Track’s New Benchmark
Track releases another solid mid-line control ball in the 503C.
Remember that coverstock accounts for 70% of ball reaction, but the core will create the dynamic shape. Your drilling will alter the shape to suit your game and conditions you bowl on. Kyle Hartzell of BowlerX is our tester. Let me briefly describe the layout and what it’s intention is. Kyle’s layout is 65 x 5 1/4 x 35. This ball is drilled to get into a roll a little later and transition a little quicker at the breakpoint.
Please work with your local pro shop operator to find what best works for you.
First Impressions
This ball really has that benchmark-like reaction. In contrast to the flippier 607A, this is a smooth ball, really embodying the “C” reaction Track claims it offers. The cover offers a quite clean reaction through the heads, allowing the ball to store more energy for the backends. Although this ball has more “juice” than the 505C, it is still easily recognizable as a control ball. It would likely provide even more control with the polish removed, for flatter patterns.
Value 9/10
I love mid-line balls as I believe they generally tend to offer strong value for the money. This is a pretty versatile ball and is worth the investment as a benchmark.
Core
The Pacman core is brand new. It is an assymetrical core with an RG of 2.51 and differential of .057 and a very low .003 intermediate differential (15 pound ball). It offers added length as compared to the shuttle core with more flare potential.
Cover 9/10
The 503C uses the MP GEN 4C. I’m inclined to reduce the rating simply because I hate the naming convention, but I wouldn’t be that shallow. Anyway, this seems to be a pretty versatile cover. The factory finish is 800, 1000, 2000, 4000 with factory polish. It’s a nice taper offering a pretty smooth ball reaction. I can see many taking the polish off with 4000 grit to get a bit more traction.
Reaction 9/10
As mentioned earlier, this ball has a nice controlled ball reaction. It’s smooth, but not weak. The polished shinier finish allows this ball to get some length with a decent backend. It has a very predictable motion which is still capable of recovering with slight misses. With the factory finish, most will be able to use it on medium and medium light shots. It might be a little skiddish on medium-heavy shots. For those with less hand, you will want to knock the polish off even on medium conditions. It’s a ball that can be first out of the bag and will let you know what the condition is like. It will also get lots of play as it covers the most typical THS these days, medium to medium-light. Really nice compliment to the “A” balls Track has.
Overall 9/10
This is a very solid benchmark offering from Track. They are spot on with the naming convention on this one and it will be one of the more versatile balls they offer. If you also compete on flatter patterns, you will like this offering. It’s one of those balls where if you are a Track fan and only could have one, this would be the one I’d recommend.