For those who don't think to check my profile, my stats first:

• PAP 5 1/4" over, 3/"4 up


• 225-250rpm rev rate (measured by analyzing video, so this is a pretty accurate rev rate)


• Moderate axis rotation


• Low to moderate axis tilt depending on hand position


• Faster ball speed, around 17-17.5mph at the deck usually (Qubica measured)

Last night I got a new ball.  I wanted a strong ball drilled strong for opening up the lanes and creating more hook (a big hole in my arsenal), and I was torn between getting a Dimension or a Gravity Shift.  I opted for the Dimension finally (solid coverstock to better handle the carrydown I see in a couple leagues).  I got it drilled with a dual angle layout, but I forget the numbers.  Pin ended up about 1.5 inches above and half inch right of the ring finger, I think we went with either a 4.25" or a 4.5" pin to PAP distance.  No x-hole yet, I can always add one later if I need a little earlier read on some of the different conditions I'll be facing.

Later in the night during league, my buddy asked if I wanted to buy his Gravity Shift he no longer uses much.  Since he only wanted $30 for it, I couldn't say no!  So now I have both of the balls I was considering, but now I need to figure out what to do with the Gravity Shift.

Since I've got the strong roll-in-the-mids, hook-hard-on-the-back layout on the Dimension covered, I'd like to go with something strong but smooth on the Gravity Shift, something to complement my Cell that has a weaker, smooth drill on it.  All my other stuff is pin up and responds to friction quickly, so it'd fill a nice hole in my arsenal I think.  According to my buddy, the ball has a fairly low top weight (I think he said just a touch over 2oz) and what looked like a 3-4" pin.  He'd already plugged and redrilled it once so it'll have two plug jobs before I can drill it for myself.

Any ideas on a good layout?

That's basically what I've been leaning towards.  But with the low top weight and longer pin on the ball, I'm not sure what mass bias position and x-hole combination I can use to get a good reaction and keep the ball legal.  Pin/CG/MB are all almost exactly in line, I forgot to mention that earlier.

I drilled one of these for my friend with the pin below his bridge and the MB 2 inches to the right of the thumb, no x hole and it is soooo smooth and even reacting.  Just what he wanted.  With the long pin though, if you went this way the CG would end up probably next to your thumb (depending on your span).  but remember, CG NoMaddah.  You would probably just have to drill the thumb to China to balance the weights, but so what.  My friends came with about 2 7/8" pin and the CG ended up just above his thumb and it worked out fine.  I'm going to get myself one of these this fall and drill it the same way.  I hated the original Shift as I tried to drill it like my old Paradigm and expected the same reaction out of it.  No way.  But with this new R2X cover on the Gravity, it mellows out the lane so well that it is a great in between ball to fit when your Dimension hooks too much, and it will. You should not be disappointed.

Roto4ever.