Review: Bridgestone Golf balls e5, e6, e7 and xFIXx comparative

December 11, 2012 – Bridgestone Golf is recognized as one of the best golf ball brands in the market. Its performance Tour B330 Series, to be selected using the player’s swing speed criteria (B330 and B330-S for pros, and B330-RX and B330-RXS for amateurs with swing speed less than 105 mph), makes its other models, which are more appropriate for the average golfer, go unnoticed because they are not used by Tour professionals and almost no one speaks about them.

We refer to the e Series (e5, e6 and e7 golf balls), where the performance focuses more on distance, which we usually look for from the tee, and is selected by the type of trajectory along with other features. And also the amazing xFIXx ball, if what you are looking for is a great, all around performance. Find the type of ball that best suits your game, and your budget, and your golf will be more satisfying. MyGolfWay.com shows you how.

What Bridgestone Golf says…

We took a sample of each model, four sleeves of three golf balls provided by Holiday Golf, the distributor of the brand Bridgestone Golf in Spain and Portugal. And the first thing we did when we took them out of the boxes was literally to sink our teeth into them. That gives a first reference to the softness of their covers. Then we bounced them off the tiled floor, and compared them in hardness.

From the box information, we know that e5 is a two piece construction, with urethane cover, focused on the potency of a large core, surrounded by a layer which gives control. The e6 is one of the softest multilayer balls in the market, reducing significantly the side effects (slice or hook), therefore helping to hit a longer and straight golf ball. The e7 is another multilayer ball designed for those who are regularly in the fairway, but need a little extra distance and roll. And finally, the xFIXx is offered as the perfect solution for the recreational player, due to its combination of distance, softness and control.

Moreover, the new Dual Dimple technology in the e Series improves the aerodynamics of the ball, as the inside dimple works to increase thrust power at launch and achieve greater distance, while the outer dimple promotes a shallow angle of descent for increased roll.

Blaster (58°), short approach (25m)

In this first test with new balls we looked for indications of feel and durability. We hit three balls of each model from 25m to the putting green. The xFIXx gave us the first reference, with a soft touch, with proper stop and good roll. Then the e6 showed excellent feel, superior to the xFIXx. The e5 had a firm grip on the green, and although it was not as soft as the xFIXx, it was softer than the e7.

All proved correct, with most softness from the e6 and second the xFIXx. As for the durability, under the rigour of a blaster of 58° loft, with an oxide surface, the e6 suffered greater abrasion, followed by the e5, then the e7, and finally the xFIXx.

Blaster (58º), long approach (50m)

At the driving range we were about 50m from the putting green, and we hit the three balls of each model again, concentrating on their feel and drop behaviour. Here, the touch of the e6 was splendid compared with the others. It showed a better grip on the green, with a shorter path after landing. So this would be the best option if you are looking for feel and accuracy.

The xFIXx had a drop with a good grip and a bit more roll. Then the e7, the hardest, obtained a lower height and also rolled more. The e5 went a little higher and rolled more or less like the e7 on the green.

5 iron, 165m to the green

We were at a hole of 165 meters to the green, with a light sea breeze against and humidity. We hit the three balls of each model, and almost all landed on the green. The xFIXx made an average of 164m, the e6 reached 161m, the e5 reached 160m, and the e7 averaged 157m.

The e5 flew higher. As to the feel, the e6 was still the best by far, followed by the xFIXx, while the e7 was noticeably harder. The ball control was very good with all of them, demonstrating a good stopping ability on the green, as none rolled more than 1m, bearing in mind the breeze, of course.

That the e7 ball was the shortest of all when Bridgestone Golf defines it as along-distance ball is a result of its behaviour: the e7 helps make more metres when the swing speed is lower, but with a high swing speed like mine this characteristic is not reflected by the result.

Driver (9.5 º loft, flex Stiff), 436m hole

Finally, we stood at the tee of a 436m long hole. With conditions of a slight breeze against and humidity, we hit the balls and measured the distance with a GolfBuddy Voice golf GPS, taking into account the deviation from the straight line to the centre of the green which, is the guide of the GPS signal. Here, with the driver, the e7 gave us a deeper trajectory, with the longest flight, and a distance of 230m, but with less control. Second was the surprising xFIXx with 225m, with less control than the e6. We found that it was the Bridgestone Golf ball with the best value. The e5 emerged as the highest golf ball of the four by far, staying in the air for some time and reaching about 220m, and was the second most regular. And finally the e6, with 215m, gave a more penetrating flight and a lower height, but was more regular in trajectory.

BRIDGESTONE GOLF BALLS e Series and xFIXx

• Tester: Toni Alcázar (33). Head Pro of El Doctor Golf.

COMPARATIVE RANKING	e5	e6	e7	xFIXx
DISTANCE	3rd	3rd	1st	2nd
PENETRATION	3rd	1st	4th	2nd
HIGH	1st	3rd	2nd	3rd
DURABILITY	3rd	4th	2nd	1st
CONTROL	2nd	1st	4th	3rd
FEEL	3rd	1st	4th	2nd
VALUE	3rd	2nd	4th	1st

Toni Alcazar, Head Pro of El Doctor Golf.

CONCLUSIONS

Personally, from my professional point of view, the balls that I liked most are the e6 and the xFIXx. The feel and control of the e6 is superior to the others, also with the putter, while the xFIXx maintains a very balanced performance. Given the affordable price of the xFIXx, I think it is a good recommendation for the recreational golfer who wants to improve his or her game.

For a golf course that is a bit wet I would choose the xFIXx, and I would opt for the e6 in summer when the golf course is dry and hard. If you are looking for easier height, the e5 is definitely going to help you, and if you are looking for distance to compensate a low-to-moderate swing speed, the e7 is your ball.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

e5 – Distance and Control

• Core: Large gradational compression core.
• Cover: Tour caliber urethane cover.
• Dimples: 330 seamless dimple design with New Dual Dimple Technology.
• Performance: Grear greenside spin. Promotes a higher trajectory.
• RRP: Box of 12 golf balls, €36.

e6 – Straight Distance

• Core: Soft gradational compression core.
• Inner Layer: Anti-side spin inner layer.
• Cover: Soft Surlyn cover.
• Dimples: 330 seamless dimple design with New Dual Dimple Technology.
• Performance: Gran tacto blando que reduces side spin for increased accuracy.
• RRP: Box of 12 golf balls, €36.

e7 – Pure Distance

• Core: High speed gradational compression core.
• Inner Layer: Velocity boosting inner layer.
• Cover: Reactive Surlyn cover.
• Dimple: 330 seamless dimple design with New Dual Dimple Technology.
• Performance: High speed multi-layer design generates faster ball speed for longer distance.
• RRP: Box of 12 golf balls, €36.

xFIXx – Game Improvement

• Core: Soft gradational compression core.
• Cover: Soft Ionomer Cover.
• Dimple: 330 seamless dimple.
• Performance: The combination of a Soft Core and Soft Cover offers fantastic touch and control performance.
• RRP: Box of 12 golf balls, €26.

By Toni Alcazar