Ball Review: Summit

Data Table

All data is quoted from Storm Summit Tech Data

Overview

The Summit is Storm’s first foray into incorporating AI into a bowling ball, although here it stands for Amplified Inertia, as we are probably still a long ways out from having a ‘smart’ bowling ball. The AI technology allows Storm to create an outer core that is not spherical, but has dimples similar to a golf ball. We won’t dive into the mechanics of how this actually works, but it does allow Storm to push the boundaries of RGs and Differentials using previous bowling ball cores. Most importantly, according to their tests, it gives the bowler up to 5% more strikes when it enters the pocket!

The Summit uses the symmetric Centripetal HD core, previously found in the Son!Q, although most would be more familiar with its predecessor, the Centripetal core found in the popular !Q line. Its coverstock, TX-23 Hybrid, is an upgraded of the TX-16 formula found in the even more popular Phaze II. On the lanes, what this combination creates is a hugely energised !Q ball motion, with even better traction than a Phaze II. After all, it is Storm’s strongest symmetric ball to date.

How does it perform?

Speed-Dominant Bowlers

In my opinion, the Summit is probably the best option on longer or higher volume patterns in the market right now, especially for speed-dominant bowlers. As a low RG ball, it revs up early even on heavy oil and continues with a strong arc. When it encounters friction, it does not move sharply as it is a symmetric ball, but it retains a lot of energy as it drives through the pins. After all, it does promise up to 5% better carry! The Summit should be able to function well for most high and medium volume patterns, especially on fresh sport shots when you need both a controllable shape as well as strength at the back. It should even provide the flexibility to open up your angles more than you previously could, giving you more options! However, due to its strong coverstock, it does tend to roll outrolling outPhenomenon when a ball completes its acceleration and reaches a stable roll, but has not hit the pins yet, most often resulting in a weak shot if it touches the dry too early.

Rev-Dominant Bowlers

As you would expect, for rev-dominant bowlers, the Summit is ideal for high volume sport shots. The low RG causes the ball to rev up early and transition into a roll without being too sharp or going too far downlane, which could be the case in strong asymmetric balls. At the same time, the high differential ensures that the ball retains its strength, while allowing you to open up your angles without sacrificing carry. Due to its smooth shape and strong surface, the Summit can also be used to play through transition, or against carry-downcarry-downPhenomenon during lane transition where the ball tends to skid more. This happens because balls pick up oil from the oilier, front part of the lane, and leave them on the drier, back part of the lane when other urethane balls are in play. However, the tendency for the ball to roll out on lower volume or shorter patterns is even greater for rev-dominant bowlers, so the Summit may not be the best choice on such patterns, or on standard house shots.