My specs:
Left handed, ball speed around 16 MPH, rev rate around 300 RPM, axis rotation of around 60 degrees, and axis tilt around 30 degrees.
The Frankie May Gryphon (FMG) is my second ball from Visionary. I got this one to be an “oiler”, but had heard very good things about its versatility with coverstock changes so figured I couldn’t lose. The ball came with an almost four inch pin out and very low top. This allowed me to drill it up with a 3.5 axis to pin distance (for flare and recovery), put the pin very high (close to the vertical axis line for length), and the CG almost in grip center (for an arcing back end). The idea was to get something that would get through the heads, come alive in the midlane, and not overreact on the back end. Something I could use on a fresh heavy oil pattern. My first attempt with the ball was on a normal house shot. I was pretty sure this wouldn’t work with the ball in box condition, but wanted to get a comparison against other equipment. It only took one shot to see that this ball is way too strong for this condition. It was hooking before it reached the arrows. Even moving extremely deep into the middle didn’t work. There was just not enough oil in either volume or length to hold it back. The next try was in a PBA Experience league on the Scorpion pattern. Not a real heavy volume, but a much longer pattern. I still had the ball in box condition. It was a little more playable, but still not good. There was simply not enough volume to rein it in. Man, is this ball strong! A few others watching were astounded at how strong the midlane was. Bottom line, in box condition this ball is a monster. You need truly heavy oil to let it show its stuff. Figuring that I would probably never see enough oil to use it that way, a trip to the pro shop to smooth out the surface was in order. I brought it from box condition (400 matte) up to 800. What a difference! It’s obvious that it’s still a very strong ball that just can’t wait to show its muscle, but now it’s playable on heavy oil (with a little straighter line) and the oilier mediums (regardless of pattern length). Very smooth roll, pins stayed very low, excellent hit. One of those balls where the pins seem to beat the ball off the lane. Based on what I’ve seen, I’m sure a smoother finish and/or polish would bring everything short of the parking lot into play. All in all, the FMG is an excellent ball. It’s smooth, dependable, extremely versatile, and has more muscle than anyone should need.