May The Force Be With You…

First Impressions
Alright, cheesy I know. The Pyramid Force is an easily readable heavy rolling ball. I had it drilled with a bit of a specialty layout and it does exactly what I hoped.

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
6.5/10
This is an interesting one. Given the price point, I think it breaches the area where bowlers will start to wonder if they should go with Pyramid or another known brand. However, the Force provides a massive core with a huge asymmetry and a moderate cover with a strong finish. So you save 30-40 bucks over a similarly spec’d high end ball from any other brand.

Specs
The Force uses the SG Precessional Asymmetric weight block wrapped with the GPS Navigational solid coverstock. Cover is finished with a 2000 Grit Abralon. For a 15lb ball, it has an RG of 2.53, diff of .051 and intermediate diff of .019.

Overall
8/10
OK, what was I expecting? Initially, I was going to use my typical all arounder layout and give this a whirl. Seeing that the Pyramid Force comes in a 2000 grit dull finish and a big ol’ core, I then turned my attention to a somewhat specialty layout. I decided to go with a 70 x 6 x 40. Why? Well with the typical conditions being medium to medium light, I’ve been struggling to use even middle of the road balls, let alone a heavy oil ball. I thought this would be an loping slow transition layout that would allow me to use this ball on lighter conditions I might otherwise not be able to use it on. Lo and behold, it worked perfectly. With this layout combined with the cover finish means the ball does get down lane while having a very smooth and predictable roll at the end of the pattern. The key is a smooth slower response to friction which makes the ball very able to control front to back reaction as opposed to seeing sweeping side to side motion which I would have had if I drilled it more standard. So I was playing the Force a lot more direct than any other Pyramid equipment on this pattern.
So for me, the lefty tweener, I could basically play in the track which is the first in quite some time. The ball is so smooth and predictable downlane while still having that heavy core hit at the pins. This is exactly what I hoped for and the Force did not dissapoint. Most of you will not lay it out so weak so you will surely see more overall ball motion. But I for one find it very beneficial to be able to use the biggest cored ball on typical house shots as I’m always looking for any edge to carry. On the other hand, tried the Force on the 33ml Viper pattern and the ball went 60 feet. The layout is just too weak for that type of volume.

Kevin laid his Pyramid Force on the stronger side with a stacked leverage type layout, 40 x 4 x 35. Kevin saw the same characteristics in that is is a very smooth heavy rolling ball. When you think it won’t turn over, it does. Shots that look like half-pocket hit like high flush. Kevin was also more direct with the Force. However, with his stronger layout, he could get further in and keep the breakpoint in the oil and still see that heavy roll.

In terms of misses, I missed so few times with this ball. When I tried to throw it “in the shoot”, it totally fluttered due to the very weak layout. The other leave at times was a flat corner, not surprising for a heavy rolling ball. Never once thought about over reacting. Kevin had room as well, but the stronger layout meant a bit less forgiveness. Misses in go high but not uncontrollably. Misses out could leave flat corners due to the ball bleeding energy but generally his ball was more lively downlane due to a stronger layout.

Final Thoughts
With the Pyramid Force, both testers got what they wanted. I wanted to use a very weak layout on a strong ball to make it more playable from direct lines. When I can stay in the track all day, I’m a happy camper and this ball carried like crazy from there. For Kevin, he wanted a strong ball with a layout he knows well. The heavy roll means that although you can’t get deep and swing this thing, it’s still a step up ball from moderate level balls. This ball definitely controls front to back because you don’t have to worry as much about side to side. If you do want more side to side, make the surface more shiny.