The Messenger PowerCOR Solid is one of two new releases to use the Messenger PowerCOR symmetrical weight block design. This core mimics the old Titanium ceramic nugget design used in Columbia 300 bowling balls from the 1990s. Any bowler or PSO who remembers seeing a sticker near the pin of balls like the Rage and Pulse to warn about the drilling depth will remember this type of design. The difference in the new PowerCOR design is that, while it is still a dense material that alters the core numbers, this material is drillable. The end result is a ball with an RG of 2.515″ and a total differential of 0.040″. The new Messenger Solid also features Reflex Solid, a coverstock formulation we saw previously on balls like the Swerve and the Impulse Solid. The 500/1500/3000 SiaAir finish allowed the solid cover to read very well in the midlane and offer a strong and smooth downlane motion that suited multiple angles of attack for each of our testers.

Tweener might have found his new favorite bowling ball in the Messenger PowerCOR Solid. This ball allowed him to do nearly anything he wanted on the fresh medium oil pattern. He could play straighter through the front and let the ball roll off the end of the pattern, he could slow his ball speed down and move deeper to the inside with enough hook and recovery to get through the pins, or he could play right in between those lines in his comfort zone. In transition, this ball allowed Tweener to make small 2-and-1 moves with his feet and target when he felt like the ball was starting up a little too early. He struck a lot on this pattern and had no reason to touch the coverstock throughout the session. He was able to stay right of where he lined up with his Power Torq Pearl, seeing an earlier and smoother motion from the Messenger Solid. Tweener’s reaction on the dry pattern was almost exactly the same as what he saw on the medium pattern. He could still play all the same angles he played on the medium condition, but he didn’t have quite as much hold. His reaction was still top tier, as he was able to easily get to the pocket and manage the transition with ease. He needed to make bigger moves when the lanes started to change, but the ball cleared the fronts easier than expected as he moved left and used more launch angle....

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