I like weaker balls with strong drills myself. I have a lot of hand so all the latest and greatest steroid balls hook too much, or burn up before they get to the pins. I recently bought a Freeze and I have it drilled stacked leverage and the thing is a beast. It does not leave corner pins ever unless I chicken wing the release. The freeze does need nice clean backends to work good, but I have a weak particle ball for carry down as well. I have a Red Zone which is my strongest most modern ball, and its pretty versatile but its basically a Python in comparison.

I have yet to find a condition that I need anything stronger than what I own now. I have even bowled on 50' flat shots with what I have and didn't feel like I needed more ball.

I like weaker balls with strong drills myself. I have a lot of hand so all the latest and greatest steroid balls hook too much, or burn up before they get to the pins. I recently bought a Freeze and I have it drilled stacked leverage and the thing is a beast. It does not leave corner pins ever unless I chicken wing the release. The freeze does need nice clean backends to work good, but I have a weak particle ball for carry down as well. I have a Red Zone which is my strongest most modern ball, and its pretty versatile but its basically a Python in comparison.

You bowled PBA or sport shots with the Freeze? Did it handle well? What if anything would you say would the negative on the Freeze and the more difficult shots. Ive often wondered about this.
I have yet to find a condition that I need anything stronger than what I own now. I have even bowled on 50' flat shots with what I have and didn't feel like I needed more ball.

Would Hammer Vibe Emerald fall into this category ?

Why should I pay top dollar for the current high end ball, when I can save a few bucks, and spend that savings in other bowling related ways.

For the three reasons previously mentioned - control, entry angle, and carry. And, if you compete in tournaments, a fourth reason is - money. Not every new high end ball raises the standard, but at least once or twice a year, a new ball will push the limits of technology. For me, without changing anything else in my game, purchasing a Cell Pearl gave me the scoring breakthrough of a lifetime. When I can use that ball, I carry everything, and rolled my first ever 800 (and a second one this year), and a few 300's too. It literally gave me a 20 pin jump in average, and I was already in the 200's. That's what makes a high end ball worth every dollar.

That's not to say that you should not have weaker balls in your arsenal. If you are serious about bowling, you are going to need a variety of equipment to maximize your scoring potential on different conditions.

There's so many choices now, then back even 10 years ago. But coverstock is still the primary driving force in matching up a ball to the bowler.

The problem, I think, lays with the bowler now really knowing what condition they are on. Because "oily", "medium" are subjective. And of course that will depend on the bowler's speed and rev rate.

So no matter the ball, the coverstock should be matched to the bowler's speed and rev rate and then to the house condition they will be seeing most often.

Middle of the line balls (pricewise) are fine for most folks. The few I've tried have been hit or miss. Some great some OK. None were awful. But the top of the line balls do seem to drive more. Now you have to ask yourself, does the bowler's skill level, know when a ball is driving more or not? Will the bowler be able to tell the difference? In most cases no. And you can still get a great match using mid priced equipment.

The turn over in new equipment from the manufacterers is a boon for most bowlers. You can buy a ball that is two generations old and its still a fantastic ball. You can buy a Freeze for barely over $100 and you have tons of bang for your buck. Same with the Hammer Raw series only at the $150 range. Do they drive harder....I think so. But most people will not be able to tell and it will also depend on the bowler.

But nothing beats a new ball. The power, the drive the carry is optimal for about 4-6 mo. And co incidentally that's about when the manufacterers come out with the next generation of balls.

Erin