RECAP: New Bowling Ball Showcase 2018 Bowl Expo

Bowl Expo is a industry trade show event. Even though consumers are not allowed, it is an opportunity for us, as a pro shop, to bring back valuable information to you. This week allowed us to throw or watch people throw the new balls from Brunswick, Radical, DV8, 900 Global, Storm, Roto Grip, Ebonite, Hammer, Columbia and Track. After watching different styles of bowlers and reviewing videos of the balls, here is what we saw and what we think about the new products.

You’ll first note that each ball is labeled by its ball motion; either Straight, Traction, Continuous or Angular.  If there are no additional notes, we either were not able to see the ball or it was just okay and not worth going into great detail over.

Click here to watch a video on the 4 types of ball motion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eQ5SmudMAg

Brunswick

Quantum Bias

Traction

This ball is white and it hooks. If you like being the person who everyone knows, this is the ball for you. It is a strong traction ball and should work best for heavy oil, faster ball speed or lower rev rates. This ball is also going to make some excellent cleaner videos. It is one of a few balls ever made that are asymmetrical with a thick shell.  Of all of the balls we saw this one was the most unique.

Cutting Edge Black

Continuous

This continuous ball looks to be a lower hooking benchmark type of ball. It will work great when the lanes break down or when you need to control over/under ball reaction.

Cutting Edge Solid

Traction

Method

Continuous

Twist

Continuous

The Twist is a new performance/price point for Brunswick.  It gives more performance than polyester but less performance than a Rhino. It goes down to 8 lbs and is available in 4 colors.

Kingpin Limited Edition Gold Pearl

Angular

This ball is a limited edition promotional item for pro shops.  It will only be available as a bonus ball with purchase during trade show season. This ball never went down the lane.

DV8

Turmoil Solid

Continuous

This ball looks to be a good one.  Appears to be usable for most styles of player and should work on most house shots.

Turmoil Pearl

Angular

Creed Rebellion

Traction

Hitman Enforcer

Angular

Tactic Control

Continuous

This is a TRUE urethane ball.  It should be great for short patterns.  You could also polish it up and use it as a spare ball.  It is unique because it is a rare TWO color urethane ball.

Radical

Katana Dragon

Traction

This is a good traction ball that will be usable for most styles of player.  In heavy oil, this ball will still seem very strong.

Ludicrous

Angular

Beyond Ridiculous Pearl

Angular

Intel Pearl

Angular

This ball looks to be a good compliment to the original Intel.  It is longer with less total hook but more backend which we really liked.

900 Global

Tactical Ops

Angular

This is an angular ball which will be good for most house shots.  It should fit right into anyone’s arsenal who hasn’t yet tried 900 Global.

Eon

Continuous

Continuum

Traction

This is strong traction ball that needs oil.  It should work well for players with lower rev rates or higher speed who struggle to get their ball to start hooking.

Roto Grip

Halo

Continuous

Winner

Was not present at showcase

Storm

Intense Fire

Angular

This ball has a good, strong motion down lane.  It will be usable when you need the ball to come around the corner once the lanes begin to break down.

Test Ball???

Unknown

Like last year, Storm brought a test ball to the showcase.  However, this year, they had 3 different balls which were each slightly different.  This looks to be something Storm has on the horizon.

Ebonite

Choice

Continuous

This ball was the hardest to get to strike of all the balls we watched being thrown.

Track

Kinetic Amethyst

Continuous

Hammer

Scandal/S

Continuous

This ball hooks and should be good for most styles and rev rates.  We saw multiple people use this ball and were impressed by it. It was strong even when the lanes broke down.

Columbia 300

Saber Pearl

Angular

Summary

We have uploaded the pros throwing many of these balls to our YouTube channel.  Be sure to follow us by clicking HERE.

If we were building a 5 ball arsenal from all of these balls, this is what we would have selected:

Brunswick Quantum Bias

Traction

Hammer Scandal/S

Traction

Brunswick Cutting Edge Black

Continuous

Storm Intense Fire

Angular

900 Global Tactical Ops

Angular

Side Note

Since the either/or era for weight holes begins August 1, 2018, I wouldn’t put weight holes in any new ball I buy. Beginning August 1 2018, if you do not have a weight hole, you can have up to 3 oz of static weight in any direction.  However, if you drill a ball and don’t like the reaction, you could put a weight hole in the ball and go back to following the old static weight rules. We will have more on that topic later.