Drilled my Grudge 55x5.5x50 (pin over middle finger) with no hole to be another strong hooking option for longer/heavier patterns. The layout that I picked is slightly weaker than that of my Nirvana, which is simply too much ball for 90% of the patterns that I encounter. After a couple outings, I took the surface up to 3000 to ensure that the Grudge would not overlap with my Nirvana.
I would still consider the Grudge to be a fairly early ball, but with the longer pin layout the reaction is a lot tamer than the Nirvana. This gives me a smoother move through the midlane, which gives me a much better look when trying to keep my speed up and playing straighter angles through the front. My first outing since the surface adjustment was on 37' Broadway and I surprisingly had a look soft handing the ball from 12-5, but also had a look putting my hand into it from 4 arrow to the ditch. My best look was at a tournament on Stone Street 42' house pattern, but I've also had decent looks on 41' Beaten Path and 45' Route 66.
In comparison to other balls in my bag, the Grudge splits the difference between my Nirvana and Ultimate Nirvana. When it is too strong off the back, I have my pin down Guru Supreme. Once the Grudge picks up too much, then I can ball down to my Melee Hook which is a little less cover/core.
What impresses me most about the Grudge is how well it took the surface adjustment. I had tried tinkering with the surface on my Nirvana, but it became a bit jerky at the breakpoint, while the Grudge has smoothed out really well. I recommend the Grudge for bowlers who are looking for a more versatile heavy oil ball which takes well to tweaks in surface and hand position. If you are looking for a straight up tank for the heaviest of oils, then stick with the Nirvana.
