After a thrilling end to the 3M Open on Sunday, Kurt Kitayama picked up his second PGA Tour title, just two weeks after Chris Gotterup triumphed at The Renaissance Club, winning the Genesis Scottish Open. While at first glance you may not think these two wins are linked in any way, shape, or form. However, after closer inspection, there is one common denominator - both players used a Bridgestone Tour BX Mindset golf ball to help get across the line and pick up valuable Ryder Cup and FedEx Cup points, respectively.

The Tour B X ball itself is already regarded as one of the best golf balls on the market, and we loved it while conducting our testing, but it’s the Mindset color graphic on the side of these recent tour winners' balls that we think could get fellow touring professionals to sit up and pay attention.

Bridgestone created this ball with help and feedback from former PGA Championship winner Jason Day. The idea behind the ball is a three-step system that is designed to aid golfers with a pre-shot routine - Identify, Visualise, and Focus.

The red circle prompts the player to identify their target and gather information, the yellow circle encourages visualization of the shot's path, and the green dot provides a final, focused point of concentration before execution.

There is little to no preparation that can prepare you for the pressure you’ll face when competing in a golf tournament on the biggest stage, so having a consistent pre-shot routine and pattern you can revert to can help you remain in the moment, and is what Bridgestone is trying to achieve with their Mindset Technology.

Both Gotterup and Kitayama officially joined the Bridgestone team at the beginning of 2025 and the decision to put the Tour B X Mindset ball into play has paid immediate dividends.

Gotterup recently spoke on social media about how the Mindset golf ball helped him remain calm and focused under the pressure in Scotland “It just provides a lot more clarity on what I’m trying to achieve” said Gotterup “Rather than just hit it down the left, I’m going to do this, this and this and then I focus on the green dot when I’m ready to go”.

With both Gotterup and Kitayama winning using the same ball and the same technology in a matter of weeks, it leads to the question: Is this a ball that more golfers should be using to focus the mind, or are we likely to see other manufacturers pay attention and look to start incorporating similar technology on their golf balls?

A lot of tour players are very particular about their golf equipment, especially with the golf ball, and so while a single victory may not have raised any awareness, two wins in the last 3 events could very well raise some eyebrows.

As we enter the business end of the season and the final regular event of the PGA Tour schedule, it’s highly unlikely to see those in a good position heading into the playoffs make any kind of equipment change. However, as some players' seasons end next week, all eyes will be on the equipment lists heading into the FedEx Cup fall series to see if more players adopt this ball, especially if any more wins are picked up in the meantime.

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.

For mid-high handicap golfers looking to add a little distance to their game, Bridgestone has released the all new e12 Speed golf ball, which is one of three options in the e12 range. All three models are designed to offer a different type of ball flight and provide whatever solution is needed for golfers who need help flighting their shots.

Bridgestone claims that 85% of amateur golfers are using the wrong ball and would benefit from being fitted for a ball to suit their own specific flight. The brand believes the e12 models cover all of those bases. So for the golfer who needs help getting the ball in the air, there’s the e12 High Launch. For golfers who suffer from a hook or a slice there is the e12 Straight, and for the golfer needing a lower, more penetrating flight with extra distance there is the e12 Speed.

On that note, whether you are looking for the best distance golf balls or the best golf balls for beginners, at Golf Monthly we have you covered with guides to cover all of your needs, from the best value golf balls to the best golf balls for seniors or slow swing speeds.

The e12 Speed features a surlyn cover paired with a ‘Gradational Compression Core’ to form Bridgestone’s “Opti-Flight” system, which is designed specifically to lower spin for a lower launch and greater roll out.

Off the tee this ball delivered great results for me. I have a high ball flight and that occasionally costs me distance as I tend to not get much roll out on drives, and most of my distance comes from carry. In winter that’s a good thing, but sometimes when the fairways are firmer you really want that extra roll that comes with a lower ball flight and I often feel like I’m missing out.

The e12 Speed certainly lowered my usual flight and will suit the golfer who plays in windy conditions and needs to flight the ball lower and puts a premium on roll out. So I could see this ball being very effective for links golf as an example. The conditions were quite firm when I tested this golf ball and that obviously helped, but in terms of distance the e12 Speed was going as far as any of the best premium golf balls I have used.

As with most distance balls, there is a trade off when it comes to approach shots. The e12 Speed is at the lower end of the spin scale which helps with distance but harms control. More accomplished players will not enjoy the lack of control and spin with short iron and wedge approaches, although personally I was impressed with the performance the e12 Speed delivered with the mid-irons. The distance was impressive and I was able to hold greens. I prefer more spin with my wedges but at the top and middle of the bag I couldn’t fault this golf ball.

Around the greens, again, it isn’t the most responsive and you are limited in the type of shot you can play with it. That being said, realistically the kind of golfer that is likely to be needing a game improvement ball such as this one is probably not going to be blessed with a short game like Phil Mickelson and won’t be requiring something that stops dead on the second bounce.

I should also mention the Mindset logo, which is a staple on all of the best Bridgestone golf balls and features on all three models in the e12 range. The idea behind this is to encourage golfers to adopt the same pre-shot routine to help with focus. Mindset is a visual cue to start 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.

If you need extra yards off the tee or if you feel like you need to lower your ball flight and spin rate, the e12 Speed might be a good option for you so give it a try and see.

If you are the type of golfer that struggles with a hook or a slice off the tee, you might want to consider changing your golf ball to something that can offer you a bit of assistance. The Bridgestone e12 Straight has been engineered to help golfers find more fairways, so perhaps this is the golf ball you need to straighten out those wayward drives?

Bridgestone has conducted millions of golf ball fittings and concluded that 85 percent of golfers would benefit from playing a ball that has been optimized for their own specific launch tendencies. So the brand came up with three models of e12 golf balls to cover all bases. For golfers who struggle to get the ball up in the air, there’s the e12 Hi-Launch. For those needing a bit of extra distance there is the e12 Speed, while the subject of this review, the e12 Straight, is of course designed to fly straighter.

The first thing I noticed when I looked at all three models side by side was that the dimple pattern on the e12 Straight is rather unique. Whereas the other two models just looked like your standard design, the dimples on the Straight are very different to the majority of balls on the market. The pattern is a carry over from the popular e12 Contact ball which is a Golf Monthly favourite and has been one of the best value golf balls over recent years.

The pattern is so unusual that my first question upon seeing it was whether this design is competition legal or not. The answer to that, for the record, is yes. My second question was whether it actually works. I’ll get to that shortly.

Before we come to performance though I’ll talk you through the technology element. It’s a three piece construction featuring a new FlexATIV cover and a polymer Active Acceleration Mantle. It is not a urethane covered ball so it will not perform like the best premium golf balls on the market, but the price also reflects that and the e12 range are some of the best mid price golf balls around.

The dimples are the key to performance with the e12 Straight, as it is designed with a Contact Force dimple pattern, which as mentioned already visibly sets it apart from its e12 siblings. This design reduces excess sidespin and flight curvature, giving you a better shot at keeping your ball in play.

Another thing to mention is the Mindset logo, which is a staple on all of the best Bridgestone golf balls and features on all three models in the e12 range. Essentially it’s a visual cue to start 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.

The jury is out for me on whether this is actually of any benefit, but from a purely aesthetic point of view I really like how it looks.

In terms of feel, all three balls in the e12 range are different. The softest of the three is the High Launch, the firmest model is the Speed which had a distinctly clickier sound, and sitting in the middle of the two is the Straight.

As for performance, the e12 Straight did indeed fly straighter than the other models, specifically off the tee and most notably with longer fairway wood shots. My go to shot with a 5-wood is a controlled fade, but I was unable to get the e12 Straight to move much. That’s a good thing for those that need it, but if you do like to work the ball then this is not for you. There is also a trade off in distance as you will likely lose a few yards compared to the ball you have been using.

While it is not the highest spinning on approach shots, I had no trouble stopping the ball on the green and it provided ample grip for me. I would say that it is more than adequate for the level of golfer it is aimed at.

Around the greens it performed as I would have expected. It doesn’t give the level of spin or control you get from a premium golf ball but for the level of golfer it is aimed at it does the job.

All in all, this is an excellent option for the wayward golfer who needs a bit of help keeping the ball on the fairway. It will be particularly useful for those with a slice and teaming this ball up with one of the best draw biased drivers could really help keep the ball in play more which in turn will help to lower scores.

New Bridgestone e-Series balls come with an improved dimple pattern designed with distance in mind

New Bridgestone e-Series balls come with an improved dimple pattern designed with distance in mind.

WEB Dimple technology on the Bridgestone e-5, Bridgestone e-6 and Bridgestone e-7 delivers 10% more surface coverage than previous models.

According to Brigestone, this retains ball speed for a longer period after launch, helps create an improved trajectory and maintain lift as velocity declines.

Some 226 unique dimples are combined with 110 dual dimples to maximise surface coverage.

The e-5 ball is for those seeking a higher trajectory, the e-6 promotes a straighter flight and the e-7 provides a more penetrating ball flight.

Bridgestone says its best-selling three-piece e-6 (below) is the softest multi-layer golf ball on the market.

The two-piece e-5 facilitates a faster spin rate and higher flight, while the three-piece e-7 is crafted to deliver maxium speed and distance.

"The Bridgestone e-Series range has been extremely popular in recent years, especially at live ball fittings, but the new models promise golfers an even better performance level," said Steve Kettlewell, MD of Bridgestone Golf UK.

Each new ball has a distinctive characteristic designed to appeal to different players and address their individual playing needs from tee to green."

All three e-Series balls - which come with new packaging - have an RRP of £29.99 per dozen.

They will be available to purchase from March 2015.

Golf Monthly's test team reviews the Bridgestone Tour B330-RXS ball

Key Technology: Bridgestone Tour B330-RXS ball review

The new B-Series balls are designed to match swing speeds of all types of golfer. Hydro Core Technology means the core is softer in the centre and firmer in the outer region for reduced spin off the tee, resulting in added distance. The RXS is designed specifically for players with swing speeds of less than 105mph, and features a softer cover that the RX version.

The Golf Monthly test team reviews Bridgestone Tour B330 balls.

Bridgestone Tour B330 Balls Key Technology: 

Hydro Core technology sees water droplets introduced into the core to reduce spin on long shots. The water makes the inner portion of the core softer and the outer portion firmer, which results in reduced spin on long shots for longer and straighter carries. Meanwhile, the cover is six per cent softer than previous versions, which should help to improve control around the green.

Will suit... Players with fast swings looking to keep spin down to a minimum.

Key technology:

Bridgestone claims that the new e6 is not only three per cent softer than its predecessor, but also the softest multi-layer ball on the market. It's designed to reduce spin for a straighter ball flight and improved feel.

Bridgestone Golf have established a new subsidiary company, Bridgestone Golf UK Limited, which will focus solely on the British golfers' needs.

Recently, Bridgestone Golf initiated a nationwide ball-fitting campaign in America which, through its success, led to the company rising to second spot in the golf ball market.     Now in Europe's biggest golf market, Bridgestone aim to bring the same service to us. This will be supported by a high-profile marketing campaign featuring some of golf's most famous faces including US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III.

"The market in the UK & Ireland is a very important one for us and, together with our retail partners, we are determined to build the golf ball business here in the years to come," says Akiji Shimizu, CEO for Bridgestone Golf UK.

Using a Bridgestone Science Eye Field machine, as many as three out of four amateur golfers (75%) involved in the live custom-fit sessions have been found to have a swing speed of less than 105 mph - yet half of them chose to use a ball designed expressly for the faster swing speeds of the elite Tour players who average more than 112 mph when striking a ball.

The result is usually a complete miss-match as the amateur player lacks sufficient swing speed to compress the Tour Pro golf ball enough to realise its full performance potential. Yet the correct diagnosis can add more than 10 yards to the golfer's driving distance and deliver more accurate shots consistently.

The Bridgestone Golf B330 series offers two options, each with different spin or distance characteristics to aid those with swing speeds above and below 105 mph to achieve better results from their swing.

The Ram Evolution 2 is one of a pair of new putters for 2011. A face insert should enhance feel, while the curved mallet shape is designed to increase MOI for added stability.

The Ram Evolution 2 offers decent forgiveness at a very cheap price but is not the best looking finish.

W: ramgolf.co.uk

The Royal is one of four ‘Limited Edition' Gambler putters. A heel-toe weighted cavity blade forged from stainless steel, the Royal comes with distinct playing card cosmetics.

The great looking head of the Never Compromise Gambler Royal putter really catches the eye. But, the Gambler theme won't appeal to all.

W: nevercompromise.com

Made with conforming U-grooves, the Bridgestone J38 Black Oxide wedge is made from mild carbon steel and the face is CNC milled.

The unusual finish catches the eye but there is only one bounce option in each loft.

W: bridgestonegolf.com

The matt black of the Radius Classic 4 finish reduces glare and helps

the white alignment line stand out. A double milled cross hatch-milled

face helps improve consistency of strike. Those who tend to push their putts will want a bigger head.

W: radiusputters.com

The MacGregor M85i iron is made to deliver forgiveness without sacrificing feel. The cavity-back clubhead has a multi-material medallion that should dampen vibrations and enhance feel.

The deep cavity makes it easy to square the face at impact. However, they are not the most attractive cavity design that MacGregor have ever made.

W: macgregorgolf.com

The shallow profile of the stainless steel Bridgestone J38 is designed for a low CG and high launch angle. Fitted with a Fujikura Motore shaft and Golf Pride Tour Velvet grip.

The classy head design and colour scheme make this an impressive looker but the shallow head means this is not a driver alternative.

W: bridgestonegolf.com

Three balls that are designed to offer different trajectories depending on whether players are looking for a higher, lower or straighter flight. This is achieved by using different dimple designs, cover materials and inner layers.

The construction of each Bridgstone ball is designed to provide added distance off the tee, this is advanced through a seamless cover design.

W: bridgestonegolf.com

Designed for the recreational golfer to provide as much distance as possible at an affordable price. The Bridgestone XFIXX has a new seamless cover design to help provide extra spin and improved feel around the green.

The Cleveland VP5 09 putter has a yellow and black alignment system that detects if your hands have moved out of position or your eyes are not directly over the ball - the two main contributors to missed putts. The VP509 has a three-quarter shaft offset with a soft elastomer face insert for improved feel.

W: clevelandgolf.com

The Bridgestone J33 Fairway wood has a steel face, which increases ball speed and the tungsten sole weight lowers and deepens the centre of gravity. This club would suit golfers who like the look of traditional head shape, and who want a penetrating trajectory.

- Bridgestone Tour B330-S ball review

- Bridgestone J36 Pocket Cavity, J36 Cavity Back and J36 Blade irons

- Bridgestone West Coast Design wedge

- More fairway woods  

The Bridgestone J36 hybrid has internal weighting, which increases MOI for twist-resistance. Leading edge designed to make clean contact easier. This hybrid would suit golfers who want forgiveness and scope to shape shots, and who prefer a no-nonsense, compact design.

- Bridgestone Tour B330-S ball review

- Bridgestone J36 Pocket Cavity, J36 Cavity Back and J36 Blade irons

- Bridgestone West Coast Design wedge

The Bridgestone West Coast Design wedge features a sole which has less bounce in the heel and toe, providing more shot-making versatility. This wedge will suit golfers who demand all-round playability, and want a soft feel when struck sweetly.

More Bridgestone:

- Bridgestone Tour B330-S ball review

- Bridgestone J36 Pocket Cavity, J36 Cavity Back and J36 Blade irons

Has a slightly harder core than the B330-S, which reduces the amount of spin a player puts on the ball. The cover is seamless to give added consistency. It is for players with swing speeds of over 112mph.

A four-piece ball that requires swing speed between 100 and 115 mph to get the most performance out of it. A soft core influences shots with the driver providing an explosive reaction off the face. An inner-mantle layer is also designed for distance, while an outer mantle helps players to work the ball.

The three models in the J36 range of irons are available as combination or individual sets. The J36 Blade is a classic forged design seen out on Tour in the bag of Stuart Appleby. The J36 Cavity Back has a slightly thicker topline and wider sole but is still designed for low handicappers. The J36 Pocket Cavity is the most forgiving of the three, but still maintains a traditional head shape.