Storm Dark Code Bowling Ball Report Card by Luke Rosdahl

storm dark code bowling ball report card

Storm Dark Code Bowling Ball Report Card 

Hey everybody, welcome to the report card for the Storm Dark Code. The obligatory shameless propaganda to get started, follow the link in the description or at the end of the video for any of your bowling needs at Bowler’s Mart, supporting them supports me, and don’t forget my code “Rosdahl10” the next time you go to order anything at Coolwick to get 10% off, they’re the ones that keep stuff like this coming.  If you haven’t seen one of these, it’s basically checking in a couple months after the initial review.  Did I read it right, how do we feel about the ball now, what have we learned about it, how often do we use it, etcetera. 

My Typical Bowling Ball Layout For Drilling – 4 ¾ x 3 ½ x 3 ½,

puts the pin in the ring finger and the psa in a strong but kind of neutral place.  The Dark is really hard to read, because realistically it’s really strong, it’s Storm’s 3rd strongest cover they make, and  it acts like it wants to be long and flippy, but trained eyes will catch how early it’s actually trying to be.  Stronger stuff tends to mask as weaker stuff, because sometimes they don’t boom as much or cover as many boards, especially on house shots, but the Dark doesn’t need near as much friction to hook as something like a UC2 or RST X2, even though those look visibly stronger or more dynamic on lighter or medium conditions, they should, but if you get on some heavier volumes, they’re going to lose a lot more steps than the Dark will. 

The Storm Dark Code Reacts a lot Like An Asymmetric 900 Global Zen

it’s got that same quick, but not too quick, and strong but not super early just kind of really ambiguous reaction.  Any way you want to describe the Dark would really be correct, because it can be really early and smooth or really long and flippy for the same person on the same conditions depending on what you’re doing with it.  I like it, but I don’t throw it any more, I prefer the UFO Alert, which isn’t really a surprise.  I’m a huge fan of etrax everything, and with the Alert having the same cover as the Synergy, it was only natural that it was going to be a success for me, and if I’m throwing an asymmetric shiny ball, the Alert is the one, I haven’t found a situation where I needed the strength of the Dark or the sharpness of the UC2 for example, the Alert is the perfect blend of everything for me.  

Angel’s breakdown of the Storm Dark Code Bowling Ball

Same story for Angel, it’s a fairly calm and neutral reaction, but it very subtly forces her deeper to get it down the lane, again there’s nothing that really stands out about the reaction visibly, but it definitely needs room.  This can make it kind of hard to read, though it makes it really versatile, and like the Zen, it reacts the same on everything for everyone.  There are some balls that I’ll watch people throw and I’ll think wow, how do you get that ball to hook like that, or shape like that, or how do you get it to go that long, etcetera, but the Dark Code reacts the same for everyone, and that’ll happen with stronger balls that aren’t as dependent on friction for ball motion.  Now that makes it really predictable and consistent, you know what to expect from house to house, that gives you confidence, makes you want to go to it more often than not, makes you more comfortable, and all that stuff can positively contribute to your execution and as a result, your scores.  Like I mentioned with the Zen though, it’s just too strong for her, she can rarely throw something like a Zen or Axiom Pearl, let alone anything stronger than that, she lives in IQ and Hustle territory.  All that stuff I mentioned is the right shape, rolly and round and firm but not quick or sharp, just too much traction.  Angel also does not throw her Dark Code any more, she favors the RST X2 because the cover is cleaner up front, she doesn’t have to fight it as much to get it down the lane.  Now she doesn’t throw the X2 much because while it’s cleaner and weaker than the Dark, it’s also sharper, and so it’s still a lower use ball for her, but if she just absolutely can’t stay right later in a set or a tournament and needs a ball to cover boards and give her more power from angle, the X2 is what she goes to.  

This New Code Bowling Ball Does Not Disappoint 

If you’re a Code series fan, especially of the Black, you’ll need to know the Dark is earlier and smoother, plus stronger, but you’re going to like it.  You won’t see the strength difference so much on a house shot, and actually the Dark might seem weaker or even lazy depending on how much friction there is, it doesn’t really burn up persay, or if it does, you’ll have a hard time seeing it, but it’s subtly more stable and usable on heavier volumes when cleaner covers like what’s on the X2, UC2 or Alert will start getting over/under.  Thanks for watching and may the strikes be with you.  

Storm Dark Code bowling ball

If you need the perfect combination of mid-lane roll and backend reactivity with head-turn pin carry, the Dark Code should be your very first choice. Easy power and a gorgeous look? Sign us up.

The Dark Code features an extremely dense modified disc technology shape called the RAD4 Core. First introduced in the X-Factor™ series, RAD (Radial Accelerating Disc) technology produces, bar none, more torque and entry angle than traditional asymmetrical cores. It’s the new standard for high performance.

Some bowling balls immediately sink their teeth into the lane in order to provide traction in oil. Others glide through the front part of the lane with ease, saving all their energy for an explosive backend reaction. But, what happens when you have a ball that’s capable of offering both? Well, at Storm, we wanted to find out, and that’s how we came up with the Dark Code – a ball that’s so good, it’s almost evil!

The engineering may be complicated, but the simple truth of the Dark Code is as confidence inspiring as anything else we’ve built to date. Dynamic cores and potent covers build a solid foundation – one enhanced by industry-leading longevity. A superior factory finish signifies its place atop the pecking order. Imposing. Purposeful. This is the kind of ball you look up to.

We stepped back and took the best features of our seven most popular coverstocks: Reactor™, R2S™, TX-16™, NRG™, SPEC™, GI-20™, and NeX™. What’s realized has more texture, more porosity, and more motility that combines the benefits of seven of the most iconic coverstocks to ever leave the Storm workshop. TractionX7 headlines the durability of TX-16, the backend of R2S, and the slower oil absorption rates of SPEC. Simply put, there’s versatility encased in TractionX7’s genome that stays put for as long as it stays in your bag.

Coverstock – ReX Pearl Reactive
Weight Block – RAD4™ Core
Factory Finish – 1500-grit Polished
Ball Color – Obsidian
Fragrance – Cherry Delight
RG (15lb) – 2.50
Diff (15lb) – .058

storm bowling Balls

Out of stock
$174.95

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One thought on “Storm Dark Code Bowling Ball Report Card by Luke Rosdahl

  1. Thomas Hakes says:

    I have the Dark Storm and I wasn’t ready for the power and reaction from it, unlike my other Storms or Hammers I use in my arsonal, this ball impressed me. I was Shocked at its tremendous back end and frontal assault. I have tested many balls for companies like Brunswick, Storm, Motivs, Elite, Ebonite, until they got there own testers in their production areas. I put many balls to many different styles and brands for 0ver 15 years, but this Dark Storm was a real shocker ! I thought my Pride worked well in all lanes, the Code is so much stronger ! It may be high priced, but believe me it is well worth it !

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