Do you own a reactive resin bowling ball? Is it a solid, pearl, or hybrid? Reactive resin bowling balls have been in the market for so long and gained a great reputation in the bowling community. They’re sub-categorized based on the three different reactive coverstocks. Reactive Solid, Reactive Pearl, and Reactive Hybrid coverstock. So how are they different? Well, some reactive balls provide extra traction with a stronger backend reaction, while the others are more sensitive to slight changes in the lane conditions. Each has its own unique ball motion, pin action, and hook-ability. Let’s learn more about Solid vs Pearl vs Hybrid Bowling Balls.
What are the differences between Solid, Pearl, and Hybrid Bowling Ball?
Reactive resin bowling balls are very well-known for their hook and flare potential, versatility, friction, reaction to the lanes, and pin action. The battle between Solid vs Pearl vs Hybrid Bowling Balls is intense! Each has its own specialty. Although all three of these kinds of bowling balls serve the same purpose, which is knocking down the pins, they are very different from each other in many other ways.
Solid Reactive Coverstock:
Among the 3 Reactive resin coverstocks, Solid Reactive reacts to the lane the earliest. The solid bowling balls also have more microscopic reactive pores on the coverstock surface in comparison to other reactive coverstocks. You can find solid balls in either a high-medium polished finish or a sanded finish. Solid balls are also available in a rubbing compound buffed finish. Bowlers appreciate these finish options as they can control the surface friction and reaction on various kinds of lanes accordingly.
Despite the lane conditions, solid reactives can cut through the oil just the way you expect it to. However, the matte and buffed finish balls tend to absorb oil from the lane pretty fast through the pores. Therefore, in terms of maintenance, you have to put extra effort into Solid balls than you’d do for Hybrid and Pearl reactive balls. Solid balls also promote more coefficient of friction out of the three coverstocks and roll down the lane much evenly which later ensures an overall smooth breakpoint. Although compared to pearl reactives, solid balls hook less sharply at the breakpoint. But don’t you worry, the hook potential is still freaking amazing. A Solid Reactive bowling ball is indeed a nice investment.
Pearl Reactive Coverstock:
Unlike the other two reactive resin bowling balls, Pearl Reactive balls go the longest, meaning they give you plenty of lengths. The composition of pearl balls is almost as same as the Solid and Hybrid. But what makes it different is the mica material that gets mixed into the formula. Have you ever noticed the sparkly appearance on some bowling balls? Yes, that’s mica, telling you it’s a pearl reactive bowling ball. Thankfully, mica reduces the microscopic holes that solid balls have a lot. Hence, it prevents the oil to get absorbed into the cover. If you roll a pearl ball on a heavy lane surface, you will see it hardly picks up any oil from the lane which means you will enjoy tremendous performance and consistency.
While solid bowling balls are recommended on medium-heavy lane conditions, Pearl balls react the best on dry lanes. It shows an astonishing ball reaction on dry lanes with extended length without any loss of energy. Moreover, it hooks with a more aggressive arch at the breakpoint before it goes right into the pockets. A Reactive Pearl ball reads and reacts to the lane as soon as it’s released which leads to a higher friction backend motion.
Hybrid Reactive Coverstock:
When you read the word ‘Hybrid’, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Is it a combination of something? The answer is, yes. A Hybrid reactive bowling ball is actually a combination of solid and pearl reactive coverstocks. As you can guess, Hybrid provides the superior performance and advantages of both coverstocks. How cool is that!
Hybrid balls will offer you a distinctive front-end glide you look for on a medium oil pattern. It will also deliver a manageable backend reaction like a pearl coverstock and great mid-lane traction like a solid coverstock. And about the breakpoint? Well, like an ideal pearl bowling ball, hybrids move into the pockets after responding to the breakpoint with nice angularity.
Before you decide to switch your bowling ball, you must know that the versatility of friction match-ups is out of the world. Since hybrid balls let you adjust the surface texture like any solid and pearl balls, you also get to experiment with your ball a lot without damaging its functionality. Nowadays, manufacturers are offering Hybrid coverstocks with an innovative range of aggressiveness. From mid rank to pro bowlers, Hybrid has officially earned the place of the best-selling option for everyone out there.
Conclusion
And scene! This is everything you should know about reactive resin bowling balls. So who is the winner for you? Solid, Pearl, or Hybrid— that’s entirely your decision. Ask yourself, how do you want your bowling ball to perform? What goes with your bowling style perfectly? And whatever matches the best, go for it. Good luck and keep on rolling!
