Need another ball ...

[milldawg31]

I've always been around 180-185 bowler and every ball I've used never seemed to hook enough. Had an El-Nino Xit that I gave to my brother and switched to the Vicious Particle last year (mostly because I like the Hammer name). ANyway, that never seemed to hook as much as I wanted (especially under tournament conditions). Turned out it was label drilled (does that make sense?).

Anyway, so this year, I was determined to get somethign that woudl work better for me. I'm a medium speed, medium revs guy. But the Particle never did enough. SO, I went to our bowling supply place and ended up picking up a Big Block Diesel. Well, I had it drilled with stacked leverage (is that how I say it?) and it works really, really well for our league conditions. I started last Thursday and came out of the blocks with a 219-223-223 for a career-high 665 series. I've been practicing quite a bit and actually today played over two lanes and started with 10 strikes, only to leave a solid 8 pin on my 11th ball (maybe some day I'll get a 300).

Anyway, so the Diesel seems like it will work great for league. I have a spare ball, which I use often as well during league (Ebonite Maxim).

My question is this: I want to get a ball that will work well for me under heavy oil conditions (especially for tournaments). I always struggle in tournaments because my ball won't turn nearly as much as it would during league (for obvious reasons).

So, should I:

A) Have the Vicious Particle plugged and redrilled with stacked leverage and have that become my heavy oil ball and purchase a new medium-oil ball.

or

B) Keep the Particle the way it is. Right now it works fairly well for me once the lanes dry out a little bit (believe it or not). And get a new heavy oil ball?

Thoughts? If I keep the particle the way it is, what Hammer ball would be best for heavy oil? Power Diesel? Big Blue? What would be a good ball if I decided to get the Vicious plugged and redrilled?

Also, does anyone have any thoughts on four-ball bags? I see Hammer has a new one that looks like a three-ball roller with an extra compartment. How does this compare to the standard two-stack four-ball bags.

Thanks.

[AR'sHammer]

I would not drill a big blue, they are pretty even but just do not produce a great big hook. The power diesel is great, do not really shine it and it should roll really hard for you. Another suggestion would be a reactive blade, they are pretty strong as well the hook quite abit and still roll in oil.

[Wiz Of Cincy]

Hmmm. Vicious Particle (light green) is one of the hookiest balls Hammer ever produced, so I'm wondering if you don't have a different Vicious because there are about four with the word particle in the name. Or if your ball is misdrilled.

Yes, label drilled does make sense, but can refer to when the CG (center of gravity) is put on the ball label/in center of your grip position OR Label Layout which is a type of drill pattern and I think this is your case. The problem with that is a Label pattern is for what is called a FULL ROLLER. Someone who throws with a forward rotation (clockwise) at release and a little behind the ball. That type of person is not throwing a hook right for full hooking potiential. If you are a semi-roller or spinner then the Label Layout will not work well for you.

I suggest this for max hook potential:
1. Plug and redrill at 3 3/8" X 3 3/8" (yep, "stacked leverage")
2. Add a balance hole, again at 3 3/8" below your PAP. About 1/2" wide, and one inch deep. (you can deepen/widen more later for more hook if needed)
3. Resurface the ball in a crosshatch pattern, sanded dull at about 420 grit.
4. Make sure its fingertip drilled, get soft rubber grip inserts, hard for thumb slug.
5. Cock your wrist, use your ring finer as your power finger, lower your ball in your setup/approach to slow it down. All this will maximize hook.

Get the Switch blade for your medium oil ball. Drill it long, about 4.5" from PAP

I have the Hammer 4 ball roller, I love it. Sturdy with big wheels for easy roll and clearance, also a longer handle than most. http://www.hammerbowling.com/goods/bags/detail.php?PRKey=25

Print out a copy of this and take it to your proshop guy if you don't follow what I said. Good luck...let us know how it goes.

WIZ

[milldawg31]

Thanks for the advice. My ball IS the Vicious Particle. I know that much. And it's never hooked like I thought it should. Which basically led me to believe that I just don't know how to throw a bowling ball. Then I got the Big Block Diesel about a month ago and it's worked just great. Of course it was drilled aggressively (which it should be for my game, anyway). I think the Vicious Particle is just drilled up all wrong, like you said. I think I'll get that redrilled and see how it goes. And I was looking at the switch blade and thought that would be a good option. Thanks again.

Jason Miller

[macflow]

get on Ebay get a Diesel Particle...they're cheap, and they'll turn...turn hard

I love mine! and I'm a very High Speed/med rev bowler

[badkarma]

Macflow is right, If you like your Big Block Diesel. Then you should try and get a Diesel Particle (Red and Black color). This ball has the same core as your Big Block Diesel with a particle cover. This ball should start up sooner than your Big Block Diesel and still have hook in the back end.

Or you could get one of the newly released Hammer balls, The Real Deal. I have not tried it myself but I have heard that it is basically hook in a box. I can't wait to get mine.

Good luck!

[Faball]

I love my Big Block Diesel and believe it out backends the Diesel Particle by alot. If you want the ball to roll earlier then try another Big Block with surface.
The Big Block Diesel is the perfect combination of low RG with high Diff. More right handed bowlers will like this ball than the leftys.

[Horn Hi Yo]

My first response to this question is:

The Real Deal

This ball works great on only either polished or out of the box.

[Faball]

I tried the Real Deal out of box with a 5 1/2" layout with a short pin because that was the only one available. I allowed the ball to soak up some oil so I can get a true reaction. The ball rolled in the midlane and still had backend to spare.
I'm hoping to get my hands on another with a longer pin so I can drill it strong and add some polish. Curious to see how the new particle cover will react with polish on it. Hope it doesn't die on the back as with all particle balls I polish.
Return for the update

[bowlerdave]

The Real Deal is the Real Deal!!!! If you are looking for an oil ball this is it!!! I have thrown every Hammer ball they have put out over the last couple of years, the Real Deal is my favorite! I polished mine before I ever threw it and it is the most hooking ball I have by far. I drilled the Saw Blade right after and it hooks well too, just transitions smoother and isn't quite as aggressive. If you look at the specs for both, the Saw Blade has the same shell but comes polished. So you know if you use the CORECT POLISH it will have no issues. Use FACTORY FINISH by Ebonite. It doesn't take away from the bite, but gives you the little more length you are looking for out of polish.

The Diesel is a good ball, but most league bowlers weren't thrilled about it due to it not hooking the whole lane. If you are looking for early roll, the Diesel and the Big Blue are great balls. If you want an all out monster will major hook in oil, the Real Deal is your ball.

I have both of the 4 ball bags by Hammer. The traditional 4 ball bag is best for daily use. I use the 4 ball with the ball on top for tournaments due to it is much skinnier. To load the 4 ball bag into the trunk of a car is very heavy and kind of awkward. I store 3 in it and add the 4th or 5th on the handle while traveling between pairs of lanes. The skinny one is also very tall and won't fit into my trunk without being on it's side.

Dave