About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the golf balls, which I purchased with my own money in August of 2021.

My take

The Bridgestone e12 Contact golf ball is a 3-piece ionomer cover golf ball aimed at (and best suited for) mid to mid-high handicap golfers looking to mitigate spin and hit straighter shots.

About the golf ball I own

• Model: 2021 Bridgestone E12 Contact
• Color: White

About me

• Average score: 90
• Handicap: 18
• Experience: 30 years of playing golf
• Right/Left-handed: Right-handed
• Typical shot shape: High cut
• Typical trajectory: High ball flight
• Club swing speed: 95 mph driver

Test conditions

• When I bought this: August 2021
• Days tested: 90
• Where I’ve used it: Used exclusively on the course and backyard practice
• Weather and wind conditions: Primarily played in cooler weather conditions
• Turf conditions: All turf conditions
• Green speeds: All green speeds

How they perform

What I was looking for

I chose the Bridgestone e12 Contact ball to play during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when the air is heavier and cooler, and I needed a ball that was a bit straighter and flew higher. The ball holds well on soft to average bentgrass greens, which is what I normally encounter in these seasons.

Why I chose this golf ball

I chose the e12 Contact because it ticked all of the boxes for me. The ball does fly straighter and a bit higher. It mitigates driver spin well and gets good distance and decent spin. I also selected the e12 Contact because it helped me hit the ball straighter in my early season (and rusty) form. The greens are soft in the spring and fall where I live, and holding the green is not a problem with this ball. Being a touch softer also helps in cooler temps.

What I love about it

• Distance: The e12 Contact travels a respectable distance on all shots. This is due to the spin mitigation of its softer compression and firmer cover.
• Feel: The e12 Contact has a soft feel on full shots and isn’t too clicky off the putter.
• Green Spin: The e12 Contact generates adequate spin for all but the firmest greens because it’s a 3-piece ball.
• Durability: I’ve observed no unusual durability issues with the e12 Contact. The cover has held up as well as any other 3 piece ionomer ball and can be expected to last a couple rounds under normal conditions, before needing to be replaced.
• Color: The e12 Contact is available in a standard white (gloss) and matte (colors) finish to suit players’ eyes and tastes.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Other: These balls are intended to go high, far, and straight. More advanced players may not care for the trajectory or workability.

Best shot with this golf ball

I have hit many good shots with the E12 Contact but the one that probably stands out the most is a shot I took on a very narrow 260-yard par 4. Any errant shots on this hole spell disaster and most people hit an iron vs. a longer club. I chose a driving iron and hit a shot that went laser straight and the better part of 200 yards. This set me up with a short pitch, which I converted to a birdie.

Value for the money vs. other options

When comparing the price and value of the e12 Contact to other balls in its category (Srixon Soft Feel, etc.), I believe the e12 wins out, largely due to it being a softer covered 3-piece versus a harder 2-piece ball. This helps with greenside spin, allowing shots to check up a bit more quickly.

Final verdict

I believe the Bridgestone e12 Contact will serve a broad audience of mid to mid-high handicap golfers, hoping to hit the ball higher and straighter. The ball gets acceptable spin on and around the greens and feels soft on full shots. The distance is respectable for a lower compression offering and may offer some additional length in cooler temperatures. 📷