jason_doust
The Bowling Geek
I've been interested in this piece since Andrew Tonkin of Absolute Bowling Supplies told me about it last year. Somebody has made a ball that doesn't hook like crazy and put a decent core in it, so it has some hit. I'm pleased to say that I have drilled one and I like it a lot.
Before going into great detail about what this ball is good for, I'll tell you what it won't do. The Desperado is not for heavy oil. It's a pearlised urethane cover and that makes it go long. Quite long without much hook on the back. That said, there's a use for balls like this and that's when the lanes hand you too much friction for your reactive gear. Old guys like me can describe the Desperado as being like an original Red Pearl Hammer with a modern asymmetric core in it. Probably a tiny pinch more aggressive than that, but you get the picture. It's for lanes that are dry or that are wildly reacting downlane.
So once you've got lots of available lane friction, the Desperado allows you to play straighter through the front of the lane, so you don't burn up rotational energy and your breakpoint is more consistent. The core gives it a dynamic roll transition, exposing fresh cover to the lane all the way to the pins, so you get consistent friction from the ball. The Desperado provides predictable motion with a fast revving core and that translates into pretty resounding impact once you get it into a roll.
I drilled the ball (at Bowler's Edge, of course) 4 x 4½, with the pin under the ring finger to promote earlier roll off the midlane. (Image attached.) The ball never sees the front of the lane and makes a smooth reaction at the backend. I'd really like to get to a wood house to try it out, as I suspect it would eat it up on some dry timber. (I'm actually looking forward to going somewhere really toasted to test it out. Very strange indeed..!) I got it going on a pair that Chris Thomas and I just burned the edge right off today. He liked it so much, now he wants one!
Cosmetically, it's a funky looking piece. (Again, see the photo. It stands out on the rack!) Black and buttery-gold pearl in bands has meant that I've christened it "The Bumble-Ball". You'll love it or hate it. It was admired by the ACT boys President's Shield Team on Sunday. They thought it was fun. I do too.
The ball reaction is smooth, with that lazy urethane backend. If you try to swing this ball too much, carry suffers. However, if you play straighter up the front of the lane, keeping your target in front of you, pin carry is very good.
I can see a lot of country bowlers getting use out of one of these if they bowl somewhere that really hooks early and often. If you're desperate to get the ball through the front of dry lanes, the Desperado is for you. Use it for what it's designed for and it will serve you well.
Cheers,
Jason Doust
Before going into great detail about what this ball is good for, I'll tell you what it won't do. The Desperado is not for heavy oil. It's a pearlised urethane cover and that makes it go long. Quite long without much hook on the back. That said, there's a use for balls like this and that's when the lanes hand you too much friction for your reactive gear. Old guys like me can describe the Desperado as being like an original Red Pearl Hammer with a modern asymmetric core in it. Probably a tiny pinch more aggressive than that, but you get the picture. It's for lanes that are dry or that are wildly reacting downlane.
So once you've got lots of available lane friction, the Desperado allows you to play straighter through the front of the lane, so you don't burn up rotational energy and your breakpoint is more consistent. The core gives it a dynamic roll transition, exposing fresh cover to the lane all the way to the pins, so you get consistent friction from the ball. The Desperado provides predictable motion with a fast revving core and that translates into pretty resounding impact once you get it into a roll.
I drilled the ball (at Bowler's Edge, of course) 4 x 4½, with the pin under the ring finger to promote earlier roll off the midlane. (Image attached.) The ball never sees the front of the lane and makes a smooth reaction at the backend. I'd really like to get to a wood house to try it out, as I suspect it would eat it up on some dry timber. (I'm actually looking forward to going somewhere really toasted to test it out. Very strange indeed..!) I got it going on a pair that Chris Thomas and I just burned the edge right off today. He liked it so much, now he wants one!
Cosmetically, it's a funky looking piece. (Again, see the photo. It stands out on the rack!) Black and buttery-gold pearl in bands has meant that I've christened it "The Bumble-Ball". You'll love it or hate it. It was admired by the ACT boys President's Shield Team on Sunday. They thought it was fun. I do too.
The ball reaction is smooth, with that lazy urethane backend. If you try to swing this ball too much, carry suffers. However, if you play straighter up the front of the lane, keeping your target in front of you, pin carry is very good.
I can see a lot of country bowlers getting use out of one of these if they bowl somewhere that really hooks early and often. If you're desperate to get the ball through the front of dry lanes, the Desperado is for you. Use it for what it's designed for and it will serve you well.
Cheers,
Jason Doust
