This season I joined a league in a house that has newer wood lanes (<3 years old). I wanted to give myself the chance to use some of my equipment that stays at home most nights.
My "home" house has synthetic lanes, and they do put out a good amount of oil on the normal house shot. I consider it to be a medium-heavy shot where solid reactive equipment is the proper choice. For example, I have had great success using balls like the Solid Uranium, Scorchin' Inferno, Strike Zone, and Tsunami.
I have tried using pearlized equipment at the "home" house with mixed results; typically I have to be bowling 2nd shift to be able to use my Dirty Bomb, Silver Diamond, or similar balls with any consistency. I have tried my Pearl Cobalt Bomb at this house on several occasions and have had a tough time with it being very over/under. The conditions normally don't break down enough for me to use this ball on its intended condition.
I had a feeling that the Pearl Cobalt would be money on wood, but had never had a chance to test that theory until last night, the first night of league in the new wood house. I threw my first ball in practice with the Pearl Cobalt, and immediately knew my theory was correct. I didn't even bother throwing another ball in practice; I had the reaction I was looking for.
The wood lanes definitely blended the reaction of this ball to the point where I was able to have complete control over the breakpoint and reaction. I didn't have to worry about it skating on me or hitting dry a little too early and going through the nose as a result.
Without knowing the exact pattern length or oil volume, I would guess it was about a 39 ft. pattern with a medium to medium light volume of oil. The interesting part was, with 5 guys on my team who can really turn the ball, all over a 220 avg. and all right-handed, none of us had to move from our original lines all night! We talked about this at length afterward.
I shot 246-247-246 = 739 on my first night in this house. Needless to say I am excited to finally have a chance to use some of my shinier equipment on a more consistent basis. I'll be able to pull out a ball like the Pearl Cobalt Bomb and use it on the fresh pattern. A ball with more surface would definitely burn up here and decrease carry.
The Pearl Cobalt has enough built-in recovery to allow me to open up the lanes and get great entry angle. The pins are very new as well, and you can tell that as they get worn in, carry will increase. TONS of 10 pins for my team last night, but I only had to convert 4 of them! Very nice.
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-SawFreak~
Predicting my next opponent runs into a BUZZSAW!
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Proud original member-
F.O.S.Edited on 9/12/2006 1:10 PM
