Bridgestone’s tire-inspired Contact Science project continues into is fourth generation with the e12 Contact golf ball.

Targeting distance, soft feel, and enhanced short game performance in a Surlyn ball, the new Flexativ Surlyn cover creates 46-percent more surface contact at impact.

The Flexativ cover features impact modifiers so that when a driver impacts the ball, it acts firmer to provide more ball speed and less sidespin. When a short iron or wedge impacts the cover, however, it acts like a softer, slower material for 46 percent more surface contact, and thus, greater spin and control.

E12 Contact golf balls also feature Contact Force dimples, which debuted on the previous generation ball. As a refresher, the dimple design features a raised area in the center of the dimple and an outer portion configured to reduce sidespin. More contact with the clubface results from the raised area. This means more ball speed and distance, according to Bridgestone, as well as more short game spin and control.

What Bridgestone says

“We learned a lot from working on the Tour B line and were able to apply some similar design features to the new e12 Contact,” said Elliot Mellow, Golf Ball Marketing Manager for Bridgestone Golf. “The new ball is about as advanced as anything you can find in the straight-distance category and can provide exceptional speed, longer, straighter shots, and solid short game performance for a wide range of players.”

“Flexativ represents our fourth iteration of Contact Science,” said Adam Rehberg, Senior Manager, Ball Fitting and R&D. “Our engineers have found a way to combine the structural and chemical advantages of Contact Science and put them into one golf ball, creating a model that flies longer, straighter, and spins more on short shots around the green. It’s an impressive achievement in design and manufacturing.”

Pricing, specs, availability

Price: $34.99/dozen
At retail: March 2023
Colors: White, Matte Green, Matte Red, Matte Yellow