The Bull Whip Special Edition is the first of two “remakes” from AMF this year. While these two balls use the older weight blocks that were found in the originals, the coverstocks have been updated to modern resins. The Bull Whip Special edition surrounds the high RG weight block with the current F73 pearlized coverstock. This combination shoots the ball down the lane, storing its oomph for the back end.

This type of reaction worked best on our medium test pattern. Even with today’s covers, we needed to make sure our releases were pretty good with the Bull Whip Special Edition. If Stroker missed it at the bottom, it did not quite get back to the 1-3. Cranker, on the other hand, had to make sure not to over hit the ball at the release or he watched it go right through the beak. Tweener was stuck right in the middle of Stroker’s and Cranker’s troubles and once he squared up more and increased his speed, he matched up much better than our other testers.

The dry pattern is where the next largest amount of success was found. Stroker’s misses were now in the pocket and either going light shaker or got back just enough to slap out the ten. Tweener was able to throw rockets and play the same area he did on the medium pattern. Cranker was stuck in no man’s land not being able to move in because of the short length of the pattern and his ball going left as soon as it exited the pattern. Removing the polish with a 4000 Abralon combined with rolling up the back of the ball more were the adjustments he made to get to the pocket.

The opposite was the case on the heavy oil pattern. Cranker was the only one able to use the ball at the box finish and not have to worry about catching a mitt full. The longer pattern provided the skid and the Bull Whip Special Edition covered the boards in the back to strike. Tweener and Stroker needed the help of a 2000 Abralon pad to get the grip needed on the slicker pattern.

We struggled with the box finish on our sport pattern. Too much skid in oil and too much response to the friction had us lower the grit to a 4000 Abralon, square up, and smooth out the reaction.

Strengths: The ability to clear the front yet being semi-smooth at the breakpoint is the best selling point of the Bull Whip Special Edition. The motion is one that is unique on the market today.

Weaknesses: Balls with pearlized covers and high RG cores get to be semi-condition specific. Conditions outside of medium patterns will force cover adjustments for success.

Overall Summary: The Bull Whip SE is a great middle of the road type ball. Medium conditions are where this ball will have the best reactions.