Storm IQ Tour 78-U being a little confused on house shot. #stormbowling #stormnation #iqtour78u

Storm IQ Tour 78 Review

The Storm IQ Tour 78 delivers smooth urethane control on dry to medium oil with its Control 78 cover and predictable arcing motion. See ratings & video.

By BowlingBallVideos.com Staff Tested Apr 4, 2026 2 videos analyzed 49 verified bowler reviews
8.6
Overall
Great Score
Weight
12-16 lbs
Coverstock
Urethane
Core
Symmetric
Hook
Low
Price
$159.95

Performance Analysis

Performance Analysis

The IQ Tour 78 features Storm’s C3 Centripetal Control Core paired with the Control 78 Solid Urethane coverstock, creating a combination designed for controlled ball motion. With an RG of 2.49 and differential of .029, this symmetric core promotes a smooth, predictable reaction that reads the midlane well while providing modest backend movement. The 500-grit factory finish gives the ball enough surface to grip dry to medium oil conditions effectively.

This ball excels in situations where control trumps raw hook potential. The urethane coverstock provides consistent traction throughout the lane, making it an excellent choice for spare shooting, sport patterns, or house shots that have broken down. At $159.95, it represents solid value in Storm’s Master Line, offering many of the brand’s quality construction benefits at a more accessible price point than their premium asymmetric offerings.

Who Is This Ball For?

  • Bowlers seeking controlled ball motion
  • Players on drier lane conditions
  • Those looking to add urethane versatility to their arsenal
Hook Potential
4.0
Length Through Heads
7.0
Back-End Continuity
3.0
Pin Action
5.0
Versatility
6.0
Value for Money
7.0

The Pros

  • Excellent control and predictability
  • Strong midlane read for urethane
  • Affordable price point for Storm quality

The Cons

  • Limited hook potential compared to reactive
  • May struggle on heavier oil patterns

Who Is This Ball For?

The Storm IQ Tour 78 delivers smooth urethane control on dry to medium oil with its Control 78 cover and predictable arcing motion. See ratings & video.

Bowlers seeking controlled ball motionPlayers on drier lane conditionsThose looking to add urethane versatility to their arsenal

Technical Specifications

Core Details (Storm C3 Centripetal Control Core Core)
RG (15 lbs) 2.49
Differential 0.029
Coverstock Control 78 Solid Urethane
Core Type Symmetric
Factory Finish 500 Grit
Color Red

How It Compares

More Videos (1)

Storm IQ Tour 78-U first look #stormbowling #iqtour78u #urethane
0:00 Influencer

Storm IQ Tour 78-U first look #stormbowling #iqtour78u #urethane

TamerBowling

Verified Bowler Reviews (92 reviews, 4.9/5 avg)

4.9out of 5

92 verified purchase reviews

98% of bowlers recommend this ball

Write a Review

Bowlers Say

Bowlers say the IQ Tour 78U delivers controlled, predictable urethane reaction with the C3 core compensating for the harder 78 hardness cover. Works exceptionally well on short sport patterns and for maintaining control in friction, though many note it's primarily needed for PBA compliance rather than general league play. Some bowlers report it's weaker overall than traditional urethane like Pitch Black but provides better pin carry and continuation downlane.

AI summary of 92 verified purchase reviews

Bowlers frequently mention:

Steven Collins Dec 19, 2023

Dual Angle Layout: 60 x 5 x 40 Storm Vector Layout: 5 x 4 ¾ x 2 ¾ This ball has that controlled, early urethane reaction with the hardness compliance of the PBA tour in 2024. Very smooth predictable reaction which is very comparable to the Pitch Black.

fazzone22 Dec 20, 2023

With the PBAs new urethane rule that start the beginning of 2024, it was only a matter of time before Storm came out with something. Introducing the iQ Tour 78U, the ball features the iconic C3 core that has been in the iQ Tour for over 10 years and the new Controll 78 Urethane solid cover. This ball comes out of the box pretty dull with 500 grit finish to help with the added hardness and with the lower RG in the core I expected it to be way different than anything else SPI has created with urethane. I drilled mine like my favorite Fast Pitch, 5.5 x 1 and man I am super excited to have this ball in my bag. This ball is easy 4-5 boards of more overall hook than my Fast Pitch was so I believe I can use this on patterns with more volume and even a couple feet longer. It still gives me that typical urethane shape even with the hardness being higher. If you are in the market for an new urethane ball, look no farther than the iQ Tour 78U.

Onefrombills Dec 20, 2023

Hey everyone, I'm back with another ball review, and this time it's for the Storm !Q Tour 78-U. In 14 pounds this ball is wrapped in the Controll 78 Solid Urethane Cover and has the C³ Centripetal Control and has an RG of 2.54, Diff of .034. The layout for this ball is 4x4x2 Urethane…..I am not sure that a piece of raw material has changed and divided a sport or industry as much as urethane has. No matter what side of the fence you are on it is here and doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon. I honestly can attest that this is not a ball that I will use a lot and that is not because it is bad, but the fact is that controlled urethane reaction is best suited for those with a much higher rev rate then mine. With proper urethane reaction it has an early hook and stays continuous but for me I saw it as early due to the 500 grit surface and the ball burned up/rolled out. Standing on 20 and trying to “hook” it just had the ball roll out and I could move all the way right and throw it directly at the pocket but the ball hit very light. For me and low rev guys that can not get that urethane reaction can rely on a weaker ball like a Storm Tropical Surge or a Roto Grip Hustle. My best suggestion as always is to find a Matchmaker Live to throw the new balls and talk with the Pro Shop and/or Pro that is there on what ball is best for you. Check us out on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/onefrombills Get out to your STORM VIP shop or Pro Shop and get yours today! BOWLER STYLE: RH - Power Stroker Rev Rate: 320 Ball Speed: 15-16 PAP: 4 7/8 right 3/8 up. #Storm #VISE #BowlersChoiceProShop #BabesAndBallsBowling #LogoInfusion or #IAmBowling (coupon code HIRSCH 20% off at checkout)

Zachary Woelfel Dec 20, 2023

The all new !Q 78/U is Storm’s newest urethane ball in response to USBC Hardness rule being put in place. This ball is everything that I would have expected out of it, it is strong, slow, and reads the front of the lanes well. I am pleasantly surprised with what I have seen so far, with the harder cover I was worried that it would never hook. However, the R&D at storm did a good job putting a stronger core in this ball to combat this issue. From what I have seen so far, I would suggest drilling this ball with a weaker VAL angle (25-35 degrees) than a “traditional urethane” layout (0-10 degrees) to help the ball continue more downlane. I have seen a few other staffers drill the 78/U with a 10 degree VAL and it looked good, however, it looked like they were forced to have extremely tight angles in order to get optimum carry. With a weaker VAL, I am able to see more downlane shape so I can keep the ball in front of me and I can also move in and open up my angles a bit without sacrificing pin carry. All in all, I think that storm did a great job in such a short amount of time to combat the new PBA hardness rule changes. Go out and get yours December 15th at your local SPI proshop! Layout: Dual Angle: 45 x 4½ x 35 Vector: 4½ x 4 x 2¼

Zachary Woelfel Dec 20, 2023

The all new !Q 78/U is Storm’s newest urethane ball in response to USBC Hardness rule being put in place. This ball is everything that I would have expected out of it, it is strong, slow, and reads the front of the lanes well. I am pleasantly surprised with what I have seen so far, with the harder cover I was worried that it would never hook. However, the R&D at storm did a good job putting a stronger core in this ball to combat this issue. From what I have seen so far, I would suggest drilling this ball with a weaker VAL angle (25-35 degrees) than a “traditional urethane” layout (0-10 degrees) to help the ball continue more downlane. I have seen a few other staffers drill the 78/U with a 10 degree VAL and it looked good, however, it looked like they were forced to have extremely tight angles in order to get optimum carry. With a weaker VAL, I am able to see more downlane shape so I can keep the ball in front of me and I can also move in and open up my angles a bit without sacrificing pin carry. All in all, I think that storm did a great job in such a short amount of time to combat the new PBA hardness rule changes. Go out and get yours December 15th at your local SPI proshop! Layout: Dual Angle: 45 x 4½ x 35 Vector: 4½ x 4 x 2¼

Showing 1–5 of 49 verified reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What oil condition is the Storm IQ Tour 78 best for?
The Storm IQ Tour 78 is designed for medium-light oil conditions. It features a urethane coverstock with a 500 Grit finish, which gives it the length and control needed on lighter oil patterns where stronger balls would overreact.
Is the Storm IQ Tour 78 good for beginners?
The Storm IQ Tour 78 has low hook potential, making it a forgiving option that newer bowlers can control. Its predictable motion helps build confidence while still providing enough reaction to develop technique.
What is the RG and differential of the Storm IQ Tour 78?
The Storm IQ Tour 78 has an RG of 2.49 and a differential of 0.029. The lower RG means it revs up earlier, creating an earlier roll in the midlane. The lower differential keeps the ball motion smooth and controlled.
How much does the Storm IQ Tour 78 cost?
The Storm IQ Tour 78 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 Storm IQ Tour 78?
The Storm IQ Tour 78 is best suited for bowlers looking for a predictable, smooth ball motion. With its urethane coverstock on medium-light conditions, it works well for speed-dominant players and straighter bowlers who need control without over-hooking.

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