General Info
| Brand: | Columbia 300 |
| Name: | World Beater |
| Reviewed: | February 2011 |
| Empty | |
| Coverstock Specs | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Tilt Solid |
| Type: | Reactive Solid |
| Box Finish: | 800 / 1000 / 2000/ 2000 Abralon |
| Color: | Black / Orange / Blue |
| Empty | |
| Core Specs | |
| Name: | NA |
| Type: | Asymmetrical |
| RG: | 2.54 |
| Diff: | 0.055 |
| Int. Diff: | 0.017 |
For details on our standard test layouts, please click here.
This mid-season release is the latest high performance ball from Columbia 300. The World Beater features the new Arrowhead core shape which has a medium RG combined with a high differential and medium intermediate differential. The Super Tilt Solid reactive cover is a new cover from Columbia 300 that offers plenty of traction at the back end of the lane. With the 2000 Abralon finish, this cover creates the necessary traction in the oil to be successful for all on heavy and long patterns. Going with a medium intermediate differential in the Arrowhead core gives the World Beater extra traction in the midlane without taking away anything from back end reaction.
This ball’s core and cover combination gave all three of our testers their best reaction on our oily test pattern. All were able to play a touch deeper due to the strong overall reaction the World Beater provided. Our semi-aggressive layouts created plenty of flare, providing fresh surface contact with every revolution. Creating entry angle into the pins was never a problem.
We usually find balls that match up extremely well with our oily test pattern to be too much for our medium test pattern. Unlike many others, the World Beater gave all three testers an above-average reaction on this pattern. Although each tester was forced to move in quite a bit, the Arrowhead core pushed the World Beater through the front part of the lane, allowing for enough energy to get the job done at the back end. Those with higher rev rates bowling exclusively on medium patterns will want to go with longer pin placements so that they can make it through the entire league session.
Stronger layouts will be okay for those with lower rev rates, even on medium oil patterns. Those who choose to drill this ball with strong layouts will find that raising the finish to 4000 Abralon will provide more length if needed. Drier patterns will force this ball back into the bag for all except those who have more speed than revs. Even those might need to look into a polished finish.
Sport patterns on the medium-oily to oily side will offer the best overall reaction for the World Beater.
Strengths
The best way to describe the World Beater would be strong and consistent. The core/cover combination gives the user plenty of traction in the oil without giving up the strong reaction down lane that bowlers look for today.
Weaknesses
Those bowling on drier conditions will want to keep this ball in the bag. Even with surface adjustments, the World Beater will prove to be too much ball on true dry patterns. Those with higher rev rates might need to adjust the surface even on some medium oil patterns.
Overall Summary
A ball that boasts the name “World Beater” better be just that. Columbia 300 feels that this is the best ball that they have made in a few years and we might have to agree. This new release combines both a new core and cover to provide this impressive look on the lanes.
