- Zero Urethane

First Impressions
Released in August 2013, the Aloha Zero Urethane positions itself as a highly specialized tool in a bowler's arsenal. Unlike typical reactive balls, this one is engineered to minimize any motion of its own. Inside works a traditional pancake weight block, or a very simple symmetrical core with an extremely low differential, which reduces flare potential to practically zero. The special feature is the coverstock: although the name "Urethane" suggests otherwise, this is an extremely hard compound (often referred to as poly-urethane) that comes polished to a high gloss from the factory. This combination makes the ball glide through the heads extremely easily and show no reaction whatsoever to the oil. Visually it usually comes in a plain, single-color design (often black), which underlines its function as a pure working tool.
Comparison
Drawing a comparison to well-known performance urethane balls like the Storm Pitch Black or the Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane, the Aloha Zero Urethane behaves fundamentally differently. While those balls read early and produce a smooth arc, the Aloha Zero travels absolutely dead straight. In its motion characteristics it is more comparable to a Storm Ice or a Columbia 300 White Dot (polyester). The difference from pure plastic balls often lies in the durability of the shell; the Aloha Zero is considered somewhat more resistant to cracks and nicks. In contrast to an entry-level reactive ball like the Brunswick Rhino, the Aloha Zero ignores any friction on the lane and develops no hook, even when played on the driest boards.
On the Lanes
The ideal application for the Aloha Zero Urethane is precise spare shooting. It is perfectly suited for reliably hitting corner pins (like the 10 pin for right-handers), since it eliminates the risk of the ball turning off at the last moment due to friction. It is also an excellent choice for extremely dry or burnt lane conditions, where even weak reactive balls become uncontrollable. Because the ball does not read the transition, you don't have to worry about the oil pattern. It works both for pros as a pure spare ball and for absolute beginners who first want to learn a repeatable, straight release without having to deal with the complexity of the pocket and entry angle (carry).