2023 Bridgestone e12 contact

[ae1985]

Any of you try the new E12 contact? I am reading it has a new cover and also a new price of $34.99 per dozen. I still have three boxes of previous year to go through. 

[this_is_golf]

I didn’t know they updated it. Last version was pretty good so I would give it a look. 
 

$35/doz is way too much, though. 

Edited March 13, 2023 by this_is_golf

[ae1985]

I ordered a dozen of the new ones to try. I like the old ones just fine so I might stock up on them. 

[Golf31]

I can't believe I'm posting this but here it goes. I've played Pro V1s since they came out and recently TP5s to check them out.  Impressed with the TP5 but suffer from the occasional +15 yards on a wedge and blow it over the green.  Seriously, who hits a wedge 160 yards on approach?  The ProV1 has always been predictable. 

 

I don't know how I ended up with (3) E12 Contacts, but I did.  I put them in my pocket so I could practice drives on tight holes to see what was going on.  I wrote the first few holes off as luck and maybe my swing issues weren't present for the day.  I learned long ago that if you want to see how you are swinging off the tee, put a brand new sleeve of ProVs in play and see if they stay out of the trees.  I purchased a dozen e12s and over the next 2 weeks, I tested them seriously.

 

Putter = Not bad.  You get used to a bit of soft bounce.  By the end of the 2 weeks, I was used to the feel and was able to judge distance well.  3 weeks in and I'm addicted to the putter feel.

 

Around the green = Same as the putter.  They don't have that heavy feel and control you feel with the TP5 or the ProV1.  They do however feel good and I'm slowly figuring out the touch needed to stick it close.

 

Short Irons (PW - 7) = This ball is amazing.  Perfect flight.  Perfect spin.  A bit of extra distance.  Feels like cheating.

 

Long Irons (6 - 4) = I keep wondering how this ball knows I'm hitting a 4-iron.  The flight gets up and is flat.  It carries huge distances and stops. 

 

3 Wood = I hit a ball so far with my 3 wood that I almost killed 2 kids and an adult.  The distance is very consistent and feels in control. 

 

Driver = I'm kind of at a lack of words with this club.  Once again, how does it know I'm hitting a driver?  Flat bombs and good rollout are typical.  The website talks about the ball going straight off the tee.  I've hit balls that should be far left of the fairway but end up making this strange slide towards the edge of the fairway.  Seriously, you walk down the fairway wondering what move you made on the swing because you've never seen a ball do that.  I was thinking about what I would say to my group to explain the strange correction.  It's not like it adjusts from going dead in the woods to out in the fairway, it is more of a slight side spin thing that keeps it just in play.  

 

I really like the ball.  Am I getting old and now need a different ball?  I don't think that is it.  I still have a driver swing speed of 110ish.  I feel like the ball is giving me more confidence off the tee, on approach, and the rest I can figure out.   

  

[ae1985]

How would you rate durability of the cover? I have new i230s and they tore up the covers on a 2022 version of the ball.

[Justsomeguy]

The old version was loooong.

[Golf31]

Durability has been exceptional for me.  I must add that I'm using Mizuno MP4s that have lost their edge on the groves.  I do use new Vokey wedges and don't see anything on the ball.  I played 9 holes with a ball and put it in the bag pocket that had these balls in it.  I couldn't tell which one I played.  

[this_is_golf]

I caved and bought a dozen. I’ll give them a shot. 

[Steelhead]

Found one on the course last week. Being a ChromeSoft, pro v1 snob….Was floored by my iron shots. I expected it to be long with no holding power. Wrong! Pin high, under ten feet on last two par threes, after both shots were hole in one candidates. Wife saw that and stole it 🙂   So, I have a dozen coming in for me. 

[ae1985]

I played 9 holes with it yesterday and I really can't tell the difference between this one and last years except that the cover is more durable and milwaukee inkzall wore off within 3 holes of a damp dewy day.

[this_is_golf]

I played about 6 holes with this the other day. It does fine. Straighter ball flight when struck square but doesn’t fix a slice or a hook. The greens were like concrete so all balls were rolling out (played Maxfli Tour as well). Overall i liked it except for the price - I think it’s too expensive for what it is. A TruFeel is similar and $10 less a dozen. 

[this_is_golf]

I played a charity scramble today and in addition to it being very straight (with square contact) it also goes a long way. I won the longest drive with a ~315 yard bomb (and I’m not a long hitter).

[suwdawg]

Very good ball for the price. Obvioulsy not a v1 around greens but its not far behind and tee to green I take this ball all day. 

[this_is_golf]

I’m loving this ball off the tee - just long and straight. 
 

I wish they didn’t increase the price, that’s the only drawback. 

[Bsudgolf]

I couldn't see paying 35dz for non urethane cover unless it spins around the greens like a urethane which i have a hard time believing it would

[ahenderX]

Is there a visual difference that would distinguish the 2023 e12 contact compared to the 2021 version? Thanks.

[ae1985]

On 9/10/2023 at 3:34 PM, ahenderX said:

Is there a visual difference that would distinguish the 2023 e12 contact compared to the 2021 version? Thanks.

Yes. As you can see in this link https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/bridgestone-e6-e9-long-drive-e12-contact-golf-balls-2023/

 

the line on the ball has that three arrow looking thing on the end. The older models dont have that, just a solid line/arrow

[ahenderX]

21 minutes ago, ae1985 said:

Yes. As you can see in this link https://golfweek.usatoday.com/lists/bridgestone-e6-e9-long-drive-e12-contact-golf-balls-2023/

 

the line on the ball has that three arrow looking thing on the end. The older models dont have that, just a solid line/arrow

Thank you!

[Jeri6gt]

I have been playing the older model for 2 years now.  Absolutely LOVE this ball.

Since I am out, I bought a box of Vice Pro Softs (urethan cover) and e12 2023.

Since they both are the same price I am going to try them both.

So far chipping with the vice sounds clicky which I dont like so I am going to crack open

the E12 2023s.  Will update this post after I play a round or so with them.

[ahenderX]

On 9/20/2023 at 3:56 PM, Jeri6gt said:

I have been playing the older model for 2 years now.  Absolutely LOVE this ball.

Since I am out, I bought a box of Vice Pro Softs (urethan cover) and e12 2023.

Since they both are the same price I am going to try them both.

So far chipping with the vice sounds clicky which I dont like so I am going to crack open

the E12 2023s.  Will update this post after I play a round or so with them.

Golfballs.com has the 2021 E12 Contact practice balls for $14.99 a dozen.

[Jeri6gt]

13 minutes ago, ahenderX said:

Golfballs.com has the 2021 E12 Contact practice balls for $14.99 a dozen.

Thx but I’m gonna try the new tech.  I’m warming up to the vice pro soft.

My 2023 e12s have not made it to the course yet.

[ahenderX]

4 minutes ago, Jeri6gt said:

Thx but I’m gonna try the new tech.  I’m warming up to the vice pro soft.

My 2023 e12s have not made it to the course yet.

I just ordered 2 dozen of the Vice Pro Soft. Looking forward to trying these.

[Jeri6gt]

Vice pro soft feel like marshmallow compared to 2021 e12

going to move onto the 2023 e12 will update later.

[ahenderX]

New white 2023 E12 Contact $26.63 a dozen on Amazon Prime. Select “One Time Purchase” unless you want to subscribe. That’s a great deal.

 

Edited March 14 by ahenderX

[Landy]

Hello - Has anyone compared the e12 to the Tour B RX?  Would like some insight thank you