Summary

PinHead Paul

The new PBA-friendly Hammer Black Pearl Urethane ball is here. Hammer's response to the PBA's new hardness rule will work for all skill levels. Is best on dry lanes and shorter oil patterns. It is known to hook less than the OG Purple Urethane but will still give you that controllable and consistent reaction you're looking for.

Pros

  • Great Control on Dry-Medium Lanes
  • Predicable Ball Motion
  • Strong Pin Action
  • Tame Reaction on the Backend

Cons

  • Limited Hook Potential
  • Less Versatile
  • Can be Less Forgiving When Missing
  • Not Ideal for High-Rev Players on Fresh Oil

Performance Breakdown

Reaction:

The Hammer Black Pearl Urethane reads the lane early and has a smooth arc-like motion.

Control:

Just like other urethanes, this ball is easy to control due to its rounded reaction. It hooks less than the Purple Urethane which can be good or bad depending on your goals. The decreased hook can create the risk of it being less forgiving when missing right (left for lefties).

Versatility:

This ball is considered to be more situational as it specifically works better on dryer and shorter oil patterns.

Best Use Cases

Most effective in situations where you are wanting a more controlled, predictable motion. This is specifically true when playing on dry lanes or short oil patterns.