Finally.
At long last
I've had this ball for what seems to be a lifetime and FINALLY got a chance to throw it this week. I've always had a tendency to throw new equipment while I'm scoring well. That way, I know that the bowler isn't the weak link in my game. If I'm scoring well, I'm usuaully throwing the ball pretty well. This season, I've been battling footwork issues with a new pair of SST6 LX's. Thanks to a heel/sole combination from Holiday that I would have NEVER attempted, I was in great shape to give this ball a try.
Ball specs were 15.3 pounds, 3 0z. TW, and a longish pin at 4 7/8". This ball is by no means a blem. I've had several long pins before, including a Bully that I was VERY happy with, and was looking forward to giving this ball a similar drilling. Wound up with the CG in the palm, pin over ring with no fourth hole. Gloriosky, is this ball fun. I've got moderate ball speed, around 17.2-17.5 MPH, with a rev rate of around 375-380 RPM. I bowl in an afternoon fun league with a fair amount of older folks that use their sanded reactive/medium load particles which drags a decent amount of oil down second arrow to around 55 feet. Not a problem. Avoid it. I've begun playing a LOT more outside making a move up the back of the ball with freakishly heavy forward roll and an angry left turn at 50 feet that envokes fables and songs with the Action Max. It glides through the heads easy, makes a clean read of the midlanes, and really makes a strong move to the hole. Not a hockey stick, more like a bass clef or a comma with strong continuation to the pit. After the league set had completed, I threw a couple of shots deep inside around fourth arrow without a lot of belly through the carrydown and never left a 10-pin. In other words, lotsa energy retention to the pocket with a great read down the lane. This ball is around four or five boards stronger than my Bully was with more punch through the pocket. I've yet to tinker with the surface, but, if it's like anything else that C3 has put out in the past 18 months, it'll be quite receptive to alterations. This will be a ball that is first outta the bag for a LONG time. Great job, Columbia300.
--------------------
Malaysian Chest Implosion Torture Specialist.