Bridgestone produces some of the best golf balls on the market and cater to golfers of all skill levels. Tiger Woods has been a brand ambassador for several years and plays their premium golf ball, Tour B XS TW Edition golf ball, but the brand has numerous other options to match whatever your needs.
The new Bridgestone e12 range features three models each aimed at mid-high handicap golfers who have specific ball flight requirements. The e12 Straight will help reduce sidespin and keep your ball on the fairway, while the e12 Speed has been designed to produce extra distance. Then there is the subject of this review; the e12 High Launch, which has been specifically engineered to… well I'm sure you can guess.
Many golfers have difficulty getting the ball in the air and as a result of that they lose distance, particularly with their irons where carry is especially important. A lack of elevation is often due to a slower swing speed, which is a common issue with senior golfers and those who may be quite new to the game. There are other reasons for a low launch, but irrespective of why you might struggle for height, the good news is that some golf balls have been designed to combat this problem.
It was interesting testing all of the e12 family side by side and seeing them all do exactly what they are supposed to. The Speed did travel furthest, the Straight was indeed the easiest to keep on the fairway and the High Launch did not disappoint either.
The High Launch is the softest feeling in the e12 range. It is a two-piece construction all with a super low compression core and a surlyn cover. The difference in sound and feel between the High Launch and the Speed is very obvious, whereas the Straight sits somewhere in between.
On the golf course I found that the e12 High Launch does exactly what it is supposed to. It delivered a towering ball flight and it will add yards of carry to those who need it most, particularly with irons.
Hitting tee shots with the High Launch was a similar feeling to using the Wilson DUO soft, which is another golf ball designed to get the ball up in the air quickly and is one of the best golf balls for seniors.
The e12 High Launch isn’t the spinniest on approach shots but the extra elevation you get will definitely help when it comes to holding the green.
As you would expect from a ball in this category, it is not the most responsive around the greens so it will not suit the short game wizards who like to spin the ball and check it up quickly on pitch shots. For that you will need one of the best premium golf balls. The e12 High Launch may be limited in what it can do in the short game, but for the skill level of golfer that this ball is aimed at, it does the job.
The feel off the putter face might split opinion somewhat as some golfers like a soft feeling ball, whereas others prefer a firmer feel. The putter face itself is important here, as a soft face insert combined with a soft golf ball is going to be like hitting a marshmallow with a pillow. Personally I find that a soft golf ball generally works better with a firmer, milled faced putter as you get good feedback on the strike.
Something else worth mentioning is that the e12 family all feature the patented Bridgestone Mindset logo, which has become a staple on the best Bridgestone golf balls and is designed to help the golfer develop a pre-shot routine and to increase focus. The pattern is to trigger a three step process; identify the target, visualise the shot path and then clear your mind and focus on the green dot before executing your shot.
This will work for some and not for others, but it certainly enhances the aesthetic of the golf ball and I’m a big fan of the color scheme.
Bridgestone claims that 85% of amateur golfers are playing the wrong ball and would benefit from playing a ball that is tailored specifically to their ball flight. The e12 models are their solution to that as they believe they have all bases covered with these three options.
If you feel as though you need more height on your ball flight, the e12 High Launch is worth considering as it can definitely help.
