After refreshing its premium golf balls lineup last year, Bridgestone did the same with the rest of them this year. Here we are talking about the well-known e6 and e12 Contact. They also introduced a new ball, the e9 Long Drive, which I will review soon. Nonetheless, this is the new 2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball review.
The e12 Contact has been around for a bit of time now, to be precise this is the fourth generation. That says this ball is here to stick around for the future as well.
It is described as the ultimate choice for golfers looking to improve their game. One of the reasons for that is the FLEXATIV Cover Technology and Contact Force Dimple.
Those two combined create 46% more surface contact, resulting in more efficient energy transfer and longer, straighter distances with the driver.
Also, according to Bridgestone’s website, with increased friction, the spin and control around the green are better. Based on all of the above, there are reasons to be excited about this ball. I can see it being a game improvement ball since it has a three-layer construction, but it does not fall into the premium ball category. Now let’s see how the ball performed.
My Verdict
To sum it up, this is a very good golf ball. It will certainly not give you a premium golf ball performance, but it is not even built to do that. This ball caters to the middle of the skill level golf audience. If you are looking to try something different that will not cost you big bucks, you might want to look into this one.
Who Is This Ball For?
The new Bridgestone e12 Contact came out with the new Flexativ technology which should improve the ball performance compared to the previous version. That improvement translates into better contact, longer distance, straighter trajectory, and more greenside spin. It remains in the lower compression ball category.
Based on all of the above, this ball should suit golfers with slow to moderate swing speeds. I do agree with Bridgestone that it is a ball for players who are improving. However, more advanced golfers might want a bit more out of a golf ball. It might go far on tee shots, but it still lacks spin with irons and wedges compared to premium balls.
If you are in a stage of your game where you want to move away from two-layered balls, this one could be an option. It is a good transitional choice for a fair price. In case you just want a ball that goes far off the tee, it is again a solid choice. Bridgestone has been working hard on this model, it is worth trying it out.
PROS
- Distance
- Multiple Color Options
- Price
- Soft Feel
CONS
- Less Approach and Greenside Spin
- Not Suited for Fast Swing Speeds
Bridgestone e12 Contact Review
On the Green
To put it in simple words, this ball performed very well on the green. Let’s start with the feel. Every time I stroke it with my putter, it felt soft. It was making a pleasant sound that was on the mellow side. Now on to the putting itself. Overall, I had no issues with adjusting to this ball. Right from the start I found the right pace.
I was especially pleased with the longer putts. When I needed the ball to hold the line and hit it stronger, it did that with no problem. This was the case with uphill putts, both long and short. Putts that had a bit of break in them worked decently with no particular hiccups. It was all good in this area of the game.
Around the Green
Like putting, this ball felt soft and nice around the green. I am a primarily bump-and-run type of chips golfer. Therefore, for me, it is important how the ball performs in this area. It performed well enough with a couple of chips that did not end up as planned. I could see the lack of spin compared to premium balls, but that was not a big deal.
I have chipped more times than usual this round, so I had more chances to see how the ball did. That means there were one or two higher trajectory chips which are not my strong suit. Nonetheless, it did not end too badly. On the contrary, it baled me out on multiple occasions saving the round from a tragic score.
Approach Shots
Since I test golf balls on a par 3 course, each shot is an approach shot. First, I have to say the ball went straight on every shot. What I mean by that is even if it went right or left it still went straight. I did not notice any excessive fading or drawing. The ball simply held its line no matter which direction it went.
I didn’t try shot shaping, but this time it did not happen even by accident. In general, the mis-hits were manageable. When it comes to stopping power, again, it is not as great as premium balls. That being said, it was still decent. I had no problem with changing flight height when needed which is always a plus.
It is worth mentioning that the feeling when hitting it was soft. That does not come as a surprise due to the lower compression. All in all, it performed well from the tee box.
Durability
This ball has shown decent durability. After a full round, there were only a few marks and a couple of scuffs showing on the ionomer cover. There are certainly balls that are more durable than this one, but also some that are less durable. This ball falls somewhere in the middle of the pack which makes it a solid choice.
Appearance and Price
The e12 Contact is a specific ball when it comes to appearance. It has a unique and different dimple pattern design which makes it stand out. This is not new, as the dimple design change came out with the previous model. There was a slight change with the alignment arrow, which now, in my opinion, looks modern and a bit nicer than the 2021 model.
Where the e12 Contact has a competitive advantage is the price. All its direct competitors except the Srixon Q-Star Tour come at a steeper price. For what you get performance-wise this ball is a great value for money. On top of that it is available in white, matte red, matte green, and matte yellow colors.
Alternatives
You can check some other balls with similar characteristics:
2023 Callaway ERC Soft Full Review
2022 Srixon Q-Star Tour Full Review
As an 18-handicap golfer, I appreciate the thorough review of the 2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball. Your insights into the ball’s performance in different aspects of the game, such as putting, chipping, and approach shots, are quite helpful.
I’m intrigued by the unique features like the FLEXATIV Cover Technology and Contact Force Dimple, which claim to enhance energy transfer and provide longer, straighter distances. Your evaluation of the ball’s suitability for golfers with slow to moderate swing speeds aligns with my profile, and the emphasis on it being a good transitional choice is appealing.
I’m curious to know more about your experience with the multiple color options. Did you find any particular color more visually appealing or easier to track during the game? Additionally, how did the ball fare in terms of feel and control during windy conditions, if you encountered any during your testing?
Overall, your review has sparked my interest in giving the Bridgestone e12 Contact a try. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your upcoming review of the e9 Long Drive and any other golf equipment insights you might share. Keep up the great work!
Hi Kyle,
Thank you for your comment. Interestingly, I have played the old version of the e12 Contact for a few months. At that time I was in my earlier phases of golfing, so my experience with the 2023 version was slightly different. I have not tried this specific ball in another color, but I did play the 2023 e6 in optic yellow. Usually, I am a white ball golfer, but I did like the visual aspect with a yellow one. Especially if you play in rain or light fog, having a bright-colored golf ball can be handy. Since I play year-round, and experience all the seasons, colored balls can be a good thing to go with at times.
I did not experience any windy conditions during testing so I can’t really say much about that. However, one thing I did notice is that the ball does go straighter. If you play any of the premium golf balls, you know they can easily get some side spin and turn even slightly on the way. Another thing is, that the e12 does go a fair distance. Overall, I think it is a very decent ball for its value.
If you are interested, you can check the Bridgestone e9 Long Drive golf ball review here.
Dan
Hello Dan, your comprehensive review of the 2023 Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball is a hole-in-one! Your detailed insights, from the innovative Flexativ technology to the ball’s performance on the green, provide a clear picture for golf enthusiasts. Your honest evaluation of its strengths and areas for improvement, especially in terms of spin and suitability for fast swing speeds, adds a valuable touch. Well done and thank you for sharing!
Hi Ela,
Thank you for your comment. The e12 Contact is a very solid golf ball that can accommodate a wide range of golfers. But like any other ball, it is not everyone’s cup of tea. I would always recommend trying different balls until finding the right one.