The Storm PHYSIX line has been a favorite of mine from the beginning, so I was looking forward to getting my hand in the new INFINITE PHYSIX.

And I have not been disappointed as it looks like another great PHYSIX ball, especially on Sport and Challenge patterns.

The PHYSIX that featured the NRG Hybrid coverstock and the Atomic asymmetrical core was for a long time my go-to ball for tougher patterns that weren’t too oily or too dry.

The ASTROPHYSIX featured the legendary R2S Pearl cover over the Atomic core, and was outstanding on tougher patterns that had transitioned or were lower oil volume.

The PROTON PHYSIX features the NeX Solid cover over the Atomic core and remains in my arsenal for heavy oil patterns.

The INFINITE PHYSIX features that ReX Pearl cover over the Atomic core.

The ReX Pearl is stronger than the R2s and I believe debuted in the Storm DARK CODE. However, the DARK CODE came 1,500-shiny box finish, while the INFINITE PHYSIX is the new 4,000 Fast box finish.

The result is a ball that is very strong for a pearl. (I have not shined mine to provide a direct comparison because I like the box finish so much.)

I chose my standard pin-up strong drilling for my INFINITE PHYSIX. With my PAP of 4 7/8 over and 5/8 up, the numbers are 5 1/16 pin-PAP, 3 3/4 MB-PAP, and 2 3/4 pin buffer. (My standard caution that I throw 14-pound balls and that may lead to different ball motion. For example, the 14-pound Ikon core has a 2.53 RG compared to 2.48 for 15 and 16 pounds.)

Like its predecessors, the INFINITE PHYSIX is not a great house shot ball for me, as it’s just too reactive to wet-dry differences in the lane with my moderate speed and revs. Simply put, I have better options that blend out house shots.

But I’ve seen the INFINITE PHYSIX excel on Sport patterns, most notably the Del Ballard 34 in the PBA50 JAX 60 Open in Jackson, Michigan last month.

I saw great motion practicing on the pattern at Ten Pin Alley in Fitchburg prior to Jackson, using a boomerang shot that saw the INFINITE PHYSIX open up the breakpoint once some oil carried down and I could get it to skid enough.

And it was the ball I bowled best with on Ballard in Jackson, again once there was some carrydown. I rallied from under to more than 100 over with it in the first round and closed with eight strikes and a 259 in the second round to miss the cut by one pin, earning a super senior check. My angles varied from inside 10-board at the arrows to near 5-board, aiming to get outside 5 at the breakpoint.

The INFINITE PHYSIX motion is more of a smooth, sweeping curve than a skid-flip or hockey-stick motion, which gives enough control for it to work well boomeranging on Ballard.

I would add the caution that at 4,000 Fast, the INFINITE PHYSIX probably isn’t going to work on light oil, or a transitioned pattern with early hook. Shining it might make it suitable for those conditions, but I like it so much at 4,000 Fast that I don’t want to change it.

And at 4,000 Fast, the INFINITE PHYSIX is not strong enough for a long, heavier oil pattern like Dick Weber 45. It might work better with more surface, but I like it so much at 4,000 Fast that I don’t want to change it.

I think the INFINITE PHYSIX is going to be like the PHYSIX: a ball that I pull out for certain tougher patterns, but leave home for house shots.

I could see any style of player having success with the INFINITE PHYSIX on any kind of pattern with the right surface tweaks.

For example, a stroker could use it on a heavy oil house shot by taking it down to perhaps 500 grit. I’m sure it could handle plenty of oil at 500, and perhaps provide a little more down-lane motion than something like a PROTON PHYSIX with the same surface.

Someone with more ball speed and revs than I have also probably could get more use of the INFINITE PHYSIX on house shots.