Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball with Contact Force Dimples
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Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball with Contact Force Dimples

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Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball with Contact Force Dimples
  • Bridgestone has launched the e12 Contact golf ball.
  • A Contact Force Dimple offers more speed, and more spin around the green.
  • The e12 Contact replaces both the e12 Soft and e12 Speed.
  • Retail price is $29.99 a dozen.

an image of the dimple patter on the Bridgestone e12 contact golf ball.
Photo provided by @BridgestoneGolf

A golf ball with the grip of a tire. It’s not a perfect analogy but it might help us understand the role of contact science in the design of the new Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball.

On the tire side of the Bridgestone business, contact science is where the rubber literally meets the road. On the golf ball side, contact science is where the cover of the golf ball meets the clubface—also in the literal sense.

Bridgestone e12 Contact and Contact Science

The Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball—more specifically, its cover—is the result of nearly five years of work in contact science. Before I jump too far ahead, I should probably mention that, in really basic terms, contact science applies to understanding and optimizing what happens when two things, like a tire and a road or a golf ball and a golf club, meet.

We wrote about Round 1 of Bridgestone’s foray into contact science about this time last year with the REACTIV cover on the Tour B Series. At the time, Bridgestone described REACTIV as an “Impact Modifier.” That means its properties vary based on the speed of impact. Firm for speed off the driver but soft for more spin when struck with a wedge. The lingo seems to have taken root industry-wide as Callaway used the same phrase to describe the PARALOID Hybrid cover on the new ERC Soft while Bridgestone is doubling down on “Impact Modifier” to describe the dimples on its new e12 Contact ball.

A photo of the Bridgestone e12 contact golf ball

Bridgestone e12 Contact Force Dimples

This particular manifestation of contact science is an appreciable structural change to the dimples on the new Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball. It’s got a bit of “chainlink” look to it. Twitter user Bengolfstoomuch isn’t too far off in describing it as “pimple in the dimple.”

If all you see of the Contact Force Dimple is this short video, you might say it looks like a hubcap. That might be the influence from the automotive side of the business. Whatever description you like, it’s a hyper-aggressive (insomuch as dimples can be aggressive) version of “dimple in dimple” design.

Beyond performance, Bridgestone’s Contact Force Dimples provides the visible tech golfers love. In fact, one of Bridgestone’s taglines for the e12 Contact is “straight distance you can see.” Because the ball flies straight, which is something that is observable. And because of the unique dimples, which are also observable.

Double-meaning, folks. Bridgestone put some thought into this one.

In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, contact, specifically more of it, is kind of the thing with this story.

The unique geometry of the new dimples allows more of the golf ball’s surface to contact the clubhead.

Bridgestone puts the number at 38-percent more surface contact. I imagine that’s probably nothing you’ve considered before but Bridgestone says all of that extra contact has as two benefits.

Contact Force Dimples – More Speed, More Spin

The first is that the larger contact area allows more energy to pass through the cover and mantle and into the core. That gets you more speed. Who doesn’t love a good “ball go far” story?

Your second benefit is that the additional surface contact also creates more friction which means more spin at the kind of slower speeds most of us generate with our wedges.

Having said that, it’s important to note that the e12 Contact golf ball retains the low spin properties of the prior-gen e12 Soft. Bridgestone says driver spin is actually down about 100 rpm over the previous version.

In addition to a bit more distance, the lower spin properties of the ball work in conjunction with new dimples to reduce sidespin. Technically, the spin axis tilts less but let’s keep it simple: Bottom line, the ball curves less.

It’s why Bridgestone describes the e12 Contact as more forgiving. You can expect longer and straighter drives.

Again, straight distance you can see.

A 1-for-2 Special

With the e12 Contact, Bridgestone is replacing two balls with one.

Because of the contact-force dimple design, Bridgestone says the e12 Contact has the speed properties of the prior-gen e12 Speed but the softer feel and low spin properties off the driver and irons of the e12 Soft.

There’s no need for two models when the e12 Contact offers the best of both.

Compression should be the same as the previous e12 Soft (69 on our gauges).

The Requisite Player Testing

With the standard disclaimers that the home team always wins and newer is invariably better …

In Bridgestone’s player testing, the e12 Contact was shown to be faster and longer than its previous-generation e12 balls. The charts shown during Bridgestone’s presentation also suggest the e12 Contact compares favorably to the Titleist Tour Soft.

In addition to being longer off the driver and irons relative to the previous version, the e12 Contact can be expected to produce about 600 rpm more spin off the wedges.

While that’s not to suggest urethane-level performance, it brings the more affordable Bridgestone e12 Contact’s spin performance closer to balls in the $35-$40 premium ionomer category.

Pricing and Availability

The Bridgestone e12 Contact is available in white (and maybe yellow). Retail price is $29.99. Availability begins 2/26/2021.

For more information, visit BridgestoneGolf.com.

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Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony is the Editor of MyGolfSpy where his job is to bring fresh and innovative content to the site. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, he was instrumental in developing MyGolfSpy's data-driven testing methodologies and continues to sift through our data to find the insights that can help improve your game. Tony believes that golfers deserve to know what's real and what's not, and that means MyGolfSpy's equipment coverage must extend beyond the so-called facts as dictated by the same companies that created them. Most of all Tony believes in performance over hype and #PowerToThePlayer.

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

Tony Covey

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Tony Covey

Tony Covey

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      Robert

      3 years ago

      Well it looks like something old is new again. Does the Royal golf ball from the 70’s ring a bell ?

      Reply

      Bob

      3 years ago

      Bought a dozen 2 weeks ago and I absolutely love these balls. Played a week ago in wind gusts up to 35 mph and sustained wind of 15 to 20 and the ball stays straight.

      Reply

      Chris

      4 years ago

      Is there any difference in the covers between yellow and white Bridgestone balls? I played yellow and white B RX and yellow and white e12 speed last year and I swear the yellow ones don’t spin as much and fly straighter (less side spin?) in both balls. Maybe it’s just me…

      Reply

      Forged Again

      4 years ago

      Just found it, 3 piece Surlyn, with basically a ‘updated’ version of the old soft core…

      Reply

      Forged Again

      4 years ago

      Was/is a big fan of the old e6, (2 piece urethane cover), but it def acted like a 2 piece… Seems like this ball might be the ticket. But, as others have asked, a 2, 3, or 4 piece? That’s pertinent info… Almost as bad as the golf store Mgr telling me ‘no one uses/cares about swing weight anymore., our scale is under an inch of dust’. Realllly?

      Reply

      Charlie

      4 years ago

      Please include these in the next ball test MGS!

      Reply

      Bill

      4 years ago

      So this is a new type of cover other than urethane? How many layers?

      Reply

      Tom Wiss

      4 years ago

      CAnt wait to try these E12 Contact
      Wonder if yellow is coming.???

      Reply

      Daniel Cohen

      4 years ago

      I’ll try them. Contact with the ball is indeed what I’m going for.

      Reply

      Shortyvaldez

      4 years ago

      I like to play the new b12 Callaway

      Reply

      P.J.

      4 years ago

      You set the standard by cutting them open and detailing the quality aspects of manufacturing. Without that data, this article seems….unfinished.

      Reply

      WillieT

      4 years ago

      Interesting design and that it is on the lower end of the pricing range. As noted, it looks to be for the “rest” of the golf community, maybe taking a clue from Cleveland in that they, Bridgestone, are looking at the mid – to – higher handicappers?

      Reply

      Neil Meredith

      4 years ago

      A good feel is all us golfers need

      Reply

      Larry Edwards

      4 years ago

      I can’t wait for these. I absolutely love how straight the e series fly.

      Reply

      Adam Haley

      4 years ago

      I just received a package from Bridgestone to test out earlier today and I’m anxious to get out and put them through their paces, up until they visit Davy Jones on hole 14.
      I can say that they feel really soft off the putter, much fuller sound and softer feel than ERC Soft and definitely softer than Pro V1 and X.
      I’ll try to remember to make my way back here once I can hit the driver and irons

      Reply

      Jordy Evans

      4 years ago

      Have played Bridgestone balls for about 7 years now.

      First the E6 which I used because they indeed curved less resulting in fewer lost balls and penalties.

      As I improved I switched to the Bridgestone Tour BRX which seems to fit me the best.

      Since its introduction I’ve found a fair amount of the E12 balls lost around the course and have had the chance to try them.

      Compared to the Tour BRX the E12 Speed ball is decent off the tee but is about 1/2 to 1 club longer off my irons. Unfortunately it definitely runs out more on chip shots and putts too which I don’t want.

      The E12 Soft does not perform as well for me as the Speed.

      Having more spin would help the E12 to check up more around the green.

      Combining the E12 Speed & Soft into one product does take some of the confusion about ball selection away and streamlines their product line-up. It reminds me of when Bridgestone consolidated the E5, E6 & E7 into the E6 brand.

      Glad to see Bridgestone continue to innovate across their product line.

      Reply

      Robert Zukowski

      4 years ago

      Love to try them (in yellow, please)

      Reply

      Jack

      4 years ago

      Wish they brought back the original E6 instead. That ball WAS straight. Also long, affordable, and durable.

      Reply

      Larry Edwards

      4 years ago

      I absolutely love the e6 and e12. Most people prefer Pro V1, but not me. I will always play Bridgestone e series.

      Reply

      Frank Wiater

      4 years ago

      Reminds my of the old Wilson ProStaff golf ball I used to play back in the early 80’s. They had a “Truncated dimple” design that actually did seem to help it play better in the wind.

      Reply

      Bagger

      4 years ago

      I loved that Wilson design…

      Reply

      Alex

      4 years ago

      I got an email saying that they are sending me new balls to test.– I suppose this is what will be arriving.

      Reply

      Jeff

      4 years ago

      Have they announced this on the tour balls? Seems odd to announce a major breakthrough like this claims to be on a lower end ball (relatively speaking) if not, when every other OEM tends to use tour validation as the mechanism to drive down-portfolio growth.

      Reply

      Tehps

      4 years ago

      i read on another site that this tech is being intro’d on the e12 line b/c the characteristics result in higher trajectory and straighter shots. while good for amateur players, this is not ideal for a tour ball

      Reply

      dr. bloor

      4 years ago

      Yep, easy to see how the properties of the new e12 would create problems for pros and highly skilled amateurs.. They play pretty well with the old school dimples.

      Suspect the e12 will be popular with skilled recreational golfers who understand that equipment criteria for pros is (and should be) fundamentally different from those for the rest of us.

      Mike

      4 years ago

      I would definitely like to try them. But I feel they should get a prize for coming up with a ball name that does not include the words soft, speed, tour, etc!

      Reply

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