BALL SPECS
Pin Length:2-3"
Starting Top Weight:
Ball Weight:15#
DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP:5 1/4"
CG to PAP:
X Hole (if there is one):
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate: 325
Ball Speed: moderate
PAP/Track: 5 1/4" over by 3/4" up
SURFACE PREP
Grit:500/1000
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Polished with Factory Finish
LANE CONDITION
Length:
Volume:
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
BALL REACTION
Length: Good
Back End: moderate
Overall Hook:moderate
Midlane Read: Good. Clears heads well, but still picks up midlane without early hook or over bouncing off friction
Breakpoint Shape: length, with strong backend
COMMENTS
New to Columbia’s Orange Line collection, the Saber Pearl features the Reflex Pearl coverstock along with the new Dynamix Core that was released on the Saber last summer. The Reflex Pearl coverstock seems to be stronger than the older Bend it Pearl coverstock that was used on former Columbia’s pearl bowling balls, making the ball read a tad sooner and providing a ball that can still be used on fresh oil patterns and keeping the ball in front of you by playing in the oil versus some other pearl ball that must be thrown into the friction early to get the ball to react.
I decided to drill the Saber Pearl with one of my favorite layouts, pin above the bridge with both the pin and CG on the midline. For me this puts the pin 5 ¼ from my PAP. With this setup, the Saber Pearl has been very versatile and can be played with straighter angles or giving me very good recovery down lane if I want to open the lane up and hook the ball more. This ball is still fairly strong & continuous off the break point, but considerably smoother on the back end for my game than the Lit Pearl on most conditions. I have used this ball on a variety of conditions, from house shots to sports shots, from fresh oil to early friction heads, all to get a good read on it. My favorite characteristic of this ball is that it is very clean through the heads, even when the lanes have had significant play, yet the ball is still good at picking up in the mid lane and gives recovery to the outside without over bouncing off the friction. Love having that look and reaction bag in my bag.