Post by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM
Introducing Road Hawg and the new Juiced Reactive coverstock. With more wrath and fury, the Road Hawg pushes the envelope for ball performance. By using Hammer''s new Juiced Reactive coverstock, Road Hawg provides more length, more flip and a shocking rate of oil absorption for more confidence from shot to shot. It''s extreme. It''s you. It''s Hammer. Drive on.
Post by: anotherwindup on January 27, 2006, 10:54:34 AM
2.75 oz top prior to drilling
4" pin out.
As with many of the balls that I have drilled lately I used a 5.5" pin to PAP distance with the pin falling directly above the bridge, with a 4" distance to the center of my grip. I used a 60* layout which put the CG about .5" to the positive side of the grip line and right above the midplane.
I polished the ball in quarters with Factory Finish. I didn't burn it in overly hard. Just a light coat.
This ball hooks later and stronger than Both the WILD and the DOOM.
I was bowling on Fresh THS. Where I typically play 17 to 8, standing on 37 with a DOOM, I was playing 23 to 5 standing on 42, and even into the 2nd game in front of the ball return.
This ball flat out HOOKS. BUT, it HOOKS DOWN THE LANE. Unlike many balls that "hook", this one does it ALL on the backs. There is little midlane read, and a BIG strong move on the back.
NOTHING HITS LIKE A HAMMER!!
FYI: Never missed the hole. 229 246 258. Not a bad start for a new nug.
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Jason Jenkins
'05-'06 Hammer Amateur Staff
"Nothing HITS like a Hammer"
Post by: BrandonR on February 01, 2006, 08:27:48 PM
The ball: 15lbs 2.5tw
Layout: 5in Pin-placing the pin through the ring finger w/cg out 45deg.
Surface: I used a med amount of Brunswick polish on 4 sides.
Reaction: So far the ball is truly longer than both my Hawg and Hawg Wild w/ the Hawg being the earliest of the three. This ball has a smooth motion off the dry. Long with great backend action.
A future update will follow.
Thanks for reading
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Married and Lovin It! **THAT'S WHAT MY WIFE TOLD ME TO SAY!!**
Post by: Mr Alternate on February 09, 2006, 05:33:31 PM
16.00 gross
2.75 top
pin 3-4
Axis Point: 4 5/8 right, 3/4 up
Ball Speed: 17-18 mph
Rev Rate: 425-450
I drilled The Road Hawg with the pin just below and in between the fingers. The CG is in the thumb positive quadrant. I weighed it out and it only has 1/2 thumb and 1/2 positive side, so I didn’t need a weight hole.
I tried it out on the fresh league shot where I usually use a Big Rig and play about 12-13 at the arrows and out to about 5-6 at the break point. Normally, you have to get the ball to 5 if you want to get any angle to the pocket at this center. With the Road Hawg, I was playing around 20 at the arrows and 10-12 at the break point. When this ball decided to make its move to the pocket, it made it REALLY strong. I got it in and it carried. I lost it a bit to the right and it carried. I shot 257 the first game with 3 ten-pins (one was in the fill ball). In game two, I started with the front 11 before throwing one of the worst balls I have ever thrown. Let’s just say I didn't strike and finished with a 298. After two games, I still hadn't had to make a move as this ball was letting me play a good 7-8 boards inside everyone else on the pair. My carry started to go away in the third game as I only had a 216 game. Once I couldn't shoot 800 and I was eliminated from the brackets, I really didn't care too much. I must say, I was pretty impressed with this new toy. The guys on my pair were equally impressed as I think I was the only one to break 600 on the pair (this is a scratch league).
I’m looking forward to trying this ball on some oilier, tougher conditions.
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Mr. Alternate
Hammer Regional Staff Member
Post by: romchip on February 10, 2006, 01:02:58 PM
In a nutshell, I drilled this as follows:
PAP-Pin 5"
PAP-MB 3"
Pin 2" above midplane with no hole
This ball is a great wall ball, but that isn't what I was after. Surface adjustments made little difference other than dictating where my feet started. The ball is long and smooth off the friction, squirting if there's a tug into carrydown of any significant volume. I ended up with 2000 abralon with the back flares HEAVILY scuffed with 500. It has a spot in the bag but it definitely isn't as strong as it's advertised. I had to make sure to get to the side of the ball to ensure carry. Fortunately, it didn't seem to overreact even if I got around it a bit early. Again, this is a very solid piece if you have some friction on the lane to play from, but it's not great inside the oil line.
If you're a hammerhead looking for some length and great roll without being bouncy, then this is a good one. If you're looking for high flare, oil ignoring hook, find another piece.
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Tom
Angular Acceleration Pro Shop
www.TunedBallMotion.com
Right Handed, PAP 5" right, 16mph, 350rpm, 20 degrees axis rotation, 30 degrees tilt with normal release
Post by: BowlerKidR on February 19, 2006, 10:12:02 PM
2-3 inch pin
2 3/4 top
15.4 oz
Drill Pattern
The drilling is the recomended drilling on The One
4 inch PIN to PAP
2.5 inch CG to PAP
MB located 3 inches from thumb
X Hole on val past axis
Bowler Style
275-300 RPM
15-16.5 MPH
PAP 4 13/16 over 0 up/down
Picture and Video Links
Pics:
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=1/2419071454.jpg&s=x4
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=1/2419105632.jpg&s=x4
Video:
http://media.putfile.com/Road-Hawg
Surface Prep
2000 Grit Abralon
Light coat of polish put on before taking down to 2000 abralon, so ball is not a light light polish
Lane Condition
Normal House Shot, Synthetic, with 3 hrs of house bowling (lanes in video)
Med-heavy house shot with lots of backend (wood)
Ball Reaction
Decent length, nothing like The One.
Backend galore. Very strong, snaps off the dry
Overall Hook is not applicable with this ball for all its hooking is in the backend.
Midlane Read is not much because most of its action is on the backend.
Breakpoint shape is strong arc. When polished it is more flip
Comments
I love my new Road Hawg. Ball works wonderfully on synthetics, and decent on my wood house. Id call the overall reaction of the Road Hawg to be "long and strong". The ball is drilled with the recomended drilling on The One, which is supposed to give a long and strong reaction. This ball does just that, only not as long or as strong as the One. None the less, a good ball. Depending on my hand positions i can play deep 4th arrow and carry wonderfully with the ball, or just right and fluff the ball up the first arrow. Carry is amasing. Every angle and every shot, no matter where i hit the pins, has a chance to carry (check out the video).
My only dislike is that on my wood house league, there tends to be lots of backend, and i have to really fluff the ball from 3rd arrow out to 1st arrow in order to bowl with it since there isnt any carry down yet. THis is not my a-game. Other than that, i have no complaints.
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"Strike for show, spare for dough"
I LIKE TO BOWL
Im A Hammer Head 100%
Post by: Precision on February 21, 2006, 02:58:30 PM
Track diameter is 10.25â€.
PAP is measured at 5.5†over and 0†up/down.
Average ball speed (foul line to head pin) is 17 mph.
Axis rotation is typically 45 degrees
Initial rev rate is typically 350 rpm
Layout:
5" pin to PAP distance, 3.75" above Midline.
X-hole on VAL 2" down from Midline.
I used the ball with the box surface and both polished with Extender polish and at 1000G Abralon on lane conditions which varied from a 40' THS to a 38' sport compliant pattern. The one thing that really amazed me was the recovery from just about anywhere on the lane. The ball did not over-react when encountering friction too early or under-react when not encountering friction soon enough, what more can you ask for? The move to the pocket was angular and consistent, if you can't get this one to back-end you might want to check your pulse. The cover responded very well to surface changes. As the cover was made more aggressive the ball read the lane earlier and the back-end was a little smoother; more polish created increased length and even more angularity on the back-end. I feel that the Road Hawg can be used on a variety of condition successfully with different layouts and surface preps. It's an excellent ball and I for one will be drilling another because of what this ball has to offer the bowler. It's predictable, consistent and strong angular movement is simply amazing.
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Precision
Post by: Spider Ball Bowler on February 24, 2006, 06:03:45 AM
Always loved Hammer from back in the Hammer 3D and 4D days..wasn't so happy with the original Hawg, but I'm thinking now if I would have given it more of a chance I would have liked it.
I used this ball on a medium oil house shot (wood) and it just hooks for days. I couldn't keep this ball on the left side of the head pin, no matter how far I moved inside. It was ready to go as soon as it found some dry area. Needless to say it didn't get much use at this house.
I then used it at another house (wood lanes) but this house just started laying down less oil than the other house, with some jumping back ends....once again, this ball hooked too much....back in the bag it went.
I finally found what I was looking for to use this ball. Wood Lanes, Little heavier oil, longer pattern. The ball just ripped through the front oil, and when it did hit the backends, rolled up very nicely. It was more of an even arc for me. The carry was great, besides a ripped 8 pin, which i've been leaving with any ball at this house, if I hit the hole or around it...I had an X on the screen. This ball worked very well for the first 2 games, but as my side broke down, it started over hooking and leaving a lot of 6 pins. Overall I loved the reaction I got on this pattern. I was playing at 18 with my feet and sending it out to 10, and it came crashing back into the pocket. Also had some forgiveness on a couple shots where I let it fly out to around 6 or 7 and it still flushed up.
I then bowled on some synthetic lanes. Playing primarily at 18 with my feet, shooting it out to the dry around the 5 board with a Medium speed. The lanes were jumpy on the outside, but pretty well flooded around the 10 board. Once again I loved the reaction I was getting. I did run into trouble if my ball speed was off. I ran into a lot of trouble if I had too much speed and pulled the ball inside around 10. It really reved up, but as soon as it hit the carrydown, it just spun like a plastic ball. Very weird to see. I'm not too familiar with synthetics, so I don't know if that's common place or not. Overall it gave me a nice even reaction and carried extremely well.
I thought about ditching this ball, but after seeing how well it reacted with a little bit of oil, and also on synthetics, it's here to stay.
If you bowl on a longer pattern, and you can control your speed, with the lay out I have...this would be a good ball for you as well.
Feel free to PM me with any questions.
--------------------
My Arsenal:
Brunswick Ultimate Inferno, Hammer Road Hawg, Columbia 300 Action Packed, Rotogrip Spare Tire
Post by: z28freak on February 24, 2006, 05:19:11 PM
Post by: Dwight Albrecht on February 24, 2006, 10:30:42 PM
Ball Specs
The ball being drilled was a 3†pin out with 3.00 oz top weight.
Drilling: Pin 3 3/4" from PAP and Mb 45 degree angle or 4 1/4" from my pap. Pin is above ring finger, 3" above grip midline. Weight Hole on my axis. Factory 4000 Abralon.
Bowler Information:
Track diameter is 10 1/2.
PAP is measured at 5 1/4 over and 3/8" up.
Average ball speed (foul line to head pin) is 17 mph.
Axis rotation is typically 90 degrees
Initial rev rate is typically 300 rpm, "Tweener"
Lane Condition and Pattern:
AMF Bowlero, HPL 9000 Panel. Oil Pattern: Medium Heavy Oil and slightly clean back ends. Fairly Flat condition from edge board to edge board.
REVIEW:
I thought when this ball came out this could be Hammer's answer to Ebonite's popular The One. In some cases it is and others it isn't. 1st I love the color scheme of this ball, just beautiful.
Reaction on a flatter condition; the ball allowed me to over power the inside oil and gave me nice recovery from the outsides. I was high on the pair that night in league with 680. On a wet/dry pattern the ball was to under/over and too senitive to the oil and dry for my release. It seems to perform better on a flatter condition and hits very hard. My Hoag Wild is my favorite ball for sending the pins off the deck. This ball is 4-5 boards more hook than the Hoag Wild on a similiar pattern.
I think crankers looking for a sanded ball to give them a little push down the lane and strong recovery on the backs will love this ball. I would not suggest this ball for strokers unless you have alot of friction on the outsides and backends.
Compared to a 4000 grit sanded The One. Similiar motion on the lane, The One rolled a touch smoother at the breakpoint and was a touch more readable. Both showed tremendous hit.
Thanks for reading my review.
Dwight
Post by: NINRH8R on March 01, 2006, 04:33:25 PM
3oz top weight
drilled with pin above ring finger
I got my Road Hawg yesterday but didn't have time to bowl but 1 game and only shot 189......went back this morning had the pro shop polish it up a little bit to see if i could get a little more backend out of it......this house has syn. lanes heavy/med oil, and not alot of backend.....shot 268,214,224 not bad.
The ball seems to be a lot more forgiving now....i don't get alot of revs, and seem to over power the ball...i don't know my mph, but i would say 17-19mph....I like my new Road Hawg!!!
PEACE
Post by: istrike300 on March 12, 2006, 02:34:42 PM
Drilled my Road Hawg 5 x 4 1/2 pin above the ring finger, box finish. Threw on AMF syntheitic, and Brunswick wood, strong but predictable move to the pocket on each and absolutely shredded pins! This is going to be a winner for everyone, once the cover is the proper grit for the individual. Another winner from TEAM HAMMER!!!!!
__________________
istrike300
NOTHING HITS LIKE A HAMMER!!!!
Post by: Joe_B on April 21, 2006, 05:53:07 PM
1"-2" pin
3oz top weight
i play about 1st arrow to 2nd or 3rd arrow on Medium to heavy oil lanes and i gotta tell you this ball hits like a train. i average 199 but i got this ball about week 26 of 32 week league, right now i am on 30 and for the past 4 weeks i been averaging 220 to 250 with this ball. average does not go up much because i am to far into league with about 90 games but i been throwing series like 735, 660, 707, and 760 for the past couple weeks. no 300 yet due to 8 pin.
but i would really think you should get this ball if ya like the ball to hook hard into the pocket at the backend!!!!!
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JOE
Post by: jonah300 on May 19, 2006, 10:41:37 PM
only dislikes leaves a lot of solids 8s
Post by: Monster Stitch on July 24, 2006, 01:57:57 AM
15.04lbs
2.5 inch pin
3oz top
http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=roadhawgld7.jpg
Layout:
Pin under ring and to the right a little stacked
Pin 4-1/2 from pap
No X-hole
Amf Synthetic / Brunswick Wood
Condition: 36 feet 7 to 7, 4 to 7 dry
Ball is really interesting. It revs in the mid lane and has a nice sharp hard arc in the backend. I can say the Road Hawg can handle a great amount of carry down. When the lanes start to break down in the heads, this ball just glides cleanly through the front and eats through the oil down the lane and still makes the turn to the pocket. I am truly amazed. I was able to play inbetween the wet/dry when the lanes are fresh. Then when the lanes start to blend out i am able to open up the lane. This is one of many versatile balls i have thrown in a long time. Of course Rev Rate and Axis rotation comes into play.
This can also be Hammer's Benchmark Ball.
Post by: bowlingboy300 on August 07, 2006, 02:20:10 PM
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thanks
mr. 300
Post by: sacbert on August 15, 2006, 08:12:48 PM
I'm not a big Hammer fan but my sister told me just great things about this piece, so I've decided to give it a try.
Pin over the ring finger (I would liked under it, but was kind complicated due the pin-cg distance)
no balance hole
OOB
In fresh house conditions this ball starts to roll early and keeps hooking (arc) all the way, I have to put it in the bag in 2nd game, it was great to open up the lane and get a better reaction with my next ball in the arsenal...
Good pin carry, and hit very very well
One more thing... My sis used this ball 1500 grit polished, pin under the fingers in a short oil tournament and just loved it... excelent pin carry and a very controlable break point... a versatile ball.
enjoy!
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- A wise man told me once, "If you want to do the best job, you have to have the best tools".. I would add "... be sure to know how to use those tools"...
Post by: n_adams on October 11, 2006, 11:24:42 AM
Drilled in a 60 degree layout no x hole.
out of box finish
Gets down the lane decent on medium plus conditions, starts to read midlane decent, then flips hard and shoots to the left. for revving fairly early this thing is very angular. it also gives a little room to play will skid a little in the heavier stuff and will roll up a little sooner so you can miss by a board or two and be ok.
Post by: lanstrong on March 19, 2007, 11:14:17 PM
I can see another pro-shop guy reading this and thinking (this dude is on crack,) but find out for yourself. Don't get me wrong I did have to make rev adjustments on a couple of the grips but all in all it wasn't a big adjustment.
As for the Road Hawg maybe thats what I need to do with it. Presently I am changing the grip in it. finger and thumb pitches only. 1/8 under fingers 3/8 reverse thumb. I tried 3/8 under on the fingers and 3/8 reverse thumb and I created the longest skidding ball ever. In fact I think it was still skidding in the ball return. The ball snapped at 8-10 feet from the pin deck. That was just wrong. One strange reaction let me tell you. On a completely dry lane that drilling may work. I stress maybe however.
For now I will peg the ball as a track ball. Medium to low hook potential with a lot of skid without the obscene finger pitches I installed in it. I find this ball extremely tough to roll consistently. I can skid it consistently but the roll is to late for my liking. Lower ball speed players average revs may like this ball. But if your average to high speed average to above average revs buy something else. I tried to add surface from 4000 abralon O.B. to 1000 Abralon and this absolutely killed the ball. Ball was D.O.A. upon hitting the pins.
Good luck with this one.
Stacy Oakman
USBC Bronze Coach
Post by: DrBob806 on November 06, 2007, 12:06:25 PM