I decided I would try out my new Epic Saga (14 lbs, 5oz before drilling) tonight in summer league. The lanes weren't really suitable for that ball. They were on the light to medium side. Never the less I was stubborn. I only managed a couple of practice shots before starting because the thumb hole needed some work. I started off with leaving three and promptly missing the spare. The ball had more power and hook then I anticipated. Next shot was a strike. Then I left a six/ten and promptly chopped the ten pin. I followed that with an other strike and then threw a split, right on the head pin. I drilled the next shot in the pocket and left a ten pin that I missed by a whisker (I need someone to make a chia ball!). I then threw another decent ball but ended up with yet another split. So...after six frames I had two strikes and four opens. I managed to leave a seven pin on the next shot and made that. But it was clear that the Epic Saga was just too strong for the lane conditions of the night. So I switched to the Horizon and from there on I managed to bowl better the rest of the night. I bowled a 142 the first game, a 236 the second, and a 197 the third for a 575 series. Not great, not bad. Should have switched bowling balls earlier. Now..what did I learn. First of all, the Epic Saga is a powerful, aggressive bowling ball. Despite the apparent similarities in stats with the Horizon, it is a much more aggressive ball. Now...I have a relatively slow ball speed so that tends to heighten the aggressiveness of a bowling ball. I do know that with the Epic Saga I was using a 32 over 17 shot and with the Horizon I switched to a 22 over 10. Secondly, the Saga hits hard and carries well. Thirdly, it is a very "pretty" bowling ball. It is a medium to medium/heavy ball for someone with a relatively slow speed. It will certainly be a medium for people with faster ball speed. It has a strong arc. All in all, despite my poor performance tonight, I was impressed with the Saga. I was also impressed with the Horizon. Truthfully I thought it would be too dry for the Horizon but it worked just beautifully. Learned something there tonight. Now I want to go out and practice on a bit more oil and get the hang of the Epic Saga. It's a good ball. Don't let my poor score deceive you. It was just too dry for a slower ball speed bowler to use that ball tonight.
Chuck