I can appreciate people not liking a particular ball, and sometimes, even a brand... It happens. As a DV8 staffer, I'm sure people will view my opinion as leaning, but bad ball reaction is dictated by one major factor... Using it under the wrong circumstances. That is accentuated by a layout/surface combination that is so poor, that it requires the most random sequence of conditions for it to function at a higher level than something else in your bag. It likely has VERY LITTLE to do with the ball itself. It is a combination of factors that make up bad ball reaction. A good pro shop person should be able to cure the problem. And that goes for any major ball brand and their bowling balls. Man, it bugs me to no end when people rail on a ball of any brand as a "Bad Ball." It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much more complicated than the ball. It happens all the time at league and I spend a few minutes helping them and they can start to see the reasons why the ball reaction hasn't been to their liking.
For years before I was on as advisory staff to Brunswick/DV8, I worked in and was sponsored by a pro shop and I threw everything at the pins. I threw Storm, Columbia, Hammer, Mo Rich, Track... You name it, I threw it.. (Except Lanemasters. LOL).
Anyways, my job was to get a read on the equipment so the right balls would match up to what a customer was seeking. And here's what I learned about the bowling ball business...
If your pro shop guy doesn't take a moment to get to know their customer, their ball roll, and their needs on the lanes they compete on, then you are getting at best, an uneducated guesstimate likely based off of some other information that might not even be reliable or current. Most really good pro shop people are going to sell and drill a ball to precisely fit that bowlers needs and desires. So many bowlers these days want that "Magic Ball" that works on everything... IT DOESN'T EXIST.
In today's game, you can not just pick up a ball, drill it over the bridge, under the bridge, or leverage and expect success. Bad ball reaction is dictated by one major factor... Using it under the wrong circumstances. Carry is not dictated by the ball, but by entry angle. Entry angle is dictated by playing the lanes right. And it's all magnified by using a bowling ball designed and drilled to function at it's best in the right playing environment. You don't see dudes hitting wedge off the teebox on a 4oo yard par 4. I guess since bowling balls are all the same size, they should all work on everything?
As for quality... I have never had a quality issue with any Brunswick or DV8 ball. Ever. I have been exclusively throwing it for roughly 4 years at this point Maybe 30 balls or more. Now throwing 100% DV8. People will argue it's made in Mexico, yet it has one of the best warranties out there. This thread started out regarding ball reaction on two particular balls and somehow manifests into a discussion about Mexican made. Unreal. Interestingly enough, I haven't had a quality issue with any other brand either in the past, but none of them offer the warranty you get with DV8/Brunswick. Then again, I take pretty good care of my stuff.
DV8 balls have worked very great for me. You can read all of my reviews and in most I try to give an optimum condition for the ball in comparison to others. They are flashy, colorful, stand out, and have provided me a great variety of ball reactions so I can be competitive on any condition. I have very little axis rotation and so the length built into the balls has really been a benefit to me. However, I know when the Revenge came out, the ball hooked at my feet with the box finish. We did a little surface adjustment and it's become one of my best rolling balls on tougher patterns that require I get a good early roll going or for a more typicaly heavy oil pattern. The G/W Misfit is very strong off the friction and although it is advertised at entry level, is significantly stronger than other entry level equipment. On a traditional house shot, the G/W Misfit should be plenty of ball, but you have to be careful with any ball designed for maximum length and strong sharp movement off friction as it's going to give you an over/under reaction if you let it store all that axis rotation for the end of the pattern. I've been able to stay right longer and play much closer to the Friction (or even in the friction) with the G/W ball and the reaction has been very even and controllable. I've used it so much in league, others in the league expect are calling it the Green Monster because I shoot very big scores with it and it's bright freakin green. When I get left and try to play in the oil, I can create an over/under reaction just like the topic starter. If playing left in the oil is necessary, I would use a stronger ball. In this original users case, he has two very long and strong balls including the Terror, which are likely accentuating the problem he's having. Cover changes may help, but I don't think they need to be significant. Too much surface can kill a ball reaction too and can counteract the layout. The best advice I can give it to go and find a very knowledgable bowler / pro shop guy and go practice one day and fiddle around with surfaces to see if you can create the reaction you desire. Maybe drill an axis hole to increase flare. Just remember, once you leave that bowling center and that pattern, what you encounter in another center might require additional surface maintenance. Surface accounts for over 50% of the balls reaction. The other 50% is dicatated by cover/core/layout. You can get plastic to hook at your feet if you put enough grit on it. lol. Otherwise, you can also get a 2nd opinion on the layout from another pro shop in the area. Sometimes, a very poor layout can kill a very good bowling ball.
The Terror and G/W Misfit are very long and angular and this will accentuate the Over/Under Reaction you are referring to. You can reduce that by taking the cover down a bit or playing closer to the friction so the core of the ball will begin to migrate sooner. You can also have your pro shop guy drill them to enter into the roll phase sooner so they settle down before they get to the backend of the lane. Some of this can be done with an Axis hole in the right spot. Many different options to get your money's worth out of the equipment.
