Hammer Black Widow 3.0 Ball Review by Jeff Ussery

Layout: 60 degrees x 5 1/2" x 45 degrees

RG: 2.50"

Differential: .056"

M/b: .016"

Surface: 2000 Grit Sanded

Core shape: Asymmetric

Manufacturer's Intent: Improving an already incredible line isn’t easy, but we managed to do it again with the new Black Widow 3.0. Each Widow release in recent years has been more popular than the previous and has taken ball reaction to new levels, and the Black Widow 3.0 will not be an exception. The Black Widow 3.0 is an incredible complement to the Widow 2.0 Hybrid; it has surface and tractions more in oil, making it a great ball to pull out of your bag first. The new Black Widow 3.0 is a solid reactive, much like the Black Widow 2.0, but the cover has been upgraded with a solid version of HK22 and has the same out-of-the-box surface as the Black Widow 2.0. HK22 gives the new Black Widow an advantage on medium to oily lanes, and Hammer fans will be excited when they see that it’s the traditional black and orange Hammer colors.

I drilled this new spider with my standard pin up layout. I've probably drilled hundreds of balls with this core in my career due to my Hammer brand management days. If I know anything about this core and my game, it has to be pin up. Pin down drillings for my game roll up too soon and don't backend enough to fit my eye. So, my standard pin up layout was used here, and I'm glad I went with that choice.

Black Widow 3.0 is everything you would expect it be. This is an outstanding release to complement the 2.0 Hybrid. The 2000 grit sanded HK 22 cover really digs in to the oil and creates a significantly stronger ball than the 2.0 Hybrid. With this layout, I get 4-5" of track flare from the 3.0. That's plenty of flare to get enough hook on virtually every lane pattern this ball has seen. I've also seen the 3.0 thrown up against Hammer's Extreme Envy, and this looks like a nice transition down from that ball. Widow 3.0 is going to be the ultimate league shot killer.

If you're looking for a first ball out of the bag on standard league shots, look no further than this Hammer piece. I've not tried one polished yet, but why would you try? Black Widow 2.0 Hybrid has already proven to be an excellent piece with polish on it, so there should be no reason to try shining the 3.0 to replicate that motion. Simply drill a Widow 3.0 with your favorite layout, sit back, and watch the fun begin. This ball really is fun to throw on everything from medium-heavy to medium-light oil.

Total Bowling Gear has Black Widow 3.0 in stock in 12# through 15# at all times. Stop by for yours today!