For the regional in San Antonio, I picked up the new Element Au79 the day before competiton. I had Don Jonietz (the pro shop operator at Astro Bowl) drill it for me. It's 15 lb, 2.5" inch pin, with a relatively low top weight (I forget exactly what it was).
I knew E Pattern was off the ditch. I needed something to give me length and arc hard off the gutter, without jerking or rolling out. I put the pin an inch below my middle finger (in the negative) and the CG was on level with the center of my grip but 1-3/4" on the positive. No extra hole was needed, the ball was left with about 3/4 oz side. Left surface as is. My PAP is around 5-7/8" and 1/4" up. So this makes this ball somewhere like a 6" x 4-1/4" layout.
I've never had luck with negative pins, even with the original Element, but this was the first one with the pin negative and below the fingers. Usually I get that thunp-thump-thump effect as it rolls over the finger holes. This layout did not thump.
I have to say this is the first Element I really liked. It gave me such a nice look out there. Cleared the heads easily and it arcs very hard. The energy of this ball is simply impressive. I only left maybe three 10 pins which surprised me because of the angle the ball was coming in at. The pins were kept very low and the carry was very good. I crossed with touring pro Mike Edwards out of Tulsa, OK and he mentioned that the ball was very forgiving... I think that was his was of saying I was getting away with murder on too many shots. hehe
Bottom line is that this coverstock brought out something in this core that I didn't know existed. Squeeky clean in the heads and exceptional energy in the backends. When I tugged it it managed to stay in-line enough not to greek church... when I got it wide it had plenty of energy to recover and still get enough of the head pin for the swisher strikes. A keeper.
I think it would fit bowlers with medium to high revs and speed who like to cover boards and bump the dry, but with a slightly tamed layout like a 5x5 or so. For strokers, a leverage drill should bring out it's aggressive qualities. The ball could easily be a second ball out of the bag, when the lanes are a little wetter than normal... before the heavy oil ball is needed.
This review is only after a weekend with the ball and on a (soft) sport pattern. But I feel confident enough to talk about its personality.
Good luck!
Tony
http://www.allBowling.com
