Urethane vs Pearl vs Hybrid

**the_halfie** · 06-22-2013, 06:12 PM

I've been checking out and looking at these three different types of coverstocks, and honestly I'm slightly confused on what I've read, so I'm going to ask on here and hopefully get confirmation not only for myself but maybe for others who are curious as well.

Urethane as I've read "reads the lanes sooner" than other balls, so I've read. Does this mean its going to have a "smoother" hook than the Pearl/ Hybrid/ Solid etc coverstocks? Also, if this is the case, should one who has a slower ball speed working on light to medium oiled lanes aim closer to their starting point?

Pearl coverstocks CAN still hook, but seems to carry down the lanes longer than other reactive balls but from I've read they have a more violent impact at the breakpoint.

Hybrid I'm flatout confused about period. I've read its the "best of both worlds" (pearl/ solid i think?) without realizing exactly what they mean?!

I guess my question would be, where are the advantages and disadvantages and if my information or if my understanding on what I read is wrong? I hope my questions make SOME sense and if not I'll try to do better.

**billf** · 06-22-2013, 08:53 PM

Your questions not only make sense but are also very common.

Urethane reads the lane sooner. That term doesn't seem to apply here. While most people (not me) have urethane balls drilled pin down to read earlier, that coverstock in and of itself will not. Being the least aggressive of covers (minus polyester) they tend to skid easily through the oil and react the least of all covers. They hook but it tends to be a more controllable type of hook. This cover also tends to be very lenient with wet/dry conditions. This is where straight ball rollers and polyester users tend to "push" the oil around leading other covers to kind of skip after the skid phase. The more aggressive covers react more to the dry. When the oil is then pushed around in this area the ball will skid, hook, skid, hook, skid, hook, roll as it hits the wet/dry/wet/dry of this condition. It happens so fast that most people won't even realize why their ball isn't reacting properly/

Pearl coverstocks. You're dead on. Skid well through the heads (first 15 feet of the lane) while still being able to read the pattern and react to the friction.

Hybrid is usually a combination of pearl and solid. But as the name implies, can be a mix of any combination they can come up with.

Advantages depend on the bowler and the conditions. Not all THS (typical house shots) are created equal. Kegel carries about 8 different patterns in their library that most centers choose from. Other are available. Usually they range from 35'-44' in length with little to no oil from the gutter to the 10 board. The volume of oil will also vary. To complicate this even more, the type and manufacturer will also affect how the ball will react. Add in temp, humidity and barometric pressure and soon you feel like you need a physics degree just to pick out a ball!

Given your low ball speed you would be better served using urethane and pearls drilled to go long. As you know, with your speed you can hook anything so no reason to get overly aggressive.

How'd I do?

**GoodGravy** · 06-22-2013, 08:55 PM

Just for my 2 cents and the way I throw:

Solids tend to finish their hook early and go into a roll quicker with a smoother 'controlled' move into the pocket (My Reign of Power), pearls tend to skid much further down the lane, go into a roll later and make a hard turn to the pocket (My Virtual Gravity Nano and Tropical Heat). Hybrid tends to give you a mix of increased length plus a definite move to the pocket (My Frantic).

The way I throw, I see almost the same 'fish-hook' backend movement from Pearl and Hybrid, with Solid being a good 10+ feet further up the lane with a smoother 'arc' move. I can read the lanes a little better with the Solids, but can have more fun and play a little looser with the Hybrid and Pearls. The more I think about it, I don't tend to throw any type of ball 'better' and have scored well using all three.

In my very humble opinion, my experience has shown that Pearls/Hybrid tend to be more sensitive to changes in ball speed than solids. I can adjust my breakpoint by changing speed with Pearl/Hybrid, where I have better success with Solids changing my target and approach.

And yes, Hybrids are kind of a "best of both worlds" set up, and you just have to get used to having to throw your ball at the gutter, and just when you think you tanked it, a big Left Turn Clyde happens....

As far as straight Urethane/Plastic...great for crispy dry lanes or spares or if you are a basic straight ball shooter (or if you have HUGE revs and don't want to have to throw over the gutter cap).

Check out some of the other web sites also, like bowlingball.com...they have a great section on coverstocks and they explain it well....

**the_halfie** · 06-23-2013, 12:13 AM

Bill, thank you for the absolutely OUTSTANDING response! I appreciate the details, and that was exactly what I was looking for. I know I need a ball that's drilled for length REGARDLESS of coverstock used (so far) considering with my low ball speed. Just to clarify however, do you feel urethane will still work well with my low ball speed, low volume of oil, and a shorter oil pattern (think 30')? Just making sure

. Also thanks for the clarification on what he heads of the lane are! I was ALWAYS confused and unsure of what people meant by that when I'd read it!

GoodGravy appreciate the contribution as well! I don't throw straight, at all. Pretty hard for me to do, trying to get it down so I can make those pesky 10 pins I leave around so much

.

Again thanks guys and if anybody else has anything they'd like to add or ask, please do! I'm trying to learn as much as I can after all

**billf** · 06-23-2013, 02:06 AM

Robbie, if it's low volume AND super short then a Hammer Taboo Spare ball would be better. That ball has a polyester coverstock with the Taboo core.
I would and have suggested urethane for you due to your ball speed. It's the weakest coverstock yet a dense coverstock. The other covers will be more aggressive and harder to get enough slide before the core tries to flip.
The three phases of ball motion:
1. skid. This is where the ball moves away from you yet it rotates in a somewhat sideways motion. The angle of this side motion is axis rotation.
2. hook. This is the area where the speed going downlane and the sideways rotation speed match. Just after this happens the ball/core will take over causing a change in direction of the ball allowing the core to flip. This is where the term skid/flip ball motion comes from. Storm makes some of the best balls that go real long (lots of skid) then flip at the breakpoint (sharp hook).
3. roll. This is where just before the pins the ball straightens out (to a degree) and goes from the sharp angle towards the pocket to less of an angle through the pocket. If the ball doesn't get into the roll phase, you lose carry potential as the ball doesn't drive through the pins. It can also leave some strange leaves as it keeps the steep angle appearing to hit the pocket but leave the 5 pin (among other possibilities).

You may want to double check that length. The shortest I have ever bowled on was 32' with the more common short patterns being 35'

**the_halfie** · 06-23-2013, 09:07 AM

I'll double check this morning as I'm heading up to the lanes shortly! I honestly never looked into the Taboo, and now IT'S on the list to check out. So many balls so little time...and that didn't come out right at all....lol. Raining super hard today, so no video (more stuff to get in and out is a hassle even with the help I get) probably. Maybe I can get some cell phone footage (thinking better than nothing right?).

**the_halfie** · 06-23-2013, 11:54 AM

Bowling my morning league and got to check out the 13 lbs ball vs 15 lbs. Man what a difference 2 lbs make! I feel MUCH more comfortable with the 13 lbs ball vs the 15 lbs. As far as speed goes, instead of throwing 8-9 mph (according to the AMF lanes in Norfolk, VA) with a 15 lbs ball, it feels like the ball is just FLYING down the lane for me at 13 lbs. A hell of a lot more carry, just got to keep practicing with it! Now that I know what weight I'm going with for my next ball I just need to figure out which ball at this point LOL!

Bill as far as the length of oil I completely forgot to ask, so I'll have to figure it out next week. There seemed to be A LOT more oil on the lanes today than usual, as even my hooking ball was carrying more than usual.