The world's first water-repellent golf ball

The Bridgestone e12 Splash has been designed to repel water and reduce mud balls. Sounds like a winner, but how does it play?

Bridgestone have an impressive golf ball roster, and with the addition of the innovative e12 Splash, they could have produced the best golf ball for every golfer who plays in wet conditions and on soft turf.

Before diving into my review of the Bridgestone e12 Splash, allow me to explain what makes this golf ball the first of its kind.

The Bridgestone e12 Splash features RPL-X Technology, which has been achieved through a hydrophobic coating that repels water and reduces the possibility of a mud ball.

This model sports the same internal construction and Contact Force dimple pattern as the e12 Straight, which reduces hooks and slices.

Enough tech talk, let’s get into the review…

I imagine some of you reading this will be skeptical as to whether the e12 Splash is a gimmick or if it actually does deliver on its intended performance.

I’ll be honest with you, I was extremely skeptical before I put them through their paces.

Playing links golf, my home course – Cleveland Golf Club – hasn’t turned since summer ended, so the ground isn’t soft by any stretch. However, there are some soft areas, and depending on where your ball lands, you can be welcomed by the odd mud ball, or there can be some moisture.

I’m going to start by addressing what most of you will be here to find out, so I’ll begin with tee to green performance.

Tee to Green Performance

Before heading out for a round of golf, I started on the putting green, where I rolled a couple of putts with dry and wet balls. The balls weren’t soaking, but after rolling them in the dewy grass, there was enough visible moisture on the balls.

With both the dry and wet balls, I found the e12 Splash to fire off the putter face, so much so, it made me very nervy over putts on the course, and I had one of my worst putting rounds this season (40 putts).

I also hit a few chips with the wet and dry balls, and I didn’t really notice a difference in how the balls landed on their first bounce and how much the balls rolled out. The e12 Splash isn’t a high-spinning golf ball; I would say it sits in the low-spin category. The ball was rolling out more than I would like, and more than I’m used to with my usual ball of choice.

On the course, my first shot found the bunker, and after sadly taking two to get out, I was shocked by how little sand had gripped to the cover. I was then constantly examining the ball to see how much mud, sand, grass, etc., was sticking to the ball. It was minimal compared to my usual ball, and even if there was any debris, it was extremely easy to clean.

As I’ve already mentioned, spin was definitely lower than I like, and it did make it difficult for me to attack pins. However, I didn’t notice a difference in carry distance. The same goes for off the tee, too. The e12 Splash doesn’t strike me as being a long golf ball, but it’s definitely straight.

I hit a couple of shots where I instantly thought they were going to drift off-line, but they drifted marginally for the impact. I was pleasantly surprised by how straight the ball traveled.

Overall, from what I witnessed, the RPL-X technology definitely works. I think the performance on the green will take some getting used to if you’re not used to a ball that really cannons off the face, and the low-spinning nature of the e12 Splash would also take a bit of time and practice to adjust to.

Feel and Response

My opinions on feel and response are closely linked to tee to green performance because I liked the feel and response off the tee, but as I moved through my bag, I think feel and response worsen.

The e12 Splash felt firm throughout the bag. Off the tee, the firm feel was enjoyable because it provided solid feedback. I had the same feeling until I got down to about a 9-iron. From that point down through my wedges and into the putter, I felt the firm sensation turn explosive, and it became difficult to gauge distance control, and there wasn’t much feedback and response.

On the greens, I really didn’t like how the e12 Splash felt, and the response was very negative. As I’ve mentioned, the ball was cannoning off my putter face, the feel was clicky, and the response was muted. I could see the ball fly off the face, but I couldn’t feel it flying off the face. A very strange sensation that would take some getting used to, but not something I would ever want to get used to.

Durability

Despite my quarrels concerning feel and response, I can’t criticize the e12 Splash’s durability. I played an entire round with one golf ball, granted, apart from hitting a couple of bunkers, I was finding fairways and greens.

Although I did shoot an 81 with 40 putts. However, none of that was down to the e12 Splash’s durability.

Having not found much danger, the e12 Splash was in pretty good order (as you can see from the image above and the other two in the image gallery). However, I wouldn’t have used to for another hole. The level of wear and tear was as expected for a ball that’s endured 18 holes.

Versatility

The e12 Splash is more versatile than I initially thought it would be. Having played with this ball in mostly dry conditions, with the odd wet(ter) patch on the golf course coming into play. I could see golfers choosing to play this model come rain or shine.

I can’t see why golfers of all abilities wouldn’t be suited by a ball that flies straight and doesn’t collect mud or sand. The only aspect that would take some getting used to is feel and response if you prefer a soft ball that doesn’t feel explosive.

Final verdict

I personally wouldn’t put the e12 Splash in-play over my usual golf ball, but I think it has major appeal, and I’ll always leave a sleeve in my bag if I’m ever playing a wet course, caught in a shower, or playing on a particularly dewy morning.

The RPL-X technology is definitely not a gimmick, and if you don’t believe me, try the e12 Splash for yourself. As far as reducing mud build-up, repelling water, and delivering a consistent flight goes, this ball delivers on all fronts, which is exactly what it’s designed to do.

It’s difficult to negatively score a golf ball that follows through with all of its promises, but given my on-course experience, I’m happy scoring the e12 Splash 4 out of 5.

Bridgestone e12 Splash Golf Balls

RRP: $34.99

Color: White

Construction: 3-Piece

Cover: Hydrophobic ionomer

Dimples: 326