The Great One Delivers Forward Motion and Hitting Power Without the Premium Price
You've got fresh oil from the 1 board to the pocket, and your usual heavy asymmetric is either reading the lanes too early or making you chase angles. You need a ball that hooks hard but stays predictable through the pins—something that won't make you second-guess your line.
Performance
The Great One pairs a large asymmetric Centrex core (246 RG, .056 differential) with the HK22C² solid reactive coverstock to deliver strong hook reaction and forward ball motion. Reviewer Kai Evans noted the ball's willingness to stay aggressive even when slightly off-target, and praised its hitting power and predictable continuation through the pins. The forward-rolling character means it won't over-read friction early in the lane, making it a solid choice for high-volume oil patterns or when you want to keep angles open without the ball reacting prematurely. Evans specifically compared it favorably to the One Reverb—same core DNA, but wrapped in solid coverstock instead of pearl—and found it living up to the standards set by that predecessor.
Pros
- Strong hook reaction paired with forward ball motion—hooks hard but stays predictable downlane
- Excellent hitting power and momentum transfer through the pins, even on off-target shots
- Solid HK22C² coverstock delivers reliable, consistent performance without needing constant surface maintenance
- Large asymmetric core (246 RG, .056 diff) lives up to One series reputation for aggressive motion
- Keeps your angles open by not reading friction too early, ideal for fresh-oil play
Cons
- Large asymmetric core means this is not a control-focused or entry-level ball
- Factory surface (500/1000/3000 Siaair Micro Pad) will wear with play, requiring eventual surface maintenance to maintain backend reaction
Who Should Buy This
- Bowlers who loved the One Reverb and want a solid reactive version of that same core
- Players targeting high-volume oil patterns who need forward roll without early friction read
- Anyone looking for aggressive backend motion at a value price point relative to top-tier releases
- Bowlers comfortable with large asymmetric cores who want predictable continuation
Who Should Skip This
- Bowlers on drier or sport patterns who need a slower, more controlled backend reaction
- Players who prefer symmetric cores or don't like strong hook potential
- Those seeking a polished, premium-segment offering (this is value-positioned)
Buying Tips
The Great One ships with a factory pad surface that will freshen up through the first few games but gradually wear down with regular use; expect to see backend motion soften over time and plan for surface maintenance when aggression diminishes. This ball is available in 12–16 lb weights.
Verdict
If you're looking for the One Reverb's core character in a solid reactive package, or you need aggressive backend motion and predictable continuation on fresh oil without paying premium-tier money, the Great One delivers. It's built for bowlers who understand asymmetric cores and want forward roll married to strong hook—not a ball for everyone, but exactly right for the bowler it's designed for.
Specs
| Weight | RG | Differential | Mass Bias |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 lb | 2.474 | 0.049 | 0.021 |
| 15 lb | 2.466 | 0.056 | 0.027 |
| 14 lb | 2.493 | 0.053 | 0.025 |
| 13 lb | 2.597 | 0.041 | 0.014 |
| 12 lb | 2.593 | 0.041 | 0.014 |
FAQ
How does the solid HK22C² coverstock on The Great One compare to the One Reverb's coverstock?
Kai Evans confirmed that The Great One wraps the same large asymmetric core found in the One Reverb with the solid reactive HK22C² coverstock (versus the Reverb's different finish). Evans, who was a huge fan of the Reverb, found this solid variation lives up to the same performance standards—delivering that same forward-rolling, aggressive character the Reverb is known for.
Will The Great One read oil too early, or does it stay forward through the pattern?
The ball's strength is staying forward and predictable. Evans specifically noted that 'this ball just wants to be a little more forward when you get it in front of you'—meaning once it enters the dry zone, it won't spin out early. He praised this trait for letting him 'keep angles open' and 'not be afraid to hit it at the bottom' without over-reading friction. This makes it ideal for high-volume oil where you don't want premature backend reaction.
How much hook should I expect from the 246 RG core?
Evans called it 'a big solid ball' with a large core (246 RG, .056 differential, .027 intermediate differential) and confirmed 'this thing hooks'—but the forward-rolling character means the hook is aggressive but controlled, not erratic. In Evans's game, it produced strong backend motion and pin action even when he needed to play up the boards, without the ball reacting too soon.
What lane conditions is The Great One best suited for?
Evans explicitly recommended it for 'high-volume oil patterns' and for situations 'where bowlers want to play up the boards without over-reading the lanes early.' The forward-rolling solid reactive design means it handles fresh, heavy oil well and gives you room to adjust angles without the ball reading friction prematurely.
How does The Great One perform on slightly off-target shots?
Evans was impressed by its forgiveness: 'you know it's a good ball when you throw it bad and it still strikes.' Even when he didn't execute perfectly, the ball delivered solid pin action and hits, suggesting it has good carry and momentum transfer on mishits—a practical benefit for bowlers who don't throw 300 games.