Hammer Purple Solid Reactive Review
While no longer in production, the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive remains a solid option on the used market for bowlers seeking predictable performance on medium-heavy oil conditions. The symmetric LED core and moderate differential make it ideal for players who value consistency over aggressive backend reaction.
Performance Analysis
Performance Analysis
The Purple Solid Reactive is built around restraint. The LED core carries a high 2.58 RG and a low .027 differential, which by design means the ball holds its energy longer through the front and produces minimal track flare downlane: a smooth, even, low-drama shape from foul line to pins. The solid reactive cover at 1500 grit is the counterweight, giving the ball enough surface texture to read oil rather than skating through it the way a polished pearl with these core numbers would. The result is the ratings line you see: a 7 for length, a modest 5 for backend, and a 6 for hook, the profile of a ball that arcs rather than snaps.
That combination earns its 7 versatility rating through predictability rather than power. Because the low differential keeps flare to a minimum, the Purple Solid responds to release changes proportionally; small adjustments produce small reaction changes, which is exactly what developing and control-oriented bowlers need from a first reactive piece. Hammer’s own 9-styles release footage shows the same readable, forgiving motion across very different deliveries. The honest limits are in the cons: there is no big backend move in this ball no matter the layout, and despite the solid cover, the weak core means it gives up energy on lighter, drier lanes, where it tends to hook early and hit soft.
Who Is This Ball For?
This ball is best understood as a bridge piece. Bowlers stepping up from plastic or entry-level equipment get a genuine reactive cover without the over/under reaction that punishes an inconsistent release, making it one of the friendlier solid reactives to learn lane play on. Strokers and lower-rev players who simply prefer a long, even arc will also find a lot to like, and the smooth shape works as a control option when stronger equipment starts over-responding to transition. With reactive traction but minimal flare, it can even moonlight as a dry-lane or burn ball in a more advanced bag.
Who should look elsewhere: power players and anyone who wants the ball to do work at the breakpoint, since the 5 backend rating is a fact of the .027 differential, not a drilling problem. Bowlers facing genuinely demanding volume should also reach for something with more core, as this is the entry rung of the reactive ladder rather than a heavy-oil tool. Discontinued since its November 2022 release, the Purple Solid now lives on the used market, where the 8 value rating makes sense: a forgiving, predictable reactive at secondhand prices is an easy recommendation for budget-minded league bowlers.
The Pros
- • Predictable ball motion with symmetric core
- • Good length through heads with solid coverstock
- • Affordable option on used market since discontinuation
The Cons
- • Limited backend reaction due to low differential
- • Lacks versatility for lighter oil conditions
Who Is This Ball For?
While no longer in production, the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive remains a solid option on the used market for bowlers seeking predictable performance on medium-heavy oil conditions. The symmetric LED core and moderate differential make it ideal for players who value consistency over aggressive backend reaction.
Technical Specifications
How It Compares
More Videos (1)
This isn't a Purple Hammer Replacement | It's Reactive with Less Hook | Hammer NU 2.0 Deep Dive
Creating the DifferenceVerified Bowler Reviews (49 reviews, 5.0/5 avg)
Bowlers Say
Bowlers praise the Purple Solid Reactive as the perfect complement to the Purple Pearl Urethane, offering more backend pop and length for rev-challenged or speed-dominant players. The ball provides smooth, controllable motion that excels on sport shots and house patterns, with excellent pin carry and the ability to handle transitions. Common praise includes its predictable ball reaction and versatility across oil conditions.
AI summary of 49 verified purchase reviews
Bowlers frequently mention:
It gets no better than this. The all new Hammer Purple Reactive will turn heads just like it Big Brother the Purple Pearl Urethane. These two balls make a perfect 1-2 punch. Bowlers with either slow ball speed and rev challenged will definitely enjoy it. A house shot killer has been born. This ball will be in every true Hammerheads bags.
United States
The purple hammer reactive is a fun new edition to the bag. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I drilled it but what I got was a smooth controlled purple hammer urethane look on steroids. This is a major upgrade on the entry level spot in my bag. I will be using this ball a lot on the shorter patterns. I can see this ball being very useful for people who want the purple hammer urethane motion but lack the revs or have a lot of speed. I also think this will be useful when the urethane looses its pop down lane from the carry down this ball should provide the extra pop down lane.
United States
This ball is going to be something very special a must have in your bag if your bowling on a sports patterns. What makes this special is when you’re bowling on a sport shot and when your purple urethane hammer is rolling too soon and dying on the back this is the ball you’re going to switch to get you a little bit more down lane with the pop on the back. You can also use this ball on your medium and lighter house shots. This ball is something special and it should be in everyone’s bag.
United States
I have had a chance to drill the brand new Hammer Purple REACTIVE. This is a brand new release to complement the Hammer Purple Urethane. The Purple Reactive features the same core in the Purple Urethane wrapped by a Solid Reactive cover finished at 1500 Siaair. However, from the Hammer website, due to the different coverstock, the core numbers are slightly different...a little lower RG and slightly higher differential. I tried the ball today on a 40 foot, 4:1. 30ml challenge pattern at box surface. The pattern was fresh. For layout, I copied the layout on my favorite Purple Urethane Hammer, 40 x 5 x 10. When we got the information on the new Hammer Purple Reactive, suffice it to say the ball piqued my curiosity. I've had very good success with the Purple Urethane Hammer shown below on a number of patterns and to see the same core wrapped by an aggressive reactive cover...yeah that sounded like a fantastic combination! I will say thus far, the new Purple Reactive Hammer was more impressive than I expected. Granted, there are dry boards to the right, but the pattern still has almost 31 ml of oil. I wasn't sure this new release would match up given the core numbers. Boy was I surprised. The new Purple Reactive handled the volume with ease.The motion is best described as smooth but very continuous. Once the Purple Reactive sees the friction it truly continues. What I think impressed me was once the transition began, I figured, again given the core/cover combination, I would need to stay further right. I figured that if I needed to go with steeper angles, the ball wouldn't get there. Boy was I wrong! After trying to stay further right with hand, sight and speed adjustments with spotty success, I decided to jump 5 left, get around it a little more and throw it to the same spot. The Purple Reactive made the corner without any issues and just kept coming. I was truly surprised that this core/cover combination in the Purple Reactive Hammer could do that so easily. It just kept ending up behind the 8 pin spot in the pit. This ball truly impressed me going through the pins. The new Purple Reactive Hammer is available. Please see your pro shop for more information.
United States
The Purple ball on the market is now a reactive ball. For the bowlers that could not get "The Purple Urethane" to tip downlane, the new Purple reactive is for you. I, along with a lot of other bowlers could not get the purple urethane to hook in the right part of the lane. The new reactive is great compliment to the urethane. The reactive has the pop downlane with the urethane roll. The new reactive also takes surface adjustments very well. The new Hammer Purple Reactive is very continuous through the pins. Now Hammer has the best of both worlds with the 2 best PURPLE balls on the market.
United States
Showing 1–5 of 25 verified reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
What oil condition is the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive best for?
Is the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive good for beginners?
What is the RG and differential of the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive?
How much does the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive cost?
What type of bowler should use the Hammer Purple Solid Reactive?
Explore More Reviews
Other Medium-Heavy Oil Balls
More from Hammer
Never Miss a Release
Join serious bowlers getting the weekly data dump on new ball releases and performance data.