- Swerve GT

First Impressions
The Columbia 300 Swerve GT arrives in a striking color blend of bronze, purple, and black. At the center of this model works the proven asymmetric Swerve Core, supported by what's called HyperSHOCK technology. The specs come in at a low 2.47 RG, a strong 0.052 differential, and an intermediate differential of 0.007. The cover is the Reflex Hybrid Cover, finished out of the box at 500 and 2000 Abralon. This combination of hybrid shell and dull finish should let the ball clear the heads cleanly without giving up strong traction in the midlane. The setup is designed to produce a strong but readable reaction.
Comparison
Compared to the original Columbia 300 Swerve, which uses a solid cover, the Swerve GT gets a bit more length from its hybrid surface along with a noticeably more angular hook off the backend. Against the Storm Phaze II, which relies on a symmetric core, the asymmetric core of the Swerve GT delivers a more asymmetric and sharper change of direction as soon as it hits friction. Once lane transition sets in, the hybrid shell of the Swerve GT holds its energy longer than pure solid models do. In a direct comparison with the Columbia 300 Tyrant Pearl, the Swerve GT shows a bit more traction in oil, since the pearl version tends to skid even longer. That places the Swerve GT right in the middle between extremely early solids and skid-happy pearls.
On the Lanes
This ball reaches its full potential on medium to lightly oily lane conditions. Thanks to the hybrid surface it reads the boards reliably, yet still offers enough length that it doesn't burn up energy too early. It works excellently as a first ball change when the fresh pattern starts to break down. Once players begin moving their lines deeper inside, the Swerve GT provides enough backend reaction to come back to the pocket safely from big angles. Carry benefits from the HyperSHOCK technology in the core, as the ball should deflect less when it hits the pins. For extremely dry lanes, however, the Swerve GT is often too aggressive because of its strong core and dull surface.