Results are in:
Sorry for the delay, I considered using it during league, but decided that I should take at least 1 ball that wasn't just re-drilled.
So anyways, I took it in for some practice today.
First Series:
House shot, heavy middle, oil track around 7 to 10, no walled shot.
I took out the ball first trying a deep inside line. I stood at 25, aiming at 18, break point at 8. Ball rolls VERY smooth but never grabbed the lane. It hit dry and squared up driving in light. Result: 4-7-10. Grab the spare ball...Converted it!
Playing straight up 10. Ball hit solid...on dead flush hits...strikes, pushes all pins straight back into the pit. Come in light...5-7. Grab the spare ball again...make that spare too! Shot a respectable 197 playing this line (got another 5-7 which I didn't convert).
Lane man comes and re-oils the lanes. Pretty much same shot, just heavier volumes of oil. Pro shop owner comes out at this point to watch. The ball won't turn over now playing up 10. I move right to find the oil track line which is on 7 or 8. Same results as the previous game. I have to hit dead flush or there is nothing but splits.
In general, the ball is very smooth and very predictable, downside being that any error will leave very bad consequences. Not as forgiving. To compare it to modern day stuff. I have a resurfaced rampage at 1000grit with polish. Threw that ball along the same lines. Ball carries all 10 whether coming in a bit light, or a bit high. light gives you scattered pins, high gives you that nice tripped 4, dead flush just pushes all 10 into the pit. At the same time, the rampage doesn't turn over as much. The Sapphire is maybe 5 boards stronger.
I think my AI will be a good first game ball. Once the shot breaks down and I need something predictable, the Sapphire Zone is it. If the shot isn't forgiving, then the Rampage will be it. But between the 3 and me getting more consistent, I'm pretty sure I can handle THS here.
