Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: bowlingball.com reviews 09/06/2007 07:49

5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Click Layout Image to Enlarge


The Columbia 300 Rival is the "New" Columbia's first upper mid performance ball release.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 4"
Mass Bias Position - N/A
CG Placement - 1/8" right of grip center
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - 4000 Abralon in Powerhouse resurfacing system.

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This ball was drilled with the intention of having a good middle of the night transition ball. I purposely did not use any polish on the surface to keep the amount of backend reaction to a minimum. I was wanting something to arc really smooth and just get me through the second game and into the third game when the lanes really start to open up and I can move in with something that will finish harder. In the house we do our testing at we always have to play pick the right ball int he middle of the night. I was hoping that the pin placement and surface preparation would give this ball motion to me.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Not what I expected. I thought this ball would be a good transition ball. The reaction I got from the Rival was a strong smooth reaction which I wanted but much more than I thought. I was able to use this ball from the time we started well into the end of the second game. The overall ball motion was what I wanted but it was strong and consistent enough to be a great ball to start with on a fresh typical house shot and it got me through a couple of weird lane breakdown until they started to really hook and it rolled to early.

In the heads from the start of the night I got plenty of good strong roll without an early jump. This is what Columbia has said the ball signature would be since they were purchased by Ebonite.

In the middle once again just as Columbia stated they had a strong mid lane roll and really transitioned well into the back part of the lane. The ball had plenty of forgiveness right and even had a little area to the left if I pulled it a little bit.

On the back part of the lane I was very pleased. The strong ball motion continued right through the back portion of the lane and cleared the pin deck strong as well. In a house where 10 pins are left more than anything else I only had one or two while I was using this ball.

I would say this is a solid new release for the New Columbia 300. If this trend continues with the releases they will be a force to be reckoned with because the Rival is possibly one of the best mid-performance ball releases we have seen a quite a while. It appears to be strong enough to cover most medium-medium heavy conditions and I think this coverstock is versatile enough to handle most surface changes you will have to make for your specific game.

This ball was proof that sometimes we do not get exactly what we wanted out of a ball but sometimes it also works out ok. We were looking for more of a transition ball and we ended up with a ball that may get more games then some of the other balls in my bag.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Other Products Reviewed by bowlingball.com reviews

• Hammer Road Hawg
• Columbia 300 Action Packed
• Hammer Ultra Mega X - Overseas Release bowlingball.com Exclusive
• Quantum Violet Hook Dark - bowlingball.com Exclusive
• Hammer Black Widow
• Morich Awesome Revs
• Brunswick Total Inferno
• Ebonite Total NV
• Storm Special Agent
• Brunswick Fury
• Track Phoenix
• Columbia 300 Big Shot
• Track Power Machine
• Hammer Raw Hammer Toxic
• Ebonite NV
• Storm Shift
• Morich Awesome Finish
• Hammer Black Widow Pearl
• Ebonite Raid
• Hammer No Mercy Beat'N
• Brunswick Fury Pearl
• Ebonite NVS
• Track Kinetic
• Columbia 300 Resurgence
• Ebonite Game Breaker
• Ebonite Clash
• Quantum King Quantum - Overseas Release
• Storm Paradigm Passion Lust Pro CG - Overseas Release
• Roto-Grip Pluto
• Hammer Black Widow Bite
• Roto-Grip Cell
• Storm Attitude Shift
• Track The Rising
• Morich LevRG
• Brunswick BVP Sidewinder
• Brunswick Twisted Fury
• Storm Gravity Shift
• Brunswick Ultra Zone

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: tragesaurusrex 10/05/2007 01:36

3 of 4 people found this review helpful.
Right away I was impressed by the Columbia 300 Rivals ability to carry through the pins with such power. I'm a bit of a stroker with somewhat of a hi-rev motion. [standing 26 / mark 9]. My rival is drilled very aggressively, producing a nice smooth but incredibly powerful arc, finishing with an explosive back carry. if you're looking for a ball that will snap into the pocket because you think you're so cool bowling with two fingers, this ball is NOT for you. This ball is for the serious bowler, and will produce an immensely powerful arcing stroke with a good confident throw. Sit back and enjoy leaving your opponents in the dust with the rival. It's amazing!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Other Products Reviewed by tragesaurusrex

• Circle Unisex Rio Black & Blue

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: bowlerbrian 11/18/2007 15:45

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
When I purchased the Columbia 300 Rival bowling ball I didn't know what to expect. Well this is an awesome ball for the money. I am a 210-215 average bowler but now I am averaging 230 with this ball at with about 30 games bowled. Carries very well a must have for me.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Other Products Reviewed by bowlerbrian

• Ebonite The Big One
• Ebonite Infinite One
• Brunswick Twisted Fury
• Storm T-Road Solid

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: josha364 10/12/2007 12:10

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
I just purchased the Columbia 300 Rival bowling ball about a week ago, and at first I really didn't know how I would like it. I was using The Black Pearl by Lane Masters before I bought the Rival. The Rival has a nice even arc down the lane and hits the pocket like a truck with no brakes. Straight out of the box this ball tends to hook a little early but it does tame down. The first night with this ball I rolled 248-237-264. I love this ball.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: superdutch 06/01/2008 22:52

WOW! thats all I have to say. I finally got a ball that was drilled EXACTLY to my specs and I'm thankful it was this ball. Amazingly solid in oil and in the mid-lane. Revs well and hits like a train. Downfall is in drier conditions ur best to change balls, unless your Rival is polished. Great ball kudos to Col.300!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Other Products Reviewed by superdutch

• Storm Depth Charge
• Ebonite The One - Original

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: bowlingwithdapearl 05/07/2008 20:33

i abusulutly love this

ball it sometimes hooks a little earily but it gets controled

but i really personly dont like it on dried up lanes it tends

to hook to much and leave very bad splits
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Other Products Reviewed by bowlingwithdapearl

• Ebonite Clear Skull Ball
• Elite PBA Cheetah
• Columbia 300 Blue Dot
• Elite PBA Viper
• Brunswick T Zone Charcoal/Gold/White
• Brunswick Spark Pre-Drilled Ball
• Columbia 300 Scout Reactive Green/Silver
• AMF 300 Classic Pro Roll
• Hammer-Faball 1980 Blue Pearl Hammer by Faball
• Elite PBA Shark
• Morich Awesome Hook
• Columbia 300 White Dot Rose/Green/Blue
• Columbia 300 Wrath Dead Flush

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: KCTauer 04/08/2008 10:34

I got this ball back in October and it has helped raise my average from 185 to just over 200. I have it drilled with the pin right of the ring finger (standard drilling) and CG kicked out slightly to the right. I have used it at the box finish 4000 Abralon, as well as 2000 and 1000. It is very controllable and produces a nice smooth arc at all conditions, just reacting a little earlier at 2000 and 1000. This is generally the first ball out of my bag (although I just bought a Cell so that might change) and is great until carrydown comes in to play. With carrydown, for me anyway, it struggles to finish a little bit. The carry through the pin deck is great and maintenance seems to be very minimal. Overall I think this ball is an excellent value, especially given its slightly lower price point than the "high performance" balls.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Other Products Reviewed by KCTauer

• Columbia 300 Momentum
• Columbia 300 White Dot Black/Silver/Caramel Pearl
• Hammer Cherry Vibe

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: ScarletDragon 04/01/2008 09:41

I hold about a 200 average on synthetic lanes that tend to dry up pretty quick, I bought this and a Scout hoping to replace the gear that I had for quite sometime and was very impressed with the results. Unfortunately I have not had a chance to use it in league yet, which is the primary reason I bought it, but so far I have had absolutely no problems with this ball whatsoever. I decided to switch over to columbia 300 and buy all new gear and have not been disappointed with their performance.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No

Other Products Reviewed by ScarletDragon

• Columbia 300 Resurgence
• Columbia 300 Scout Reactive Blue/Gold

Columbia 300 Rival Reviewed by: BoulderBowler 02/20/2008 19:17

Just had this ball and a new Resurgence drilled on Monday and bowled in league Tuesday night, medium (towards the heavy side) oil. This ball has a sharper back end snap than my Power Drive and took some getting used to. First 2 games I hit consistently high but still got decent carry most of the time. The 3rd game I figured out what I needed to do to get it down the lane more and rolled 225 with an open 10th. Today bowled in a league with medium (towards the lighter side) oil and it rolled just great with strong carry, 212 (1 open - 3,9,10 split), 201 (1 open - 4,9 split), 199 (open 10th - 7 pin). Bottom line is that this ball hits hard with a good late break.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes No