Expert: - 1/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: I need a light-weight ball. I bowl a straight ball in a league. I now use a 11# Scout reactive and don't feel I have control, I feel it is too heavy but I want good pin action. What would be a recommended brand/ball?

ANSWER: Ann,
The appropriate weight is usually around 10 percent of your body weight. Athleticism contributes to a players capacity to handle more weight. So, if you are lighter than 110lbs, dropping a pound or two to what might work better is the first suggestion.

You didn't mention anything about your average or experience. More ball speed or less, a dramatic rev rate or minimal (your straight ball) affects which ball choices might work better. Please let me know more about your game if you get a chance.

One warning prior to a change in the ball, occasionally the fit isn't affording a bowler comfort and control. When the ball is positioned at your side, will it just hang in your hand with little or no grip pressure? If you must grip to control it from slipping off, a fit adjustment is necessary.

Any weight ball will feel too heavy if you must squeeze, for hours, to play.

Your Scout reactive is not a bad ball, unless your speed is pushing it down the lane too far. A polyurethane base coverstock like the Scout helps with effect when the ball hits the pins (good pin action).

I suggest you address the weight and fit issues. To much energy controlling a ball makes the game harder. A proper fit will lead you to a relaxed swing, less drift, more control and (the fun part) LESS EFFORT. Please advise me when the above issues are resolved, or if you'd like additional suggestions.

Equipment becomes much more of a factor when you can use it consistently. Best of luck, I hope to hear back soon.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My average is 125-135, I might bowl 90 one game then 175 the next,speed 8-12, experience 4 yrs.league, low rev rate-slides then tumbles,ball tends to drift at end- age 57yo, wt #130, ht 5 ft, small frame--fit does seem an issue

ANSWER: Let's consider some options to make what you have feel, and perform better.

First, on your Scout, if the fit isn't flat, you'll feel like you must squeeze. Put your thumb in the ball, when you lay the fingers over the holes (relax the hand), where does the first crease of each finger align with the finger holes? edge of the hole? less than halfway across the hole? past halfway across the hole? past top of the hole?

If your hand is flat on the ball (not stretched) the angles of the holes help you control the ball without having to squeeze. Can you have the shop provide you fit info? Length of each finger span, hole sizes and angles (forward/reverse and lateral).

Please share if your hands are flexible or stiff (or somewhere in between), dry or moist (or somewhere in between), and length of fingers and thumb. Does your ball backup (you said drift)? Thanks for sticking with this, a little more info and I'll have some recommendations to adjust your ball.

We will be able to adjust the angles, by having your local pro shop add forward pitch (toward the thumb) to the finger holes, and possibly thumb hole of your ball.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First crease of fingers lie even with outer edge of holes. Thumb= 2 in., fingers=2 1/2 in. Flexibility good,hands dry. ball seems to have a small right angle hook just before impact-I'm right-handed.Put a strip of velcro in thumb hole and can hang ball by side with a loose grip.

Answer
Distance from thumb to finger is 2 1/2 inches for both fingers? With a short span, short fingers, and a dry hand, you should have at least 3/8 inch forward pitch in both fingers. It sounds like you may be a little stretched in the ball? Is that right? Having the crease of your finger fall at the edge of the hole doesn't allow enough room for the finger to bend and slide into the ball.

Rosin, tape and grip assisting strips should not be necessary with a solid fit. Putting the Thumb strips in the thumb assists holding on, but you shouldn't need to hold on.
If your span is around 2 1/2 inches, it is very short and at least 1/2 to 5/8 forward pitch (toward the fingers) should help the ball hold on to you. The larger hole is fine (without the strips).

Lateral pitches will assist in getting you to turn the ball as you deliver it. You may have a spinner release, where the ball slides far down the lane and turns very late. When you look at the ball after a first shot delivery, where are the oil rings (distance from finger hole and thumb hole) and how big are the oil rings around the ball? If you use a tape measure, estimate distance across the bottom of the ball from the first oil ring nearest your finger (measuring perpendicular across the ball to the other side, to the first ring).  This also measures your axis tilt.