Nicklausfan
New member
Hey Gang:
Recently, I tried a new ball on the heels of the Blind Ball Test. Of course, most of us now know that the ball was the Bridgestone Tour B330 RX. A great ball that lived up to the remarks provided by the testers. It is a ball that I immediately purchased. With plans of course to stockpile.
Consequently, there was a thread that I started that thanked THP and of course the testers for their efforts and feedback on the ball. Ironically enough, I tried the ball selector tool on the Bridgestone site and twice it recommended to my surprise the E5. I honestly thought that I or the tool was ony slightly delusional. In the past, I've used other manufacturers ball selector tools and of course it always recommended the highest priced premium ball. Which I really don't have an issue with but I admit that there was a little shock involved when it said E5. In my "thanks" thread someone mentioned that I should try the recommended ball. So I bought a dozen... and went to the course to test. Here's how it went.
Player Bio
Gender - Male
Age - 39
Height - 6'0"
Weight - Too Much (218 lbs)
Dexterity - RH
Clubhead Speed - 115 mph
Status - Turned Professional 2011
Hmmmm... the Bridgestone E5 Distance Control.... a two-piece Urethane covered ball. Interesting. I pulled my shiny new Bridgestone E5 Distance Control out of the box and was reminded by looking at it that it's cover was "dimple in dimple". Did it bother me? No, not in the least. Afterall why should it?
Feel
To start off I began my round by teeing off with a fairway wood. The first hole at my course is a dog leg left with water to the left. Anything too far finds a tough fairway bunker which signals death... bogey or worse. I always warm-up with a 3 wood.. placing it usually centre left. This day was nothing different. The shot left the club with great velocity, a soft (see "light") feeling, and the ballflight was a tad higher than most of the others balls I experimented with but it was nothing out of the ordinary. Immediately, I was impressed by the feel. I wondered how this ball would feel compared to some premium offerings I've tested and this ball did not disappoint. Into a right to left hurting wind I played a PW from 138. The ball felt great... sort of a soft click and I was shocked to watch it land 15 yards past the target. I scrambled to save par. Regardless of this the E5 already made it on the feel front as far as I was concerned. Did I mention that the wind did not move it off line? All day long the feeling was replayed over and over again. Great feel not "harsh" at all as some balls have been. I only played 9 holes and on the last hole I took driver out. Yes it was downwind and I hit a monster drive (my longest ever 358) but the thing that really struck me was the fact that I could feel the E5 compress off of the clubface.
Approaches
This is a problem has plagued me all year with certain balls is on approach shots. Not missing the green so much but landing by the pin and the ball spinning too much and that leading towards low percentage first putts for birdie. For example... hitting a shot to within 2 feet and having 20+ for birdie. The greens were receptive due to recent wet conditions. Not full blown rain but it's been stereotypical Scottish weather here in Niagara. The E5 definitely passed this test with flying colours. I prefer a one hop and stop or maybe up to 5 feet of backspin. On greens where other balls would've spun back 20+ feet this ball on approaches backed up 3 feet once otherwise it landed and stuck. Slightly firmer greens would be interesting but for now I have to rave about the ball. The ball ultimately led to 4 birdies over 9 however due to a brain cramp on one hole I had a double bogey where I take birdie or par.
Greenside Spin
The jury is still out on this section due to GIR being hit 8 of 9. On the previously aforementioned first hole I flew the green. I hit a recovery lob and it landed bounced forward and left me 2 feet for the save.
Distance
Well the E5 is a Distance Control ball right? It did seem to be a bit longer (5 yards) off of driver or fairway woods off the tee. As far as irons go however I did not notice any discernable difference. In fact, it was the same as its cousin the RX. Remember the drive I mentioned earlier? I imagine the ball is a "softie" compared to others because compressing it wasn't a problem which likely led to the extra 5 yards off of driver/fairway. Except for the beast on 9.
Putting
The ball putted like a dream. Like most balls nowadays there is some sort of alignment aid for putting. This is where it says E5. I prefer a soft "click" with my putter and the E5 is a treasure and pleasure to putt. Staying on line was no problem.
Durability
Again the jury is still out. I only played 9 holes but there wasn't a mark to be had. Could the urethane cover cause a duability issue? That remains to be seen but if I were to write a hypothesis I would guess yes...based on most other urethane covered balls.
The Writer's Overall Impression
The Bridgestone E5 Distance Control is a real impressive ball especially considering its price point. It's a two-piece ball that I think has a chip on its shoulder. It flat out performed like a premium ball and at $26 a dozen it makes for a tough ball to pass up on. I will not compare it to the RX directly but I will say that I do have some considerations to make.
I score it an 8 out of 10 based on the fact that I could not test it greenside or test the durabilty. They are two "x-factors" that have to be weighed. This and its RX cousin could be enormous pearls in a huge ocean of oysters.
Alex
Of course feel is individual and this is based on my observation. Observations may vary.
Recently, I tried a new ball on the heels of the Blind Ball Test. Of course, most of us now know that the ball was the Bridgestone Tour B330 RX. A great ball that lived up to the remarks provided by the testers. It is a ball that I immediately purchased. With plans of course to stockpile.
Consequently, there was a thread that I started that thanked THP and of course the testers for their efforts and feedback on the ball. Ironically enough, I tried the ball selector tool on the Bridgestone site and twice it recommended to my surprise the E5. I honestly thought that I or the tool was ony slightly delusional. In the past, I've used other manufacturers ball selector tools and of course it always recommended the highest priced premium ball. Which I really don't have an issue with but I admit that there was a little shock involved when it said E5. In my "thanks" thread someone mentioned that I should try the recommended ball. So I bought a dozen... and went to the course to test. Here's how it went.
Player Bio
Gender - Male
Age - 39
Height - 6'0"
Weight - Too Much (218 lbs)
Dexterity - RH
Clubhead Speed - 115 mph
Status - Turned Professional 2011
Hmmmm... the Bridgestone E5 Distance Control.... a two-piece Urethane covered ball. Interesting. I pulled my shiny new Bridgestone E5 Distance Control out of the box and was reminded by looking at it that it's cover was "dimple in dimple". Did it bother me? No, not in the least. Afterall why should it?
Feel
To start off I began my round by teeing off with a fairway wood. The first hole at my course is a dog leg left with water to the left. Anything too far finds a tough fairway bunker which signals death... bogey or worse. I always warm-up with a 3 wood.. placing it usually centre left. This day was nothing different. The shot left the club with great velocity, a soft (see "light") feeling, and the ballflight was a tad higher than most of the others balls I experimented with but it was nothing out of the ordinary. Immediately, I was impressed by the feel. I wondered how this ball would feel compared to some premium offerings I've tested and this ball did not disappoint. Into a right to left hurting wind I played a PW from 138. The ball felt great... sort of a soft click and I was shocked to watch it land 15 yards past the target. I scrambled to save par. Regardless of this the E5 already made it on the feel front as far as I was concerned. Did I mention that the wind did not move it off line? All day long the feeling was replayed over and over again. Great feel not "harsh" at all as some balls have been. I only played 9 holes and on the last hole I took driver out. Yes it was downwind and I hit a monster drive (my longest ever 358) but the thing that really struck me was the fact that I could feel the E5 compress off of the clubface.
Approaches
This is a problem has plagued me all year with certain balls is on approach shots. Not missing the green so much but landing by the pin and the ball spinning too much and that leading towards low percentage first putts for birdie. For example... hitting a shot to within 2 feet and having 20+ for birdie. The greens were receptive due to recent wet conditions. Not full blown rain but it's been stereotypical Scottish weather here in Niagara. The E5 definitely passed this test with flying colours. I prefer a one hop and stop or maybe up to 5 feet of backspin. On greens where other balls would've spun back 20+ feet this ball on approaches backed up 3 feet once otherwise it landed and stuck. Slightly firmer greens would be interesting but for now I have to rave about the ball. The ball ultimately led to 4 birdies over 9 however due to a brain cramp on one hole I had a double bogey where I take birdie or par.
Greenside Spin
The jury is still out on this section due to GIR being hit 8 of 9. On the previously aforementioned first hole I flew the green. I hit a recovery lob and it landed bounced forward and left me 2 feet for the save.
Distance
Well the E5 is a Distance Control ball right? It did seem to be a bit longer (5 yards) off of driver or fairway woods off the tee. As far as irons go however I did not notice any discernable difference. In fact, it was the same as its cousin the RX. Remember the drive I mentioned earlier? I imagine the ball is a "softie" compared to others because compressing it wasn't a problem which likely led to the extra 5 yards off of driver/fairway. Except for the beast on 9.
Putting
The ball putted like a dream. Like most balls nowadays there is some sort of alignment aid for putting. This is where it says E5. I prefer a soft "click" with my putter and the E5 is a treasure and pleasure to putt. Staying on line was no problem.
Durability
Again the jury is still out. I only played 9 holes but there wasn't a mark to be had. Could the urethane cover cause a duability issue? That remains to be seen but if I were to write a hypothesis I would guess yes...based on most other urethane covered balls.
The Writer's Overall Impression
The Bridgestone E5 Distance Control is a real impressive ball especially considering its price point. It's a two-piece ball that I think has a chip on its shoulder. It flat out performed like a premium ball and at $26 a dozen it makes for a tough ball to pass up on. I will not compare it to the RX directly but I will say that I do have some considerations to make.
I score it an 8 out of 10 based on the fact that I could not test it greenside or test the durabilty. They are two "x-factors" that have to be weighed. This and its RX cousin could be enormous pearls in a huge ocean of oysters.
Alex
Of course feel is individual and this is based on my observation. Observations may vary.
