Thanks to lane masters, we got the Hornet test balls in early to get an idea of their performance.

I drilled the test ball 4 3/4" x 3", with a balance hole in the positive/thumb quadrant.  

The Hornet is supposed to be Lane Masters' answer to dry/short oil patterns, and uses the same core as the Buzz with a harder version of the Evolution reactive coverstock.  

After testing, I realized you can not try to bring a lawsuit against Lane Masters for false advertising...the Hornet performs exactly as advertised.  The mellow coverstock provides easy length and the popular core provides for consistent moves off the breakpoint.  If you are joining a PBA Experience league or just are struggling with over-reaction, give the Hornet some strong consideration for the short patterns.  The smooth roll off the breakpoint is key in keeping the ball in play on the hooking stuff.

One thing i noticed is that due to the harder coverstock, oil does not get absorbed into the ball very quickly, so it is imperative to wipe the Hornet with a micro-fiber towel to maintain consistent reaction.

Thanks,
Tim
--------------------
www.BuddiesProShop.com

The Place All Bowlers Shop

Best dry lane / short oil pattern ball on the market.

15lb
3.5 inch pin
Pin over the ring finger
CG stacked below.

On dry lanes or second and third shifts, this is exactly what the ball doctor ordered.  Gets through the head life plastic. Read the mid-lane only as much as necessary. Returns a very controlled and predictible move to the pocket consistently with no over under. Hits super hard with explosive pin action like all the other Lane Masters balls.

On my two PBA sport shot leagues this summer, it is the first ball out of my bag.  Even over my Black Pearl which I love.  The Hornet rules for me especially on the Cheetah and Viper pattern.

I definate must have in your bag!!!

After throwing this ball for a few weeks thought it was time to review.  Drilled mine with a 5 ½ X 5 drill.  If glideability is a word that is what this ball does.  Effortless through the front part of the lane with a nice sustained move on the back.  Great companion to the Buzz.  Does need some dry boards to get it to react.  I can see this ball working great on a second shift league or when the lanes really start to go away.  If your tired of always moving left, left, left through the night as the lanes breakdown, try this ball.  Another great product from a great company.

15 lbs Hornet with a 5 1/2"pin above the fingers ; CG on gripline.

The ball works great on fresh oiled but drier lanes or short oil patterns. If you like to bowl down the boards on outside lines, you will love this ball ! But as soon as you ll hit carry down, the ball starts to hook less and you will leave a lot of 10th pins. The hornet needs dry boards, and you have to wipe off the oil! The ball is also a little bit sensitive to speed changes.  

I bought this ball to bowl late at night, but I have to say , this is the wrong Ball for conditions you will find late at night. The Hornet isn t a strong hooking ball and when you still have a little bit carry down, the hornet won t hook enough. This ball hates carry down!

I like the hornet, but I don t use this ball very often.
This ball has great hitting power, but it is very special and very hard.

I don t think it is a good ball for a beginner. As a beginner ball, I would recommend the Buzz.

The Hornet allows you to bowl further right on drier lanes and can be your secret weapon !!

Layout: Pin 1/2" to right of and above ring finger; CG 1.5" right of ring finger hole, centered; Medium hole center of VAL. 15 pounds.

OK, if you've read any of my reviews, you are well aware that I am a HUGE LM fan. This ball simply intensified my love for this company!

When the lanes are absolutely FRIED, I pull out my Straight Flush. But before they get to that point, when my other stuff is taking off on me and the SF doesn't hook enough, this baby is SWEEEEET!!!

Last night I started with my Terminator and rolled a 257. Halfway through the second game, I put one through the nose, but I assumed it was bowler error. Nope, lanes had transitioned and like an idiot I stayed with it for two more frames--two more splits (picked up one). I switched to my Visionary Crimson Executioner and pulled out a 4-bagger and a nine count for a 206. A third of the way through the third game, the CE started biting on me and not carrying. Pulled out The Hornet to roll a strike, 9/, and five bagger to pull out another 206 for a 669 series on a pair where 9 other accomplished bowlers struggled to roll low to mid 600s and high 500s.

If I were to roll the second flight, this would be the first ball out of my bag. I've noticed a few complaints that it doesn't hook enough or handle heavy oil. It's not SUPPOSED to -- it's for drier lanes, when you don't want a lot of hook. It does hook considerably more than the Straight Flush, and is simply a wonderful go-to ball when the lanes are transitioning.

Also, I disagree with the previous reviewer regarding this ball's ability to handle carrydown. I've used it several times when there was a TON of carrydown, and the ball didn't even "notice" it.

Another great, great ball from a great, great company.
--------------------
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than bowling." Scott F. Guinn

just drilled up a #15 hornet pin above fingers for a length layout (should have gone even farther and maybe negative side )with a weight hole,wow ! was i surprised when this ball started checking up in the mid-lane on a second shift league.I chose this drilling because i read the reviews here and was worried the ball would just skate if i drilled a weak layout.this ball hooks a ton and hits hard too on med-dry cond.its just a shame i may have to plug and re-drill this one. so if you are a strong handed bowler and your other polished balls hook this one will too.expensive ball to be experimenting with.

This is a bowling ball that every bowler needs in their bag! Often bowlers will play a tournament and late in the games find themself struggling trying to get to the pocket, but thats just because they dont have one of these...

  I have my Hornet drilled like a Rico-type layout with the pin being in the center of my grip. It doesnt have a weight hole and is at box finished with maybe added polish. I dont know about some of the bowling areas but in my area I can always find lanes where this ball is usefull! This ball is even good on a house shot when you wanna practice playing straighter and squaring up to the lane. The best part, is this ball can even be used as a spare ball as well for if you take your hand out of it, it will definitly go straight!

  The only bad part about this layout/coverstock combo is that if I miss it at all at the bottom then it will go right through the break point. I can over hit it though and sometimes get away with it, grab it, etc. If you dont remember hearing it above then I will say it again. EVERY BOWLER NEEDS ONE OF THESE BALLS IN THEIR BAG!!! A tournament player that is. A typical house player wont need this for they may not find conditions for it, but for the serious players this is a must!

  Players may not be as happy putting a length-type layout on it for it may never read the lane and do crazy things on the backend. I would suggest keeping the pin down to maximize your performance. Just dont get upset when you cant use this ball on many patterns but be happy with how good it will work when you finally find that condition it was meant for! I rate this thing a perfect 10! I use to think from time to time in a situation that man, I sure would like to have a ball that would hook a little less. Well now I have it and you should too! John Davis