Hammer Obsession Tour Bowling Ball Features:
The Obsession Tour uses a modified version of the Obsession core that gives it a lower differential than the original Obsession. While the last “Tour” release from Hammer was the very popular symmetrical Web Tour Edition, the Obsession Tour uses an asymmetrical design wrapped in an updated coverstock. The TourV2 Solid cover is stronger than the original TourV1 Solid cover, and it comes out of the box sanded at 500/1000 SiaAir, enhancing its ability to handle oil while smoothing out the breakpoint. This makes the Obsession Tour useful across all oil patterns, with its best performance coming on heavy oil.
Two ball launches can be pretty predictable; usually, it’s a solid and a pearl with the same core and cover; it’s a formula that has worked forever. Hammer wanted to be different this time, so we thought outside the box and threw standard convention to the wind. Hammer is excited to introduce the Hammer Obsession and the Obsession Tour.
The Obsession Tour will create a unique reaction that will allow many players to stand closer to the dry and be great for higher rev players. It uses an updated version of the Tour cover found on the Web Tour balls. Featuring DOT technology, which allows you to drill anywhere which makes this ball even tougher.
This is a two-ball launch, both having a solid cover; the difference is the core. The Obsession and Obsession Tour have the same core shape; however, the flip block has been eliminated from the Tour edition, lowering the differential .016 points, creating less flare, less hook, and a more controllable reaction compared to the regular Obsession. While the covers are both solid, they are different; the Obsession has a new strong formula called Envy Solid CFI, where Hammer has gone back to infusing the shell with carbon fiber. The Obsession Tour uses an updated version of the Tour cover found on the Web Tour balls.
David Varner –
When I see the tour nameplate I expect a smooth controllable ball. That is what you get with the obsession tour but don’t be fooled this ball still hooks! I have it a step down from the obsession but could easily throw it early in the night or in the oil as well. Lowering the diff allowed this ball to get a little further down the lane and round out the shape rather than getting into a roll to early. I think this ball is extremely versatile and should take surface adjustments great to give you even more variety.
Dan Schriner –
Obsession Tour is a great gap filler between the Web tour Hybrid and Obsession. With its low differential it is one of the most versatile balls I’ve had. It really blends out the pattern and has nice shape down lane, after throwing it I could see right away the Obsession tour will be a in my tournament bag for a long time.
Bob Newman –
Super stoked to get this one in my hands. I like low differential cores, they just roll better for me. This is my first low diff. core that is also asymmetric. This ball rolled great right out of the box. Very smooth reaction yet still went through the pins the right way. I was on a THS and several times I rolled it into the friction early and expected it to shoot across the nose but it just went high flush, ten back instead of some split. This is gonna be a great ball for my arsenal.
Joe Goldstein, Sr. –
The Obsession Tour is a perfect compliment to the Obsession Solid. The Obsession Tour performs with lots of muscle for heavier oil and longer length patterns yet gives you all of the control that you have come to expect from a Tour edition Hammer ball. These can be purchased as a set, with many pro shops giving sweet package deals or you can get them one at a time. Either way you will not be disappointed. Let’s support your local pro shops and help them recover during these unprecedented times.
Scott Gilmore –
The Obsession Tour is such a versatile ball! I drilled mine the exact same way as the Obsession. My first look with this ball was on a 44′ 1:5 ratio pattern. 28 mls. I saw about a 3-4 board difference (weaker) from the Obsession. What I loved was how smooth this ball was off the spot compared to the Obsession. The Tour was still pretty aggressive but very controllable. It became very predictable, which is what I think most of us are looking for in a bowling ball. Another comparison was with the Brunswick Knockout. I thought the Obsession Tour was about 2-3 boards stronger. Hammer fans won’t be disappointed! If you buy the Tour, you have to get the Obsession. The make a great 1-2 punch!
TJ Mento –
The Obsession Tour will be the go to ball in tournaments or league when starting out. It reads the mid-lanes very well and gives a smooth predictable reaction down lane. I would say it reminds me of a slightly stronger web tour. I also compared it to the Black widow 2.0. I found that it was about 2&1 stronger down lane with a little bit more length through the front. If you have the Black widow the Obsession Tour is a great compliment to have in your arsenal.
Michael Romero –
Hammer’s Obsession Tour is your perfect compliment to the Obsession. Hammer got this one right with a great 1-2 punch, especially if you are a person who likes to keep your angles in front of you. On heavier oil conditions where you are forced to play tight angles, the Obsession Tour will be the perfect ball-down for any bowler. With less flare and hook, the ball still has strong energy through the pins. I drilled mine 25 x 4 x 30 at 500-grit, this gives me full control of the ball on heavier oil conditions.
Bob moran –
Compared to the obsession the tour version has the same core shape but is .016 lower diff. This creates less flare, less hook and a more controllable ball motion. This is a great ball to use to see how the lanes are playing and paired with the obsession is a great 1-2 combo
Jessica Aiezza –
What a fantastic piece to have in your bag when the lanes are a bit trickier. This ball has a 2 piece core and I have found it a great choice on difficult medium oil lanes conditions. You know it’s good when 4/5 stepladder finalists are all using this ball!!
Derek Kozlak –
Speed: 17.9
RPM: 480
PAP: 5 7/8 RT x 2 1/4 DN
No-thumb, one league per week, tournaments when I can. Tremendous slouch.
Controlled motion with an asymmetric core.
Released at the same time as the Obsession Solid, the Obsession Tour has the same core shape, however, the Obsession Tour has a differential that is .016 points lower which creates less flare, less hook, and a more controllable reaction compared to the Obsession Solid and uses an updated version of the Tour cover found on the Web Tour balls. The Obsession Tour will create a unique reaction that will allow many players to stand closer to the dry and be great for higher rev players.
With the out of box surface at 500/1000 and the new Obsession Tour core this ball is exactly as advertised as I get a controlled, lower flaring asymmetric core ball that allows me to keep a tighter line to the pocket (something that is generally associated with a symmetric core) which is a definite plus on tougher sport/challenge patterns as well as the 2021 USBC Masters pattern. I used a layout of 90×2.25×45 intending to have a ball motion that would replicate a urethane look without the urethane carry down, that will not overreact or be too jumpy down lane. That said, I’m still able to move both my feet and targets left during league and play a bigger rolling arc with the Obsession Tour still having enough energy to roll up to the pocket and split the 8-9 pins. Even on attempts that are light or ‘half pocket’ there’s a great ‘mix’ with the pins and getting the head pin as a messenger to take out that dreaded 10 pin. I haven’t yet attempted to alter the OOB finish.
It’s not the prettiest ball that you’ll ever see but the solid Burgundy with Gold lettering does appeal to my eyes even though I prefer a mix of colors …and those are the colors for the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!)
High performance and at the high price point, intended to have a strong mid lane and backend motion (even with my layout choice to tame that reaction) on medium to heavy oil, I’m not disappointed with the ball reaction and shape that I’m getting out of the Obsession Tour and I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed either.
Be well, rip racks …and shred pins.
Tom Marlow –
Obsession Tour is a great ball to be your bench mark asymmetrical ball. The ball motion is very smooth and continuous. It uses the new Obsession tour core with the Tour V2 solid cover an updated cover found on the web tour balls.
I drilled mine 45×4.5×35. The motion I see out of this ball is a very smooth and predictable motion on the lanes. I see this ball being used on both league and sport shots.
Christopher Doerr –
65 x 3 ¾ x 20 – PAP 4 ½ -> and ½^ – Speed – 15mph – Rev Rate 380
After throwing the original Obsession, I decided to drill up the tour as well because I love the Hammer Obsession. This ball is exactly as advertised, smooth, strong and definitely hits like a Hammer. I brought this ball to league and my first game was the front 9 and then the disappointing pocket 7-10, which is a popular leave in our center. Besides that, this ball would be great for heavier oil patterns and when you need to control the sharp reacting backends. Smooth, smooth, smooth and strong is how I describe this ball shape, an absolute winner.
Christina L. –
The Obsession Tour features the same core design as the regular Obsession minus the flip disc. On a typical house shot, I could play a similar line as I did with the Obsession, but I was able to keep my angles a little more closed. I was also able to play further outside into the friction without sacrificing control. Overall, the Obsession Tour has slightly less hook and a smoother response to friction than the regular Obsession. The benchmark motion of the Obsession Tour makes it a great ball to start with to read the pattern.
Matt Murtishaw –
I decided to drill this ball because I loved the specs. Loved the Web Tour, love low RG cores, love low diff cores. I drilled this ball with the pin near my grip center about 6″ from my axis with the MB on my VAL. This is a favorite layout of mine because I like to see my ball float down the lane and then have a controlled, slow hook. The Obsession Tour performed exactly how intended, but I was actually very surprised with the overall hook I achieved with it. It almost hooks too much. Almost.
For me, this ball works best when I am playing steep trajectories through the front and need something with adequate continuation. If the back ends are dry, the ball is too continuous, but under normal circumstances, this is probably the only ball I can trust to recover from extreme trajectories through the front.
If you are a speed dominant player, you should probably drill this with a lower VAL angle, so it pops on the back enough to carry well. If you are a rev dominant player, you would use this ball when there is a good amount of head oil or pattern length.
Overall, would drill again. 10/10
Gabe –
The Obsession Tour on a typical house shot, I could play a similar line as I did with the Web Tour Hybrid , but I was able to keep my angles a little more closed. I was also able to play further outside into the friction without sacrificing control. Overall, the Obsession Tour has slightly less hook and a smoother response to friction. The benchmark motion of the Obsession Tour makes it a great ball to start with to read the pattern. The Obsession Tour will go to all my tournaments or league when starting out. It reads the mid-lanes very well and gives a smooth predictable reaction down lane. The Obsession Tour is a great piece to have in your arsenal.
Marcus Winklepeck –
This ball is an incredible piece of my arsenal. I drilled this ball 55 X 5 3/4 X 40. As a stronger ball, it blends the pattern better than some equipment in lower levels, however it does not over hook/read. I prefer balls that have lower flare potentials, and this ball fit the bill. For tournaments, I drilled another one RICO. This gives me the ultimate tournament ball on flat patterns.
Steven –
This ball is just flat amazing. This was my first hammer ball I’ve drilled since the big EBI Brunswick deal. And i must say I’m extremely impressed. First time using it i shot 767 for singles at USBC. I couldn’t believe how much forgiveness this ball gave me. It doesn’t fly on the backend and doesn’t hook super early. It’s just a smooth controllable arching ball. I put my favorite layout on it which is 70X 4 1/4X 30. It almost reminds me of the original radical intel just a little stronger. This will be in my bag at every tournament without a doubt. I
Brandon Traynum –
10 out of 10 bowling ball. Defines controllable motion with strong backend potential. This ball just does what it needs to do on volume! Have had multiple situations where I couldn’t find consistent reaction and this has been my go to for finding the shape I need. Love this ball
Chris Walden –
45 x 5 x 40
I can’t say enough about this ball! Truly a benchmark piece for the ages, as its been a true stud in my bag. I drilled mine 45x 4 x 40 , typical benchmark drill that I do on all of my stuff, and the amount of control and finish was unexpected. Normally I have issues with strong asym solids, as they burn up too quickly and have nothing left. On multiple patterns for me, including house and sport shots, this ball has and had tremendous motion through the mid’s with enough drive on the back to kick out the back row. Truly a must have piece in your league and tournament arsenal. Get one , or two today!
Scott Crawford –
The Obsession Tour has been an extremely reliable benchmark solid for me to really get a good read on the oil patterns and starting point for the set. While it’s core is the same shape as the Obsession, the Tour has a lower differential, so less flare and more controllable reaction. As with most ‘tour’ type balls it excels on difficult patterns where you need to control the lane from front to back, but it’s also a great benchmark ball on house shots too. I drilled this one 60 x 4 x 30 and kept at the box finish of 500 / 1000 Siaair and it gives me controllable hook and the ability to play multiple angles some too.