Bowler Stats:
MPH: ~18.5 off hand
RPM: 350-375
Axis Rotation: 30-40 degrees
Axis Tilt: 13-15 degrees
PAP: 4 7/8†right, 0†up/down
Ball Layout:
40* by 5.5 by 50* no hole
(pin is about an inch over my bridge)
OOB surface
Lanes:
Brunswick Pro-Anvilane
Kegel Kustodian
A22 oil
Patterns Tested:
39’ medium-dry THS
PBA Shark
PBA Cheetah
I’d like to start by saying the following: This is already one of my favorite balls that I’ve ever thrown and is probably the best ball I’ve ever thrown value wise for its price point (except maybe the Slingshot at its value). In my opinion, it’s almost impossible to beat a ball that has any form of PowerKoil 18 coverstock.
Now I wanted this ball to do one thing, to go long with a controllable but very strong backend reaction. The layout I used is a favorite of mine when I want the ball to get down the lane but still have plenty of pop off of the end of the pattern. I can tell the difference that the new core and the larger pearl additive in the coverstock has made in the ball’s ability to ignore the front part of the lane while being very responsive on the backend. Possibly the most continuous angular ball I’ve thrown.
On a fresh 39’ medium-dry THS, the Damage offered tons of miss room, especially to the right. Starting out, the ball was most comfortable with a laydown of 24 out to 7-8-9 at the breakpoint. I have a problem sometimes on this THS getting the ball far enough down lane, however that was nowhere near a problem for this ball. The Damage was able to skid through the fronts effortlessly and read the lanes at the correct distance downlane. Once it reached the breakpoint, the ball showed a very, very strong movement off of the dry but was still controllable and consistent shot to shot. If sent out a little wide, the Damage still read the pattern and came roaring back to the pocket. Everyone, including myself, was amazed and where this ball would come back from. If tugged inside, the high RG core and the pearl cover combined to allow the ball to have extra hold room before taking over, and letting the ball corner enough to still slap out the corner pins. Moving 5 boards outside with more speed, the ball was able to ignore even more of the heads, while still having a controllable yet aggressive breakpoint. As the pattern broke down a bit, I could move all the way up to 11 boards further inside with absolutely no loss of carry. Bowlers who play a lot of inside angles are sure to find a spot in their bag for this ball.
Compared to the Avalanche Black/Green with a similar layout, I noted that the Damage is about 2 boards stronger with basically all of that strength coming from the backend reaction. The Avalanche has a smoother shape when compared to the Damage and the Avalanche started rolling approximately 3 feet sooner with the Damage being slightly more continuous. Compared to the Slingshot (Black/Silver drilled 135* by 4†by 70*) the Damage was approximately 5 boards stronger with most of that coming once again from the backend reaction. Also, the Slingshot was less continuous overall (much due to the stronger pin placement). Compared to the C-System 4.5 (drilled 70* by 5†by 80*), the Damage was about 4 boards weaker overall with a even a slightly stronger response at the breakpoint than the 4.5 (surely due to the pin-down layout on the 4.5).
A fresh PBA Shark pattern had way too much length and volume to start out with this ball, but the Damage is a great choice for when you have to close up your angles and move inside as the pattern breaks down. Despite the pattern length, the Damage was able to read the track from other players and make its strong move in plenty of time to take care of any corner pins. That’s what I’d say set this ball different from the rest. The ability to maintain a carry percentage from the inside part of the lane is crucial as patterns wear down. That reason alone would make me keep this ball in my bag.
I couldn’t help but play around with this ball on the PBA Cheetah pattern. Typically, I love playing as straight and as close to the gutter as my speed and rev rate allow. With the Avalanche Urethane, that’s usually a small swing from a laydown of 4 out to 2. The Damage was way too strong for this line of attack but did provide me the ability to play a bank shot with a laydown of 11 out to 2 or 3. Although I’m not as comfortable playing bank shots like this on short patterns, the Damage was definitely able to give me a look that no one else had, and provided a great alternative line for when the Urethane Avalanche was meeting a few carry issues.
Overall, I’d say that this is my new favorite ball in the bag. It gives me a look that I’ve never had before and it does it at a ridiculously valuable price point. Those looking for a weaker version of the 4.5, but still a similar reaction shape, will love this ball in my opinion. Bowlers with trouble getting the ball downlane will find this ball as a must-have with its pearl cover and high RG core (just be sure to still use weaker layouts). More competitive bowlers that experience a wide range of patterns will like the look they see with this ball for when patterns break down. Personally, I know that it’s a ball that will have its special place in my bag for a while with its strong move off the spot and that it’d be a great addition to virtually everyone’s bag.
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Brunswick Advisory Staff
Jared Wolf
Jonesboro, AR
www.bowlingchat.netThe opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
