The new Gold Widow features the ever popular Gas Mask core manufactured in the carbon fiber process. Thus, like all Hammers, this ball carries with it a 3 year Warranty. Semtex Pearl is the coverstock material used for the Gold Widow. For comparison of the Gold Widow, I used a similarly drilled Black Taboo. They both have one of my favorite layouts for a Gas Mask core ball. The layout is 45 x 6 x 35 with weight hole on the PAP.
Compared to a Black Taboo, the Gold Widow is definitely more angular. At box surface for the THS and Modified THS, I found a bit of over/under and sensitivity to transition. However, once I dusted the ball with a worn 2000 pad, the Gold Widow responded better. I found a little earlier pick-up in the midlane but definitely a more consistent, defined ball motion with less sensitivity to any midlane transition. On Badger, I was able to make it work with a “more aggressive” 2000 surface (used a newer pad) and keeping my angles very closed. Personally, the Gas Mask core balls have always matched up very well for my game and I have been always able to achieve many different shapes/ball motions with Gas Mask Cores. I believe the Black Widow Gold will offer similar variety depending on layout.
I would say the Gold Widow is best suited for medium volume patterns with a variety of distances. Like with most Gas Mask core balls, many styles of play will find success with this ball. In the past, I have used Gas Mask core balls on many different pattern distances.