Freeze Hybrid

The Freeze Hybrid was an addition to the lower mid line of Freezes this spring. It has the same proven Messenger core as the traditional Freezes, with a New Era Hybrid coverstock. This ball really expanded the line, along with the Freeze Solid, to give more diversity in ball motion to the same level of strength.

I really liked the motion the Freeze Hybrid gave me. It fit right in between the Solid and the original in terms of both strength and length. The Hybrid got down the lane and took a controlled yet strong move towards the pins, especially for such a weak ball. Compared to the original, it is 1-2 feet earlier and 2-3 boards more pop at the back of the pattern. This would be a great ball for late in the day or for low volume house patterns. For some, the original Freezes are too weak. This ball would certainly fill that hole to where the ball is certainly weak enough to get through the dry patches, but still would have enough at the back end to react nicely. I look forward to using this on beat up patterns and lower volume patterns that I may face. I have seen very good things out of the Freeze Hybrid! Check out your local pro shop to get your hands on a Freeze Hybrid today!

Tyler Vostry
Junior Team USA 2012
Columbia 300 Ambassador

BALL SPECS

Pin Length: 3"

Starting Top Weight: 3.5 oz

Ball Weight: 15 lbs


DRILL PATTERN

Pin to PAP: 4.5"

CG to PAP: 4.5"

 - This is a good old-fashioned 4-1/2 inch stacked leverage drill pattern.  Pin is 1:30 to my ring finger and about 1/2" up and right.  The CG is stacked directly underneath.  This ball weighed out with exactly 1 oz of side weight so we decided not to drill an X hole unless I decide that I want to add one later down the road to increase the flare of the ball.


BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 300

Ball Speed: Medium

PAP/Track:  I track high


SURFACE PREP

Grit:  800, 1000, 2000 Abralon followed by Power House Factory Finish Polish

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):  Polished


LANE CONDITION

Length:  38"

Volume:  Medium volume of oil

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):  THS


BALL REACTION

Length:  This ball gets tons of length!

Back End:  If the Freeze Hybrid touches any dry boards, SNAP/FLIP!!!

Overall Hook:  Medium - almost all the hook happens on the backend

Midlane Read:  This ball doesn't read the midlane all that well unless the lanes are med-dry to dry (which are the conditions this ball was designed for anyhow).  This ball needs some dry to be effective.

Breakpoint Shape:  Very angular; this would definitely be classified as a skid-flip ball.


COMMENTS

Likes:  I love this ball when the lanes are moderately fried.  It lets me play further to the right  (when I want to) than I could with more aggressive equipment.  On the right med-dry to pretty dry conditions, this ball hits.

Dislikes:  On oilier lane conditions, this ball has a tendency to hit flat.  I've even left the 5 pin with this ball a few times when I was experimenting with using this ball on an oilier shot, and I have decent revs. 

So, use this ball for the conditions it was meant for - medium dry.

I often think that finding a good ball that you can control easily AND still has hitting power to it is a much harder task than finding a great heavy oil ball or a great medium oil ball.  The Columbia Freeze Hybrid, having a modified version of the Messenger core and a hybrid version of their New Era reactive coverstock, well, this is no wimpy bowling ball on medium-dry conditions.

-Mark

PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS