Hammer Zero Mercy Pearl Ball Review by Jeff Ussery

Layout: 60 degrees x 5 1/2" x 40 degrees

RG: 2.54"

Differential: .053"

M/b: .020"

Surface: 1500 grit w/ Crown Factory Compound

Core shape: Asymmetric

Manufacturer's Intent: When the lanes call for length and a violent backend, the Zero Mercy Pearl answers with authority. Designed to complement the Solid perfectly, the Pearl utilizes the same aggressive Super Offset core, paired with a cleaner, faster-reacting version of the all-new HK22C² coverstock. The result is everything you’d expect from a high-performance shiny asymmetric ball—easy length, a sharp change of direction, and explosive continuation through the pins. Poured in classic Hammer colors and loaded with attitude, the Zero Mercy Pearl delivers no apologies and no forgiveness.

Hammer's new Zero Mercy series of balls have had an incredible start at the store, with the Solid outpacing the Pearl by a small margin. I wanted to see what these were about, so I drilled both balls with the same pin up layout. The first thing you'll notice from the series is that both balls are incredibly strong mid-lane rolling balls. These are balls with high asymmetric value core shapes, creating a very heavy rolling ball. Oil will be the friend of this series, regardless of the finish on the coverstock.

When I took my Zero Mercy Pearl over to Olathe Lanes East, this ball struck and struck and struck. Zero Mercy Pearl wants to roll quickly in the mid-lane and then makes a super strong backend continuation move through the last 20 feet of the lane. Even though the polished cover would indicate length, I didn't find as much as I expected in this new Hammer high-performance ball. Zero Mercy Pearl would really prefer to have some fresh, and perhaps even heavily oil fronts to adequately get to the breakpoint. Where the Pearl is best is in the backend of the lane. This incredibly strong core shape keeps this ball going through the backend unlike many other balls in the market right now.

For our lower revolution rate players who can scoot the ball through the front of the lane more easily, they'll love this product on our average league conditions around the KC Metro. I'd expect this segment of our customers to experience length with extreme backend motion from the Zero Mercy Pearl. Higher revolution players will need some ball speed to keep this ball online. It's without a doubt one of the stronger rolling polished balls I've seen in quite some time. Our no-thumb players better have above average ball speed to consider this new piece from Hammer.

For our tournament players, I would advise this being one of your top 2-3 options in your bag for total hook. Even though it is polished, it's simply going to be more ball than several of the smooth sanded options in the marketplace right now.

Zero Mercy Pearl comes in the Hammer brand black and orange colors, and is in stock in 12#-15# weights now at Total Bowling Gear now!