Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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Line: Flip Side
   
Color: Plum
   
Coverstock: Particle
   
Core: 2-piece
   
RG: 2.525
   
Differential: 0.043
   
Factory finish: Matte
   
Weights: 12 thru 16lbs
   
Lane Conditions: Medium-Heavy Oil

Well I definitely know how Columbia got the name for their new ball.  I had mine drilled up wednesday and I finally got the throw it Thursday.  I usually have pretty good revs but when I was throwing this ball My thumb kept hanging up so I was not hitting as hard because I did not want to have the ball stick to my thumb and take me down the lane too.  Well as the ball came off my hand I saw it rev up by itself and hook about 17 boards as I watched it I heard myself and a few onlookers say WOW!!!  I got my thumb opened up and then I was able to really hit it.  I am a Letfy and as such I can rarely stand right throw left.  There is usually just too much oil.  I can rev it up pretty good but I usually have to slow the speed down to get the ball to move.  Well after I got my thumb fixed to were I was no longer hanging up I was able to stand 35 and throw to 6 over the 3rd arrow.  I then pulled the line in to see how it reacted in the soup and I was playing 4th arrow and still making it to the hole with power.  I know there was Oil in the middle because the ball would come back with 5 flare rings dripping with Oil.  Ever wonder why so many lefties play the down and in shot?  That's because we usually can not get the ball to move if we move inside.  With this ball we can.  This ball hooks.  If you have trouble in oil then this ball is for you.  If you bowl heavy oil or are rotationally challenged then this ball is for you.

Thanks for reading my review:

What do you write about a ball when it helps you achieve a goal that has eluded you for most of your adult bowling life. A ball that helped me shoot my 1st 800 series, an 804, shot on Friday 13th of December 2002. It also was the 1st 3 league games on the ball. Thank you Danny Speranza and Columbia 300 for producing this ball.

Please remember that NO ball is the next coming of Christ and the “Key” to success is to “Match Up” the ball to the lane conditions you are bowling on.

When Dave Smart and Jack Zuniga “my rep” came into my shop they asked me what my favorite ball for oil was. Which I answered the Track “Freak”. Their answer was the Columbia WOW Flipside. So I gave it a try, glad I did.

This lightly sanded particle cover stock in a plum/white color looks like a lighter shade of the Track Freak. It has the core similar to the Reaction Family of balls. Because of the lack of flip blocks and asymmetric core I was leery of the backend reaction that Columbia said would be there in the ball.

I drilled my flipside WOW with the Pin 4” from my PAP and swung the mass bias to a #3 position or approximately a 50-60 degree angle. Weight hole was positioned just slightly past my Vertical axis line.

The 1st time I tried the ball it hooked to early and too much and kind of quit on the backend, I thought,”Not impressed so far”. Then I tried it again on an oily lane with carry down. The ball seemed to react better, but it had no backend when it came in contact with carry down and hit very weak, so I put it away. 0 for 2.

Then at the same center, ”two nights later”, that has HPL panels this time with cleaner outsides and better backend reaction the ball found it’s home. The impressive thing about this ball is once you find the condition to use this ball on, it strikes at will. The hit ability of this ball is something, I still do not think it backends as hard as the Track Freak” but definitely hits as hard if not harder. The ball reaction is a smooth more even curve as the Track Freak is more of a “Hockey Stick” reaction.

My physical game is one of a “tweener” with average to above average speed and turn. I tend to circle the ball at the point of release, so a ball with a smoother arc benefit’s me and my style. The Columbia WOW flipside will definitely be a ball that I will sell in my shops and one that I will suggest for the bowler struggling on oily lane conditions.

Columbia has something special here in this new ball and I think you should give it try. Hopefully you can achieve your goals with this ball and I did with mine.

Thanks again Columbia for producing this ball and being part of my 1st 800 series.

Thanks for reading my review.     Dwight

I had this one ordered even before the Inferno, but they came in at the same time.  I wasn't that excited about this ball, but I felt I needed a strong particle ball to fill out my arsenal.  The WOW came with a 2 inch pin that I set up right below the ring finger at about 4 inches to PAP.  I stacked the cg straight below and did not put a balance hole in it yet.  This was my first Columbia ball since the Rock.  

I was very tempted to put a little shine on this one before I even threw it, but I resisted the urged and tried it out in box condition.  There was plenty of heavy oil in the middle so I really didn't have any trouble getting some push through the heads around 3rd arrow.  Another reviewer mentioned that it likes to be rolled rather than turned, and that was my impression also.  As strong as my Inferno is, I had to get a couple boards further left with my target, well inside the oil line to play this ball. Like all particle balls you don't try to swing the lane with the WOW, but rather keep it in the oil and let it gradually move on the back end.  My first impression is very good, but it was just as good with the Rock.  The real issue will be how the cover transition after 50 games.  With the Rock it still seemed strong, but it really stopped hitting and fooled me into staying with it way to long.  Hopefully that won't be the case with the WOW.  Alternatively, it may be the kind of ball you can make some real money with even if it turns out to have a short life.

I got this ball a few months ago to replace an Ebonite "Apex".  15 pounds, "max leverage" drilling ("maximum smoke" as my driller put it), fingertip grip.  Pin is approx. 1" right of my finger holes with a 3/4" weight hole.  

Try to put it on a MoRich "Determinator" and it'll just "rock side to side", never finding a "preferred" axis (you can see it by the silver logo).  IMHO, that's the secret of this ball because this ball WILL HOOK, and hook well!  Throw it as a "straight stroker" (little imparted spin, full roller) and it'll bend 10-12 boards.  Impart more spin (i.e. "crank" it) and the ball will hook EVEN MORE! Throw it fast (17+ mph), it won't hook much (unless you crank it!); throw it slow (below 16), and WATCH OUT!  I attribute this behaviour to the fact this ball is almost ALL CORE with a dynamite shell (check it out at http://www.columbia300.com/balls/balls.cfm?cat=1&id=155).

This ball NEEDS OIL! "fresh" patterns will accommodate this ball, "dry" lanes will cause too much hook, heavy carrydown will require you to either move to the center OR "crank" it a little (again, it don't take much!).  My driller once applied a "polish" to the surface and, unfortunately, it LOST its' hooking "action".  I removed the "polish" (thank God for Isopropyl alcohol and "scrubby" sponges) and the "action" returned.  For me, the "box finish" (1500 "matte" grit, I believe?) is perfect for my style (fire it straight down the 5 board @ 16 MPH and watch it bend into the pocket!).

If you need a "oil-loving" ball, you won't go wrong with this ball.  However, be aware that it CAN "get away" from you, especially if you misjudge lane conditions.

I got this ball in a trade and really all i can say is wow this ball will probably be the one that i shoot 300 with THE UFO COVERSTOCK is one of the best that i have had to work with this ball moves in oil and has a pretty good versatility into med oil I found that it works best on the med to heavy that it is recommended for mine is drilled with  pin under ring cg kicked out to the right and for me this ball is awesome

OVerall the only thing that i cannot do is play this ball in dry and that is not what it is intended for anyway so

Length is great for a ball the creates so much friction and the backend is a nice hard arc not a skid flip so it is easily controlled you know what the ball is gonna do off your hand

Hit- This ball hits just as hard and carries just as well and maybe better at times than my freak out I do leave less 10's with this ball but have gotten some weird leaves on solid pocket shots

In the end i rate this ball a solid 9 as it would be a great addition to anyone looking to put an oiler in their lineup
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TheHHHgame

started with this ball drilled with the pin to the right and below my ring finger, cg just about and to the right of my thumb, weight hole next to cg.
 couldn't find much use for it this way, just wasn't enough punch or hook.  decided to redril it up a couple weeks ago,
   now the pin is about and to the right of the ring finger, cd out 1/2 in. from center of grip.

MUCH BETTER.  a little more length than before but much better reaction when it makes its turn for the pins.  and MUCH better pin reaction than before.  not to mention the great roll this ball has, i love the way this ball keeps its roll.  since redrillin i've shot 742, 722

great ball, when you find the right use for it
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damn that little voice speaking to you
got you convinced someone's using voodoo...on you

It's been awhile since my last review, but here are the basic specs on this ball.
Purchased in NIB condition
Weight 15-pounds
Pin 2-3 inches.

Review:
I had this ball drilled up for a flat oil pattern, forusing more on a strong mid-lane roll.
I've been basically used this ball on my wednesday night league, on a 6pm shift pattern.
I've tried different releases'and the one thing i do notice is that when i release the ball with the hand well underneath the ball with more of a stroker roll, i receive a very readable roll, which in turns means you can adjust more quickly.
The ball in box condition, rolls and arcs nicely into the pocket without a over reaction on the backends so long as you keep the release the same.
This ball must be used for the condition that this ball was designed for.
This ball has found a place in my bag.

John