Why Are Storm Bowling Balls Scented?

One of the first things you may notice when picking up a Storm bowling ball is its powerful scent.

But why are Storm bowling balls scented in the first place? Turns out, there’s a good reason for it.

In this blog post, we’ll explain why Storm uses scents in their balls and what benefits they provide.

We’ll also give you some tips on how to choose the right scent for your playing style.

So, keep reading to learn more about Storm bowling balls and their scents.

What is the purpose of a Storm bowling ball’s scent?

Storm is the only bowling ball company that uses scents in their balls.

According to Storm, this unique feature allows you to smell your way around the lane, giving you more confidence in the approach.

The scented oil in a Storm ball is designed to be released when the ball gets rolling.

So, it’s not released when you’re simply rolling the ball out of your hand.

How does the scent work?

Well, according to Storm, there are two benefits.

First, you can use the scent of each bowling ball as a refresher before every shot.

So, if you’re on a tough pattern on which pin carry is hard, you can use a Storm ball to get familiar with the oil pattern before stepping up for your shot.

Second, you can use the scents of each ball to determine its effectiveness on the lane.

So, if you bowl with a Storm Phaze II and it smells like burnt rubber when rolling toward the pocket, then you know that something isn’t right.

As a result, you can quickly make the necessary adjustments before sending another shot down the lane.

For most bowlers, these benefits are minor.

But they’re real benefits nonetheless.

So, it’s worth trying them out for yourself to see if you notice any subtle differences they provide.

Keep in mind that scents may not enhance your game on every lane pattern.

So, if you’re not getting the results you want, don’t be afraid to try a different ball scent.

As long as the oil is fresh and the ball rolls without any major issues, it should work well for you.

So what are your options?

Storm offers the following scents – black cherry, lemonade, chocolate, plum, grape, blueberry, banana, orange, cinnamon, amaretto, cherry.

Does the scent affect how well the ball performs?

Not necessarily.

The scent doesn’t change the construction of the ball.

Storm uses a standard resin formulation for each ball, and the scents are added to that mixture.

So, it’s not like you’re adding shims or using a different coverstock to affect performance – simply changing the scent isn’t going to do anything significant.

How can you choose a scent that fits you?

Here are some guidelines to help you find the right scent for your game.

Black cherry is intended for heavy oil conditions like those found on USBC Sport patterns.

It’s also ideal for upper-level league and tournament use because it gives bowlers increased control of the ball reaction.

So, if you’re looking for something that can help you with those challenging oil patterns, this might be the right choice for you.

Lemonade is designed to give you increased ball speed and a strong backend hook motion on medium oil conditions like those found on USBC Standard patterns.

So, if you want something that gives good length with a strong backend reaction, then lemonade is the way to go.

Chocolate is geared toward middle-of-the-lane patterns like those found on Kegel Main Street and Brunswick A-2.

It provides a strong overall hook motion.

So, it’s ideal for dry lane conditions that require a ball with lots of flips to get through the heads and into the pocket.

If you’re looking for more of a continuous hook shape, then the chocolate will probably work well for you.

Plum is intended for light to medium oil conditions like those found on Sports patterns.

This ball has strong overall motion and even stronger backend reaction, giving it more versatility compared to other balls in the Phaze II line.

So if you’re looking for something that can get through the heads easily and hook hard in the midline and backend of the lane, this might be right for you.

Grape is intended for dry lane conditions like those found on Kegel Main Street or Brunswick A-2.

This ball has a ton of flip on the front part of the lane, so it’s ideal for players looking to hook the ball hard in the midline and snap it off the dry boards.

If you’re struggling with getting through heads-up on these dry conditions, the grape is likely your best option.

Blueberry is intended for medium oil patterns like those found on Sport or USBC Open patterns.

This ball has strong overall motion, along with a strong mid-lane read.

So, it’s best for bowlers who need a ball that can get in the oil easily and still provide a strong backend hook motion.

Banana is intended for middle-of-the-lane patterns like those found on USBC Standard or Sport conditions.

This is one of our most versatile Phaze II balls, giving you a strong overall hook motion with good length on the back end.

If you’re looking for more of a continuous shape through the front part of the lane, then banana is likely your best bet.

Orange is intended for light to medium oil conditions like those found on Sports patterns.

This ball features an extra flip at the breakpoint, so it’s best for bowlers who need a ball that can get in the oil quickly and provide strong continuation through the pins.

Cinnamon is aimed at heavy to extra-heavy oil conditions like those found on Kegel Main Street or Brunswick A-2.

It provides strong length with an earlier breakpoint, so it’s ideally suited for bowlers who need a ball that can provide strong carry through the pins in these tough conditions.

Are all Storm bowling balls scented?

It looks like so, even though it’s not advertised.

Why does Storm continue to do this?

They think it helps the bowlers, even though there is no scientific evidence showing that it affects your game at all.

Who is the target market for Storm bowling balls?

The main market for this product is average to slightly above-average league and tournament players at all levels.

If you’re a player who needs a ball that can get through the heads easily but still provide a strong backend reaction, then Storm Phaze II balls are a good option for you.

What do people think about the scent?

Most bowlers think it’s a gimmick, including pros.

They actually affect your game in no way whatsoever.

But many others claim that Storm Phaze II bowling balls helped their game.

They say that there is a psychological component to the scent and that it helps with their focus and confidence.

Conclusion

Although the scent of a Storm bowling ball won’t affect how it performs, it can provide other benefits.

For instance, you can use the scents to determine which balls are most effective on certain lanes and as a refresher before every shot.

So give them a try for yourself.

Which smell is your favorite?