We were able to drill up some of these ball for myself and one of our local senior players. Thanks to Brian Graham for getting us these balls early so we could give them a try.

The ball drilled for our senior player was set up like this:

Tony - Pin 3 1/2 from PAP and LMB 4 from PAP (pin 1 3/4 above midline) Hole 3 1/2 from center of grip (35 degrees toward thumb quadrant) 13/16 hole 2 1/2 deep. This layout put the pin on his gripline below his fingers and the LMB outside his VAL.

Tony's PAP is 3 5/8 up 1 Diameter is 9 1/4. Tony is right handed.

This player has a hard time getting most balls to hook on our heavier oil patterns. Generally his balls do not tilt enough at the breakpoint. With the Real Deal, he was able to play around 15 and swing the ball out to around 7 and get the ball back without a problem. He has only been able to test this on the one shot, so I will try and post more later. After one night Tony says this is the best ball he has ever used, mainly because it curved in the backends where his ball never curved before.


I laid out two of these for myself. I am left handed.

One Ball - 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 (pin 2 3/8 above midline) hole inside VAL. With this layout, the ball created hook set.

Second Ball - 3 1/2 x 5 3/4 (pin 2 3/8 above midline) hole on VAL. With this layout, the ball stored more energy down the lane for a more explosive breakpoint.

My pap is 4 3/4 up 3/8 and my track diameter is 10 1/2

I used both balls in practice to get a feel for what they were going to do. This is the most aggressive coverstock that I have seen on any of the Hammer/Ebonite ball. With our high volume oil house shot, both balls were able to cut through the oil, without a problem.

On our house shot, I found that the Hook/Set layout, I was able to go more direct up the lane. With the ball for more backends, I was able to swing the ball more overall.

I used the Hook/Set ball that night on a second shift league. I was able to play the 10th board to the 5th board all night. The ball was clean through the heads, picked up a mid lane roll, and then would make a move around 35-40 feet and just roll up to the pocket. I shot 268, two 7 pin spares, 299 - threw the ball way to hard. The last game I decided to try the 2nd ball. I moved my feet 5 boards right and played the ball to the same breakpoint. I lost no hitting power shooting 278 my last game.

After testing this ball for myself and another bowler using the Asymmetrical layouts in these balls, the Hammer Real Deal bowling ball is the best Hammer/Ebonite ball so far, and it is the best Hammer ball since the 3D Violet Offset. Great job Hammer. This is big step in the right direction!

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Thanks
Bill
BuddiesProShop.com
"The Place All Bowlers Shop"

I would have to agree with all the reviews so far. This is by far one of the better Hammer releases in a long time. The ball has tremendous hitting power and is very controllable!!
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My Dt likes to bash Shawn B.

note the truth>>>>>(Dt..1st .... Shawn 2nd)

VISE AMATEUR STAFF
Dynodaddy@earthlink.net
www.dynothane.com

This ball is the greatest ball i own. I bought it a week or so ago. Used it for the first time yesterday. All i have to say is wow! I was looking for a ball that hooks, and it did just that. I had purchased the fear factor for heavy oil. The real deal hooks a good 5 boards more. I have about a 180 average and my first 12 games with this ball, i averaged a 210. I think im really gonna like this ball. i would recommend it to anyone out there looking for a ball to hook!

Hammer The Real Deal:
Ball Specs
The ball being drilled was a 2 1/2” pin out with 3.00 oz top weight.
Drilling: Pin 4 1/2" from PAP and Mb 4 1/2" from PAP (approximately 60 degrees) pin is below fingers, 1 3/4" above grip midline. Weight hole past axis pitched away at a 3 o'clock angle.
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 45 degrees
Initial rev rate is typically 300 rpm, "Tweener"
Lane Condition and Pattern: AMF HPL Panels. AMF Bowlero lanes in Milwaukee. Home of the 2004 ABC Masters. Oiled to 45 feet clean backends. Oil Pattern tapered block dry outsides, 50+ units of oil on the inside.

REVIEW:
Great Ball, tested it for sometime before I wrote a review. What I like about this ball over The Deal, is the Deal lost alot of the backend reaction with use and when it ran into carry down never finished, you needed clean backends with The Deal. The Real Deal, is just that much better, more hook, doesn't quit, and hits hard. I tried the ball factory sanded (500 Grit-Abaron Pad). I thought it reacted very mush like my Big Bully but the Big Bully gave me a better look when the lanes broke down, the Real Deal tended to hook early. I tried to sand the ball rougher and the ball was awesome on a flood but only about 8 frames, then I found myself moving right and leaving weak tens. I sanded the ball finer to 1500 and I think it is the best at that grit, easy to take care of and very reliable in ball reaction. I have thrown about 40 games with this ball and have not noticed any quit on the backends with this ball. Best Ebonite Hammer to date. I don't like the red color and the white engraving gets dirty quick, minor details for one awesome ball.

Compared to my other Balls:
Big Bully: Very Similar ball reaction, except when the heads fry, you need to put the Real Deal away.

Thanks for reading my review.
Dwight

WOW another great ball from hammer. Had the ball drilled up to hook, and put the      PAP 2.5 inches from the center point for max hook. 3 game total on a house shot 39 feet 268, 269, 232    769 .  could have shot 800+  but thru a bad ball on a 279 pace in the ninth frame of last game for the 232.             Wheels 300

Hi

Got a REAL DEAL just over a month ago.............This ball is just rolling real fine for me........in 7 series I had one sub 600   and my average to that point was 182 as I bowl once  a week and once every other Friday..  Best ball since my Ebonite Omega Lion

Mike

Drilled: Pin above the ring finger stacked leverage....

Just like what the name of the ball says, this ball is the real deal. With this layout it gives me some length to clear the heads and picks up its roll around the midlane. Once it clears the oil the ball then does its work and attacks the pocket. It has a very smooth transition from skid, roll and hook which makes it easier to read the lanes and be able to make the necessary adjustments. Its movement is quite similar to how patrick allen was throwing the big deal during the world championships with a little bit more lenght with a more aggressive move in the back. This ball stands true to the company motto and i guess this is what they have in mind when they say that"...nothing hits like a hammer"
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"bowlers and thier balls are like women and thier shoes...never question how many they've got"