Ball: Brunswick C-(System) 3.5Layout:Pin 5†from PAP below fingers
45-degree locator line angle
(Dual-angle: 45 by 5†by 75)
XH on VAL, 1 1/2†below PAP, 7/8†by 2†deep
Initial Surface Preparation:Box finish
Purpose:To complement the Siege for oilier medium conditions that require a more dramatic change of direction at the break.
Why this ball?The C-(System) 3.5 is intended to handle larger volumes of oil than the C-(System) 2.5, while still exhibiting a strong reaction to friction.
Observations:The first time I used the C-(System) 3.5 was at a center with five-year-old Pro Anvilanes, for a practice session on a fresh house condition. I threw the 3.5 side-by-side with its predecessor, the C-(System) 2.5. I had the best results when I played four-and-one left with the 3.5 from where I was with the 2.5. With the clean back ends, I had to use a steeper angle in front to compensate for the strength of the reaction down lane. As the oil started to migrate down lane, I didn't quite have to give the ball as much room, so I was able to move my target inward a board and still get the ball to tip as it came off of the end of the pattern.
I also used the new C-(System) at the same center in a second-shift league. I was able to get a serviceable reaction with this ball, and I saw the same strength off of friction as on the fresh condition. The 3.5 had a tendency to be very sensitive to the frequent transition that we tend to see in this league, though, which meant that I had to make larger moves with my feet, and make them more often. However, I had to get my feet pretty far to the left before I reached a point where the burn impacted the ability of the ball to recover and carry corners, and when that did happen, I was able to switch to the C-(System) 2.5 and get the extra energy retention that I needed to carry.
I’ve had the most success with the C-(System) 3.5 at a center with HPL in front and older wood in back, on a fresh house condition. Now I'll grant that it doesn't take a great tactician to find the pocket on this condition at this center, but because of the way the back ends tend to tighten up over the course of a set, the pin carry can be tricky at times. With the C-(S) 3.5, I was able to get my feet more to the left, and use the friction to the right and in back to get the ball to the pocket. As the oil moved down the lane, all I had to do was to move the trajectory further left down the lane, and use the push to stop the ball at the pocket.
Conclusions:If your experiences are anything like mine, the C-(System) 3.5 will force you to play further left than you would with your other equipment, but when you do send it, it won't die at the turn. The 3.5 has the guts to make the corner, and to carry the corners. And for me, because I'm already left of where I'd usually be on the fresh, I can stay with the C-(S) 3.5 longer than I typically could with a stronger ball.
The Siege is still my first choice for conditions that are heavier and flatter, or when there is a significant wet-dry from side to side, and I need to strike a balance between control and power. However, the C-(System) 3.5 is particularly well suited for conditions with a decent amount of volume, but where I need to open up the drier boards to the outside. The 3.5 has been a “home run†ball for me it's the kind of ball that will let me keep up with the high scoring pace when I do get into a carry contest. It moves pins around more than any ball I've ever thrown.
Unlike the C-(System) 2.5, the 3.5 likes oil in the front part of the lane, and will react well on front-to-back wet-dry conditions. And when the 3.5 does start to burn up too quickly, I can switch to the 2.5 and not miss a beat.
NOTE: The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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Ray Salas
Brunswick Amateur Staff
http://www.brunswickbowling.com
