BALL SPECS

Pin Length: 3.5"

Starting Top Weight: 3oz.

Ball Weight: 15lbs.


DRILL PATTERN

Pin to PAP: 4"

PSA to PAP: 5"

Pin Buffer: 3"

BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 430rmp

Ball Speed: 16mph

PAP/Track: 4 1/2" x 1/2" up


SURFACE PREP

Grit: Box Finish


LANE CONDITION

Length: Various

Volume: Med/Light-Med/Heavy

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Various


COMMENTS

The much anticipated return of the IQ Tour Pearl certainly interests the vast majority of bowlers who either used or saw the "gold ball" in action when it was in production. However, the IQ Tour 30 only resembles the original IQ Tour Pearl in the sense that they share the same core. While some will argue the differences between dyes and colors and optical illusions, the truth is, the IQ Tour 30 is not the original gold ball....it's better. Having thrown both balls, the Tour 30 is noticeably stronger in the oil and seems to have more teeth in the middle part of the lane that doesn't make the ball "squirty". As a driller, there's no need to accentuate length and flip, simply because this ball has plenty of that already. I used a strong pin placement matched with a fairly smooth PSA & Buffer and it resulted in a superb shape with plenty of devastating power downlane. I've thrown it on various patterns and am a fan on all but the heaviest or driest conditions. It's a versatile ball with a proven cover/core combo that sums up what Storm is all about...easy length, great read, incredible downlane movement, and all the pin spraying ridiculousness you could ask for!

When I heard they were making the IQ Tour 30, I was really excited.  The Gold ball was my favorite ball, my go to ball.  I was excited to see what the IQ 30 would do. 
With the Gold ball and the IQ 30 having the same cover and core, I noticed significant difference between the two.  For me the IQ 30 is a lot stronger down lane.  The reason I liked the Gold ball so much is that it was clean through the front, but didn't over hook down lane.  It gave me a controllable snap, if that makes sense. 
After throwing the IQ 30 and not being able to throw it much because it hooks way too much down lane for me, I hit it with a 500 abralon pad.  This smoothed out the backend reaction and has allowed me to use this ball on a variety of patterns.

The IQ 30 is definitely stronger than the gold ball.  If you are looking for a ball that creates angle down lane, the IQ 30 may be the most angular ball on the market.  The surface adjusts easily if you want to smooth it out.  While the IQ 30 is stronger than the gold ball, it still has a place in my bag and can be used on a variety of patterns.  I have had the most success on house shots and on challenge patterns when they start to break down and I need angle down lane.

Storm IQ 30  Review:
LANE CONDITION
Lane Type: Wood

Length: 41ft

Volume: 21ml

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): THS


COMMENTS

Likes:  Strong reaction off the breakpoint, ball motion is smooth and easy to read.  Strong power through the pins from multiple angles.

Dislikes: none
The Storm IQ 30th Anniversary Special is Storms newest Master Line release.  The IQ 30 is surrounded by the R2S Pearl Reactive Cover and boasts the C3 Centripetal Control Core.  The ball is finished with 1500 grit abralon polished finish. 
I drilled my Storm Lock with a 32x5.5x32.  This Layout is one of my favorites which give me a strong reaction from multiple areas of the lane depending on conditions.  The IQ 30 is real clean through the front part of the lane with a strong reaction off the breakpoint.  The ball has great carry potential from many parts of the lane.  I have bowled on a few different house shots and a couple sport patterns and have had great reaction from 2nd arrow to 5th arrow.  The best look I have with this ball is between 3rd and 4th arrow.  I like this ball a lot because of its predictability and versatility.

I would recommend this ball to everyone and anyone.  The IQ 30 is great for any style of bowlers.  It works best if you like to open up the lanes and really let the ball hook.  The combination of cover stock and core gives it the strength to help lower rev players see more hook with better hitting power.  It’s a great benchmark ball for league bowlers as well.

The IQ Tour 30 celebrates 30 years of bowling industry success from Storm, The Bowler's Company. IQ 30 has the same pearl R2S cover but has slightly different characteristics than that of the IQ Tour pearl which has been nicknamed the “gold ball”. The “30” has the same C3 centripetal core as the previous tour balls (rg of 2.49 and a very low differential of 0.029 in 15lb balls). The 30 has a black pearl color, and is scented with Lava Spice.
I drilled my Tour 30 with a 5x5x2.5 layout, which is my favorite layout for pearlized bowling balls. When comparing the 30 to the gold ball, they both cover about the same number of boards, they just go about it a little differently. The IQ Tour 30 goes a touch longer and has more backend continuation for me, than IQ Tour pearl. For me, the gold ball rolls earlier, and has more of a hook set motion that is a great step down from the Tour Fusion. Also, the 30 has closer characteristics to the solid IQ Tour, which is more continuous through the backend of the lane, for me, than what the Fusion or the gold ball is. Basically the IQ Tour 30 shapes the way I originally expected the gold ball to shape. I like using the 30 on wood lanes, and broken down house shots, that started with a nice blend. Anytime I want to open up a pattern that started out with a reasonable blend, the 30 is my go to ball.
I personally struggle a bit with the Tour 30 on those over walled, super wet dry house conditions, as I see too much jump off the dry, and too much skid in the oil. I personally always reach for something that has more flare to blend out those kind of conditions.
As a whole, I really like my IQ Tour 30. When I use it as a step down, cleaner reacting IQ Tour Solid, or a ball to open up a broken down blended pattern, it is a great piece in my arsenal. If I’m only seeing real wet dry conditions, then I rely on something else that will blend out the reaction for me. Thank you for taking the time to read my review of the IQ Tour 30. As always, remember to bowl up a Storm!!