High RG vs Low RG bowling ball- which one is better for you? RG is the acronym for Radius of Gyration, also known as Gyradius.
The lower the Radius of Gyration for a given ball, the earlier the hook. Higher RG bowling balls add length to your game.
In this article, we are focused on Bowling Balls with a High Radius of Gyration.
Best 5 High RG Bowling Ball Comparison Chart
5 Highest RG Bowling Ball Indepth Reviews
1. Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane Bowling Ball
- Urethane Pearl cover stock
- Symmetrical LED core
- 500/1000/2000 Abralon
Do you not want your bowling ball to rev up quickly? The Hammer Purple Pearl is just the bowling ball for you! With an RG value of 2.65, this high RG bowling ball’s mass is spread more towards the cover than the center, meaning the ball is cover-heavy. So when you roll this bad boy on the lane, it generates more length through the front end.
Paired with the low Differential (0.015), this heavy-duty urethane coverstock bowling ball rolls comparatively later with a Smooth Arc from beginning to the end. Plus, it has low flare potential because of its low differential. This means, the less flare this ball has, the less its coverstock will touch the lane surface. And, when less of the surface will be in contact with the lane, the later the bowling ball will hook.
The Hammer Purple Pearl is not your typical urethane! Why is that? Well, it gives a lot more back end reaction than your usual ones. So once you can properly pick this ball up, the ball will begin to hit the pockets with desired energy and knock around the pins like an underdog. Indeed, the ball has a combination of “old school technology and new school hitting power”. Let’s not forget how great this ball can read the lane and can deal with any tough patterns.
Pros:
- The perfect pearlized cover is finished to a 500/1000/2000 Abralon matte surface, making it suitable for any dry or light oil lane conditions
- Smooth rolls with adequate speed
- Pretty easy to control as it stays on the lane longer
- Smooth breakpoint and angular hooking
- Opens up the lane for more angles
- Hits the pins hard, therefore more strikes
- Great skid and hook phase
Cons:
- Responds a bit slow to the lane friction. That’s why it starts to read the lane slightly later.
2. Brunswick DV8 Quantum White Bowling Ball
- Product Type: Sporting Goods
- Item Package Dimensions: 21.082 L X 21.59 W X 23.368 H (Cm)
- Country Of Origin: Mexico
- Item Package Weight: 6.69 kgs
The tale of the legends continues with the Quantum White Solid Bowling Ball by none other than Brunswick! Did you ever play with other Quantum balls before? Then you must know how Brunswick put attention to detail when it comes to a ball’s backend reaction, breakpoint, and optimum performance. And guess what? This ball is no exception.
Right off the bat, the solid reactive coverstock is paired with the Quantum Mushroom High RG Symmetric core. Based on the ball weight, the RG varies from 2.557 to 2.610. This stipulates the fact that this special bowling ball has plenty of skid length of overall motion. And why is it a piece of good news? Well, this ball can show enough skid length when it reaches the mid-lane. This takes place right before it transitions into the hook phase at the skid/flip breakpoint.
Since the differential is a high number, 0.053, you will be allowed to adjust lengths five times more than lower differential bowling balls. When you’re playing on a medium lane condition, this black beauty will offer above-average hitting power. See the pins fly! The noticeably smooth ball motion, from the front lane till the end of the lane, is everything you need in the best high RG bowling ball.
Pros:
- Amazing energy storing ability for highest hitting power
- Enables surface adjustments for players, meaning great versatility
- The 500 Siaair with Crown Factory Compound finish is perfect for mediumheavy lanes
- Extremely predictable, continuous and clean
- Easy to control and adjust
- Pro-level performance with consistency
- Effortless back-end reaction
- Early hooking due to its high flare potential
Cons:
- None
3. Storm Hy-Road Bowling Ball
Do you know when Storm Hy-Road first hit the market? In 2008! And, yes, it has its own cult followers. The combination of R2S coverstock and Inverted Fe² Technology core is just the thing you need in a high RG bowling ball. And why is this a high RG ball? Well, this RG value for this ball is 2.570 and the differential value is 0.046. Moreover, it has high flare potential (5-6”). What else is there to ask for?
Storm Hy-Road is designed to turn the corner hard precisely in the mid-lane. Right after the release, the ball starts to roll with maximum strength, and then it goes smoothly to the pocket without giving up any energy. What’s impressive is the effortless moves you see when it hooks and of course, its pin explosion ability.
Bowlers who have recently upgraded their ranks and want to try their first mid-performance bowling balls, this bowling ball will do the trick. As a mid-level bowler, you will definitely enjoy its controllable and smooth backend motion. See your average change imperceptibly. Now, do you see why this ball is so raved about? So, buckle up fellas. Be ready to crush your opponent with this old-school beauty.
Pros:
- The 5050 solid and pearl mixed cover has the perfect polished finish to be played on medium to heavy lane conditions
- Performance advancing with its amazing control
- Smooth and aggressive turning in the midlane
- No loss of energy throughout the ball travel
- Amazing energy storing ability for highest hitting power
- Effortless motion and back-end reaction
Cons:
- If you have played with other high RG balls before, you’ll see this ball offers fewer adjustment options on the lane. Hence, it’s not suitable for professional bowlers.
4. Pyramid Antidote Solid Bowling Ball
- New Era 149 Symmetric Core, 2.55 RG, 0.054 Differential (Medium Flare Potential)
- GPS Navigational Solid Coverstock with 2000-Grit Abralon/Factory Polish Finish
- Gives Benchmark motion on Medium Lanes
- Versatile drilling options for different bowling styles
- Perfect Scale Rating: 201.60
When push comes to shove, you need a ball that will help you get through against all odds. Yes, we’re talking about the Pyramid Antidote Solid Bowling Ball! This High RG (2.55) + High Differential (0.54) New Era 149 Symmetric core technology is made for maximum continuation and flare potential. Despite producing later rolls, the ball has a controllable and angular breakpoint shape.
So what about its coverstock? Well, the GPS Navigational Solid reactive coverstock is to die for! Just because it has controlled motion, don’t think that’s a weakness by any means. Imagine a high RG bowling ball that lets you play a little straighter with maximum energy and allows you to control the motion off the spot. Yep! That’s the Antidote for you!
When this baby transitions it keeps up its strong rolling motion and goes through the pins followed by a great move downlane. If you dig balls with magnificent hooking ability and carry, you need this ball in your life. On top of that, the Antidote bowling ball will let you play 5 to 8 boards further right than other best high RG bowling balls. It surely does open up the pockets enough which is expected from a high diff/high RG bowling ball.
Pros:
- The 2000 Grit Abralon/Factory polished finish is perfect for heavy and medium lane conditions. So you can keep on playing even when the lane seems to have dried up a bit.
- Outstanding advanced performance
- Bang for a buck
- Reads the lane right on time
- No overreaction on the backend
- No snappy or abrupt change in direction
- No loss of energy throughout the ball travel
Cons:
- None
5. Motiv Ripcord Bowling Ball
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RIP – for your fellow opponent because the Motiv Ripcord Bowling Ball is designed to show no mercy! This creation by Motiv is for bowlers who want insane angularity on the lanes using a high RG (2.53) + moderate differential (0.047) bowling ball. It also features the symmetric Oblivion core which is covered with the Infusion Pearl Reactive coverstock.
As we all know, the higher the differential, the more the bowling ball will flare. Since this ball has a moderate differential, it has medium flare potential (5”). This indicates that the Motiv Ripcord has plenty of stability. Because it has high RG, it revs up a later compared to a low RG bowling ball. Let’s not forget the length the ball offers with exceptional backend reaction. It’s true, continuation through the bowling pins with intact energy is pretty rare. But guess what? Ripcord is here to deliver that.
Now, what if you notice that the front lane has started to dry up and it will require you to move in a bit to open up the angles? Don’t you worry! You can easily move in any way you want and still bowl just fine. The Ripcord will always be clean through the fronts, and then hooks on time, and of course, it still manages to rip off the friction on the back end. The name is justified because of its performance. So, get this baby for your next match and let it RIP with the ultimate Ripcord bowling ball from Motiv!
Pros:
- Exceptionally clean on the fronts and back ends
- Aggressively angular motion
- The 5000 LSP is just the thing you need for medium-heavy lane conditions
- Suitable for all players
- No loss of energy throughout the ball travel
- Amazing energy storing ability for highest hitting power
- Great skid and hook phase
- Very responsive and clean off the friction
Cons:
- If you’re a stroker, you might have some hard time adjusting to this ball
What to consider before purchasing higher RG bowling Balls?
Is your goal to buy the best high RG bowling ball? Are you not sure where to start? Or how to tell whether your chosen bowling ball has high RG? Well, we are happy to guide you and make your wish come true. So keep an eye on these few factors before you make a purchase.
Ball Specification:
Always, and I repeat, always check the ball’s specs before buying a bowling bag. In general, you will find that the bowling ball websites mention the RG, differential, flare potentials, etc. If you’re buying it from a physical pro shop, go through the spec sheet carefully. Numerical values like- 2.680” – 2.800” indicate High RG, 2.570” – 2.680” indicate medium RG, and 2.460” – 2.570” indicate low RG. If you know these ranges, you will be able to tell whether that ball has a high RG or not.
Ball’s Performance:
Of course, a low RG and a high RG bowling ball have different performances. With a high RG bowling ball, you will notice that the ball is reading the lane a bit later, and therefore, it starts to rev a little later as well. On the bright side, a high RG ball is very consistent when it comes to maintaining the maximum energy from the fronts till it hits the pockets, followed by a quite angular breakpoint.
Bowling Lane:
Lane is also another important factor that you should take into consideration. When a bowling ball has a High RG, it revs a bit later on the lane as the majority of the mass is placed at the top of the ball’s core. So to achieve the ball’s consistent motion on the lane, go for a heavy oiled lane. Medium-heavy lanes also do just fine.
Your Rank and Skill:
Are you a beginner or a professional? Or have you been recently upgraded to a higher rank? If you’re very new to this sport, you don’t need a bowling ball with higher RG. But for bowlers who are now advanced or professionals, it will be beneficial to play with a high RG bowling ball.
Your Bowling Speed:
Your bowling speed also affect your RG. If you’re a high-speed player, good news for you! You are more likely to match up with your high RG bowling ball better than you do with a low RG bowling ball.
How to pick the High RG Bowling Ball with High Differential?
The rule of thumb is that a higher differential in a bowling ball will result in a higher flare, which means higher hook potential. The more flare the ball will have, the more it will be in touch with the lane’s surface while rolling down the lane. When that happens the ball tends to hook earlier. So to pick up a bowling ball that has a high differential as well as a high RG, expect a later rolling and powerful pin hitting, followed by a moderately angular and strong backend motion. So make sure you use the opportunities to adjust well before you release the bowling ball.
How to pick the High RG Bowling Ball with Low Differential?
Okay, so what to do when the differential is low but the RG is high? Well, if you’re in for some aggressive angular backend motion, this might be just the thing for you. While a high RG and high Differential bowling ball allow somewhat angular and a very strong backend motion, a high RG with a low differential bowling ball is likely to produce a later rolling with an angular backend motion. With a lower differential, you will be able to enjoy only moderate-level length adjustments. So, calculate your shot carefully before you release your ball on the lane.
Shannon O’Keefe Video: Understanding Radius of Gyration
Conclusion
The radius of gyration of your bowling ball is an important consideration when choosing a ball. There are several excellent options for High RG bowling balls above.
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
