Never in my 20+ years of bowling history have I ever had 3 new ball releases make it to my "A" bag so fast. The Odyssey, Mystic, and Neptune are three of the *BEST* balls that I have ever had the opportunity to toss. Here’s a mini review (Ill post some "real" reviews of the balls once I get the opportunity to roll them on some more conditions):

Odyssey:

Think of this ball as the Battle without the early burn, or the Saga without the squirt. Don’t be too surprised if this ball actually out hooks the Battle or SD-73 on certain conditions.

Mystic:

All I can say is WOW. This ball is amazing! For being a particle pearl, it clears the heads REALLY well and recovers like a reactive. For replacing the RSP, it sure does have a different look.

Neptune:

The numbers on this ball is deceptive. For having the weakest core in the lineup of the Planet series, this ball can move. Because the numbers on it looked weaker, I went ahead and drilled it stronger (4.5" x 4" X-hole in thumb/positive quad) than the other Planet series balls that I have and was really surprised at how well this ball reads the spot.

If anyone has any specific questions on any of these balls (or other Roto balls) feel free to message me and I will try to help out as best as I can.

DONT HESITATE TO TRY THESE BALLS! YOU WON'T BE DISSAPOINTED!!

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Mat Henning
Roto-Grip Staffer
Turbo 2·N·1 Staffer
Owner/Operator of
Champions Bowling Services

Anthony,

Have you tried a (what I like to call) Mato-1 layout? Here is a pic of a Battle that I put it on:

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/Roto-Mat/BattleMato1.jpg

I had the same troubles as you did with strong cores, until I drilled a Battle like that. Talk about a difference! PM me if you want more info on the layout.
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Mat Henning
Roto-Grip Staffer
Turbo 2·N·1 Staffer
Owner/Operator of
Champions Bowling Services

Mat...That layout looks just this Tommy Jones layout http://www.brunswickinsiders.com/2006/PBATour/PBATournaments/2006tournaments/Norcross/Norcrossphotos/Jonesonehigh.jpg

I wish I knew the "why" of this drilling.  Makes it easier to tweak. I'll definitely be drilling an Odyssey and probably a Saga with this layout.  I'll put tape on the pin and MB to try and learn the MB migration.  

Thanks for the info!

The thing that surprised me most was how wide the flare bands are from each other. Obviously when you move the pin in such a weak position on a weaker cored ball, the flare bands tend get tighter as the ball is conserving more energy (I drilled a Horizon Pearl with a similar layout.....needless to say it didn't work out too well). On theses stronger cored balls, my ball is actually flaring more than the balls that I drilled with "stronger" pin positions. As for the bowtie location, it ends up being where one would expect it to (very high). The last bowtie flare (for me) usually ends up right near the backside of the thumb hole.

One more thing.....

For me, The epic line of balls that I have drilled like this actually hook more and even *ROLL* more than their stronger drilled counter parts. I used that layout on a Battle at the BTM tournament at Corpus Christi last year while my 4.5" Battle wasn’t getting into a strong enough roll to get the corners out.

HOWEVER......

I wouldn’t dream of putting this layout on a ball for someone who’s rev rate is less than 350-375 or so RPMS.

Also, I bought a new digital camera. Future pics should be less fuzzzzzzzy .

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Mat Henning
Roto-Grip Staffer
Turbo 2·N·1 Staffer
Owner/Operator of
Champions Bowling Services

Mark,

Pine??  Man, I haven't heard that in ages.  I was a big user of that at Maryland LOL!

You're right.  I mispoke.  I meant that the spin time increases.  I was thinking PSA takes longer to reach axis which is why I said lower.  Long week at work with DST development  I'd love to see a video of the Battle.
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Anthony Chapman

Roto Staff 2007
Videos coming soon...As soon as my son can hold the camera