by Bang Average Golf’s Head of Swing Flaws and Ball Excuses.
Bridgestone’s e12 Contact range comes in three flavours: Hi-Launch, Straight, and Speed. Which one should you play? Depends how bad you are and how much you’re willing to admit it.
These are golf balls that know they’re not competing with the Pro V1. They’re competing with your wallet and your fragile ego. And honestly? They’re pretty good, there’s a solution for whatever ails yer. If you struggle for height? No problem. If you’re short off the tee? Bridgestone’s e12 got you. And if you spent more time off the beaten track than Bear Grylls? There’s a solution for that too.
Most of us don’t need a tour ball. We need a ball that won’t spin off the planet when we slightly overcook a fade, or pop up like a champagne cork when we accidentally hit down with a 3-wood. Enter Bridgestone’s e12 range: Speed, Hi-Launch, and Straight.
These aren’t for the pros. They’re for the pub golfers. The once-a-weekers. The “my bad, that’s a provisional” merchants. And thank the golfing gods for that.
e12 HI-LAUNCH
AKA: The Anti-Chunk Launcher
This one’s for players who swing like they’re dragging a shopping trolley through sand. Low swing speed? Inconsistent contact? Welcome to your new best mate.
Flight: Ridiculously high. Like “might need planning permission” high.
Spin: Low spin, high flight, lands soft – like a drunk butterfly.
Feel: Softer than a Labradoodle in a cashmere jumper.
Ideal use case: If your 7-iron flies as far as your mate’s gap wedge, the Hi-Launch is your hero.
Bang Average Rating
e12 STRAIGHT
AKA: The Golf Ball for Chronic Faders in Denial
Promised to reduce sidespin thanks to Bridgestone’s “Contact Force Dimple.” Translation: dimples shaped like mini tractor tyres that claim to straighten your drives.
Flight: Mid launch, mid spin, straight-ish.
Spin: Less sidespin means more fairways – or at least fewer apologies.
Feel: Firm-ish but responsive.
Alignment aid: Yes. Hard to miss unless you’re blind or very, very drunk.
Ideal use case: Golfers who always aim left and still miss right.
Bang Average Rating
e12 SPEED
AKA: The Ball That Thinks You’re Faster Than You Are
Marketed for “moderate swing speeds” but feels like it wants you to swing out your shoes. The firmest and fastest in the trio.
Flight: Piercing. Less “floaty” than its siblings.
Spin: Low. Very low. Good for distance, bad for checking up.
Feel: Firm. Like hitting a chilled apple.
Distance: Impressive, if you can generate the heat. Otherwise, it’s like driving a Porsche in second gear.
Ideal use case: Anyone who swings hard and prays harder.
