competitions, Bridgestone also believes the ball will positively benefit amateurs.
The e9 Long Drive is a two-piece ball with a seamless Surlyn cover that feature’s Bridgestone’s 330 dimple pattern. In addition, it features an “extreme gradational core”, which means the center is softer than the firmer outer area. This core design promotes both higher ball speeds and lower spin on shots from long clubs.
“We were excited to develop the new e9 Long Drive with help from the WLD,” said Elliot Mellow, Bridgestone’s Golf Ball Marketing Manager. “Innovation that leads to advanced performance is always our focus, and with over 900 Polymer engineers on staff and innovative technologies like our gradational core and seamless cover, we’re confident this new golf ball will provide exceptional distance for recreational players as well as professional long drivers.”
Unlike many balls in the ‘distance’ segment, the e9 has a slightly lower-compression core and built-in sidespin reduction that should make it relevant even for slower swing speeds. This should result in more forgiveness and slightly higher launch angles in addition to high speed and carry distance.
“Long drive competitors and recreational golfers alike play in a variety of turf conditions, some of which don’t allow for much roll,” says Mellow. “Through our work with the WLD we determined that the e9 Long Drive would need to promote maximum carry for optimum performance, and also have less sidespin. Our engineers combined Bridgestone’s gradational core design with our aerodynamically superior 330-dimple pattern to develop an impressive package.”
Details
- Available March 2023
- $29.99 per dozen
- Available only in classic white
This is just one of those balls, I really want to try. Not sure why, as it doesn’t match up to what I normally play, but I need to try it ????
I feel compelled to try this ball. Probably not for me. But I want to hit it anyway!
I’m with the above posts. Seems like a fun ball to try, but yeah I also recognize that this might not be my cup of tea but I’m willing to go crazy and give it a few rips.
I never knew that WLD competitors hit the same ball at competitions. Probably not a ball that would work for me but wouldn’t be opposed to hitting it to see if I picked up some distance.
Likely not a ball I would play much, but I think it would be fun to try it out. Being a big Bridgestone fan, I like to try everything they put out.
Not gonna lie, I likely won’t benefit at all from this, but i’m gonna try it.
I will try this ball. Not sure about it, but I’ll purchase a dozen for “research.”
This is definitely on my hit list. Higher launch and less sidespin is right up my alley.
Pretty much the opposite of the ball I play but I really want to hit this ball haha
Hmmm?! I learned something new today. I would have bet the WLD guys would have used a high compression golf ball!
Will definitely try this as I could do with a bit higher launch and lower sidespin.
Great to see their release and take on long drive side of things, can’t wait to hear what the remainder of the e series turns out to be ?
Like the ice of higher flight and less sidespin…..if someone gets to try before the release, post on roll out on the green
[QUOTE=”J.B. Cobb III, post: 11253291, member: 50607″]
Hmmm?! I learned something new today. I would have bet the WLD guys would have used a high compression golf ball!
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Pretty interesting, isn’t it?
Likely a velocity competitor? Which is a very good straight ball. But, tough to stop on the greens in warm weather. Curious about the difference between the two balls. Also, white only? The shiny yellow ball is dimishing.
[COLOR=rgb(44, 130, 201)]I doubt this would be a ball for me, but since it is a Bridgestone ball I sure want to give it a try.[/COLOR]
This will be a big win for Bridgestone. So many golfers will buy this just to see how far they hit it. I will not be surprised if this ball is extremely hard to find. It will be fun to try it out and compare to all of our usual balls.
I can see this being the ball of choice when the cart girl is rolling by or guys are teeing off on 1 & 10 and there’sa crowd watching. Anything to get a little more distance. So when can I buy a pack? ?
Looks like a great ball to pick up for a Golf weekend in the summer with baked fairways, should run for miles.
Better know how to “Bump and Run” with this ball.
I know that the previous ball used was really hard so it’s interesting to see this one come out as say it’s lower compression that you would think.
Is this a competitor to Pinnacle Rush or Titleist Velocity?
don’t think it will kick the CSXLS out of the bag, but will have to grab a box of these to hit off the tees during charity scrambles. 🙂
Yeah, just about every golfer is going to want to hit these, me included, just to see.
The thought of hitting this on a baked out fairway sounds fun, even with them designed to launch high.
i am hoping to find MANY of these on my home course this year
I guess I’m in the camp that I don’t understand why we need a long drive ball to play on the course. I didn’t see any mention of how it performs greenside.
This should capture the attention of people here. Like many, I may have to try it at some point.
Definitely cool that it is being used for all of the Long Drive.
Honestly though, I will be staying away from these. No chance they are good for me lol.
I’ll try it. I, too, had no idea the competitors hit the same ball.
[QUOTE=”jdtox, post: 11253641, member: 5944″]
I didn’t see any mention of how it performs greenside.
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I’m sure there’s a good reason for that :ROFLMAO:
I do get it though. Lots of people out there that would take the 5-10 yards. There’s a good chance many of them aren’t spinning anything anyway. Personally, as somebody that isn’t long off the tee, I’d still try to balance things out more. Could be fun for a novelty though.
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 11253691, member: 1193″]
I’m sure there’s a good reason for that :ROFLMAO:
I do get it though. Lots of people out there that would take the 5-10 yards. There’s a good chance many of them aren’t spinning anything anyway. Personally, as somebody that isn’t long off the tee, I’d still try to balance things out more. Could be fun for a novelty though.
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Could be a great ball for those charity scrambles 😉
[QUOTE=”Hawk, post: 11253691, member: 1193″]
I’m sure there’s a good reason for that :ROFLMAO:
I do get it though. Lots of people out there that would take the 5-10 yards. There’s a good chance many of them aren’t spinning anything anyway. Personally, as somebody that isn’t long off the tee, I’d still try to balance things out more. Could be fun for a novelty though.
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I agree with you. There is a choice and a balance involved. I am admittedly not long off the tee, but a large portion of my game is very reliant on greenside spin.
I will give the e9 a try when I see them on the shelf. I like Bridgestone balls, and have played them for many years.
A March release lines up nicely with my return to golf after my long rehab. Should be interesting.
Softer compression? So like hitting a brick instead of a boulder ?. I still will want to try it though
Not typically the type of ball that I would play but love Bridgestone balls and would give it a try for fun to see if it did add some distance.
These are better than the Callaway offering.
Anything that is designed to offer extra distance is on my radar so long as it’s not too expensive!
interesting that Bridgestone is thengonto ball of long drive! I was thinking it was a strange move since one is with Callaway the other popular is with Pro v1- …but now it makes sense.
Bridgestone also has a new Gen2 OTTO for ball fittings. I would think this would be a great ball for best ball tournaments for one player.
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What is the compression on these?
[QUOTE=”Carolina Golfer, post: 11255054, member: 44136″]
What is the compression on these?
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That information was not provided.
It’s got to be firm!
75 I read.
With these longest balls and longest ever 2023 drivers, I should be reaching par 4’s in one this year, lol. Are we being duped by product marketers? It seems there are category of balls; distance, green side spin. soft vs firm and balls that go straighter. Are there really huge differences between balls in each new release?
[QUOTE=”Carolina Golfer, post: 11257918, member: 44136″]
With these longest balls and longest ever 2023 drivers, I should be reaching par 4’s in one this year, lol. Are we being duped by product marketers? It seems there are category of balls; distance, green side spin. soft vs firm and balls that go straighter. Are there really huge differences between balls in each new release?
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I’d say to try them out and see for yourself. Hyperbole aside, I do think there are very noticeable differences between certain types of balls, especially when you look at something like this vs a ball designed to spin. Some other differences may be less dramatic.
The low spinning balls are noticeably straighter for me, by a good 5-10 yards or so.
Interesting, they should send 2 ball packs out to some on their email list.
[QUOTE=”Nick20UK, post: 11259139, member: 65401″]
The low spinning balls are noticeably straighter for me, by a good 5-10 yards or so.
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Same here. The e12 Contact has really given me that almost unicorn ball – straight off the tee but just enough spin around the greens to help my short game.
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[QUOTE=”JB, post: 11491295, member: 3″]
[MEDIA=instagram]Cr80iYzpGV5[/MEDIA]
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Two Things:
1. How long does it take to make that video? They always turn out great.
2. Have you played these and is the feel similar to Volvic?
[QUOTE=”Golfers Anonymous, post: 11491301, member: 59233″]
Two Things:
1. How long does it take to make that video? They always turn out great.
2. Have you played these and is the feel similar to Volvic?
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Longer than it should haha. But I had to do this one hand held, so you can kind of see some shakes or angle changes, so I wasn’t thrilled with it. But it was OK for a Sunday.
I have not tried them yet, but hopefully will be soon
Guessing these are on the firm side. :unsure:
[QUOTE=”templeton80, post: 11491311, member: 53139″]
Guessing these are on the firm side. :unsure:
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Thought I read the compression was around 75. Shouldn’t be overly firm, if that’s the case.