Hello everyone, I know I haven't posted in quite a while here, but even with limited access to a computer these days, I wanted to get on here and try to satisfy some of the hunger for information on this ball.

Disclaimer: I am merely trying to provide info here, not provide a master's thesis.  Gimme a break if I didn't cover something you wanted to know about this ball; I only threw it for 6 games after I punched one up today.

Drill: Label-type drill: pin is at about 2 o clock from ring finger, CG in grip, and MB locator left of thumbhole.  3" pin, no weight hole.  Started with 3.1 TW.

Me: Higher speed (guesstimating 17-18 mph), high tracker, tweener w/ above avg. revs (guesstimating 375-ish).

Lanes: the house had one pair freshly oiled, so I got on that pair.  It is a 39 foot Christmas tree pattern with 50 units in the middle down to 10 units outside of 10, 6 outside of 5.  Newer synthetic lanes.  I understand that this is a pretty heavy oil pattern (at least in the middle), correct me if I am wrong.

I started out (once I was warmed up) by throwing 3 different balls along the same line.  Stand at about 30 (left foot), cross 15 out to 8.  First I threw my Strike Zone (usually the ball I start with on fresh in this house), then the Dirty Bomb pearl, then the Tsunami.  SZ was about 5 feet earlier than the Tsunami on this line, but the reaction shape was almost identical to the Tsunami; nice and arcy but powerful.  Remember I do throw with a little speed.

I continued by throwing several different lines over the first two games, not really paying attention to score.  I tried everything from up the twig to crossing 4th arrow out to about 13 at the break.  I also tried a couple hand position variations and speed variations (not my A-game).

The number one thing I noticed about the Tsunami was that it smoothed everything out, even with I adjusted hand positions or speed.  It definitely game me hold to the left, which is where I usually miss if I miss.  I found that I could get to the pocket on all of the lines I tried once I got lined up.  The Tsunami didn't seem to care if it hit light, flush, or heavy.  Carry, carry carry!  In fact, over 6 games and several lines, I left only 2 10-pins, one really weird looking 9 pin (7 pin fell forward!) and a couple of TUG-ly splits.

The Dirty Bomb was very jumpy and sharp compared to this ball, and the Strike Zone was just earlier, but about the same type of arc.  Probably about 3 boards difference for me in terms of starting position.

After 2 games of messing around, I decided to shoot for score.  Man, this ball just didn't care where I threw it!  Again, light, flush, high, didn't matter!  I went front 10 in the 3rd game, then my lanes shut off because I bowled on the wrong side a couple of times.  By the time I got them back up, I was out of the groove, tugged one high and split.  286.

I dinked around with comparing the other balls to this one a little more after that game, and will tell you that this ball is super predictable.  My Dirty Bomb seems to be high-risk, high reward, but this Tsunami is money.  After I got tired from bowling so fast, my release went to hell, but the ball just kept making its way to the pocket regardless.  

This ball could be a true benchmark ball.  I normally have to start with aggressive covers on fresh or heavy oil because of my speed.  Pearl balls just get to squirty or skate on me.  This Tsunami did not skate- it read the oil line VERY well.

My proshop guy got to bowl on some broken-down conditions with his Tsunami the night before, and said he had the WORLD in terms of area with this ball.  All he did was shoot a high 760.  I had to really stay consistent with my speed (not too fast!), but as long as I did on this fresh pattern, it was awesome.  I can't wait to try this ball when the conditions break down more, like on 2nd shift league or something.  I have a feeling I won't be worrying about this ball taking off on me, even when it gets crazy with other balls going through the nose.

Only one drawback; this ball shows very visibly where it picks up dirt and grime.  It will really need regular cleaning to keep it looking nice, otherwise I can see where it will get ugly pretty quick.

Thanks for reading my crappy mini review.  Hope you fellow Sawheads (and even the haters!) were able to get an idea of what this bad boy does!  

 

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Predicting my next opponent runs into a BUZZSAW!

Member- FOS

LUCK is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.