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Author Topic: New benchmark ball  (Read 13900 times)

Strider

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New benchmark ball
« on: April 19, 2021, 04:50:37 PM »
Looking for something new to add.  I want something clean through the fronts and a round/smooth back end.  I'd prefer something low RG and symmetrical.  Medium to med/heavy sport type shots.  Stronger/smoother than my Motiv Venom Shock, but less than my Storm Phase II.

What I'm most interested in

Roto Grip Idol Synergy (Seems to like straighter angles from what I've read)
900 Global Zen (Definitely smooth, not sure about overall strength)
Motiv Forge (Don't know much about it, but like Motiv and specs seem to fit)

 

CoorZero

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2021, 05:30:59 PM »
The Synergy is not smooth. Closer to the anti-thesis of it. I've found that the Idol balls do tend to like straighter angles but out of the four this is the one bucks the trend. Great ball, but maybe not what you're looking for.

The Zen is amazing. I've been recommending it left and right. It's especially good in the 14 lb. category. I don't throw that weight but have multiple teammates that do and for all of them it's been the best ball they've ever had. Can't imagine adding surface would be a bad thing if there's a need to tame down the back-end.

The original Forge is still a strong ball. Not quite up to the Flare's level but not sure I would consider it less than the Phaze II.

If not the Zen I'm thinking the !Q Tour Nano Pearl would fit the bill.

bowling4burgers

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2021, 06:35:54 PM »
If I want to bowl league again I'll pick up a Zen. Seems to be a ball you can get to do whatever you want pretty much.
The Future of Bowling: Bowling is a once-popular tavern game played with a heavy ball and ten pins.

SVstar34

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2021, 06:40:55 PM »
Brunswick Knock Out. Clean through the front, round shape but booms a little more than the Shock. Cover strength wise I think it fits directly in between the Shock and P2

DV8 Damn Good Verge. Low rg, low-mid diff like Shock but I think the cover is closer to P2 strength. Smoother than the Knock Out.

Hammer Obsession Tour. Low rg, low-mid diff, and mild asymmetry. "Tour" cover that is smoother


Strider

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2021, 07:41:42 PM »
I forgot about the Knock out - might be a good candidate.  I originally wanted a Damn Good Verge, but was nervous when I saw the lower differential from the solid/pearl - didn't want anything too similar spec wise to the Venom Shock, although the covers are probably very different.  Certainly had a great showing on TV not too long ago.  The Obsession Tour looks interesting, but I've had very little luck with asymmetrics (although the Wicked Siege is one of my all time favorites).  It does seem more versatile then most asymmetrics, so I'll keep it in mind also.

Interesting comment about the Idol Synergy.  I haven't seen one in person, but have seen several original and pearls and thought they were both pretty controllable.

ACES80

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2021, 09:24:49 PM »
Love the Zen
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keegan.mier

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2021, 09:36:32 PM »
I forgot about the Knock out - might be a good candidate.  I originally wanted a Damn Good Verge, but was nervous when I saw the lower differential from the solid/pearl - didn't want anything too similar spec wise to the Venom Shock, although the covers are probably very different.  Certainly had a great showing on TV not too long ago.  The Obsession Tour looks interesting, but I've had very little luck with asymmetrics (although the Wicked Siege is one of my all time favorites).  It does seem more versatile then most asymmetrics, so I'll keep it in mind also.

Interesting comment about the Idol Synergy.  I haven't seen one in person, but have seen several original and pearls and thought they were both pretty controllable.
I find the Obsession Tour to be a very versatile piece but it has a bit too much torque for me to be my benchmark, don’t get me wrong, I love the ball, it’s a contender for my favorite ball right now, but it just has a bit much for the true middle reaction. The Knockout for me was fairly boomy, and may be too close to your Phaze II. If you like the shape of the Phaze II but want something weaker I’d suggest the Hero Solid.

scotts33

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2021, 10:06:30 PM »
Strider too bad the 900G Equilibrium a San Antonio ball before 900G moved to Utah.  I find that hybrid cover the perfect benchmark and slightly stronger than a Venom Shock plus handles transition better than just about any ball that I have used lately.  A lot of bowlers don't know about the EQ as it was glossed over when the move was made and Storm released the 900G Utah pours.
 
3 great 900G balls in 2020 EQ, Afterburner, Zen.  Chris Barnes says grab an Afterburner if you want one as spring/summer will bring new replacement for Afterburners.
Scott

mrwizerd

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2021, 06:38:21 AM »
Surprised nobody has mentioned the IQ Tour solid. It has every quality that the OP was looking for.

TWOHAND834

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2021, 07:39:38 AM »
Looking for something new to add.  I want something clean through the fronts and a round/smooth back end.  I'd prefer something low RG and symmetrical.  Medium to med/heavy sport type shots.  Stronger/smoother than my Motiv Venom Shock, but less than my Storm Phase II.

What I'm most interested in

Roto Grip Idol Synergy (Seems to like straighter angles from what I've read)
900 Global Zen (Definitely smooth, not sure about overall strength)
Motiv Forge (Don't know much about it, but like Motiv and specs seem to fit)

Hey, Strider!  Have you ever tried a short pin layout?  They are great for medium/heavy tournament/sport shot conditions.  What is great about short pin layouts is you dont have to be as specific about ball specs like RG and diff numbers because the core is already laid down.  You will get a urethane like roll but with more continuation through the pins and then adjust the cover to achieve the cleanliness through the fronts you are looking for.  I always recommend this layout for exactly the conditions you are speaking of.  I have had balls with the surface at 4000 plus polish with this layout and the ball still did not flip at the breakpoint.  No matter what surface, the reaction will be smooth.  You just adjust the cover to determine the length you want.
Steven Vance
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Former Classic Products Assistant Manager

Brandon Riley

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2021, 04:46:02 PM »
GB4 with a slight surface tweak to 3000 so that it isn't as strong as your P2
Brandon Riley
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Strider

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2021, 09:01:41 PM »
After talking to some guys in the league - a strong regional player, a Storm staffer, and the house owner (a very good bowler himself) they all pretty much recommended the 900 Global Ordnance C4.  They had one in stock, so I'll get it drilled up soon.  Even though it wasn't recommended here or one of my original choices, people who know my game thought it would be a great fit.  Thanks for the feedback anyway!

CoorZero

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2021, 10:43:22 PM »
Yeah the C4 is pretty nice. It's not something I've seen around here but did throw it for a demo day. Very much in the benchmark range... especially compared to everything else I threw that day (all stronger options). Just wasn't something that came to mind.

jimjames

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2021, 12:53:30 PM »
Have been searching information on the Ebonite GB4 and only found 2 statements concerning flare potential for this ball. (Important?) Being a "Matte" finish has me wondering which it might be, but guessing, high? One seller states that it's a "medium" flare ball and the other seller states it's a "high" flare ball in it's natural state.  :o Couldn't find said topic on ball makers website. Just wondering what the true flare for this ball is so the cover can be adjusted up/down in any future endeavor that it might have with me if I decide to go with it. Thank you much. Jim

UpstateProShopChris

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Re: New benchmark ball
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2021, 01:39:00 PM »
The flare potential of thr undrilled ball is best indicated by rhe differential.  In this case the differential is .048 which is of the medium to higher part of the range.  How much flare you wind up with would depend on the drilling chosen.  The drilled differential can go up or down from that number and will determine overall flare potential.
Chris Garrett
Upstate Pro Shop
Greenville, SC  864-248-4737
Upstateproshop@charter.net

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