First I would like to thank David Atwood for a lengthy conversation at the Banger Booth in Reno and a chance to review this bowling ball.
Ball: I drilled this ball with the pin 4 1/4 from PAP 2 3/4 above my midline. The CG is stacked below the pin and on my midline. X Hole 4 3/4 from grip center on my midline.
Lanes: I have thrown this ball on several different patterns and different lane surfaces. The house pattern that I threw it on was 35ft buffed to 42 ft with the oil line on 10 board, the oil tapers from 10 board out. I have also thrown it on the Viper, Shark, and Cheetah Patterns.
HOOK:
Heavy Oil: For most bowlers this ball would not be the choice for heavier patterns. The Hole Pounder Solid would fit that slot. It was playable on the Shark Pattern as long as I kept the line very tight to the pocket without getting it wide of 15board.
Medium: The HP pearl excels here. It is very predictable for a reactive pearl piece. There were no guessing games as to what this ball would do. It cleared the heads with ease without overreaction off of the dry. At the same time of it being predictable it corners strong in the backends.
Light: I would not consider this a light oil ball, but as long as you can find some oil to carry it down the lane it could be used here.
TOTAL HOOK:
If you keep the use of this ball on medium patterns it will shine. Avoid the extreme dry and oil.
CONTROL:
I was suprised at how well the HPPearl handled conditions with fresh backends. Normally I have a problem with pearls overreacting and jumping through the face. It is very forgiving and is not extremely speed sensative. I did not have an issue with over/under with this ball. The HPPearl fits the phrase "benchmark ball" very nicely.
EXPECTED REACTION:
I expected more of an inconsistant reaction.....fortunately the HPPearl did not give me that. I expected to have to make a surface adjustment. Pearl reactives with this layout (for me) can be very unpredictable.
STRENGTHS:
Sport patterns and PBA patterns were not a big hurdle for the HPPearl. Many balls over shoot the breakpoint on these patterns, this was not an issue during this test. KEEP this ball on the medium patterns, that is where you will see it do what it does best.
WEAKNESSES:
AVOID EXTREMES!!!!! Extremely long patterns and extremely dry patterns. On the heavier stuff it will skate too far, and on the lighter patterns this ball will not layoff, it will keep coming.
COMMENTS:
Banger has a very nice ball here that has slipped under the radar of most of the bowling public. A consistant readable reaction....yet strong at the backend with plenty of recovery. The HPPearl does a remarkable job on sport patterns and tougher lane conditions. Another plus is that this ball takes advantage of the wall when you are faced with it.....yet it does not overreact when you miss to the outside of the lane early.
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Carl Hurd
C-G Pro Shop (owner/operator)
Youngstown Ohio
Tag Team Member #1
TAG TEAM COACHING!!!!!!/Co-Founder
