We were able to drill up some of these ball for myself and one of our local senior players. Thanks to Brian Graham for getting us these balls early so we could give them a try.
The ball drilled for our senior player was set up like this:
Tony - Pin 3 1/2 from PAP and LMB 4 from PAP (pin 1 3/4 above midline) Hole 3 1/2 from center of grip (35 degrees toward thumb quadrant) 13/16 hole 2 1/2 deep. This layout put the pin on his gripline below his fingers and the LMB outside his VAL.
Tony's PAP is 3 5/8 up 1 Diameter is 9 1/4. Tony is right handed.
This player has a hard time getting most balls to hook on our heavier oil patterns. Generally his balls do not tilt enough at the breakpoint. With the Real Deal, he was able to play around 15 and swing the ball out to around 7 and get the ball back without a problem. He has only been able to test this on the one shot, so I will try and post more later. After one night Tony says this is the best ball he has ever used, mainly because it curved in the backends where his ball never curved before.
I laid out two of these for myself. I am left handed.
One Ball - 3 1/2 (pin) x 4 3/4 (LMB) (pin 2 3/8 above midline) hole inside VAL. With this layout, the ball created hook set.
Second Ball - 3 1/2 (PIN) x 5 3/4 (LMB) (pin 2 3/8 above midline) hole on VAL. With this layout, the ball stored more energy down the lane for a more explosive breakpoint.
My pap is 4 3/4 up 3/8 and my track diameter is 10 1/2
I used both balls in practice to get a feel for what they were going to do. This is the most aggressive coverstock that I have seen on any of the Hammer/Ebonite ball. With our high volume oil house shot, both balls were able to cut through the oil, without a problem.
On our house shot, I found that the Hook/Set layout, I was able to go more direct up the lane. With the ball for more backends, I was able to swing the ball more overall.
I used the Hook/Set ball that night on a second shift league. I was able to play the 10th board to the 5th board all night. The ball was clean through the heads, picked up a mid lane roll, and then would make a move around 35-40 feet and just roll up to the pocket. I shot 268, two 7 pin spares, 299 - threw the ball way to hard. The last game I decided to try the 2nd ball. I moved my feet 5 boards right and played the ball to the same breakpoint. I lost no hitting power shooting 278 my last game.
After testing this ball for myself and another bowler using the Asymmetrical layouts in these balls, the Hammer Real Deal bowling ball is the best Hammer/Ebonite ball so far, and it is the best Hammer ball since the 3D Violet Offset. Great job Hammer. This is big step in the right direction!
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Thanks
Bill
BuddiesProShop.com
"The Place All Bowlers Shop"
Edited on 10/21/2004 12:44 PM
