When it comes to selecting the right golf ball, many factors come into play, including distance, spin, and feel. Two popular options in the market are the E12 Contact and E12 Soft golf balls from Bridgestone. In this article, we’ll compare the two and help you decide which ball may be the right fit for you.
E12 Contact Golf Ball:
The E12 Contact golf ball is designed for maximum distance and minimal spin off the tee. The ball features Bridgestone’s Contact Force dimple pattern, which is intended to reduce drag and promote a straighter flight path. The ball also has a large, soft inner core, which provides a responsive feel upon impact.
Advantages of E12 Contact:
- Greater distance: The E12 Contact golf ball is designed to maximize distance off the tee.
- Reduced spin: The Contact Force dimple pattern on the ball reduces spin and helps keep shots straight.
- Soft feel: Despite its focus on distance, the E12 Contact still provides a soft feel upon impact, thanks to its inner core.
Disadvantages of E12 Contact:
- Less control: With reduced spin, the E12 Contact may be more challenging to control on approach shots.
- Not ideal for short game: The E12 Contact’s design focuses more on distance than feel, making it less suitable for short game shots.
E12 Soft Golf Ball:
The E12 Soft golf ball is designed to provide a soft feel and increased spin on approach shots. The ball features Bridgestone’s Delta Wing Dimple pattern, which is intended to promote lift and increase distance. The ball also has a low-compression core, which provides a soft feel and increased spin on short shots.
Advantages of E12 Soft:
- Improved control: The E12 Soft’s increased spin provides better control on approach shots.
- Soft feel: The low-compression core provides a soft feel on all shots.
- Suitable for short game: The E12 Soft’s design makes it an ideal choice for short game shots.
Disadvantages of E12 Soft:
- Reduced distance: The E12 Soft is designed more for feel than distance, so it may not provide as much distance off the tee as the E12 Contact.
- Less straight flight: The Delta Wing Dimple pattern may promote lift but may also make the ball more prone to slicing or hooking.
Construction and Design:
The E12 Contact and E12 Soft golf balls have different construction and design features that affect their performance on the course.
E12 Contact Construction and Design:
- Contact Force Dimple pattern: The E12 Contact has a Contact Force Dimple pattern that consists of 12 shallow dimples and 552 larger, more prominent ones. The design aims to reduce drag and promote a straighter flight path, particularly on tee shots.
- Large soft core: The E12 Contact has a large, soft core that provides a soft feel and maximum distance off the tee.
E12 Soft Construction and Design:
- Delta Wing Dimple pattern: The E12 Soft has a Delta Wing Dimple pattern that consists of 44 larger and shallower dimples. The design aims to promote lift and increase distance while also providing better control and feel on approach shots.
- Low-compression core: The E12 Soft has a low-compression core that provides a soft feel and increased spin on short shots.
Performance on the Course:
How the E12 Contact and E12 Soft golf balls perform on the course can vary based on factors such as swing speed, ball flight, and spin.
E12 Contact Performance:
- Distance off the tee: The E12 Contact is designed to provide maximum distance off the tee due to its low-spin design and soft core.
- Straight flight: The Contact Force Dimple pattern on the E12 Contact helps to promote a straighter flight path, making it easier to hit fairways.
- Reduced spin: The E12 Contact’s low-spin design means that it may be more challenging to control on approach shots.
E12 Soft Performance:
- Control and feel: The E12 Soft is designed to provide better control and feel on approach shots due to its increased spin and low-compression core.
- Suitable for short game: The E12 Soft’s design makes it a suitable choice for short game shots such as chipping and putting.
- Reduced distance: The E12 Soft may not provide as much distance off the tee as the E12 Contact due to its focus on control and feel.
Price and Availability:
Price and availability are other factors to consider when choosing between the E12 Contact and E12 Soft golf balls.
E12 Contact Price and Availability:
- Price: The E12 Contact is priced around $30-$35 per dozen, making it an affordable option for golfers looking to maximize their distance off the tee.
- Availability: The E12 Contact is widely available at golf retailers and online stores.
E12 Soft Price and Availability:
- Price: The E12 Soft is priced around $30-$35 per dozen, making it a similarly affordable option to the E12 Contact.
- Availability: The E12 Soft is widely available at golf retailers and online stores.
E12 Contact Golf Balls Comparison
| Brand | Model | Cover Material | Compression | Price (per dozen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone | e12 Contact | Surlyn | 50 | $29.99 |
| Titleist | TruFeel | TruFlex Cover | 40 | $24.99 |
| Srixon | Soft Feel | Ionomer | 60 | $19.99 |
| Callaway | Supersoft | Trionomer | 38 | $24.99 |
| TaylorMade | Soft Response | Ionomer | 35 | $24.99 |
| Vice | Drive | Surlyn | 60 | $29.99 |
| Wilson | Staff Duo Soft+ | Ionomer | 35 | $24.99 |
| Mizuno | RB566V | Ionomer | 56 | $29.99 |
| Top-Flite | Gamer | Ionomer | 70 | $19.99 |
| Kirkland | Signature | Urethane | 70 | $29.99 |
E12 Soft Golf Balls Comparison
| Brand | Model | Cover Material | Compression | Price (per dozen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone | e12 Soft | Surlyn | 50 | $29.99 |
| Titleist | Velocity | NaZ2 Cover | 65 | $26.99 |
| Srixon | Q-Star Tour | Urethane | 72 | $29.99 |
| Callaway | ERC Soft | Graphene Infused Dual SoftFast Core | 60 | $39.99 |
| TaylorMade | Tour Response | Urethane | 70 | $34.99 |
| Vice | Pro Soft | Urethane | 35 | $34.99 |
| Wilson | Staff Model | Urethane | 70 | $39.99 |
| Mizuno | RB Tour | Urethane | 75 | $44.99 |
| Top-Flite | Gamer Tour | Urethane | 70 | $27.99 |
| Kirkland | Performance + | Urethane | 70 | $29.99 |
E12 Contact Golf Balls Compression Comparison
| Brand | Model | Compression |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone | e12 Contact | 50 |
| Titleist | TruFeel | 40 |
| Srixon | Soft Feel | 60 |
| Callaway | Supersoft | 38 |
| TaylorMade | Soft Response | 35 |
| Vice | Drive | 60 |
| Wilson | Staff Duo Soft+ | 35 |
| Mizuno | RB566V | 56 |
| Top-Flite | Gamer | 70 |
| Kirkland | Signature | 70 |
E12 Soft Golf Balls Compression Comparison
| Brand | Model | Compression |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone | e12 Soft | 50 |
| Titleist | Velocity | 65 |
| Srixon | Q-Star Tour | 72 |
| Callaway | ERC Soft | 60 |
| TaylorMade | Tour Response | 70 |
| Vice | Pro Soft | 35 |
| Wilson | Staff Model | 70 |
| Mizuno | RB Tour | 75 |
| Top-Flite | Gamer Tour | 70 |
| Kirkland | Performance + | 70 |
E12 Contact vs E12 Soft Cover Material
| Brand | Model | E12 Contact Cover Material | E12 Soft Cover Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone | e12 Contact | Surlyn | Surlyn |
| Bridgestone | e12 Soft | Surlyn | Surlyn |
| Titleist | TruFeel | TruFlex Cover | – |
| Titleist | Velocity | NaZ2 Cover | – |
| Srixon | Soft Feel | Ionomer | – |
| Srixon | Q-Star Tour | – | Urethane |
| Callaway | Supersoft | Trionomer | – |
| Callaway | ERC Soft | Graphene Infused Dual SoftFast Core | – |
| TaylorMade | Soft Response | Ionomer | – |
| TaylorMade | Tour Response | – | Urethane |
| Vice | Drive | Surlyn | – |
| Vice | Pro Soft | – | Urethane |
| Wilson | Staff Duo Soft+ | Ionomer | – |
| Wilson | Staff Model | – | Urethane |
| Mizuno | RB566V | Ionomer | – |
| Mizuno | RB Tour | – | Urethane |
| Top-Flite | Gamer | Ionomer | – |
| Top-Flite | Gamer Tour | – | Urethane |
| Kirkland | Signature | Urethane | – |
| Kirkland | Performance + | – | Urethane |
Conclusion:
Choosing between the E12 Contact and E12 Soft golf balls depends on your priorities on the golf course. If distance and a straighter flight are your primary concerns, the E12 Contact may be the better option for you. However, if you prioritize control and feel, especially around the greens, the E12 Soft may be the better choice. Ultimately, the best way to determine which ball works best for you is to try them both out and see which one performs best for your game.
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