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Melee Hook

Average Customer Review: 4.86 of 5 stars

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
239
PAP:
4 3/4 right 7/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
208
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Melee Hook is a very versatile ball and carries the energy through the pin very well for a sanded solid cover. The Hooks motion is a very smooth arc off the end of the pattern. Move left, slow your ball speed down and watch it return from places no other melee has come back from. Stay right and increase your ball speed and you'll see it has the same controlled motion and Carry. I would say this is the most versatile Melee to date. Pick on up before the are gone.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
229
PAP:
4 5/8 over
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
I drilled my Melee Hook with a pin down hole down drilling, similar to all of my others, with the pin in the grip line this time instead of under the middle finger. I wanted to make this ball a little stronger, as I have been struggling to get the ball to read the lane right on tighter tournament conditions. I threw this ball on a modified Statue of Liberty pattern, and on a THS. I was very impressed with how this ball did on the longer Statue pattern, as well as the response on the 43 ft THS with out of the box finish. This ball is a good arrow stronger than my Melee Cross on both which is the ball I deem this to be most comparable to. I see a very similar shape and distance that the ball starts up, just more of it with the hook.

Mike Freundel
Brunswick Regional Staff
This review is solely that of the writer and not Brunswick Bowling

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
232
PAP:
5 13/16" up 3/4"
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
210
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
BALL SPECS
Pin Length: 3-4
Starting Top Weight: 2.6oz
Ball Weight: 15

DRILL PATTERN
Pin to PAP: 4.5

40 X 4.5 X 60

BOWLER STYLE: RH - Stroker – slightly speed dominant
Rev Rate: 320-360
Ball Speed: 16-17
PAP/Track: PAP: 5 13/16” and 3/4" up

SURFACE PREP
Box Finish: Factory 500: 2000 Siaair micro pad
Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded):

BALL MOTION
With its 2000 grit Siaair Micro Pad Finish, the Melee Hook revs strong in the mid-lane and retains plenty of axis rotation for the backend to produce a wider area of forgiveness to the pocket. The Melee Hook will provide better traction on a variety of lane patterns with its chemically designed surface texture.



COMMENTS

This symmetrical ball has a strong mid-lane motion and has a very predictable motion. This is one of the first balls out of my bag now.

Shot 300 the 4th game out of the box with this ball


Mike Sipple
Brunswick/DV8/Radical Regional/Amateur Staff



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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
4 1/4x 3/4 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
200
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
BALL SPECS

Pin Length: 2.5

Starting Top Weight: 3.4 oz

Ball Weight: 15 lbs 3 oz

DRILL PATTERN

Ball: 50 x 5 x 75

X Hole (if there is one): xhole low on val

BOWLER STYLE

Rev Rate: 375 rpms

Ball Speed:17.5 mph

PAP/Track: 4 3/4 over 3/4 up

SURFACE PREP

Grit: 500/2000 Siaair

Type: (Matte, Polish, Sanded): Sanded

LANE CONDITIONS

Lengths of patterns: 41 foot house

Volumes: Moderate

Type: house

BALL REACTION

Length: Clean through the front with a strong midlane read

Back End: strong continuous arc

Overall Hook: aggressive

Midlane Read: strong

Breakpoint Shape: strong arc

COMMENTS

Likes: smooth predictable reaction and new composite durability

Dislikes: none

The Melee Hook is a strong symmetrical ball that excels on patterns with more oil. On our house shot, this Melee allows me to play more direct angles while being able to handle the extra volume in the heads. This ball also allows me to continue to move in as the night goes on. It seems to allow me to stay in the same area longer. I have been able to make it through several league sessions without changing balls which is abnormal for me. The Melee Hook also tends to display the durable characteristics of the other newer composite technology balls. It is cleaner through the heads than similar older releases and it seems to maintain its hooking ability longer, while needing less frequent maintenance. The reaction shape is a blend of a Melee Cross and a Versamax. It is later than the Cross and Earlier than the Versamax. I can see myself using it in situations where the lane pattern is more wet/dry or anytime a smoother reaction is needed. I also can see it being the first ball out of the bag for many bowler styles. If you are looking for a smooth, predictable, and strong benchmark symmetrical ball the Melee Hook will exceed your expectations.

Chris Garrett
Greenville, SC
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I drilled my Melee Hook with my favorite drilling 1/2 side and 1/2 finger and man ti revs up mid lane and rolls hard on the backend. I rolled it on two different lane conditions, the first was a 40 foot house shot. I went 289, 257, 279 for a 825. Not bad for the first three games. I then took it to a tournament with a 43 foot sports pattern and had games of 223, 237, 243 for a 703. The ball did just what I wanted it to do get down the lane and make a strong move, I left a couple of 9 pins but only one 10 pin the rest of my leaves were all me. I would strongly suggest this ball for anyone looking for that mid lane move you will love the carry.
Good Luck and keep hitting them hard.

J. Dudley
Brunswick Regional Staff

"This review is my opinion and does not necessarily reflect that of the Brunswick Corporation."

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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
210
PAP:
4 13/6 over, 1/2 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Melee Hook combines a low RG symetrical core with the exciting Relativity Max reactive cover finished with 500/2000 Saair MicroPad.

To achieve the desired ball motion, I drilled this ball 35 x 4 1/4 x 30 with a small weight hole on the PAP. This drilling produces easy length with a heavy forward roll at the break point based on my unique PAP and axis tilt.

Having participated in the initial conference call, it was said that this ball was a stronger version of the very popular and successful LT-48 and that it is. This Melee gets into a deep roll and hits the pins with authority and strength, which is just what I was looking for. This ball will surely be a strong addition to your arsenal. Thank you for considering Brunswick

Roger Harley Jr.
Brunswick Advisory Staff
IBPSIA Advanced Pro Shop Technician
USBC Bronze Coach
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
230
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Stroker
Bowling Hand:
Left Handed
Sport Shot Average:
212
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
My Name is Doug and I am a DV8 Regional Staffer. I am left handed and through it around 16mph. The Melee Hook I drilled it with the Pin to the left of my ring finger and the CG kicked to the right by my center of my palm. The Pin is 3-4". I left the surface the same so box finish which is 2000. I have this drilling on my Brunswick Soul and I really like my Soul. The motion is really smooth and it lets me stay up the boards and outside which is in my comfort zone. The Melee Hook is a ball that reads the mid lane really strong and saves energy and hits the pocket really hard. If you have lanes that are really dry and the balls are really flying you can go to this ball. I also use this ball after my Vandal is breaking to hard and when I move in to far with the Vandal I will go to the Melee Hook and move right and stay straight. I have used this ball the Kegel High Way to Hell, and also USBC Blue, and Typical House shot. I was able to stay outside on all three patterns and I have not found a ball that I am able to do that. This is a ball that can be your bench mark ball and I really like the ball because it is really controllable and I am able to stay up the boards and stay in my comfort zone. This ball will work on just about any oil pattern and maybe the only one that might give you problem is really heavy oil patterns. This ball will work great on Typical House shots and if you are looking for a really smooth ball, that reads the mid lane extremely well and still has energy when it hits the pins this is the ball for you and the price range is great also. If you don't have a Melee Hook yet you really need to get one. Brunswick Hit another home run with the Melee Hook. You will not be disappointed!! #brunswickbowling #meleehook

Doug Cutler
DV8 Regional Staffer
PBA Regional Champion
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
Not set
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The Melee Hook is a great new benchmark ball. This ball good to use to figure out what the lanes are doing. It has plenty of length and great continuation to usable on a wide varitey of patterns. If you liked that famous two lettered Storm ball you need to give this one a try. It has a very similar motion and takes very well to surface changes. This ball is really going to show its strengths on tougher patterns as it has a very predictable motion that goes through the pins very well. Get one punched out at your local pro shop it is for sure a must have.
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0 of 1 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
201
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
I drilled this ball just outside my right ring finger and a touch up with a 3 inch pin. This ball I can use for all 3 games in league. In oil it reads well and has very strong back-end. Then when the lanes dry out you can adjust and it will still keep the angle and carry. Great ball.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

PAP:
4 5/8 over, 5/8 up
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Tweener
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Brunswick's Melee Hook is the best Melee to date. If you are a fan of the Melee Cross, like myslef, you will love the Hook. For me, the Hook is stronger amd begins to pick up a little sooner than the Cross, while still maintaining the great versatility of the Melee line. During league, the Hook does a very good job of opening up the lane, allowing a little more push room than pull room for me. I was also able to throw the Hook on the 47' Scorpion pattern. On this pattern, I was able to move to the outside, and the Hook would begin to make it's motion very smooth and predictably. This is always nicw to see on tougher sport conditions. I believe the versatility of this ball will allow for many types of bowlers to take advantage of what it can do.

Barry McKee
Brunswick Regional Staff
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not the Brunswick Corporation.
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
228
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Stroker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
Not set
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
Malee Hook
This ball comes out of the box at a 2000 grit Siaair Micro Pad finish. The Relativity Max coverstock allows for major forgiveness on the lane and great performance predictability. The Melee Low RG core allows this ball to rev up quicker and give the bowler some versatility with their favorite drillings. This ball is great on all types of patterns and will give the bowler the room they need to maximize their performance.
I drilled mine 65 x 5 x 70 which is more of a drilling I do for league shots. The pin is under my fingers making this ball a very predictable yet strong moving off the spot bowling ball. I feel with this drilling this ball will match up to any league pattern. This ball is incredibly versatile so using your favorite drilling will only help enhance the natural characteristics of this ball. You will definitely see this ball move off the spot, as its the most hooking ball in the Melee line. Its such a great ball because it allows you to play multiple angles. Definitely can be a benchmark ball!

Troy Schaefer
Brunswick Regional Staff Player
#bowlwithbruns #teamBrunswick
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

Bowler Stats:
18-19mph
425-475rpm
5-7* tilt
40-60* axis rotation

Layout:
45* by 4.5 by 70* (with hole 2" down VAL)

Intent:
The Melee Hook is designed to be the perfect benchmark ball. Solid, low-RG symmetrics tend to be the first ball out of my bag on most patterns (unless they are super short or super long).
Combine that with a layout that smooths out the shape a little and a hole that brings it a little closer to me, and what I have is a ball to carry around to most events.

On the lanes:
I've had the pleasure of throwing the Hook on several different patterns at different houses. These include Beaten Path on Pro-Anvilanes and house and Athens on AMF HPL. Each time the Melee Hook gave me a consistent look to the pocket, especially on the fresh. The Melee Hook gives me a stronger and earlier shape than my Deviant with the same layout and I see it as being a more consistently rounded shape than the Einstein with about the same hook potential. Basically it's the bigger ball with the same shape in my Melee hook, Deviant, LT-48 combo (all have the same layout)

As with most low-RG solids with my low tilt, the Hook does tend to struggle when I want to get really deep. However, that's not really what this ball is for. The Hook is designed to be that stable rolling staple in your bag when you need a strong midlane read.

Closing Remarks:
The Melee hook is that strong, smooth ball reaction that Brunswick is widely popular for being able to provide. The midlane roll makes this ball very forgiving across the board, from wet-dry house shots to the tighter sport patterns. I imagine this ball being a favorite for most people at Nationals this next year provided that the pattern is anywhere in the 38-43ft range (which 99% of the time it will be). The stable and predictable reaction will keep the Melee Hook in my bag for quite a while.

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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
5

About the Bowler

League Average:
210
PAP:
3 15/16 Right
Ball Speed:
Medium
Style:
Stroker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
The new Brunswick Melee Hook is a more versatile ball motion than any of the other Melee's I have seen, this ball is very clean through the fronts and reads very well in the mid lane and gives a nice strong motion in the middle to back end part of the lane. This ball will be great for all types of players and for sport shot patterns.

Deltona lanes pro shop manager
386-774-2800
[email protected]
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0 of 0 people found this review helpful
4

About the Bowler

League Average:
240
PAP:
Not set
Ball Speed:
Fast
Style:
Cranker
Bowling Hand:
Right Handed
Sport Shot Average:
205
Experience:
Advanced (I have bowled in a league)
All I can say is strong. I have mine drilled with the pin up and out for max hook and I have to wait until the oil carries down in order to throw it. It does 'ok' on fresh house shot oil, but really does need a medium to heavy oil condition to pick up. If you get the ball and notice it is too much hook, I would hit it with a 1000 grit shine to get it down the lane a little more before breaking. Overall it hits really nice but like I said you need some oil out there or at least some carry down. I would recommend this ball for people that do not hook the ball a ton but want to be able to open up the lane more.
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