BALL SPECS

Pin Length:3 inch
Ball Weight: 15b
DRILL PATTERN
Layout: Pin over ring - Kicked CG at about 5pm
BOWLER STYLE
Rev Rate:400
Ball Speed: 16-17 mph
PAP/Track: 5 1/4 over and 1/4 up
SURFACE PREP

Finish: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): 500 - Box
LANE CONDITION
Length: 40ft
Volume: 50 UL
Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS
BALL REACTION

On a scale of 1-10 ( 1=Low, 10 = High )
Length: 5
Back End: 5.5
Overall Hook: 7
Midlane Read: 5
Breakpoint Shape: Early roll

COMMENTS
Likes: They made a "Classic" into a Hot Rod!  Pimp my Ball is what this should be...   This ball comes dull. Which is OK!  It hooks but combined with the Vibe Core that is also used in the Viral, the Burgundy Hammer with its brand new
React-a-thane cover becomes a beast. A Pin punishing orb that loves to open up the lane.  It keeps the pins low so carry is great with this ball.
 
Dislikes: The Burgundy is not for light oil.  As the lane dries out you will have to switch to a less aggressive ball.  Which is where your Viral will come into play.  The same fantastic core with a cover that gets the ball down lane.  I never have to move from where I was throwing the Burgundy to the Viral and they roll similar in overall play.  The difference is the Viral will let you get through the mid-lane and then back to the pocket!!!  Great Job Hammer making 1-2 combos.  Bowling gets easier when you have these options.

LANE CONDITION

Length:38-40

Volume:30

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

Likes: None yet as ive only thrown 3 games so far.

Dislikes: Predictability. As i am a fan of Urethanes, I decided to pick one of these up along with the Black Urethane. I know this is reactive so i decided to drill weaker so i can have a ball for the fresh and not worry about carry issues first game or 2. I have pin under ring and cg just above my thumb. Box finish scared me for a reactive so i took it to wet 2000. I got inconsistent reaction since i started with it. IDK if it has to do with surface as i will change to 1000 next time i use it which will be tomorrow. Ball would jump or go straight. I have same drilling in Pitch Blue and ball reads awesome. Polish or 1000sand?


PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

I had wanted to get a Burgundy Hammer for a few years but just slacked off on the purchase. But the day Hammer discontinued it I jumped online and found one of the last ones!

My release specs are:
•   Full Roller
•   Slow ball speed
•   Low revs
•   90 degree axis rotation

I have a Brunswick Grizz that I use on drier house shots. I have the Grizz with simple CG in palm layout at 500 grit dry sand. With this layout the Grizz does not flare. I get a single stripe of oil through the middle of the palm. This layout lets me arc the ball from 10 to 7 and back on drier house shots with great consistency and power.

I wanted the Burgundy to be essentially a “Super Grizz.” I needed a Full Roller layout that would make the Burgundy move like a vintage pancake weight block ball, like the Grizz, but be able to roll through the heavier oil that the Grizz struggles with.

The layout is CG in palm center with pin at 10:30pm which is right in my track. I also hit the Burgundy with a dry 500 pad to dull it even more.

I was bowling in league at our heavy house that has Brunswick Pro Anvilane with the Big Ben pattern. This pattern and volume, on these slick lanes, with my low rev rate, is a real challenge for most balls I have tried. The Grizz will not even grab on these lanes. First shot with the Burgundy was 9-7 just to see.

Wow…It went high! Next shot I moved feet 3 left and now I was good. Burgundy was perfectly arcing and hooking through the whole lane and hitting the pocket hard and striking. This ball is strong, strong, strong.

After 4 shots it was going high again. Burgundy strips oil off the lane like no ball I have ever used before. It just gouges the lane! Wow…I had to move target and feet left a little every 4 shots. Amazing.

The Burgundy did exactly what I intended for it with the pin in track layout. It allowed a smooth, controlled arcing reaction with heavy roll on heavy oil conditions. Carry was excellent.

The flare line (yes only one!) was right through the palm center like my Grizz. Exactly what I wanted. The Burgundy is a great ball that rolls heavy through virtually any oil and lets you control the shot. I keep the grit low so it stays smooth. The Burgundy moves through the lane like a urethane ball, with just a little more angle in the back than urethane.

It is sad that Hammer discontinued this great ball, but I am so happy I got one before they were all gone. When I got home I cleaned the ball and never saw so much dirt and oil come off a ball ever! Again, the Burgundy is a sponge that just sucks the oil off the lane and can be used to break a lane down fast.

Below is a photo showing the layout I put on the Burgundy and the flare line.
Also the amazing amount of dirt and oil that came out of the ball!