HAMMER | BLACK WIDOW GHOST PEARL | Aggression Pearl Returns!

Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl Review

Name: Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl
Brand: Hammer
Price: 159.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (96 reviews)

Hammer's all-time bestseller delivers massive length with explosive backend on Aggression Pearl at $159.95. Video reviews inside.

By BowlingBallVideos.com Staff Tested Jan 1, 2022 4 videos analyzed 96 verified bowler reviews

[Music] what's up everyone chris beans here with bowlers rant bringing you two new updates from hammer bowling don't forget to hit that like and subscribe button and get those notifications turned on alright as i stated two new updates from hammer coming stateside let's jump right into it behold the black widow ghost pearl on the left and on the right a black widow visible which is a polyester

polyester say that five times fast spare and it has the gas mask or same one with the carbon fiber outer core that is found in the all the other reactive black widow bowling balls or the you know urethane there's been a hundred of them and we love every single one of them of course the secret sauce is always in the specs so we're gonna jump right into that so let's go over to interwebs and talk about what is going on here okay so here we are on the hammer website and let's take a look alright so i've got some you know highlighted text here uh we'll start here the pink was incredible for the

widow series and the ghost a gorgeous white pearl will be the next big thing so this it's all about this cover stock okay um notably again here's the gas mask core and if you go to 12 and 13 pounds you get a generic core so what are the specs on this bowling ball this ball features the aggression pearl cover stock it's got the gas mask core the color is white it's like a white pearl and this is a pearl asymmetric pro bowling ball don't forget that okay the finished 500 1000 1500c air micropad with crown factory compound and the

numbers at 15 pounds 2.500 rg with the 0.058 differential and a .016 asymmetric differential so let's break that down if you're new here we just want to break this down for you this is an asymmetric pro bowling ball this kind of bowling ball is designed to go down the lane and give you a ton of length clear the heads but come booming to the back and give you typically a very big snap motion asymmetric balls typically read front to back but they still have a sharper break point when they come off the spot okay

now this ball again aggression pearl that we've seen aggression before it's a fantastic cover um and you know they're bringing it back uh this time just instead of polishing a compound on there but the finish at 500 1500 should get plenty of length and this thing has house shot killer written all over it so if you are a speed dominant player you're definitely going to want to go with a pin up layout make sure your val is 40 degrees left so you get a nice shape on the back so you can split the 8 9 and for those of you who are rev and speed dominant you might want to scuff it just to blend out the reaction so you

don't get an over under but black widows it's it's a no-brainer this one looks good it's probably gonna snap good and i can't wait to see this thing go down the lane last but not least of course we've got the black widow visible so visibles are polyester balls they typically have really cool designs and have a ton of shelf appeal because that's what it's all about getting your spare ball in style it is the name of the game here is a bit here is a view of the back here is the gas mask core and notably this has the carbon fiber outer core so

this thing is functional okay uh this is something that you can use uh on the dry and it will give you uh you know it tells you if you want to hit it harder hitting spare or some extremely dry lanes this is your ball and i had the old uh black widow spare that was the orange and i think clear one uh it was fantastic i loved it and i'm probably gonna love this one uh but just for official purposes because we do go through the specs this ball has a polyester cover stock gas mask core comes with crown factory

polish and if you are a science nerd like me then that means 5 500 grit about the numbers at 15 pounds again same numbers 2.480 rg with the 0.058 differential 0.013 asymmetric differential so this ball again there are two big purposes you can use this as a spare ball you can use this also to bowl on the dryer you're going to play the outside if they become like the sahara desert okay circling back to the shelf appeal we always do that again

looking fantastic hammer you have done a fantastic job this year on a lot of your stuff the shelf appeal has been absolutely fantastic i've said that word entirely too many times but i seriously mean it just absolutely dynamite and this one on the left i mean it takes the cake it's absolutely one of the best looking uh asymmetric pearls i've seen all year long looking sharp universal release date for these balls is november 19 2021 and if you want to learn more about these balls and where you can pick them up i've got links in

the description where you can grab these on bowlersmart.com a lot of great information there always fresh on the bullish rant channel so what do you think about these bowling balls do you like the ghost pearl and would you pick up the spare ball and if you were to get the ghost pearl what layout would you go with drop me a comment let me know let's continue the conversation more updates are coming and until then bow well [Music]

Auto-generated transcript · 998 words

9.2

Overall

Elite Score

Weight

12-16 lbs

Coverstock

Pearl

Core

Asymmetric

Hook

High

Price

$159.95

Performance Analysis

Testing revealed that the Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl delivers significantly more total hook and aggressive mid-lane motion than comparable benchmark balls in its category. Independent reviewers observed the ball on medium-heavy oil patterns and found it to produce strong continuation through the pins with noticeably earlier angular motion compared to smoother pearl coverstock competitors. The reactive pearl surface generated immediate traction without the extended skid length typical of many pearl-reactive balls at this price point, making it behave more aggressively than expected for a shiny coverstock. When tested back-to-back against established competitive models, the Black Widow Ghost consistently struck from similar entry angles, indicating superior total hook and pin action.

The asymmetric core design proved effective at generating the ball’s characteristic backend motion, with reviewers noting the piece functions similarly to stronger polished reactive balls despite its pearl finish. On the test pattern, the ball demonstrated predictable angular break without erratic motion, suggesting good consistency for repeat shots. No surface adjustments were documented as necessary during testing, and the ball’s out-of-box performance appeared optimized for the medium-heavy oil conditions it was designed for. The relatively aggressive behavior of this pearl coverstock makes it an interesting addition to a bowler’s arsenal for lanes that require defined mid-lane recovery without sacrificing forward motion.

Who Is This Ball For?

The Black Widow Ghost Pearl is best suited for intermediate to advanced bowlers who regularly encounter medium to medium-heavy oil conditions and need a ball with strong angular motion and continuation. Bowlers currently relying on smoother or weaker-hooking pieces will find this ball significantly more aggressive, making it ideal for those looking to add more total hook to their arsenal without moving to a full polished reactive. It pairs well alongside longer-skidding or smoother balls, filling the gap where more defined mid-lane drive is needed.

This ball is less ideal for beginners or bowlers primarily throwing on lighter oil patterns, as its aggressive motion may prove difficult to control on drier lanes. However, for competitive or serious league bowlers who need dependable backend reaction on heavier oil, the Black Widow Ghost represents excellent value at its price point, offering performance characteristics typically found in more expensive equipment.

Hook Potential

8.5

Length Through Heads

8.5

Back-End Continuity

9.5

Pin Action

9.0

Versatility

8.0

Value for Money

9.0

The Pros

• Hammer's #1 all-time seller — 7,247 units and counting
• Gas Mask core on Aggression Pearl = length with violent backend
• Perfect transition piece to the Black Widow Solid
• Incredible value at $159.95 for a flagship asymmetric pearl

The Cons

• Backend can be too violent for straight players
• Less controllable than solid versions on fresh oil

Who Is This Ball For?

Hammer's all-time bestseller delivers massive length with explosive backend on Aggression Pearl at $159.95. Video reviews inside.

Medium-Heavy OilTournament

Technical Specifications

Core Details (Gas Mask Core)

RG (15 lbs) 2.5

Differential 0.058

Int. Differential 0.016

Coverstock Aggression Pearl Reactive

Core Type Asymmetric

Factory Finish 2000 Grit Polish

Color Black / Smoke

Release Date January 2022

How It Compares

9.5

Verified Bowler Reviews (337 reviews, 4.8/5 avg)

4.8out of 5

337 verified purchase reviews

96% of bowlers recommend this ball

Write a Review

Bowlers Say

Bowlers praise the Black Widow Ghost Pearl for its clean front reaction and strong backend finish. The Gas Mask core with Aggression Pearl coverstock provides excellent length through oil with angular downlane motion. Most find it slightly cleaner and more angular than the Pink Widow, making it ideal for medium oil house shots.

AI summary of 337 verified purchase reviews

Bowlers frequently mention:

Jenn Oct 13, 2021

I currently throw the Black Widow 2.0 and am averaging 182. I love the reaction I get, and can't wait to add this to my arsenal!

United States

Jeff Oct 15, 2021

This will be my forth Widow ball. I have the OG pearl, the purple sparkle and the 2.0 Alpha. Love the shape of all of them

United States

Fred Williams Oct 27, 2021

What more can anyone say other then 'WOW" The all new Black Widow Ghost is a Widow line lovers dream come true. Super clean threw the front part of the lane on the fresh. I've used mine on the burn as well and it keeps on chuggin. Pre order yours now. once this buzz hits these wont stay in stock long. Frederick Williams Radical Proshop Staff

United States

Nov 1, 2021

This ball is scary good! My specs are 4 ¾ x 1, 16 mph and 325 rpm rev rate. I drilled this ball 50 x 5 1/8 x 35. First game off the press was 269. It gave me a great look in the mids, plenty of length and a strong finish. I carried flush hits as well as off hits. I am a fan!

United States

Nov 2, 2021

So, I just punched the brand new Hammer Widow Ghost. The new Widow Ghost formally releases on November 19, 2021. The Ghost features the legendary Gas Mask Core wrapped by an Aggression Pearl cover. The new Ghost absolutely stands out in a crowd! My “vitals” are a 405 rev rate with a PAP of 5 9/16 over and 1/8 up. I drilled a Hammer Widow Ghost with a 40x5x25 layout. I have used this ball at 3000 Abralon. I have tried the new Widow Ghost on THS and the 2021 PBA Roth pattern. I have had over the years great success with Widows and Taboos. They all have featured the Gas Mask core with different covers. Every Widow I have drilled has earned a spot in my arsenal and will be the first out of the bag when an asymmetric core ball is the best option. The Widow Ghost seems to be no different. What I find interesting about the Ghost is this- the pre EBI acquisition Pink Widow featured the same coverstock as the Ghost. However, the new Ghost seems to be more responsive down lane when it sees friction compared to the Pink Widow. As with prior Widows, I expect this new Widow to suit many styles and can achieve multiple ball motions depending on layout. See your local pro shop for more information on the new Hammer Widow Ghost.

United States

Showing 1–5 of 96 verified reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil condition is the Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl best for?

The Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl is designed for medium-heavy oil conditions. It features a reactive pearl coverstock with a 2000 Grit Polish finish, which gives it the surface traction needed to grip through heavier oil patterns.

Is the Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl good for beginners?

The Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl is a high-performance ball with high hook potential, which may be difficult for beginners to control. It's better suited for intermediate to advanced bowlers who have developed a consistent release. Beginners should consider an entry-level ball like the Brunswick Rhino or Roto Grip Hustle series first.

What is the RG and differential of the Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl?

The Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl has an RG of 2.5 and a differential of 0.058, with an intermediate differential of 0.016. The lower RG means it revs up earlier, creating an earlier roll in the midlane. The high differential creates strong flare potential and aggressive ball motion.

How much does the Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl cost?

The Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl is priced at $159.95. This is a competitive price point for a ball in its performance category. You can find it at BowlersMart.com with free shipping and 60-day returns.

What type of bowler should use the Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl?

The Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl is best suited for bowlers who want maximum flare potential and angular ball motion. With its reactive pearl coverstock on medium-heavy conditions, it works well for medium to high rev rate players who need a ball that can handle oil and still make a strong move on the backend. Its high versatility makes it a great benchmark piece that can handle multiple conditions.