Ball NPS Score: 100.00
- Coverstock: Retrothane
- Weight Block:Photon Core (14-16)
- Ball Color: Navy Blue All colors do vary somewhat from the picture shown.
- Ball Finish: 2000-grit Abralon
- Track Flare Potential: 3-4 Inches (Med) on a scale of 1-10 Low-High
- Recommended Lane Conditions: Medium-Light Oil
- A few tiny pit holes in the cover stock of the ball are normal
- Description: At Roto Grip® we pride ourselves in providing a complete line of bowling balls in both value and performance. With a medium RG (2.58) and medium differential (.040), the Photon ™ core utilized in both the newly released Riot and Dark Star, is the perfect foundation for the new Grenade. You know that the coverstock is critical to ball motion, so even when testing on a shorter oil pattern, even a milder version of Sure Grip II with the Photon core was too much. We decided to step it down a notch and go ‘Old School’ with the new Retrothane™ shell because predictable ball reaction never goes out of style! The Retrothane is a traditional urethane coverstock that will help you tame even the most scorching lane conditions. As witnessed on the PBA Tour and in World Championship events, urethane is still effective today. Redefine your arsenal with the new Grenade and know that no matter what they throw at you, Roto Grip has you covered. Roto Grip – we’re pulling the pin, tossing the Grenade and shaking it up.

Layout- Pin above bridge, 5” from PAP, no hole.

Let me start by saying that I have been looking forward to this release for some time (giggity). I actually got even better results than I had hoped for. This ball is cleaner through the front than many of the other urethane balls on the market, but still maintains the smooth ball reaction I associate with urethane balls. I heart it very much. The reaction I get looks superb on the house pattern in the center in which I have my shop, but has also looked good in the early stages of Chameleon and on Cheetah as well. It is an excellent compliment to my Boomered Dark Star as well- providing a ball which starts a little earlier and is a little smoother. A very logical transition is to use the Grenade in the early part of a shift on Chameleon or Cheetah and go to the Boomered Dark Star as the lanes break down. This is totally a usable and solid piece with a throwback look and a rad logo design.

As expected, the Grenade is very smooth going down the lane.  It does not make any sudden turns in any direction.  I have not had a ball that reacts like this in a very long time.  On a THS I found a nice line standing on 20 (with my right foot) and throwing straight up 10.  The Grenade made a slow move toward the pocket.  I bowled a game with this ball on Viper and it did not move much at all.  I was standing on 15 and setting the ball down on 3 and it was still not getting to the pocket.  I had to point it where I wanted it to go as it was only moving about 4 to 5 boards.  I cannot wait to try this ball out on a burnt shot or even Cheetah.
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Roto Grip Amateur Staff Member
Roto Grip - King of them all

USBC Bronze Coach
USBC Registered Volunteer

cory@tenpincoaching.com
www.tenpincoaching.com

Using the core found in the Riot and Dark Star, Roto Grip has wrapped a urethane, 2000 grit abralon finish,  coverstock (retrothane), around the core to give this ball the same Rg and Differential as the Dark Star and Riot. As the newer, stronger covers, tend to burn up lane conditions faster than in the "old" urethane days, urethane is making a return. From the novice to the advanced bowler, a urethane cover will provide a more controlled ball reaction on light to drier conditions than reactive. Altering the surface combined with proper pin placement, should give any bowler the "go to" ball that he/she needs when conditions call for more control and less reaction.
I drilled my Grenade with the pin slightly above my ring finger with an approximate 65 degree pin/pap angle. I used it on a PBA league, 35' cheetah pattern. When compared to a mutant cell pearl, I was 8-10 boards left with my feet using a much straighter line through the front of the lane. Ball reaction was good, pin hit good. As I stated, this ball is going to be condition specific depending on the individual's style.
 
 
 

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Senor RotoGrip

Drill angle – 45 Deg., Angle to VAL – 35 Deg., PIN to PAP distance – 5”, 15 lb, box finish 2000 Abralon

This ball is very smooth and predictable.  It brings me back to the days prior to reactives.  This would be a great ball to use on lighter conditions, conditions that have an over-under reaction, shorter patterns, or patterns that have uncontrollable back ends.  This is a great addition to my tournament arsenal you never know when a ball like this will come in hand to win a tournament.

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Chris Slagter
Roto Grip Amatuer Staff

OH YEAH!!!!!  THIS BALL IS AWESOME. OLD SCHOOL. I TOOK THE GRENADE AND USED IT ON A 35' FLAT PATTERN. THIS BALL WAS AMAZING. IT READ THE DRY BOARDS AND MADE A NICE SMOOTH MOVE TO THE POCKET. I WAS PLAYING UP 2nd & 3rd BOARD. I KNEW THIS BALL WAS GOING TO BE GOOD, JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW GOOD. WITH THE SMOOTHER MOVE TO THE POCKET, IT KEPT THE PINS ALIVE AND DANCING AROUND ON THE PIN DECK. THIS BALL WOULD BE A MUST FOR ANYONE, BUT THE HIGH REV PLAYERS WOULD REALLY LIKE IT. AS THE CONDITION OF THE LANES BROKE DOWN, I STAYED IN PLAY WITH THE GRENADE. GREAT JOB.

Grenade Ball Review - Ron Case

My Axis is 5 5/8 right, ¼ up, my speed is average and I would consider myself with higher revs but more up the back.  So not a cranker but not really straight either.

Drilled Pin & CG 4” from PAP.

Well it’s urethane and the definition of urethane should be, friction needed.

If you bowl tournaments and the lanes break down we all need this ball.  It’s very smooth and predictable.  It has no sharp movement which can help you when the lanes are fried.

If you only bowl on house shots you will need a lot of hand to see much movement here.

Honestly with my game I didn’t think I would ever need urethane again, but I wish I had it last year in league on the Broadway pattern.  It would’ve worked great right up 2 board.  Now I have it and I need to find another excuse.  

I laid out my grenade 70/5/30

This layout works great on this ball, it allows me to stay left when I am feeling lazy and don't want to move deep inside, which is a good thing. Sometimes after working the pro shop all day, I don't want to have to think alot when I am bowling. When I am in this mood, I just grab my grenade and stand left and just play in the track, which is really fun sometimes.

The grenade is super clean through the fronts and doesn't give that big back end reaction, which I what I need and want some of the time. I can see myself using this ball more than I imagined.
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Rob Haverstock
 Roto Grip Pro Shop Staff