In this short article, we’ll talk about some simple differences between solid, pearl, and hybrid reactive cover stocks. So, if you’re going to select the ball and you’ve heard about solid reactive or pearl reactive and hybrid cover stocks, you have a general idea, simple things can make the difference in choosing the proper ball.
For you, the core design of the ball and the symmetry of the given ball are also points of consideration, but the most important thing is the cover stock of the ball, and the first thing you should realize is the solid reactive variety of cover stocks. You’ve got two choices: you’ve got a polished reactive, which is a solid reactive cover stock and you’ve also got a matte finish, so one is highly textured. One is polished by the factory when the ball is brand new out of the box.
They’re both considered solid reactive cover stocks and they’ll have a good varying degree of surface friction and the ability to create traction. You want a polished ball, which is a little smoother surface and shinier. To give you a little more skid.
- Perfect for all ages and skill levels
- Polyester coverstock for straight shots
- Pyramid quality
- Perfect Scale Rating: 5.0
- Coverstock: Aggression Solid
- Cover Type: Solid Reactive
- Core: Gas Mask
- Finish: 500, 1000, 2000 Siaair
- Great for first time ball purchasers or picking up spares
- Low hook potential, typically a spare ball or useful on extremely dry conditions. Balls with higher numbers will be the straightest
- The higher the number the stronger the reaction shape – with 1 being the least and 100 the most
- Ball Finish: High Gloss Polish
Last update on 2023-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The matte finish is probably the more aggressive of the two under the solid reactive variety. Next, in the rack, the variety would be the pearl reactive which is a very stiff cover. It’s a very polished, very smooth finish to the texture, is more of a higher grip, and finishing pads of two to four thousand, which give you a long skid length and conserve energy for the back end, but don’t necessarily mean it’s going to hook very sharply on the back end.
That depends on the differential rating, the hook potential rating. It also depends on the drilling layout you use. Stock is consistent, skin lengths for medium-to-medium dry lanes or very dry lanes.
And finally, the hybrid is a recent addition, I’d say in the last three to five years. The hybrid cover stocks give you the best of both worlds, which gives you the ability to skid like a pro and react on the front end and half or, the traction of a solid reactive on the front end, but the back end reaction of a pearl on the back end of the lane.
So, you get the most both the best worlds, and the hybrid cover stocks, I would say, combine the benefits of both types. You get a good mid-lane reaction of a solid cover stock when there’s heavy oil. The ball won’t over-skid on you, yet you get a decisive back-end reaction.
Typically, pro-reactive balls provide some hybrid cover. Stocks are also now available in a polished, finish or a matte finish, so you can get a more aggressive, hybrid, or less aggressive hybrid, but both of them are a combination of both solid and pearl reactive bowling bolts, and as all the case with all reactive balls. You can alter slightly the surface texture, and your finish with various grit pads to fine-tune your ball reaction slightly.
Those are essentially the differences.
Next Steps and Where to Purchase Equipment
When you’re ready to make the leap, you can read these articles to learn what bowling equipment we recommend for every different kind of player and choose what suits you better. We try to review the best bowling equipment in the market every few weeks to keep up-to-date with the current trends.
The Best 3 Bowling Balls For Dry Lanes