Author Topic: How good is the prodigy for a benchmark ball? (Read 2038 times)

mediumrevs15 · « **on:** March 20, 2011, 09:03:45 PM »

My driller tells me the prodigy is a awesome benchmark ball. But from what I see with other bowlers in my house, it seems to leave a ton of corner pins.

So for those of you that have this ball, what do you think of it?

completebowler · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2011, 06:04:04 AM »

I would say the Prodigy is a bit strong to be considered a benchmark ball but some people have a different opinion on exactly what that term means.

To me it would be a milder cover with symmetric core that will give a bowler a little hook on high volume and not get crazy strong on the drier stuff. In the Storm offerings I would be looking at a Reign Supreme, Furious, or 2 Furious.

It is however a good ball imo, just not a "benchmark" ball.

ALL STAR BOWLING & TROPHY
LANGAN'S ALL STAR LANES
IBPSIA MEMBER
WALLED LAKE MI

se7en · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2011, 06:28:32 AM »

Out of my Storm arsenal (Nano, Prodigy, Tropical, Natural Pearl), I would consider my Prodigy the benchmark ball, but I don't typically pull it out of the bag first. I love the Nano a lot and usually try to make it work from the start. It just seems to hit harder at the pins. If I start finding over/under since I'm not rev dominant enough to move inside too deep, I change to the Prodigy and keep my line. More of an issue of being stubborn and wanting to throw the newest toy I have in the bag than anything truely logical.

Last Monday in league I found myself fighting over/under with the Nano, and couldn't use the Prodigy due to my thumb swelling. Its thumb hole was just a little smaller than the rest of my equipment. I knew it would have worked based on my past experiences. I had Turbo switch grips installed last weekend so it's not an issue now. If it happens tonight in league, I'll be good to go.

It seems to need 1500/2000 abralon before polishing though. When I polished it OOB (4k I think), it rev'd up very hard mid lane, but seemed to hold it too long before bleeding the energy off the dry boards. Not quite plastic-like hitting power, but it was skating a little and not finishing very well. I would say that this is a testament to the balls responsiveness to cover stock changes though, even if negative in nature.

My bottom line would be filled with uncertainty. I'm not familiar enough with Storms entire line up to say that this would be the ultimate solution (part of me wants to say it isn't). But it is my benchmark ball simply due to the equipment I have, and it fills that role well enough.

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There is nothing so easy to learn as experience and nothing so hard to apply

tommygn · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2011, 05:54:13 AM »

Typically, when you refer to a "benchmark" ball, it is the first ball you pull out of the bag, to get a good read of the lane condition. Normally, this would be a ball that fits in the middle of your arsenal (stronger balls to go to if you need more hook, and weaker balls to go to if you need more skid, or less reaction). With that said, if a bowler has a Prodigy, Invasion/ Nano, and a 2Fast, then yes, the Prodigy would be that bowlers benchmark piece.

The only issue I have with saying the Prodigy is a benchmark ball, would be the strength of the cover. It is pearl with mica added, that creates ALOT of traction in the front of the lane. It also has a low RG, high diff. core, with really only the asymmetrical cores of the Anarchy and Nano above it, as fas as horse power goes.

A better ball in the Storm line to be called a benchmark ball, would be the 2Furious. It has enough cover and horse power to give most bowlers a good read of the lane condition, with plenty of options with more hook potential above it, as well as below it. I would think the Reign Supreme with a moderate drilling and a touch of surface would be another good option as well.

Tommy Gollick
Storm Regional/Pro Shop staff
Red Crown Pro Shop Harrisburg, PA
stormbowling.com

FutureHallOFamer · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2011, 07:57:03 PM »

The Prodigy is always the first ball out of the bag for me. I didn't like the ball much at first but I plugged it and changed the layout and it completely changed. Originally had it stacked in a strong position but it was too susceptible to over under. Redrilled it with pin above ring and cg kicked out right and the prodigy is my new favorite ball. Carries very well until the heads burn which means it's time to switch to my polished hyroad drilled the same. Perfect 1 2 punch.

Bill Grant

Author Topic: How good is the prodigy for a benchmark ball? (Read 2038 times)

mediumrevs15

How good is the prodigy for a benchmark ball?

completebowler

Re: How good is the prodigy for a benchmark ball?

se7en

Re: How good is the prodigy for a benchmark ball?

tommygn

Re: How good is the prodigy for a benchmark ball?

FutureHallOFamer

Re: How good is the prodigy for a benchmark ball?