Realization I already own a pearl + arsenal questions.

[Ball99999]

So I just realized today that my first ball, the Brunswick Damage is actually a pearl ball. I had no clue, I thought it was a solid, since when I ordered it the web store said nothing of it being a pearl (and I was aware of what pearls were at the time). But, I really really like that ball. I think this means I might like pearls more than solids. It had a very predictable hook and definitely had hook. I do specifically remember it had more of a snap than my current balls so the pearl explains that.

How different are hybrids from pearls?


These past few months I didn't do good fore-planning and bought a DV8 Misfit and then a Storm Modern Marvel. Can anyone assure me, that regardless of the oil pattern, the Modern Marvel IS a stronger ball than the Misfit?

Now, I think my heavy oil line up would probably be set for a long time. If I got into sports patterns, tournaments etc, here's how I see things

Heavy/long oil - Storm Vivid
Heavy/short oil, or THS - Modern Marvel
Medium volume/short-to-medium length oil - a pearl medium ball? I'd want it to be more of an everyday ball.
Medium volume/long length - DV8 Misfit

why did people use Modern Marvel on the US Open?

Anyway I have a hard time figuring out if having both a Misfit and another medium oil but strong pearl ball makes sense?

[eugene02]

"Can anyone assure me, that regardless of the oil pattern, the Modern Marvel IS a stronger ball than the Misfit?"

it depends on the layout that was drilled.. the modern marvel could be drilled to the least potential and the misfit to the maximum potential and the misfit could just surpass the modern marvel no problem...

[Ball99999]

"Can anyone assure me, that regardless of the oil pattern, the Modern Marvel IS a stronger ball than the Misfit?"

it depends on the layout that was drilled.. the modern marvel could be drilled to the least potential and the misfit to the maximum potential and the misfit could just surpass the modern marvel no problem...

umm they look like they're drilled the same... but I asked for the MM to be drilled strong. Generic PAP

[billf]

Mpdern Marvel stronger than the Misfit at what? You have asked this before and got an answer so I'm not really sure what you want to hear. You already know the Modern Marvel is made for heavier oil than the Misfit. What do you consider "stronger"?
Modern Marvel for a THS? Do you plan on being able to use this for all three games?
People whose speed, rev rate, axis rotation and tilt match the Modern Marvel can shoot effectively on the US Open pattern.

[Ball99999]

Mpdern Marvel stronger than the Misfit at what? You have asked this before and got an answer so I'm not really sure what you want to hear. You already know the Modern Marvel is made for heavier oil than the Misfit. What do you consider "stronger"?
Modern Marvel for a THS? Do you plan on being able to use this for all three games?
People whose speed, rev rate, axis rotation and tilt match the Modern Marvel can shoot effectively on the US Open pattern.

I don't recall a precise answer but I just want assurances.

If someone told me that the Modern Marvel would only be good for one game with 4+ people playing I'd be happy. It's more about me not knowing how to use it.

I consider stronger to be something that hooks a lot more on the same amount of oil. Well heavy/fresh oil I mean. If the Modern Marvel was weaker when the Misfit was strong on medium oil, that would make me feel better if that's just the way it's supposed to be. I guess the idea I had before was that on medium oil it would hook off the lane and would be too strong (instead of weak).

[J Anderson]

I don't recall a precise answer but I just want assurances.

If someone told me that the Modern Marvel would only be good for one game with 4+ people playing I'd be happy. It's more about me not knowing how to use it.

I consider stronger to be something that hooks a lot more on the same amount of oil. Well heavy/fresh oil I mean. If the Modern Marvel was weaker when the Misfit was strong on medium oil, that would make me feel better if that's just the way it's supposed to be. I guess the idea I had before was that on medium oil it would hook off the lane and would be too strong (instead of weak).

I almost miss the days when your only choice was rubber or plastic. One of the options discussed for the sport league this season was a 3 week segment where everyone would have to use only plastic. The number of choices available is overwhelming and the average bowler is not going to understand that some of the strongest ball are going to be almost useless on many conditions.

[Ball99999]

Yeah I'm cool with that. As in I'm ok if I don't get to use it most of the time. I got it to be liked the 3 wood of bowling. I just have trouble figuring out exactly when to use which ball. I guess it's best for the really oily conditions. I think it's this idea that you buy a really expensive, super strong ball and then in medium to dry conditions it just wimpers and you're like what...

[billf]

The Modern Marvel will crush the Misfit on heavier oil. (You have no clue how it pains me to type that). On medium to light oil the Misfit should get better carry with more power through the rack than the Modern Marvel. How long you can go before needing to change, even with 5 bowlers on the same line, would depend on balls, rev rate and speed. The balls make a difference as sanded and matte balls absorb the oil better than high polish balls.

I thought you might be saying strong to mean more hook in heavy oil but it is a relative term. In this case it's like comparing apples and oranges. The Misfit wasn't designed to deliver in heavy oil and meets that expectation. There will be a period where as the oil gets absorbed that the MM will over hook. Usually what happens is by the time you move far enough to compensate after 3-5 frames from that point, you're too deep for you're comfort level/style to keep hitting strong. The only real way to figure this point out is trial and error.

Personally, I will use last night as an example, which was the same as Saturday and Monday lol. I played 15 to 8 with a break at 5. Started with the Nexxus. By the end of game 1 I had moved my feet 5 boards. Game 2 I used the Terror. Started at my original spot and by the end had moved 4 boards left. Game 3 was the Natural Pearl urethane. Start and finish the same as the first two balls although I did have to put more revs on it near then end to get enough angle to the pocket. Rather than push the issue and keep moving, I balled down and stayed where I knew the pattern was to my liking. For fun I did throw the tenth frame of game three with the Terror from the 40 over fourth arrow. I only needed 4 pins to win so I figured why not show these guys I can play a different line. BTW, went XX8

[Ball99999]

The Modern Marvel will crush the Misfit on heavier oil. (You have no clue how it pains me to type that). On medium to light oil the Misfit should get better carry with more power through the rack than the Modern Marvel. How long you can go before needing to change, even with 5 bowlers on the same line, would depend on balls, rev rate and speed. The balls make a difference as sanded and matte balls absorb the oil better than high polish balls.

I thought you might be saying strong to mean more hook in heavy oil but it is a relative term. In this case it's like comparing apples and oranges. The Misfit wasn't designed to deliver in heavy oil and meets that expectation. There will be a period where as the oil gets absorbed that the MM will over hook. Usually what happens is by the time you move far enough to compensate after 3-5 frames from that point, you're too deep for you're comfort level/style to keep hitting strong. The only real way to figure this point out is trial and error.

Personally, I will use last night as an example, which was the same as Saturday and Monday lol. I played 15 to 8 with a break at 5. Started with the Nexxus. By the end of game 1 I had moved my feet 5 boards. Game 2 I used the Terror. Started at my original spot and by the end had moved 4 boards left. Game 3 was the Natural Pearl urethane. Start and finish the same as the first two balls although I did have to put more revs on it near then end to get enough angle to the pocket. Rather than push the issue and keep moving, I balled down and stayed where I knew the pattern was to my liking. For fun I did throw the tenth frame of game three with the Terror from the 40 over fourth arrow. I only needed 4 pins to win so I figured why not show these guys I can play a different line. BTW, went XX8

I have a better way to articulate the mentality newer bowlers like me have/had.

Ball A is $150 and is advertised as a monster hook ball.
Ball B is $120 and is advertised as a medium oil ball.
Ball C is $90 and is advertised as a light oil/starter ball.

New bowler comes along, money no problem, gets ball A and think it's going to be strong on heavy oil, stronger on medium oil and super strong on dry oil. Goes to the bowling alley after a couple of leagues have bowled, expecting ball A to hook like crazy and slam into the pins making them mix up like a firestorm of kinetic energy. Throws a few shots (assume good form) and piffft.. it almost bounces off the pocket and leaves split. Next to him is more experienced bowler with a pearl ball C and gets 9 strikes in a row and the pins get slammed.

Needless to say I am now more excited about getting a nice medium-light oil pearl ball for my next ball. I'm just glad to have a heavy oil ball for the few times I need it and not worry about it.

The only hang up I had is, would a more expensive ball still be better for carry given ideal conditions when compared to a light oil ball. Say ball A on ideal ball A conditions vs ball C on ideal ball C conditions. Would it matter? Core design and what not? But I think that's why I'd stay away from starter balls like the Slingshot or tropical heat. I think my next ball might be something more like the Storm Fringe or like my Brunswick Damage.


I am now starting to understand that oil patterns have designated play areas. Like 2nd arrow for a THS. And once I get farther than 3rd arrow I should switch to a different ball. Depending on my rev rate though. I think previously I thought that you could start at 1st arrow and then move all the way left to 5th arrow and it'll still work for you as long as their oil but that's not the case is it.

Something I'd like confirmation on: First off, when people use more revs, is it because it can cause better carry and in some cases make up for a little accuracy miss? Second, is this why crankers have to start farther left, because the ball will hook more (earlier? sharper angle?) but since they want to have more revs they start left anyway..

[billf]

With all the variables being ideal, yes ball A on ideal ball A conditions would hit the same as ball C on ideal ball C conditions. The heavy oil balls use and need the oil to store energy for the hook and roll phases.
Revs actually help the ball get down the lane further. You will notice that most crankers use a 90 degree axis rotation. It's this massive axis rotation that creates the sharp hook. The speed, revs and rotation is what gives them such a large margin of error as it creates some serious carry with pins flying everywhere. It also causes some sick splits.
A high rev rate playing straight up 5 with a 30-45 degree axis rotation will go long and still hook sharp into the pocket. Both ways will actually use the same break point most times.