Hammer Envy Tour Solid Review
Stats: LH: Speed – 17.0; RPM – 350; AT – 19; AR – 55
Layout: 45 x 5†x 40
Hammer’s newest Top Shelf launch, the Envy Tour Solid, is a newly engineered version of the popular Obsession Tour Solid featuring several improvements that should surely get lots of attention. The Envy Tour was developed to add a stronger and more responsive cover to the Obsession Tour core, creating that same unique shape, just more of it. I chose the layout I did to get the ball to roll forward a little sooner due to my slightly higher tilt, but transition a bit slower to really utilize that longer, stronger roll phase of ball motion. I have used it on a couple of different patterns and here is my assessment:
42 ft. THS (typical house shot): The Envy Tour Solid has been a very strong ball for the house shot in two centers I frequent. What I love about this ball is that it chews through the oil, makes a defined move off the spot, but is still predictable enough to control from shot to shot. Very versatile to cover changes, I took mine from box finish, down to 1000 and back up to 3000 polished, and it responds to all of those very well. If you are seeing too much early hook, take the cover up to 4000, too much length, just sand it to 1000 or even 500, it takes to those changes extremely well! Do not be afraid to adjust the surface to your game, this ball can handle it!
36 ft. Viper pattern: I roll on this pattern every Tuesday, and the Envy Tour Solid was the best ball in my bag on the fresh, alongside the Purple Pearl Urethane. Projection and speed control are key, and the Envy Tour at 3000 was the perfect matchup. It rolled forward perfectly and hit heavy through the pins, carrying the off pocket hits extremely well. As the night progressed, I was able to move slightly further inside, roll the ball firm off my hand, and it saw the friction consistently, making my moves easier and more trustworthy, resulting in higher scores and more confidence in the ball.
If you are looking for that “benchmark†ball reaction from a high end asymmetric, chews through the oil like the bigger solids but with a strong, continuous finish, look no further than the Hammer Envy Tour Solid. Available now from Bowler Builders Pro Shops, and at pro shops everywhere! Nothing hits like a Hammer!