Phntom Commander

Question
Hello!

As a twenty-something learning to take over the pro shop after my mother, I have found that we are the only people in the world that know what a "Phantom Commander" is. When it is attached to a quarterscale, you can perfectly lay out a ball with regards to a PAP off of another ball. Now obviously, someone has to remember this pro shop tool. I have searched all over the internet trying to find any information about it, and trying to find another one, and I have had no such luck. I was wondering if you have any knowledge of it, or know of any articles floating around that I haven't been able to uncover. Thank you for your time!

Answer
Danielle,
The Phantom Commander was a tool helpful in laying out the original Brunswick Phantom line of bowling balls. The complicated Phantom core required understanding of a players skills and PAP.

Using the Armadillo tool to find a PAP or using the Turbo 2n1 Pro-Sect and the Dual Angle Layout technique, ball layouts can be better understood and duplicated.

I'd suggest you familiarize yourself with current tools as once you are familiar with the Dual Angle Layout technique, you can better understand what a driller was trying to have happen on an exsisting ball and give you an idea what to do for a new ball.

Obviously, core numbers and surface strength influence ball reaction. Knowing what a ball is likely to do comparatively to another, will help you fine tune ball reaction. Being able to assign some values to a ball layout helps helps determine if you want to strengthen or weaken aspects of ball reaction to better create the desired ball motion.

Thanks for the question. Ball design has evolved dramatically. Keeping your skills current will allow you to better serve your customers in the present environment.