I'm not sure whether this is to praise the Soaker coverstock or just the Element's design (and designer) itself. I think it is starting to replace the Columbia SuperFlex and the Brunswick PowerKoil 18 cover in my utility chart. I must admit that SuperFlex will be hard to replace; maybe it's a tie for different reasons.
Rasion:
I've used my ELement the last 3 Friday night sessions in a high profile scratch league. The odd part is they were 3 different oil amounts and patterns.
3 weeks ago, we got, by accident a very light oil, call it medium light. I started with the Element because there was plenty of head oil. Around the middle of the 2nd games, transition came fast and since I was using the Element for the first time, I switched releases instead of balls wanting to see how it handled it. I hadn't use this less revs, greater angle of rotation release is long time and it showed. However, the Element handled it well and with finesse. I was surprised but satisfied.
2 weeks ago. Surprise - OIL!! Still had the Element, used the same less revs, more rotation release because it allowed me to play more outside. Now I almost never throw outside the 3rd arrow, at the arrows. Today I could. We were on the end pair; wound up it was test pair for the oil machine. The next day was the State Masters tourney. Next pair over everyone was playing well inside as per usual. Anyway, again the Element saved up energy Nicely, never over-reacted to oil or to the dry, when my thumb stuck a couple of times and I overrevved it.
2 days ago (today's Sunday) WOW!!! They oiled the whole league HEAVY, HEAVY!! OIL!!! I hadn't seen this much oil in almost 30 years. Literally. The Element was the strongest ball I brought with me. I was worried, as practice went by.
I had to use my strongest release, rev it up hard, and very early roll. I wound up going down the 7 board, No swing at all. Talk about not being used to a shot!
If I did this normally, my Blue Dot is normally not weak enough: I have to swing it. The Element said, "Do whatever you want to me; I'll take care of the rest." It worked. A few 7 pins and 10 pins from not so good releases, 2 splits from trying to help the ball (hard to believe you don't have to), a couple of missed spares (new spare release too). So I won't report the scores, but I won 3 of my 4 points against a higher average bowler (always nice).
I think I have a replacement for my former control champ, the Lane#1 Pro Purple, and this ball does hit a lot harder. It certainly covers a huge range of oil, if needs be. (I have ordered an Anomaly, as the proper ball for heavy oil.)
All in all, I am amazed, and those who have seen my posts know I am not free with superlatives.
Warning: (in my opinion) this is not a ball for fluffers, low revvers, unless you want to use it on medium or lighter oil. This ball wants to be hit, at least a little; it likes being "spanked" (did I say that?
).
--------------------
"Just because you can do something does not mean you should do it."
