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Ball
I picked up a 15lb code two weeks ago. I drilled the ball with a 4 X 4 layout and a 2.5" pin buffer. This put the pin just above/right of my ring and cg out with a small weight hole. I left the ball with the box finish, polished.
Conditions
I have had the opportunity to throw the code on a variety of oil patterns (all on AMF HPL synthetics), ranging from a standard medium oil house shot, to several of the PBA patterns. House shot is a 39' top hat pattern, and PBA shots have been cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, and Shark.
Results
My first experience with the Code was on the house shot. For me, the ball is nothing short of phenomenal. Easy length through the heads and a strong, but controlled movement in the backend. I am able to line up at 21-23 on the approach, swing the ball across the 2nd arrow out to around 3-4 at the break point and seem to carry almost everything. On shots that get to the dry early, the ball doesn't seem to over react. On tugged shots, the ball holds its line. What's really impressive about this ball is that my adjustments have been cut in half. Usually over the course of a 3 game league night, I will adjust my feet anywhere between 15 and 20 boards left. Over the last two and a half weeks, the most I've moved has been 8 boards. That means less adjustments, staying lined up longer, and striking more. Last weekend, I finished a no-tap tournament (all our local house runs) with a natural 278 game, followed by a natural 300 game. Some of the best scores I've shot in years.
On the PBA patterns, the Code has performed surprisingly well over a variety of conditions. On the cheetah, I was able to line up playing straight up the ditch, targeting the 2 board. Due to the volume of oil, I will generally need a medium ball with some surface, or a stronger ball with a little polish. The Code rolled very well here for me. The only time I ran into trouble was with big tugs inside (3-4 boards).. but that was expected from any ball. A little push outside (didn't have much room playing 2), came up without any troubles.
On the Viper, I ran into a little over/under initially. I started out playing 12 to 5 and had a reasonable shot. This disappeared fairly quickly, so moved both feet and target inside 3 boards to try and catch a little more oil up front. Here the ball wanted to jump early. If I moved my feet inside, but kept my target the same (just a couple board move with my feet), then the ball would hang a little. After fishing around for a few frames, I moved back outside with a little more speed and seemed to have found a reasonable line. This is no surprise to me as the Viper has always been my toughest pattern though.
On the Chameleon (second toughest pattern for me), I also struggled. Not so sure it was the ball, as much as me. I was able to get a line playing straight up 11-12 board. Strong consistent roll when I hit the line, but a little over/under for me when I missed.
Finally, I threw on the Shark pattern. For me, this is one of my favorites, simply because there is oil. I wasn't sure that the Code would be strong enough for this pattern (especially being polished), but I though I would give it a shot anyways. Surprisingly, I was able to play a tight inside line to the pocket and found excellent carry. Lining up at about 25 on the approach, I was able to cross 15 at the arrows, and push the ball out to around 12-13 down the lane. With a little slower ball speed and more of a forward roll type of release, the Code just revved up and made a little move at the end of the pattern. It must have saved up a ton of energy as I had messengers galore. I bowled all three games of league playing this line and never was forced to move.
Overall, a very versatile ball that seems to play well on a variety of oil patterns. I think the feature that stands out the most is the strong, but controllable move of the ball on the backend. If I only had one ball to use for all of my leagues/tournaments, this would be my choice, hands down. Great performance, great looks (love the red/black color combo), and a very reasonable price.
If you have any Q's, please contact me.
Thanks,
S^2
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"The haddock hits me with a sucker punch. I catch him with a left hook.
He eels over. It was a fluke, but there he was, lying on the deck,
flat as a mackerel, kelpless."
