Top 5 BowlingLife Roto Grip bowling ball picks
Don't feel like reading the full review? Check out our top 5 picks for the best Roto Grip bowling balls to buy in 2024.
Roto Grip Exotic Gem - the best Roto Grip bowling ball
Roto Grip Magic Gem - the best Roto Grip bowling ball for heavy oil
Roto Grip Attention Star - the best Roto Grip bowling ball for medium oil
Roto Grip Hustle RIP - the best Roto Grip bowling ball for dry lanes
Roto Grip Retro RG Spare - the best Roto Grip bowling ball for spares
Looking for something new?
Roto Grip Optimum Idol - Best new Roto Grip bowling ball release
About Roto Grip Bowling
Every bowler is familiar with bowling ball names such as the Cell, the Idol, or the Hustle, all of which are produced by Roto Grip Bowling. Roto Grip, established since the late 1960s, has been renowned for its high-caliber bowling balls. Even after Storm Products acquired the Roto Grip brand in 1998, Roto Grip continues to manufacture premium bowling balls, endorsed by top-tier bowlers like Anthony Simonsen, Kris Prather, and Shannon O'Keefe.
For those seeking the finest Roto Grip bowling balls on the market, BowlingLife testers have curated a selection of top picks for consideration in 2024, including the latest bowling ball offerings from Roto Grip.
Best Roto Grip Bowling Balls
This collection goes beyond a standard list of bowling balls. Drawing from our own experience as bowlers, we offer firsthand insights, authentic viewpoints, and comprehensive details on the strengths and unique attributes of each ball. Our aim is to streamline the decision-making process for you, customizing it to fit your particular needs.
It's important to note that the compilation was formed by evaluating each tester's distinct playing style, the usual lane conditions they face, and the personal opinions of our testers. Furthermore, please be aware that some of the links provided in this article may be affiliate links.
Best Roto Grip bowling balls - detailed list
Now that we've covered the essentials of picking the right bowling ball, let's move on to the fun part: a detailed look at the best Roto Grip bowling balls out there. We'll take a closer look at each one, exploring what makes them special, so you can find the perfect fit to level up your game on the lanes.
Best new Roto Grip bowling ball release
(Release date: March 22nd, 2024)
Key advantages:
Superior Grip: Mirco Trax coverstock ensures excellent grip for confident shots.
Enhanced Flare: Low RG Ikon core offers increased power and versatility.
Smooth Upgrade: Optimum Idol rolls as smoothly as the OG Idol, with added strength for consistency.
Let's take a closer look at the new Roto Grip Optimum Idol bowling ball. This solid symmetrical beauty is designed to shine on medium to medium-heavy lane conditions. The Mirco Trax solid coverstock offers excellent medium lane grip, giving you confidence in your shots. What really sets this ball apart is its low RG Ikon core paired with AI technology, resulting in enhanced flare and a bit more oomph compared to the OG Idol. Our testers found out that the new Roto Grip Optimum Idol rolls just as smoothly the old pink Idol, but is a little stronger. Roto Grip Optimum Idol is a perfect solution for those who are looking to change their old Roto Grip Idol or for those seeking a new versatile bowling ball in their bag. Give the new Roto Grip Optimum Idol a try and experience the difference for yourself!
Best Roto Grip bowling ball overall
(Release date: December 9th, 2022)
Key advantages:
Perfect Motion: Smooth glide, powerful continuation.
Versatile adaptability: perfect for many different lane conditions.
Enhanced hitting power: Defiant LRG core boosts pin carry.
The Roto Grip Exotic Gem not just followed the success of its predecessor the original Gem, but surpassed it! This high-performance ball features the MicroTrax pearl coverstock, paired with the Defiant LRG core, ensuring a dynamic performance. The unique combination allows the ball to glide through the front part of the lane, grip the middle, and deliver a powerful continuation at the back. Offering the same strong, controllable motion as the Gem, its pearl coverstock enables wider angles, especially effective when solid bowling balls lack energy to wipe corner pins. Suitable for bowlers across various lane conditions, the Roto Grip Magic Gem excels on higher volume medium and typical house shot patterns making it one of the most versatile bowling balls on the market up to this day.
Best Roto Grip bowling ball for heavy oil
(Release date: October 20th, 2023)
Key advantages:
Strong hook: unmatched hook potential on heavy oil.
Strong Backend Finish: Early revs, maximum energy for decisive pin impact.
Versatile Balance: Perfectly balanced for various lane conditions and playstyles.
The Roto Grip Magic Gem bowling ball, featuring the proven MicroTrax coverstock formula (2 parts pearl, 1 part solid) and is finished with a 2000-Grit Abralon box finnish, delivers a potent and continuous motion on heavier lane conditions. Equipped with the Defiant LRG asymmetric core, it generates early revs and retains maximum energy for a strong backend finish. Our testers deem the Magic Gem as the perfect balance, unlike the Original Gem, which is more tailored for challenging heavy oil patterns which is a rare find in everyday bowling. Don't miss out on this Magic Gem—it's sure to exceed your expectations.
Best Roto Grip bowling ball for medium oil
(Release date: February 16th, 2024)
Key advantages:
Versatile Performance: Reliable on both house shots and challenging conditions.
Precision Down-Lane: Low RG, high diff for consistent accuracy.
Unique Core Technology: Momentous Core with upgraded A.I. tech.
The Roto Grip Attention Star bowling ball, the latest gem in the HP4 lineup, has been turning heads for couple of months now. And for a good reason. It's got a special heart—the Momentous Core from international releases—paired with advanced A.I. technology, a combo never seen before in the U.S. On the surface, it's wrapped in the sleek eTrax Plus Pearl coverstock. With its low RG (2.48) and higher differential (.049), this ball packs a punch and never misses its mark down the lane. Whether you're tearing it up on house shots or facing tough conditions, the Attention Star is your trusty companion. When you need to open up angles and create that perfect shape, it's the first ball to reach for. When you are looking for a pearl, asymmetric ball that not only performs but also looks stunning? That's right - The Attention Star. Get ready to light up the lanes with strikes galore!
Best Roto Grip bowling ball for dry lanes
(Release date: June 23rd, 2023)
Key advantages:
Controlled Backend: Medium RG, low differential for balanced reaction.
Versatile Performance: Ideal for light to medium oil conditions.
Enhanced Readability: Striking color aids in tracking ball movement.
Introducing the Roto Grip Hustle bowling ball, featuring the well-known symmetric core from previous Hustle line releases. With its medium RG and low differential, this core offers a balanced backend reaction for enhanced control. Wrapped in the VTC pearl reactive coverstock and finished with Reacta Gloss technology, the Hustle RIP excels on light to medium oil conditions. Its polished surface provides a smooth yet continuous motion, ensuring easy readability with its striking Royal Imperial Purple color. Despite its lower performance range, this ball delivers impressive performance, making it a standout choice on typical house patterns.
Best Roto Grip bowling ball for spares
(Release date: May 19th, 2023)
Key advantages:
Great predictability: The time-tested 3-piece Core ensures predictability for anyone who rolls it.
Unmatched Durability: urethane coverstock provides durability compared to other materials and makes it a reliable choice for first ball.
Versatility for All Ages: Available in various colors and starting from 8 pounds, the Mix series offers versatile options suitable for bowlers of all ages.
The Roto Grip Retro RG Spare bowling ball is a fantastic option for beginners exploring bowling, straight-style bowlers, or any player in need of a spare shooting choice. A 3-Piece symmetric core paired with the High-Impact Pearl Urethane coverstock, finished at 3500-Grit polished, will help you pick up your spares with immense accuracy.
We hope this best Roto Grip bowling balls review helped you to find the perfect Roto Grip bowling ball. If you're a fan of Hammer bowling balls too, be sure to explore our informative review, where our testers have compiled a selection of the best-performing Hammer bowling balls for you to discover!
History of Roto Grip bowling balls
Since its establishment in 1955 by the Yetito family, Roto Grip has been at the forefront of bowling industry innovation. Originally, Roto Grip bowling balls were distinctive for being pre-weighted with finger and side weight, marked with a four-point star. This design allowed drilling directly over the star, eliminating the need to scale the ball on a dodo scale. Roto Grip enjoyed years of popularity, renowned for its high-quality, high-performance equipment.
However, with technological advancements in bowling, including new coverstocks and core designs, the landscape began to shift for Roto Grip. Manufacturers producing Roto Grip's equipment struggled to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology, leading to a decline in the brand's prominence. By the early 1990s, it became evident that Roto Grip's heyday was a thing of the past.
After Storm Products acquired the Roto Grip brand in 1998, Roto Grip continues to manufacture premium bowling balls, endorsed by top-tier bowlers to this day.
Choosing the best Roto Grip bowling balls for you
Choosing the right bowling ball can really make a difference in how you play. It's all about finding that perfect fit that matches your style and works well on different lanes. Remember, it's not just about getting the most eye-catching ball; it's about crafting a plan to make your time bowling amazing, turning each throw into a victory on the lanes.
When you're buying a bowling ball, keep these things in mind:
Coverstock - the outer surface of the ball that interacts with the lane, is a key factor in bowling. Despite the multitude of bowling balls available, they can be categorized into three primary groups based on their coverstock: plastic, urethane, and reactive resin. Each type serves distinct purposes, enabling players to easily adjust to varying lane conditions. Dive deeper into the characteristics of these surface types by exploring our comprehensive article.
Core - it determines how a bowling ball spins as it travels down the lane. Imagine slicing a ball in half, like you would with a chocolate egg; inside, you'll find a hidden element - the core. Composed of denser materials like iron or calcium oxides, the core represents the heaviest section of a bowling ball. Cores can take on symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes. For a deeper exploration of these core differences and a better grasp of how they impact the motion of a bowling ball, refer to our specialized article on the topic.
Radius of Gyration (RG) - functions as an indicator of how mass is spread within a bowling ball. A higher RG results in heightened back-end motion, as a ball with a higher RG tends to slide more and retains more energy for the latter part of the lane. While it might sound a bit like rocket science, we suggest exploring our article on the impact of RG on your game for a more comprehensive understanding.
Differential (Diff) - it comes in two types: total and intermediate. The total differential is the gap between low RG (X axis) and high RG (Y axis). As for the intermediate differential, it is exclusive to asymmetrical balls and represents the difference between high RG (Y axis) and intermediate RG (Z axis). Increased differentials result in a more powerful hook potential, injecting additional flare into your shots.
How do we choose the best bowling ball?
To assist our readers in making well-informed decisions when selecting bowling balls, BowlingLife relies on thorough testing for all our recommendations. We firmly believe that an unbiased opinion about each ball can only be formulated after our team has personally tried it out.
Our testing team comprises three individuals – one with dominant speed, one with dominant revs, and a two-handed player. The goal is to give each ball the chance to demonstrate its strengths across various lane conditions.
We strive for our ball reviews to find a middle ground between being casual and informative. We constantly update the links in the article so you can find reviewed bowling balls easily. Please note that certain links provided might be affiliate links.
It's crucial to emphasize that, regardless of the review's tone, it is still a subjective opinion. Just because we found success with certain bowling balls doesn't necessarily mean you will keep on striking with them. Nevertheless, rest assured that our reviews are carried out with fairness, consistency, objectivity, and honesty, guided by bowlers for bowlers.
FAQ
Where are Roto Grip bowling balls made?
Roto Grip bowling balls are manufactured by Storm Products, Inc., which is based in Brigham City, Utah, United States.
Who makes Roto Grip bowling balls?
Roto Grip bowling balls are manufactured by Storm Products, Inc.
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