Ball Reviewing      Layout Used
 Karma Urethane      12 o’clock Stack
                                             
Ball Surface                                     Oil Pattern Reviewed On
Factory Finish with Polish Added       Fresh THS
                                             
The ball flared about 3” and gave me a reaction I relate to very early reactive.  Very clean through the front, strong arc in the mid-lane with a lot of predictability.  The ball went through the pins very well.

                                 
I compared this against a Orange Slingshot drilled 105x2x30.  The Karma went about 3-5’ longer and was 5-3 less aggressive. 
                                             
This ball will fill the low end void. 

I would rate this a 9 out of 10

Brunswick Karma Urethane
Bowler Stats:
Right handed
PAP: 4 ¾” right
Speed: 18-18.5 mph
Rev Rate:  450 rpm
Axis rotation: 20-45 degrees
Axis Tilt: 15 degrees

Ball 1 Layout:
40* by 5” by 45*

Ball 2 Layout:
30* by 4.5” by 80*
Hole through cg

Purpose:
There are two reasons to love urethane balls like this Karma. 1) They provide the most consistent reaction you can possibly have, save for plastic. 2) They give you a look on drier and/or shorter patterns that many other bowlers will not be able to have. Between the two Karmas I drilled, I’m confident that on patterns from 33’ to 38’ I will have a great look and a smooth reaction that basically no one will be able to match with reactive equipment. While Ball #1 will be smooth, Ball #2 will be slightly stronger and even smoother

Observations:
On fresh THS, I was surprised of the overall movement out of these two balls. I was able to play closer to the friction, anywhere from 2nd arrow to 3rd arrow, very comfortably. Just seeing what all the ball could do, I took Ball #2 and really really hit it at the bottom and had a shockingly good look slow hooking 4th arrow. In comparison to the retired Urethane Avalanche, I’d say that the new Karma Urethane hooks about 1-2 boards more overall and is even smoother. This ball doesn’t know what overreaction is. So smooth and so forgiving, you can’t expect to find a more controllable ball. This ball is all about a smooth arc through the whole lane and you know what this ball is going to do as soon as you set it down. Those of us with higher rev rates might require sanding the surface up to 3000 or so to get the ball a little further downlane. I haven’t touched the surface on either of these yet because I want to first see how they react on short sport patterns, as is. Even on Scorpion, I could throw both of these up 9-10 and have a predictable look to the pocket. No doubt, this is a look that only urethane can provide.

Final thoughts:
The Karma Urethane is ideal for short sport patterns and scooting closer to the friction on house shots. Bowlers with high rev rates and/or slower speeds will find this to be more truthful and that a ball like this can really create predictability and confidence on the lane. There’s nothing like the feeling of knowing exactly what to expect out of a ball and how consistent that ball is going to react time and time again. If you need a smooth ball for the lower end of your arsenal (and possibly to double as a spare ball), the Karma Urethane is the ball for you.

If you have any questions regarding the Karma Urethane or any other Brunswick or DV8 equipment, don’t hesitate to send me a message. Thanks for reading. Good luck and good bowling!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

LANE CONDITION

Length: 40 ft.

Volume: 20 ml

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS - Kegel Wall Street


COMMENTS

Likes: Extremely predictable read for light oil.  Straighter lines and slow speeds for light oil are where it excels.  Not an everyday ball for me, but when used at the right time it can really save the day.

Dislikes: Keep the cover wiped off. Slightly dull from factory, but easily tweaked. Due to tame back-end, don't open up angles too much or you'd be better served with a reactive cover ball. 


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

LANE CONDITION

Pattern:
41ft Kegel Main Street (THS)


COMMENTS

Overall 8/10
The Karma Urethane is Brunswick’s latest urethane offering. Recall the Avalanche urethane from a couple of years ago was a pearl. It offered a little more length. The Karma is a solid version which has a more traditional early move for the urethane, adding a ton of control in the midlane. When the lanes are very dry or you need to point the ball, the Karma Urethane offers something virtually no reactive balls offer.

For complete review, video, and Digitrax Analysis, check it out at:

http://tamerbowling.com/index.php/brunswick-karma-urethane-review-with-digitrax-analysis/


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

16# 2-3 pin top weight 3
Pin ended up under my ring finger with the cg kicked out with a small hole on my axis.

This ball is a high rev rate bowlers dream.  I've been waiting for something like this for a long time.  I've always seemed to struggle on shorter patterns or patterns with low volume.  I've used other urethanes and always drilling medium or weaker balls with weak layouts with not alot of success. 

Comparing this to the avalanche urethane is night and day.  The avalance tended to overhook when it saw dry and do nothing in the oil.  The Karma blends out the pattern unbelievable.  I can use this on something as short as 32 feet or as long as 42, based on volume.  It has the surface to handle some volume and is just a great controllable ball.  I highly recommend this if youre looking for something on shorter patterns or something that is tough where you dont want to give away the pocket. 

The Karma Urethane rolled like a typical Urethane ball.  The Karma Urethane rolled very early in the mid-line providing a very controlled and smooth breakpoint.  Comparing the Karma Urethane to my Karma Solid it was 4-6 boards right with my feet and 2-3 boards right with my eyes.  Obviously with the Urethane I had to play a pretty tight line.  I will say the one of the surprising features of this ball was the backend pop it provides.  This Urethane ball seems to carry much better than other Urethane balls from our competitors.  I’ve even thrown some “scouts” with this Urethane ball.

When I received this ball I was a little scared to drill it. I wasn’t sure how to drill it nor was I sure how it would roll for me.  Last Urethane ball I threw was a Teal Rhino Pro when I was 13.  I decided to drill this as an old school Urethane ball, like how I remember my Rhino Pro being.  From what I can remember this was very similar to my Rhino Pro. Very controllable.  Comparing this to my Karma Solid it was an earlier roll and less at the breakpoint so I had to play on Old School straighter line to the pocket.

Strength – Predictability.  This will be a great ball on shorter patterns where I need to control the backend.  Carry is another strength of this ball. Normally I see flat corners with urethane balls.  Not this urethane…..it snaps out the corners with ease!

Weakness – None at this time

Jason Jones
Pin Action Pro Shop
Bloomington, IL
Brunswick Staff

The opinions expressed are soley those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.