TROPICAL HEAT HYBRID -- 5 1/4 pin-PAP, 6 1/4 MB-PAP, 3 3/8 pin buffer. Pin over bridge, CG in grip center. My standard drilling for balls I plan to use on conditions where I want to get the ball down the lane with ease and have some tip. No weight hole.
(Sorry for this review coming out so late, but I spent three months rehabbing a hip injury after getting a cortisone shot and just returned to bowling July 29.)
I've gotten a lot of good use over the years out of both my original TROPICAL HEAT (green/yellow) and my STREET ROAD PEARL. So when Storm announced the new TROP HEATS I was interested in getting my hands on one. The question was which one? I ended up choosing the TH HYBRID in the hope that the hybrid cover would give me something a little stronger than the S-ROD PEARL and tame out some of the skid/flip control issues I sometimes had with that ball.
What I wasn't expecting is HOW MUCH stronger the TH HYBRID is. After bowling on both a fresh house shot and a beaten up (by open bowling) house shot, I would put the TH HYBRID in nearly the same hook category as the T-ROAD PEARL and maybe even the REIGN but with a smoother move that is strong but more "rolly." I can't emphasize enough how much this ball hooks compared to what you might expect – it is NOT a ball for dry conditions. The TH HYBRID definitely has the even rolling and relatively low flaring motion of the S-ROD PEARL (both have a Turbine type of core) but with probably in the range of 3-5 boards more hook, although that's always a tough calculation when you're talking shiny covers on wet/dry conditions.
I could definitely see the TH HYBRID getting use on medium oil fresh house conditions, depending on rev rate and speed. The "roll-ness" really helps even out the reaction on this sort of condition. A touch of 4,000 Abralon might even open it up for house shots that have slightly more oil, as well as some fresh Sport patterns. But unless you have very low revs, forget it for dry conditions.
The TH HYBRID goes through the pins very nicely, keeping them low as rolling balls usually do. This motion always provides my best carry. In use so far, I saw more 4-pins than 10-pins – another indicator of a rolling ball for me.
I do not plan to use it and would not recommend it for broken down conditions where a skid-flip ball is needed to get the ball down the lane and turn the corner. I like something the T-ROAD PEARL or REIGN for that, depending on oil volume. For my moderate speed and revs, the TH HYBRID just doesn't make a quick and sharp enough move for that type of condition, and it also caused me some problems when the oil started carrying down significantly on the fresh house shot. Higher rev players may have more success in these situations.
Think roll. Think control. Think medium oil. If you're looking for something for that, the TH HYBRID might be a great choice, especially at the price point.
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