I bought this ball (14#) because of all the reviews here. So far, I have mixed results. I told the driller that I wanted the ball to skid and hook at the dry area and he said he knew exactly what I wanted. After consulting the drilling booklet, he did something close to Layout#1 with RAD in Strong position.
Variation in Drilling (viewed with finger holes on top and thumb at bottom)
But compared to Layout#1, the pin is about .5" from the ring finger hole and about 2 o'clock (rather than 1 o'clock). Also, the RAD is about .5" and 4 o'clock. The Center of Gravity is 2" from the ring finger hole at 4.5 o'clock.
Performance
I played three games in medium-oily lanes I think. I stood in the middle of the lane and aimed straight down one arrow to the right of the center. I think I throw medium speed and low-medium rev. This ball would skid straight all the way and then slowly turn a bit (about 5 boards?). From other reviews, I thought the ball would turn hard in the back like professional crankers do. Perhaps it's the way I bowl but it didn't seem to have as much hook as I thought.
My Bad Form
After reading a book on bowling, I believe my bad form may have contributed to the lack of performance. Instead of getting low and rolling the ball, I have a tendency to stay up and dropping the ball with a slight spin. I'm thinking that following proper form will increase my revs.
Positive Results Regardless
I haven't bowled much since I was on my High School team (used to be a 167 avg bowler using my dad's 13# Urethane Blue Hammer). I went to bowl last week with my dad's 15# Columbia 300 Beyond Reactive and bowled 104, then two games in 130s. The first three games I bowled using the XXX Factor, I was just trying to get used to the ball and how it would react. I still managed 137, 140, and 178. I think this ball has the potential to get me bowling 190+avg once I get into it with proper form. I do notice that this ball knocks down a lot more pins than even my dad's old Columbia 300 (though that might have been too heavy). Even when I hit way off the head pin, I still got atleast 6. If I got anywhere near the pocket, it was an 8 or a 9.
Overall, I have high hopes for the potential this ball has. If you guys have any suggestions on getting more hook out of this ball, let me know. I bowl straight along the right side, moving my starting point according to how early or late the ball hooks.
