- Locked In Gold

First Impressions
Released in May 2017, the Storm Locked In Gold is a high-performance ball designed primarily for the international market, expanding the successful Lock series with a powerful pearl option. The technical centerpiece of this model is the asymmetric RAD-X core. This core, whose abbreviation stands for Radial Accelerating Disk, delivers extremely aggressive numbers at 15 pounds: a very low RG of 2.48 gets the ball rotating early, while a high differential of 0.054 guarantees enormous flare potential. This is rounded out by a significant intermediate differential of 0.018, which gives the ball a strong asymmetric character. The cover is the proven R3S Pearl reactive surface, a shell technology known for its balance between skid and friction resistance. Out of the box the ball comes with a 1500-grit polished finish, giving it a classy, all-over gold look. This combination of a massive, quick-revving core and a polished pearl cover should let the ball clear the heads effortlessly in order to release all of its stored energy on the backend.
Comparison Within the Storm hierarchy, the Locked In Gold compares best to the Storm Snap Lock. Both balls use the RAD-X core, but thanks to the R3S Pearl surface, the Locked In Gold offers a somewhat more controlled reaction at the breakpoint than the Snap Lock with its R3S Hybrid cover, which is often perceived as extreme. Compared to the Storm Code Black, which is based on the RAD-4 core, the Locked In Gold shows a stronger midlane presence and an overall heavier roll, since the RAD-X core physically moves more mass than the RAD-4 design. Drawing a comparison to a symmetrical benchmark ball like the Storm Phaze II makes the stark difference in line play obvious. While the Storm Phaze II reads the oil pattern very early with its matte solid surface and describes an even, arcing shape, the Locked In Gold skids noticeably farther through the front boards and creates a considerably sharper entry angle to the pocket. Compared to products from other manufacturers, such as the Roto Grip No Rules Pearl, the Locked In Gold is a bit less jumpy at the breakpoint, but its low-RG core provides a more stable roll phase in the middle part of the lane.
On the Lanes The ideal application range for the Storm Locked In Gold is medium to heavy oil volumes, once the first transition has set in. Because of the strong core, the ball needs a certain amount of oil in the heads so it doesn't lose kinetic energy too early. It is the perfect tool if you like to play the ball deep over the inside boards and pick a long path to the outside, since the asymmetric dynamics bring the ball back to the pocket reliably and with high carry. If you throw the ball fast, you'll benefit especially from the low RG, since it helps get the ball into the hook phase in time despite the polish. Rev-dominant players, on the other hand, get the option of still using an asymmetric core on dried-up conditions without the ball overreacting in the heads. However, as soon as the friction on the lane becomes too dominant and the heads run extremely dry, it's time to switch to weaker models, otherwise the RAD-X core burns up too much energy before it reaches the pins. In a tournament arsenal, this ball fills the role of the powerful, angular option that comes into play when smooth solids hit too flat and more entry angle is needed for better carry.