- RG Clear Poly

First Impressions
The Roto Grip RG Clear Poly was released in March 2018 as a functional spare ball and stands out with a transparent design in which the Roto Grip logo is visible inside the ball. Technically, this ball is built for maximum straight-line motion and uses a clear polyester cover (Clear Poly) that produces minimal friction on the lane surface. Inside sits a simple pancake core, which in the 15-pound version carries a very high RG of 2.69 and a minimal differential of 0.006. The surface comes out of the box with a 3500-grit polished finish, giving the ball a mirror-smooth texture. This material makeup should ensure that the ball completely ignores the oil pattern as well as any friction and does not change direction from the moment of release until it reaches the pins.
Comparison Compared to performance balls like the Roto Grip IDOL or the Roto Grip Winner, the RG Clear Poly has virtually no hook potential. While those balls are designed to turn in the backend and create an angle to the pocket, the RG Clear Poly stays rigid on its line. Compared with the Storm Clear Storm White/Navy, the technical characteristics are nearly identical, since both are based on a pure polyester cover and a simple core system. Compared to the Storm Mix, the Roto Grip RG Clear Poly offers an even more stable straight-line motion, since the Mix can show a minimal reaction on extremely dry boards thanks to its urethane hybrid cover. Against the Hammer Widow Spare, the RG Clear Poly comes up short in terms of dynamics, because the Hammer model uses an asymmetric high-performance core to generate more pin action even as a plastic ball, while the Roto Grip ball consistently aims at reducing core activity as much as possible.
On the Lanes The ideal use for the Roto Grip RG Clear Poly is converting spares, particularly when single pins at the edges of the lane (such as the 7 or 10 pin) have to be played. Thanks to the smooth surface, the ball slides unaffected over dry spots, which makes it an indispensable tool if you have a high rev rate and struggle with unwanted curve on spare shots with conventional balls. It allows a direct line to the target, no matter how far the transition on the boards has already progressed. For beginners it also serves as a durable ball for learning the fundamentals of a straight shot. Since polyester material does not absorb oil, the ball's characteristics stay consistent for years. In the pocket the ball shows a lot of deflection, which is an advantage when shooting at single pins, as the ball's path isn't changed uncontrollably by the impact. All in all, the RG Clear Poly is a reliable precision instrument for spare shooting and a visually appealing addition to any Roto Grip arsenal.