I have been using the Doom for over 6 months now and thought it was time to review it.
4 1/2" Pin to PAP (Pin beside ring finger)
4 3/4" CG to PAP (7 o'clock below the Pin)
Note: I have a large span, so the Pin is 3" above the grip mid-line.
- My Doom was drilled by Patrick Bertig, Moorabbin AMF, who always does a great job
I am a high track bowler, with average revs and average speed. I usually bowl over the 13 board out to the 3-5 board, and adjust towards the 2nd arrow depending on conditions - a fairly straight shot with late hook. The Doom is polished with Ebonite Factory Finish (sanded to 2000 grit).
First off I'd like to state that the Doom is a great ball. It has more hit and carry than any other ball I've used and is very versatile on tougher conditions. The lanes where I bowl, Dandenong AMF, are usually on the dry side and really test out bowlers used to wet/dry conditions at other centres. I have found the Doom matches up very well with these lanes.
The ball has lost some of its original reaction recently, and i have refinished it several times trying to restore the reaction, but having said that, i have been getting my highest scores ever with the ball over the last month. The ball is now very controllable and allows me to 'feel' the shot. It rarely overreacts and hits the pocket hard. It carries more 10 pins than the other bowlers in my league bowling a similar shot and doesn't leave me with many splits on errant shots.
I also use a Track Desert Heat on these lanes, drilled stack Leverage (balance hole on PAP), which goes longer and also hits hard, but it isn't as predictable and often leaves the 8 or 9 pin on pocket hits that the Doom would carry.
The Doom revs up earlier and has more mid-lane roll than the Desert Heat, giving a more controlled reaction. It does struggle to change direction through carry-down, and i usually have to adjust my line throughout league bowling to avoid it, especially if other bowlers are pushing the oil down a similar line.
Overall, I love this ball, it is perfect for where I bowl and I am looking fwd to more big scores with it.
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Dean