Hammer Black Widow Gold Review

Bowling Ball: Black Widow GOLD BALL WEIGHT: 15 REV RATE: 450 BALL SPEED: 17.5 DUAL ANGLE LAYOUT: 70 x 4.5 x 40 PATTERN: Scorpion and Great Wall PATTERN TYPE: PBA and Modified House BALL SURFACE: 2000 sanded COMMENTS: This ball I can honestly say I was not looking forward to throwing but after I drilled it up and put holes in it

Here is my take on the new Hammer Black Widow Gold. The new Gold Widow features the ever popular Gas Mask core manufactured in the carbon fiber process. Thus, like all Hammers, this ball carries with it a 3 year Warranty. Semtex Pearl is the coverstock material used for the Gold Widow- the same cover featured the Hammer Phobia and the record setting Scandal Pearl. Box finish is 2000 Abralon with Factory Finish Polish. For comparison of the Gold Widow, I used a similarly drilled Black Taboo. They both have one of my favorite layouts for a Gas Mask core ball. The layout is 45 x 6 x 35 with weight hole on the PAP. My "vitals" are a 405 rev rate, a PAP of 5 9/16th over and 1/8 up. I have thrown this ball at box surface and dusted with a 2000 Abralon pad. I have tried this ball on THS, modified THS and PBA Badger. Compared to the Black Taboo, the Gold Widow is definitely more angular. At box surface for the THS and Modified THS, I found a bit of over/under and sensitivity to transition. However, once I dusted the ball with a worn 2000 pad (to get a little shine off) the Gold Widow responded infinitely better. I found a little earlier pick-up in the midlane but definitely a more consistent, defined ball motion with less sensitivity to any midlane transition. On Badger, I was able to make it work with a "more aggressive" 2000 surface (used a newer pad) and keeping my angles very closed. Personally, the Gas Mask core balls have always matched up very well for my game and I have been always able to achieve many different shapes/ball motions with Gas Mask Cores. (Same with Vibe cores) I believe the Black Widow Gold will offer similar variety depending on layout. I would say the Gold Widow is best suited for medium volume patterns with a variety of distances being in play. Like with most Gas Mask core balls, many different styles of play will find success with this ball. In the past, I have used Gas Mask core balls on many different pattern distances (depending on layout used)

For this ball I used a 65 x 5 x 40 layout which put the pin above the bridge. For me this ball gives me easy length and a strong, controlled back end motion. I really liked this ball on our house shot, it gave me a consistent angular motion. If you are a fan of the black widow series, this is a must own!

Lane Patterns Used: 42' House Shot, Kegel Route 66, Kegel Dead Man's Curve, Kegel Taj Mahal BALL LAYOUT: 50 x 5 3/8 x 35 I love the Semtex Pearl coverstock on my Phobia, so when I heard that the same cover is on the famous Gas Mask core of the Black Widow, very excited to hear this. The coverstock helps get the ball really clean through the fronts and offer a BIG backend motion that Hammerhead fans like to see. I see this cover a little stronger than advertised for a pearl ball and handles the heavier medium patterns with ease. This ball is definitely a great ball for the typical house patterns as you can keep moving left (right handed) and the ball will not quit on you. Black Widow GOLD really shines when you need to get inside the pattern and need a ball to turn the corner in the backends for various medium to medium-heavier lane patterns. It will allow various styles of bowlers be able to start straighter and chase the oil if needed. For me, BW GOLD is about 4 boards stronger overall & more angullar than the Phobia, which is another great ball from Hammer. I really like what I see in this new release from Hammer and I think this ball will be a must have ball for those that are looking for something that offers a great motion to have an angular asymmetrical rolling ball in your bag. - it really continues through the pin deck! Very versatile ball