First Impressions
For some bowlers, Tour balls are a must and the Gremlin Tour-X will be that for those bowlers.

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Tamer Elbaga (Lefty)
Style: Tweener
RPM: 365 rpm
PAP: 5 1/8 & 3/8 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium/high
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 4.5 x 45

Tyler Church (Righty)
Style: Power Player
RPM: 425 rpm
PAP: 5 1/2 & 1/2 up
Average Speed: 19 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: low
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 50 x 5.25 x 50

Bryan Hoffman (Righty)
Style: Stroker
RPM: 280 rpm
PAP: 4 1/2 & 1 1/2 up
Average Speed: 18.5 mph (at release)
Axis tilt: high
Axis rotation: medium
Test Equipment: 14 Pounds
Layout: 55 x 4.75 x 45

“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.”

Pattern
THS: 44ft, 25.8ml, 12:1 ratio
Sport: TBD

Specs
The Roto Grip Gremlin Tour-X uses the new Rondure™ TOUR-X asymmetric core inside the new V-R1™ Hybrid Reactive coverstock.

15 pound = RG of 2.48, diff of .034, mb of .011
14 pound = RG of 2.52, diff of .034, mb of .010
Coverstock finish: 4000 abralon

Tweener’s Take
Let’s quickly cover the technicals on the new Gremlin Tour-X. Roto Grip adjusted the density to bring the differential down on the Rondure core to .034 in that control territory. That creates that predictable smooth but deceptively strong backend. The mid range V-R1 hybrid is stronger than the R2S for example from the IQ Tour. Long story short, the Gremlin Tour-X essentially gives you an amped up IQ Tour look. Same shape, just stronger motion overall. I typically wind up putting tour balls in the specialty category. They can fit in Mid Control as well but what I’ve found is that these balls tend to be a little more sensitive for my game. Meaning, Yes they tend to give me pocket but carry can be iffy. Then other times, I get over/under because they winds up being very release sensitive. Tour balls have a “thinner” ball reaction meaning midlane is typically not very strong so the transition is noticeable because the hook phase can look a little quicker. Now specifically, I started with a shape I really like but left several corner pins or 6 pins on fresh. Then as it broke down just a smidge, meaning 1-2 games into the pattern breakdown and all of a sudden, it felt like I couldn’t miss.

Power Player’s Perspective
As we take a look at Tyler’s perspective, you will likely see some of that over/under I was talking about. The balls that are right on look great. I think what makes tour balls so good on sport patterns is the thing that makes sometimes struggle on heavily walled house shots. I’ve described this previously but house patterns have the wall on the sides of the lane whereas sport patterns have the wall at the end of the pattern. They are perpendicular to each other. So a tour ball that has a low diff makes it predictable as it goes over the cliff at the end of the sport pattern and also has fairly mild read of the lane earlier which matches the much narrower transition of oil ratios from side to side. On a house shot, the higher volume dictates the balls slide phase and then the ball begins to react to the friction as you hit the wall towards the side of the lane as opposed to the end. That makes it sensitive to wear you hit the friction on the side. Depth perception is much harder in that way which leads to more unpredictable motion sometimes. As opposed to a big cored heavy surface ball which is so strong it combats the lane and smooths things out.

Stroker’s Stance
Next is Bryan and his look with the Gremlin Tour-X was quite good. His ability to straddle the friction line and higher tilt allowed the ball to get down the lane and store enough energy to have a nice punchy motion. Because he doesn’t have to cross lots of boards, the ball maintains that controlled but punchy tour ball behavior. It’s pretty straightforward and hard to say much more. Bryan really felt the Gremlin Tour-X gave him just enough of a mid lane read with a reliable punchy arc. He would occasionally leave a corner which isn’t a surprise with this shape. He could move in a couple of boards and maintain pocket but much more than that, and he would lose hit. He had even miss room in and out in that zone.

Final Thoughts
The Roto Grip Gremlin Tour-X fits nicely in the mid control slot especially for those bowlers who are bowling on flatter patterns. Some bowlers really get on with these IQ Tour type balls in the middle of their bag even on house shots, the Tour-X is basically a slightly amped version so if you liked the IQ Tour shape and wished for something a smidge stronger, this is your ticket.

Thanks for watching.