The Pyramid Curses the pins…
First Impressions
This is the one. The Curse is my favorite Pyramid bowling ball thus far. Good length and a strong consistent move with the best drive through the pins of all the Pyramid balls we’ve tested so far. Excellent match up to our test pattern.
Our Testers:
Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Speed/Rev Matched Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/8 down
Average Speed: 18.0 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Kevin Forman (Lefty)
Style: Speed/Rev Matched Tweener
RPM: 375 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 9/16 up
Average Speed: 18.0 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 15 Pounds
Thanks to Greg Bickta and Perfect Aim Pro Shop.
Thanks to Limerick Bowl in Limerick PA for providing the test lanes.
“Keep in mind that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core creates the dynamic shape of the reaction. Your driller will alter the shape to suit your game.”
Test Pattern:
40ft THS, 22ml
Value
9/10
The Pyramid Curse offers a pretty strong bang for the buck. While its price encroaches on the medium-end brand names, it offers a really nice usable benchmark reaction.
Specs
The Curse uses the SG Equinox Symmetric weight block wrapped with the GPS Navigational ATX solid coverstock. Cover is finished with a 2000 Grit Abralon/Factory Finish Polish. For a 15lb ball, it has an RG of 2.49, diff of .055.
Overall
9/10
OK, how to describe the Pyramid Curse? It uses a solid coverstock which seems to match this core extremely well. The cover offers control but good length. The coverstock is not finished like your typical polished solid out of box. It has a look like it’s been touched with 4000 grit abralon and then a very light coat of polish. I happen to find this finish to be the ideal match up to the lane surface. Not too slick and not too early. The Curse also has a large rolly low RG core along with a fairly strong differential. When I saw the core on paper, I was immediately drawn to its shape. So in the end you get length that you don’t have to fight to get downlane but then it starts up in the midlane and then really gets into a nice roll with an explosive hit through the pins. Very readable with a smoother transition than the Antidote.
This was the most outstanding characteristic of this seemingly great benchmark first out of the bag ball. However it entered the pocket, it had excellent carry. While I’ve had my share of benchmark balls that tell you what you should do, every now and again I run into a benchmark ball that is actually pretty versatile itself…and carries. The Pyramid Curse seems to be just that ball.
This was dead evident for Kevin as well. While our rev rate and speed are quite similar, Kevin is more up the back with less side rotation. Kevin just got up immediately and struck every ball seeing an easily readable reaction. Just watch how for both of us, shot after shot, the ball was dead flush through the pins. In fact I had to ask him to specifically miss to get a read on what happens when you’re not spot on.
When discussing misses, the Pyramid Curse is a good bowler’s dream. I’m referring to a bowler who rarely misses more than +/- 1-2 boards from their intended breakpoint. Not one single shot surprised us. It gave us what we put in. You miss outside, you’re going to come in a little light. Miss in, you’ll come in a little heavy. Most leaves wind up being corner pin or if a bit high 4 or 6, if you’re lefty or righty, respectively. Neither of us saw any punishing leaves on misses.
Final Thoughts
The Pyramid Curse seems to have the magic formula of cover to core matchup along with excellent drive through the pins and carry. Honestly, I could easily see this ball being first out of the bag for sometime on the typical house shots we see around here. If I had to choose, the Curse is the pick of the litter from Pyramid!