e12 Contact - one month experience.

[jjfcpa]

So I've posted about the Bridgestone e12 Contact and its been about a month since I started playing it.  Just wanted to update on my impression after a dozen rounds or more playing the e12.

 

Distance - I seldom, if ever, go to the range to practice with my driver or woods.  One of the most impressive things I'm finding with the e12 is that it is long... I mean really long.  My previous gamer was either the Maxfli Tour or the Snell MTB Black.  The e12 is pleasantly long with just about all my clubs, especially the driver.  My playing partners are trying to figure out why my drives are all of a sudden longer than theirs... 

 

Spin - Holding the greens seems to be no problem with the e12.  It took me a couple weeks and some practice time to get used to the amount of spin that the e12 would generate off my wedges.  While the e12 might rollout just a little more than some tour quality balls, I find it more than acceptable and comparable to tour quality balls.

 

Feel - the e12 just feels great off every club in the bag.  It could be that it's just a little softer than the Maxfli Tour and MTB Black, but I really like the feel of this ball.  That includes the feedback off the putter.

 

Durability - This is one area that I initially thought might be a concern to me, because it seemed as though the ball was scuffing rather easily; however, I think perhaps that was just a misinterpretation on my part.  After playing another ball periodically and comparing the wear on both balls, I think the e12 is as durable as any other ball that I've tried.

[jerryo]

Thanks for the review. What color are you playing?

[rwbloom93]

4 hours ago, jjfcpa said:

So I've posted about the Bridgestone e12 Contact and its been about a month since I started playing it.  Just wanted to update on my impression after a dozen rounds or more playing the e12.

 

Distance - I seldom, if ever, go to the range to practice with my driver or woods.  One of the most impressive things I'm finding with the e12 is that it is long... I mean really long.  My previous gamer was either the Maxfli Tour or the Snell MTB Black.  The e12 is pleasantly long with just about all my clubs, especially the driver.  My playing partners are trying to figure out why my drives are all of a sudden longer than theirs... 

 

Spin - Holding the greens seems to be no problem with the e12.  It took me a couple weeks and some practice time to get used to the amount of spin that the e12 would generate off my wedges.  While the e12 might rollout just a little more than some tour quality balls, I find it more than acceptable and comparable to tour quality balls.

 

Feel - the e12 just feels great off every club in the bag.  It could be that it's just a little softer than the Maxfli Tour and MTB Black, but I really like the feel of this ball.  That includes the feedback off the putter.

 

Durability - This is one area that I initially thought might be a concern to me, because it seemed as though the ball was scuffing rather easily; however, I think perhaps that was just a misinterpretation on my part.  After playing another ball periodically and comparing the wear on both balls, I think the e12 is as durable as any other ball that I've tried.

Good Post...

 

The old 3-piece Bridgestone e6 was the longest ball for me on all clubs. All shots that deserved to stick the green did stick on the green.  However, I was given two sleeves of the original e12's (in white and yellow) and they were both the shortest balls I've ever hit.

 

Haven't tried the e12 contact yet but I'm not surprised the original e12 was replaced after less than 2 years. 

Edited July 5, 2021 by rwbloom93

[jjfcpa]

10 hours ago, jerryo said:

Thanks for the review. What color are you playing?

I have been playing the white, but I picked up a dozen in matte green to use for my shag bag that I take to the practice green and chipping area.  Easier to identify mine from everyone else's when practicing.  I have not noticed any difference in performance.

[munichop]

I agree on the e12. For me it has been a wonderful ball, especially in the wind.

[awtryau89]

Found one of these the other day on course. I was having a bad day and didn't want to lose any Titleist so I put it in play. I can attest to the distance. I play the Left Dash exclusively and it was just as long off my driver or longer. I saw a lower launch and flight with all clubs. Not sure shy. Maybe the additional surface area on contact was keeping it down. Definitely a soft ball too.

[Mr. Grumpy]

Echoing with my experience as well, and so far this will likely be my ball going forward. I think it's Bridgestone's best ball for me since the RXS, and I see no reason to buy the Pro V anymore which has been my recent gamer. It's that great of a ball. 

[NoTalentLefty]

Very good distance, as good as the 2 piece currently using. Soft feel , with more bite than a 2 piece. I have a box of Pro V1s that won’t make it out this year…. Maybe .

[jjfcpa]

Nice to see that there are others that have found what I have... the e12 Contact is a really good ball.  Played a very difficult Iron Horse golf course in Ashland, NE and it performed really well.  Definitely staying in the bag.

[NoTalentLefty]

Well I did it. Opened up my Pro V1 stash. So I can now say with some certainty that the E12 contact is my ball of preference. Nothing against Pro V1 but I get a larger draw with it. Use to a smaller draw pattern. As far as feel both very good. Distance? Equal ? Close . True Feel is my gamer currently but E12 will be the first 3 piece that I go to on hard green conditions or undulating greens because it stopped similar to a Pro V1. 

[flushem]

how does E12 perform around green compared to MTB Black or B'stone B RX?  Consistency and spin are way more important than distance for me.  

[jjfcpa]

I've played both the RX and Black and the e12 Contact seems to do well against both.  Probably better than the RX, comparable to the Black.

[flushem]

On 7/11/2021 at 12:03 PM, jjfcpa said:

I've played both the RX and Black and the e12 Contact seems to do well against both.  Probably better than the RX, comparable to the Black.

does it spin more than RX?

[rgk5]

Interesting.  I just tried a dozen E12 Softs and was not impressed with the distance or durabilty.  When my Tour XS and TP5X run out in the fall, I'll give the E12 Contact a try.

[Kentendo]

I will have to give these a try after I work through my stash of Tour B's.  I avoided them due to the poor durability of the E12 Soft and Speed, so it is nice to hear that Bridgestone made some changes to the Contact.

[garyt]

On 7/6/2021 at 9:06 AM, awtryau89 said:

Found one of these the other day on course. I was having a bad day and didn't want to lose any Titleist so I put it in play. I can attest to the distance. I play the Left Dash exclusively and it was just as long off my driver or longer. I saw a lower launch and flight with all clubs. Not sure shy. Maybe the additional surface area on contact was keeping it down. Definitely a soft ball too.

What ball are you talking about?

[jjfcpa]

I now understand why they advise you to pick a ball and just play it.  I've grown very comfortable with the e12 Contact and can pretty much predict how it will react whether chipping or putting.  it continues to impress me.  I may switch back to my previous gamer - Maxfli Tour - to see if I still feel like the e12 should remain in the bag.  I feel that I have enough rounds and practice sessions with the e12 Contact that I should be able to detect any differences between it and the Maxfli Tour, which I played for the last year.

[JLaws_2929]

I've gone from the E6 soft to the E12 soft to now the E12 contact.

 

With e12 Contact I have noticed that on some drives that start right and look like they would want to slice kind of hold on and straighten out at the end.  I've saved countless strokes because of this since playing this ball.

 

 

 

 

[MillerTime859]

Love this ball.

[MillerTime859]

On 7/12/2021 at 4:49 PM, flushem said:

does it spin more than RX?

My experience is they’re indistinguishable on everything, but a low spinner.  Low spinner with e12 definitely runs out more than a urethane ball for me.

Edited July 20, 2021 by MillerTime859

[xkilgorextroutx]

20 hours ago, JLaws_2929 said:

I've gone from the E6 soft to the E12 soft to now the E12 contact.

 

With e12 Contact I have noticed that on some drives that start right and look like they would want to slice kind of hold on and straighten out at the end.  I've saved countless strokes because of this since playing this ball.

 

Interesting observation. I've been playing the e12 Soft and I'll have to compare it to the Contact.

[Justsomeguy]

Tried this ball yesterday for first time based on these great reviews.

Distance - extremely long.

Feel - soft and responsive.

Spin - this is where I diverge. Couldn't hold a green w anything bigger than a pw. And greens were damp. They were weirdly fast on the first day after tons of rain, but they were soft enough that it shouldn't have run out and off.

So I dunno. I can adjust for runout with chipping, but if I can't hit a 9i from 125 out and have it stick despite being high enough I don't know if I can use it.

Anyone else or just me?

[NoTalentLefty]

On 7/22/2021 at 11:01 PM, Justsomeguy said:

Tried this ball yesterday for first time based on these great reviews.

Distance - extremely long.

Feel - soft and responsive.

Spin - this is where I diverge. Couldn't hold a green w anything bigger than a pw. And greens were damp. They were weirdly fast on the first day after tons of rain, but they were soft enough that it shouldn't have run out and off.

So I dunno. I can adjust for runout with chipping, but if I can't hit a 9i from 125 out and have it stick despite being high enough I don't know if I can use it.

Anyone else or just me?

Just you I guess.

[Jeff58]

On 7/24/2021 at 1:07 PM, NoTalentLefty said:

Just you I guess.

About to be determined.

 

[jjfcpa]

Played 9 holes yesterday using the e12 Contact and it was a great performer.  Drives were long, irons were as well, and had a personal best for GIR.  I was concerned about the e12 holding the greens, but it seemed to react as well as any ball that I've tried.  

[Titleist_PT23]

41 minutes ago, jjfcpa said:

Played 9 holes yesterday using the e12 Contact and it was a great performer.  Drives were long, irons were as well, and had a personal best for GIR.  I was concerned about the e12 holding the greens, but it seemed to react as well as any ball that I've tried.  

The difference in spin on full iron shots across all types of balls is not that large.  Probably 500-1000 rpms difference excluding the very very cheap distance balls.  The surlyn probably won't stop as fast but I'd say it's comparable to a PW vs. a 9-iron/8-iron (all with a urethane).  I.e. there's a difference but it's hardly the difference in keeping a ball on the green.

 

Honestly, the guys that say urethanes hold greens and surlyns are in the back bunker are just as crazy as the guys that say I'm in the trees off the tee with a ProV1 but my 2-piece whatever always keeps me in the fairway.  May have happened for a round or two but the difference wasn't the ball.  It was strike, green condition, etc.

[rwbloom93]

1 hour ago, agolf1 said:

The difference in spin on full iron shots across all types of balls is not that large.  Probably 500-1000 rpms difference excluding the very very cheap distance balls.  The surlyn probably won't stop as fast but I'd say it's comparable to a PW vs. a 9-iron/8-iron (all with a urethane).  I.e. there's a difference but it's hardly the difference in keeping a ball on the green.

 

Honestly, the guys that say urethanes hold greens and surlyns are in the back bunker are just as crazy as the guys that say I'm in the trees off the tee with a ProV1 but my 2-piece whatever always keeps me in the fairway.  May have happened for a round or two but the difference wasn't the ball.  It was strike, green condition, etc.

Dean Snell says Ionomer balls don't perform inside 150 yds....but then added if a player can get them to perform, they should play them...nice hedge I suppose, they perform well for me.

 

I read and post on this board in spurts but I have never seen anyone say a 2-piece keeps them in the fairway while a tour ball has them in the trees. That's quite a difference...

 

Regards 

[North Butte]

8 hours ago, rwbloom93 said:

I read and post on this board in spurts but I have never seen anyone say a 2-piece keeps them in the fairway while a tour ball has them in the trees. That's quite a difference...

 

Actually, that claim does pop up from time to time. But then again, read these forums long enough and you'll see 'most anything pop up once or twice!

[munichop]

I have said before that the straightness of a ball has more to do with the dimple design than the cover.  I think the e12 is a very straight ball but not because the cover is surlyn.  It replaced the tru feel for me at lower elevations because I hit my drives longer with it vs the tru feel.

[North Butte]

The oldest version of the Titleist Velocity was a very low spin ball and also had a fairly low-flight dimple pattern. For those of with moderate (at best) swing speeds it basically wanted to spend as little time in the air as possible and get on the ground and running in a hurry. 

 

I guess it was a "straight" ball in the sense that it wasn't in the air long enough to slice or hook 40 yards but in my experience if I made a crooked swing by the time it stopped rolling it would still be plenty far in trouble.

 

The more recent versions (a friend of mine played them up until recently) seem to have a little higher flight aerodynamics package.