Ball NPS Score: 100.00
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Description: The Brunswick Melee Hook combines the Melee Low RG symmetrical core with the Relativity Max Reactive coverstock and finishes it with 500 grit then 2000 grit Siaair Micro Pad. This combination provides versatility on different lane patterns for different style bowlers. This ball revs big at the mid-lane but stores enough axis rotation for the backend to offer a larger margin of forgiveness at the pocket.  Due to it's chemically designed surface texture the Melee Hook offers better traction on several different lane patterns.
Features:

- Color: Midnight Blue Solid (colors may vary from the picture shown)
- Core: Melee Low RG Symmetric Core (14-16#)
- Coverstock: Relativity Max Reactive
- Finish: 500, 2000 Siaair Micro Pad
- Hook Potential: High 235 (scale: 10-250)
- Length: Early 70 (scale: 25-235)
- Breakpoint Shape: Medium
- RG: 2.537 (for 15# ball)
- Diff: 0.050 (for 15# ball)

BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3-4
Starting Top Weight: 2.6oz
Ball Weight: 15
 
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP: 4.5

40  X 4.5 X 60
 
BOWLER STYLE:  RH - Stroker – slightly speed dominant
Rev Rate:  320-360
Ball Speed: 16-17
PAP/Track:  PAP:  5 13/16” and 3/4" up
 
SURFACE PREP
Box Finish:  Factory 500: 2000 Siaair micro pad
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): 
 
BALL MOTION
With its 2000 grit Siaair Micro Pad Finish, the Melee Hook revs strong in the mid-lane and retains plenty of axis rotation for the backend to produce a wider area of forgiveness to the pocket. The Melee Hook will provide better traction on a variety of lane patterns with its chemically designed surface texture.

 

 COMMENTS

 This symmetrical ball has a strong mid-lane motion and has a very predictable motion. This is one of the first balls out of my bag now.

Shot 300 the 4th game out of the box with this ball
 

Mike Sipple
Brunswick/DV8/Radical  Regional/Amateur Staff

Bowler Stats:
18-19mph
425-475rpm
5-7* tilt
40-60* axis rotation

Layout:
45* by 4.5 by 70* (with hole 2" down VAL)

Intent:
The Melee Hook is designed to be the perfect benchmark ball. Solid, low-RG symmetrics tend to be the first ball out of my bag on most patterns (unless they are super short or super long).
Combine that with a layout that smooths out the shape a little and a hole that brings it a little closer to me, and what I have is a ball to carry around to most events.

On the lanes:
I've had the pleasure of throwing the Hook on several different patterns at different houses. These include Beaten Path on Pro-Anvilanes and house and Athens on AMF HPL. Each time the Melee Hook gave me a consistent look to the pocket, especially on the fresh. The Melee Hook gives me a stronger and earlier shape than my Deviant with the same layout and I see it as being a more consistently rounded shape than the Einstein with about the same hook potential. Basically it's the bigger ball with the same shape in my Melee hook, Deviant, LT-48 combo (all have the same layout)

As with most low-RG solids with my low tilt, the Hook does tend to struggle when I want to get really deep. However, that's not really what this ball is for. The Hook is designed to be that stable rolling staple in your bag when you need a strong midlane read.

Closing Remarks:
The Melee hook is that strong, smooth ball reaction that Brunswick is widely popular for being able to provide. The midlane roll makes this ball very forgiving across the board, from wet-dry house shots to the tighter sport patterns. I imagine this ball being a favorite for most people at Nationals this next year provided that the pattern is anywhere in the 38-43ft range (which 99% of the time it will be). The stable and predictable reaction will keep the Melee Hook in my bag for quite a while.

BALL SPECS

Ball Weight: 16 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Dual Angle Layout: 45 x 4" x 65

X Hole (if there is one): P2


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: Higher, between 370 and 410 rpm, aka Cranker

Ball Speed: 16.50 mph

PAP/Track: 5 3/8" over and 7/8" up with a high track


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box - 2000

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded


LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Multiple

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Multiple


BALL REACTION

Length: 6 / 10

Back End: 7 / 10

Overall Hook: 7 / 10

Midlane Read: 6 / 10

Breakpoint Shape: 7 / 10 More midlane roll


COMMENTS

Likes: Great midlane roll with continuation

Dislikes: None

The melee hook is a good addition to the melee symmetrical core line that will give you a stronger midlane roll compared to the previous melee series balls. With the box 2000 surface, it will match up on many oil conditions. The melee hook utilizes the new composite coverstock technology which will go longer in between oil extractions and won't get that lane shine a quickly compared to the melee cross. With the pin in the ring finger drilling i used on mine, I can use this as the first ball out of my bag to help break down the lanes and make minor adjustments during the game. I have used this ball for heavier oil conditions and on a house shot. It would work well as a benchmark ball.

Here is a video of me throwing the Melee Hook

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Brunswick Melee Hook

BALL SPECS
Pin Length – 3-4"
Starting Top Weight – 3.0 oz
Ball Weight - 15lb 3oz

DRILL PATTERN
Drilled 70 x 5" x 20 w/ MOtion hole 10" from Pin (1” x 3” deep)

BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate – 240 / 352 / 436
Ball Speed – 14.1 MPH / 18.6 MPH

PICTURE AND VIDEO LINKS


SURFACE PREPARATION
Grit - Out of the Box
Type (Matte, Polish, Sanded) - Out of the Box

LANE CONDITION
Length - 41 ft
Volume – 18.30 ml
Type (Wall, Xmas Tree, Sport) – Kegel Main Street (THS)

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This ball will produce more overall hook than anything previously released in the Melee line. Mine is drilled pin above the ring finger to increase flip and it matches up well with long patterns, or anything medium heavy to heavy volume.

This ball really hits hard and can create mistake area outside of your target area. I highly recommend this ball be added to your bag.

Jeff Poholsky -Brunswick Advisory Staff.

The opinions listed above are mine, and not necessarily those of Brunswick Bowling.

The Melee Hook is a great new benchmark ball. This ball good to use to figure out what the lanes are doing. It has plenty of length and great continuation to usable on a wide varitey of patterns. If you liked that famous two lettered Storm ball you need to give this one a try. It has a very similar motion and takes very well to surface changes. This ball is really going to show its strengths on tougher patterns as it has a very predictable motion that goes through the pins very well. Get one punched out at your local pro shop it is for sure a must have.

Greg
Greensburg, Pa

Bobby Benton
Maryland

Brunswick Melee Hook (http://www.bowlwithbrunswick.com/balls/detail/melee-hook/)
70 x 5 x 35 (OOB Surface)

Personal Stats:
400-450 RPM
18-20 MPH
PAP - 5 5/8" over, 1" up
Axis Tilt - Estimated 8-12 Degrees
Current League Average: 238

Intended Use:
Knowing that this was a strong solid, I went with an angular pin-up layout to hopefully create a good house pattern motion.

Reaction:
The cover on the Melee Hook is strong! With the pin-up layout, the cover digs in nice and early for a symmetric and the layout gives it just enough pop off the back of the pattern to slap corners out. This is a great choice when the Danger Zone isn't strong enough or the Vandal is just too clean.

Overall:
I have thrown this ball a LOT since getting it. Allows me to be left on house patterns with higher volumes because of the strong cover, but still stores energy and gets the corners out with the pin-up layout.