Using the right ball can be as important as choosing the right clubs, so let’s take a look at the new golf balls from Bridgestone, Titleist, TaylorMade and Callaway that could take your game to a new level in 2021.
Bridgestone e12 Contact & e6
With the new e12 Contact, Bridgestone is offering one of the biggest performance jumps in mid-price golf balls yet developed. As the name suggests, the performance jump is all about the science of contact which comes in the form of a new Delta Wing dimple design which increases the efficiency of ball to face contact for both softer feel and more distance. This new design has a raised area in the middle of the dimple, which the manufacturer says creates 38 percent for more face contact at impact. This means more efficient energy transfer to the core layer of the ball, resulting in over 1.5 mph more ball speed. For the short game, it means 600 rpm more spin compared to their previous mid-range balls.
Bridgestone’s e6 is a high-performance golf ball which was designed with the new dimple pattern which as well as the already mentioned benefits provides smoother air resistance around the ball. It has a super soft feel and was engineered to provide long straight distance. The e6 provides great overall performance which makes it a good choice for most players, while the e12 provides even more speed.
Titleist Pro V1, Pro V1x & Tour Speed
The Titleist Pro V1 golf ball is designed to give longer distance, more greenside spin and control and softer feel. It has a new aerodynamic softer urethane cover, a faster high flex casing casing layer, and an improved core, all designed to help all golfers shoot lower scores. A new dimple pattern for this ball, for the first time in a decade, provides a higher and more consistent ball flight. Compared to the Pro V1x, Pro V1 golf balls will fly lower, and spin less in the long game, while producing similar greenside spin and softer feel.
The Pro V1x is designed for players who want a higher trajectory and increased spin relative to Pro V1, with a slightly firmer feel. The ball has a reformulated 2.0 ZG Process Core delivering increased distance, while speed and long-game spin is increased thanks to the faster ionemer high-flex casing. But, like in the Pro V1, the biggest change is the new, softer cover which has the new dimple pattern to provide a higher and more consistent ball flight.
The Tour Speed also features the new dimple design, a 346 quadrilateral dipyramid dimple pattern providing penetrating flight for long distance with tight dispersion. It’s designed to give exceptional distance in the long game and precise short game control. Compared to the Pro V1 and the Pro V1x, the Tour Speed has a softer feel and extra distance on iron shots.
Callaway ERC Soft, Supersoft & Supersoft Max
Callaway says the ERC Soft is their longest ball yet, but one that doesn’t sacrifice feel and control. It has a new High Energy Core that promotes maximum speed and a new Hybrid Cover made with a PARALOID Impact Modifier. These combine to provide high launch and low spin for longer distance. The ball also has a High Speed Mantle which works with the core and cover to improve ball speed and greenside control, whilst the Triple Track alignment design helps golfers to choose the right line for better accuracy on putts.
The Supersoft and Supersoft Max are aimed at the average golfer who wants soft feel in their ball. The new Supersoft improves on the 2019 model with a new Hybrid Cover made with a Paraloid Impact Modifier, as on the ERC Soft, which Callaway says provides long distance, greater spin and better feel for short-game control. The Supersoft’s HEX Aerodynamics pattern reduces drag for enhanced launch and optimised trajectory.
The Supersoft MAX replaces Callaway’s Supersoft Magna and is designed to provide maximum distance and maximum forgiveness. It has an oversized design (three percent larger than a standard ball), which Callaway says promotes distance and straight ball flight, while a Tri-Blend Ionomer Cover provides maximum ball speed with high launch and low spin. This ball is perfect for developing golfers and high handicappers who want to hit the ball further.
TaylorMade TP5, TP5x, TP5 Pix & TP5x Pix
TaylorMade’s TP5 and TP5x golf balls were first launched in 2017 and proved extremely popular with amateurs and pros alike. Now, the brand has decided to upgrade the dimple design to improve aerodynamics and distance. This new Tour Flight Dimple Pattern was used for each new model.
The TP5 now has a larger, more reactive core that delivers more ball speed, but this ball is all about enhanced greenside spin and control in the short game. The TP5x has a slightly softer urethane cover that better grips the grooves on a wedge for increased spin, but this ball is for higher launch, distance and ball speed and remains the fastest Tour ball in the TaylorMade line-up. Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa and Tommy Fleetwood are already using these new balls.
The Pix versions of both balls were developed by the brand alongside Ricky Fowler. The balls feature 12 evenly placed triangular shaped patterns with distinct flashes of orange to improve visibility. These graphics are specifically placed to provide a Clearpath Alignment aid – a line created by these shapes around the side stamp and logo to help golfers not just easily line up putts, but to also give them instant feedback if their ball started on the intended target line.
