The Scout/R is a very popular ball in my area. I'm willing to call it an adequate ball for light oil to little-bit-dry conditions. It is best on a fresh house shot and a poor second choice to polished urethane to play inside on a reverse block. My opinion is that there are probably better choices, even in the same price range, for your mildest resin ball. When I have it to do over again, I'll move to a Too Hot in a length drilling instead.
My Scout is a 16# Red/Black, 5 x 4, pin in the ring finger, a tiny weight hole to bring it to 1/4 oz positive. In this configuration, it is a very long ball with a surprisingly strong backend reaction. Mechanically, I have to watch my speed to avoid throwing it through the breakpoint.
The Scout/R is a stronger ball than the spec sheets indicate. From the low differential, you would think it had no flare. In reality, give it just a hint of dry to catch on, and it can turn the corner and cover 10 - 12 boards with no problem. From a 3-piece with nothing but an offset puck, you would expect a fluffy hit. Mine carries quite well from its preferred angle, which is down the boards on the outside.
On a house shot, I just throw it hard and turn it up around 7 - 8; it stores energy really well and all it needs is a little bit of dry to turn the corner. Basically, I'm calling it a mediocre ball here, yet I've thrown some very good series this year with the Scout/R under just these conditions, and I'm not sure I would've done better with anything else.
On a reverse block, I try to walk it down the tightrope on the inside, and, even from this angle it has enough energy to hit the pocket fairly well. A polished urethane ball with a strong core is, in my opinion, a better solution to this problem.
Scout is not much good on medium or heavier oil. Mine seems to like it best when it is played down and in or at most with a 2 - 3 board swing. Therefore, it is a good complement to a ball in the Messenger line, which seems to like being swung out. Finally, like many pearl resins, it can get jumpy in spotty/carrydown conditions. I really have to watch my speed to avoid throwing it through the breakpoint.
My overall review rating of 7 is composed of:
Control: 8. It's about as long as resin gets, can serve as a decent spare ball. More backend than you'd expect. Speed-sensitive.
Versatility: 7. Not much good for me outside dry/light oil conditions. Really wants to be played down and in. Likes clean backends.
Hit & Carry: 7. It's adequate to good from its preferred angle, that's the limit of what I can say. Not really enough core for a deep inside line. Since this is the same coverstock as the Ti Messenger Pearl, it goes to show you how important the core is.
