Bridgestone E12 Soft Vs. Taylormade TP5X Golf Balls Comparison Overview
No matter what anyone tries to tell you, there are merits to all kinds of golf balls. Just because a golf ball falls out of the category of tour-grade doesn’t mean it can provide value to the every day golfer.
In the following article, we want to explain some of the merits of premium and tour-grade balls.
We will also be pointing out inherent weaknesses in both types of balls. To do this we recorded our findings when we tested the Bridgestone E12 Soft balls against the Taylormade TP5X balls.
Bridgestone E12 Soft Golf Balls Overview
The Bridgestone E12 Soft balls are premium-grade balls which are generally good for mid to low handicap players.
One of the biggest advantages of this ball comes when you’re teeing off. The Bridgestone E12 Soft balls have a low compression rating of just 50 so they feel nice and soft, are bouncy and will give you a bit of extra distance off the tee.
In fact, if you have a moderate swing speed, you can expect these balls to go about 8 yards further for you than the Taylormade TP5X balls would.
That’s one of the main advantages of a premium-grade ball with a 3-piece design; they tend to fly farther for slower swing speed players.
On the flip side, you don’t get the same detailed feel you get around the green or off the deck as you would with a tour-grade ball.
Taylormade TP5X Golf Balls Overview
Compare the 5-piece design of the TP5X balls to the 3-piece design of the Bridgestone E12 Soft balls and you will be able to feel a major differences on putts, chips and short approaches.
When you need to spin the ball to stay on the green, you will want a ball like the Taylormade TP5X ball.
The TP5X balls have a much higher compression so they are more responsive when you need to pop them up with a wedge.
They also have a lower flight trajectory so they are good for avoiding low rises. The downside is that you need to have a fast swing speed if you want any kind of distance from the deck.
While the Taylormade TP5X balls have inherently low spin rates off the tee; the high compression will make it difficult for high handicappers to get as far as they need to from the tee.
Taylormade TP5X Quick Facts
Compression: 90
Cover Material: Urethane
How Many Pieces: 5-Piece
Core Material: Urethane
Dimple Type: 322
Spin Level: High
Best Suited for: Low to mid handicappers
Bridgestone E12 Soft Quick Facts
Compression: 50
Cover Material: Surlyn
How Many Pieces: Three-Piece
Spin : Mid-Level
Core Material: Polymer
Dimple Type: Delta Wing
Performance Off the Tee
The compression of these balls is significantly lower than the Titleist Pro V1X balls.
The core is also made of urethane which gives these balls a softer feel from the tee. This is good news for slower swing speed players but the faster swingers in our party were getting better distance with the Titleist Pro V1X balls.
Performance from the Rough
The Taylormade TP5X balls yield excellent launch even from the rough.
The soft urethane cover makes it easy to scoop the ball up and work it as needed so that you land optimally on the fairway.
Performance from the Fairway
With the longer irons and hybrids we were getting a bit more spin than expected from a tour-grade ball – great for long par 5’s but not so great on shorter approaches.
Performance Off the Tee
These Bridgestone balls were actually better for players with swing speeds under 90MPH than they were for faster swing speed players from the tee.
While they did reduce side spin, some energy was lost on fast swings.
Performance from the Rough
We really liked how seemingly easy it was to scoop the ball up and out of the rough thanks to the dimple pattern and Surlyn cover material.
Performance from the Fairway
From the fairway, the Bridgestone E12 Soft balls provided the springiness you would expect from a ball with a plunging compression rating of just 50.
Taylormade TP5X Selling Points
- More affordable
- Softer feel
- Excellent launch
- Urethane cover
- Urethane core
- Tour-grade
Taylormade TP5X Cons
- Not as long
- Sometimes uncontrollable launch
- HIgher fairway spin
- Lesser short-game feel
Bridgestone E12 Soft Selling Points
- Very durable
- Good bounce
- 3-piece cover
- Good in the rough
- Good for slow swing speeds
- Good short game control
Bridgestone E12 Soft Cons
- Not great for fast swing speeds
- Loses some energy off the tee
- Seemingly thick cover material
- Smaller core
Who are the Taylormade TP5X Balls for?
If you want an overall softer feel with tour-grade performance, then the Taylormade TPX5 balls would be a better fit for you.
The Taylormade TPX5 balls have a compression that is more congenial to the rest of us mortals. If you are swinging around 92 MPH, then these balls will fit you better than the Titleist Pro V1X balls.
How are They With Short Irons?
If you can typically work the ball the way you want to with short irons, the Taylormade TPX5 balls should feel pretty good to you. They yield moderate side spin with the short irons and launch high so you can shape short approaches pretty much however you want.
On the Green
The soft urethane gives you excellent control on fast, firm greens.
Overall Rating: 93/100
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Who Are The Bridgestone E12 Soft Balls For?
The Bridgestone E12 Soft balls would definitely suit slower swing speed players more.
We’re talking about players who are hovering in the 9-15 handicap range. Players in this range will love the distance and added help they get from the tee with these balls.
How Are They With Short Irons?
The Bridgestone E12 Soft balls work surprisingly well with short irons.
You get great response chipping the ball in with a wedge and the feedback you get with 8 and 9 irons is excellent.
On The Green
Once you’re actually on the green you might have a little trouble controlling roll with these balls.
They are a bit unwieldy on long eagles and have a robust spin rate even when you think you’re feathering it.
Overall Rating: 92/100
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