First Impressions
With the Amp Up, Hammer brings a fascinating new development to the market that impresses above all with its length and late reaction. Inside works the Symmetric core, which with a 2.51 RG and a 0.040 differential ensures a very clean motion through the front sections of the lane. The pearl reactive cover is specifically tuned to store the ball's energy efficiently. The polished surface supports this characteristic by letting the ball glide effortlessly through the heads without building friction too early. Visually the ball is a real eye-catcher, and the makeup immediately conveys that this model was designed for later hooking motion. The technical match between core and coverstock is extremely harmonious here.
Comparison
Comparing the Amp Up to the Hy-Road, the differences in backend reaction stand out immediately. The Storm Hy-Road tends to read a bit earlier, while the Amp Up holds its energy a fraction longer and then reacts noticeably more aggressively to the dry area. That characteristic makes it the perfect complement when the Hy-Road starts losing energy in the pocket. Although both balls have a similar orientation, the Amp Up offers a noticeably more dynamic change of direction. It's the ideal solution for situations in which the Hy-Road enters the pins too flat, since it generates the entry angle needed to clear the pins off the deck reliably and efficiently.
On the Lanes
This ball shows its greatest strength once the lane has been played in a bit and the transition has set in. It needs a certain amount of friction on the backend to develop its characteristic hook, which produces maximum carry. As the boards in the front part of the lane dry up, the ball allows you to move further inside and attack the pocket from a deeper angle. It suits medium to dry conditions very well and is an excellent choice if you're looking for a clean, quick reaction. Thanks to its forgiving nature on slight misses to the outside, it should keep your scores stable even in the later stages of a tournament.