BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: motorbike on December 01, 2013, 07:36:32 AM
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What's your must have ball for 2013? What ball gets the most use in your bag? What ball would you buy and save for when your current ball dies?
For me it's the Reax V2. I have only been throwing it for a few weeks now but the V2 is so clean through the front part of the lane with great backend. Carry is excellent.
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Must have Eagle Pearl! Double Clutch Pearl gets the most use. Would like to replace with a Solar Flare.
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Must have AMF Incinerate!
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Hammer Arson Low Flare
Cover is very adaptable allowing for use by many styles on a variety of lane patterns
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Id say Lordfield Judgement. Ball is smooth, controllable, great benchmark ball. Nice looking and particle pearl cover with a very versatile core.
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Roto Grip Disturbed. Most impressive ball I've thrown this whole year and I've thrown a lot this past 12 months. My only regret is not buying it when it first came out
Surface at 500/1000/2000/3000 and I can use ball all night on my ths. Just chase oil in and no over reaction. Great ball
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I don't have a must have ball for 2013. I think a 'must have' anything for me is seeking out a coach that can help me with my game. I need more knowledge as to what I need to take out a 10 pin. Not a flat ten. I am consistently averaging 190 since I can make my spares but my strike percentage is way down which is hindering me with losing matches in league play. I average about 2 strikes per game and they are far part. I don't feel like I need a 'ball' to make me bowl better. For me it's execution and learning what part of the lane to play in order to score better. I must admit though, I am a ball whore.
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Hy-Road is by far my most impressive ball of 2013. I am late to the whole "Storm's arguably best ball ever" thing, but I can see why everyone likes this ball. Smooth with enough backend to kick out the ten, hard hitting, even flaring, consistent ball reaction.
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HyRoad. If I could only own one ball for the rest of my life, it would be this ball.
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ebonite pivot
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I was late to getting a Critical Theory but it was the most impressive ball for me in 2013. I found it to be versatile on medium to heavy patterns and it gave me a different look that I was missing. My Nomad Dagger and Frantic have been killers on THS this year.
As for the next ball that I'm looking at, it would be a Disturbed to replace my Outlaw. I would also look at an IQ Tour Fusion, assuming it gets released in the states. Absolutely love the hybrids out of Utah.
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my Crossroad has been huge on ths and my Bounty has killed sport shots. Just got on the Defiant Soul train and that ball will be doing a lot of work for me on ths and sport.
I'd take an Arson Low Flare
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Must have ball is the Totally Defiant. Motiv Primal Rage gets the most use for me.
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Of all the bowling balls drilled its been the Strike King and the Ringer Platinum. They just work well.
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I still can't find that one ball that impressed me so much that I have to get another one. What works like a charm one week, turns into a dud the next. Not the balls fault btw.
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Wrecker for sure!
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Byte hands down.
Although I might buy a Totally Defiant still so who knows!
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Gotta be the yeti untamed. I want that thing like yesterday
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Seismic Solaris Platinum
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There is no "must have" ball for me since I have a constantly rotating number of balls I use in the 3-4 leagues I bowl. As another poster said clearly, "what works one week may be a total dud the next".
There is a group of balls that I regularly use each week depending on lane breakdown: Brunswick Fury; Roto Ultra-Sonic; Brunswick Strike King; Hammer 3D-Offset
Balls I'd love to have if I had the money: Disturbed, Melee, Rumble, Wrecker, Purple Taboo, Critical Theory, Dark Star, Horizon Solid, TZ3 or a Seismic Platinum.
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For me I would have to say the Ringer has been my ball this year. I may add a Melee
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So far the ball I've done the best with is an old Fab Red Hammer. Picked it up late last year and it's just been a great ball. Nobody seems to make a ball weak enough anymore.
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So far it would be the Smackdown, have two set to the side for when the current one's start showing a little less....
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I can't fairly answer the question since I don't try a lot of balls. That said, I bought a torrid affair and I love it. Would definitely look to squirrel one away for the future.
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I will go with the IQ Tour Pearl. When I first picked it up, I heard that it was a house shot destroyer, but it's actually proven to be much more than that for me. After knocking some of the box shine off with a 2000 pad, I've found it very usable on sport patterns as well. Overall, the ball has really surprised me, and it's a ton of fun to throw!
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The Byte. Haven't been able to put it away since I got it and the funny part is I wasn't too impressed with it when it came out. lol ???
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a spare ball.
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Based on the mass quantity that I'm seeing on the racks. I'm going to say IQ Tour Pearl
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Well I think the must have ball for me still to get is the Melee, although I'm waiting to see what Bill Hall comes out with, too.
As for what I can't put down? AMF Heist Pearl with a MOtion hole. Why AMF shelved this ball before they ever marketed it is beyond me. The MOtion hole only makes it better, as the low RG/higher differential core really comes to life but the smooth pearl cover keeps the response to friction controlled. Thing is a strike machine on anything from light to fresh.
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IQ Tour by far.
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Arson Low Flare
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Best looking balls I've seen this year:
1. Primal Rage, no contest. Maybe the most versatile ball I've ever seen, can play any part of the lane on an insanely wide range of conditions.
2. Byte. One of the cleanest backend transitions on the market, but they actually aren't that durable, it gets lazy after just a few dozen games, but out of box reaction is really good.
3. Melee/Eruption Pro. These are basically the same ball, but super old school type reaction. Think Pulse, Surge, Tour Power, etc. Balls that do absolutely nothing special, they just do everything right. It's almost harder to miss the pocket than hit it with either of these.
Honorable Mention: Totally Defiant. Overall, it should really be swapped with the Byte just due to much better durability, but the Byte has the edge for 50 games or so.
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Must have of 2013 would have to be the Lord Field Big Hurt. Very controllable and playable on anything from med-hvy oil.
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The new Lane Masters Black Pearl Deep Sea and Perfect, even Bowlers Journal thinks the Black Pearl Deep Sea should be in the running for Ball Of The Year.
I had 3 Sanctioned 300's with these two balls in a span of 12 days plus a 296 and a 299 shortly thereafter.
I also have 2 of each NIB stored for a rainy day.
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Torrid Affair
Reax Version 2
Yeti Untamed
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Either the Disturbed, Reign of Power or Reign On.
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I love how most of the replies are all from staffers only drawing from their brands or brand loyalists picking within that brand. Yes I know the title is what's YOUR must have ball, but if you're contractually restricted to commenting on less than 5% of what's on the market, I can't see the value in the opinion . . I'm not trying to be an ass here, just realistic.
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I love how most of the replies are all from staffers only drawing from their brands or brand loyalists picking within that brand. Yes I know the title is what's YOUR must have ball, but if you're contractually restricted to commenting on less than 5% of what's on the market, I can't see the value in the opinion . . I'm not trying to be an ass here, just realistic.
Im a fanboy, but I noticed that too!
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I love how most of the replies are all from staffers only drawing from their brands or brand loyalists picking within that brand. Yes I know the title is what's YOUR must have ball, but if you're contractually restricted to commenting on less than 5% of what's on the market, I can't see the value in the opinion . . I'm not trying to be an ass here, just realistic.
It says what's YOUR must have ball. If I love a brand and throw a ball that I love, I'm going to choose that ball. I'm not going to choose a ball that I haven't thrown. DUH!!!!! It is just instigating when there's no reason too. Doesn't matter if you are a staffer or not.
Mine is the IQ Tour. Very smooth, controlable ball. Love it. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE STORM MAKES IT!!! I'm one of those brand loyal people who's opinion has no value. :)
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I love how most of the replies are all from staffers only drawing from their brands or brand loyalists picking within that brand. Yes I know the title is what's YOUR must have ball, but if you're contractually restricted to commenting on less than 5% of what's on the market, I can't see the value in the opinion . . I'm not trying to be an ass here, just realistic.
Good observation Gizmo! I saw that too! And contrary to what Storm22 believes,...if I see a ball that gives a hook shape and ball reaction through the pocket that I like, then that is a ball I would covet! Whether I've thrown it or not!
The Primal Rage, and Melee, for example are two balls that I have seen others throw, but have not thrown myself and yet they are two balls that I might like to add to my arsenal.
In answering this post, I was not thinking, what is the latest and greatest "hot" piece out right now. Instead I was thinking what would make a very useful, versatile, benchmark piece that I would use often....1st out of the bag, in 2013.
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Even if not on staff it would be one of those three I listed. Might even add the DV8 Dude.
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Not instigating, inserting perspective. If somebody were to base a ball choice off opinions here, the fact that staffers are offering opinions may be relevant. That's not to say those opinions AREN'T relevant, honest, or accurate, however. Not saying the balls that staffers have listed aren't good balls, but the fact that they're limited to their brand(s) means you may have to gather some other opinions to get a more well rounded idea of the market in general. However again, the staffers are the best qualified to offer their opinions on their brand since they're more familiar with the equipment. Just pointing out that their opinion is based on the brand, not the general market, has nothing to do with the validity or quality of the opinions.
I love how most of the replies are all from staffers only drawing from their brands or brand loyalists picking within that brand. Yes I know the title is what's YOUR must have ball, but if you're contractually restricted to commenting on less than 5% of what's on the market, I can't see the value in the opinion . . I'm not trying to be an ass here, just realistic.
It says what's YOUR must have ball. If I love a brand and throw a ball that I love, I'm going to choose that ball. I'm not going to choose a ball that I haven't thrown. DUH!!!!! It is just instigating when there's no reason too. Doesn't matter if you are a staffer or not.
Mine is the IQ Tour. Very smooth, controlable ball. Love it. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE STORM MAKES IT!!! I'm one of those brand loyal people who's opinion has no value. :)
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Maybe it would be better if you said non staffers only need respond. Most of us on staff can only throw what we are able to within our brand. So for you to post what's the must have ball for everyone, we are gonna post something within our brand.
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Lately in my center I haven't seen that go to ball in quite some time. At one point everyone had ebonites The One when it was released. Then everyone jumpen on the Total NV bandwagon. Most recently a few years ago was the Virtual Gravity. Right now, I have seen a little bit of everything. I am in the market for a new ball at the moment and don't quite know what to get. I am thinking of getting the Melee or the Ringer platinum. I am completely clueless right now. Been using my old InSite almighty the last three months with moderate success but I have noticed the hitting power isn't quite there lately........so many choices......
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Which is reasonable, but again, it says what's YOUR must have ball. Some people may not understand how staffing works, or even read people's signatures, but if I was just a general bowler, knowing whether the opinion came from someone on staff with a brand might be important to me. I feel that having opinions from staffers are just as important if not more important, because these are people who know what they're talking about and who know their brand very well. It's about putting the opinions in perspective. If I was talking must have ball for certain brands or the general market, some of my opinions would obviously be similar, but some may be quite different. In my opinion, the Primal Rage is the best ball on the market this year, and if I was talking best Motiv ball also, that would obviously be it, but if I'm talking best DV8 ball, it would obviously have to be a different ball.
Maybe it would be better if you said non staffers only need respond. Most of us on staff can only throw what we are able to within our brand. So for you to post what's the must have ball for everyone, we are gonna post something within our brand.
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So many choices, and ball quality is getting a lot better too. You don't have those certain manufacturers that are so far behind the curve anymore. You really can't go wrong with a Melee, one of the most versatile balls out there. You could also add the Dude, the Eruption Pro, the Primal Rage, the Hyroad, etc. Definitely rough choices, but the good news is that you really can't go wrong with anything anymore.
Lately in my center I haven't seen that go to ball in quite some time. At one point everyone had ebonites The One when it was released. Then everyone jumpen on the Total NV bandwagon. Most recently a few years ago was the Virtual Gravity. Right now, I have seen a little bit of everything. I am in the market for a new ball at the moment and don't quite know what to get. I am thinking of getting the Melee or the Ringer platinum. I am completely clueless right now. Been using my old InSite almighty the last three months with moderate success but I have noticed the hitting power isn't quite there lately........so many choices......
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For me, the Venom Toxin works on a lot of different shots. I have not tried a Melee, but would like to. The ball reaction looks very good.
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This season is has been nicked named in my area -- The BROO ( BRING YOUR OWN OIL )
Not getting the much volume in the DFW - Euless has the best volume I have seen in this area...
Besides AMF going through its BS and I am hoping that Brunswick takes over...
Back on topic...
Urethane Hammer.... I had to ask a friend because we dont have weak enough stuck for this trash I am seeing... Just when I wanted a Endless Nightmare ...
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I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a Grip It, mainly because I had a lot of success with the light-bulb shaped cores of yesteryear. I have tried some 900 Global pieces lately, and the only one I haven't been fond of is the Dirty Look.
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The only one I am seriously considering is the Yeti Untamed.
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I've been thinking of a Reax V2 but I already have a Nexxus which I think is pretty similar.
So far my ball of the year is a Mission X. Wish I had 3 instead of just 2! Strong and keeps hooking, seems very durable!
Regards,
Luckylefty
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PS I can't forget my Strike King on anything dryer in the heads.
super smooth and hard hitting medium fast move off dry. One of the best pearls I have ever used!
Regards,
Luckylefty
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Motiv Venom Toxin
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For me its
Motiv Tribal
shot 300 twice this fall and in league 1791/7