Expert: Chip Aki - 1/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, chip

I am a 215 average bowler and having trouble carring pesky
corner pins. Do you have any good advice to what i should try or what i'm doing wrong.During league play first 2 games have trouble then third game always shoot over 240 and i start to carry the corners very frustrating . have trouble in tournements also.To be able to compete with the big time bowlers i need to learn how to adjust to carry a higher percentage of them pesky corners.If you could give me any direction on what to do or try greatly appreciated


David

ANSWER: If you carry better as the lanes breakdown, then at the start of play you may need a ball with an earlier breakpoint.  
I know bowlers that have all of their equipment laid out for long and strong and that creates too late of a move towards the pocket when the lanes are fresh, but as they breakdown, the carry goes up.  You might even try a little surface on the ball.

Good luck,
Chip

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

QUESTION: Chip i heard that you can use scotch brite to change the surface of the ball and was told just do the track area not the whole ball if thats true what color scotch brite should i use.My arsenal of bowling balls are awesome hook mo rich,absolute inferno,storm paridign,inferno and brunswick rampage. Which one of these do you think i should try to put alittle suface on.


David

Answer
I would try a little surface on the absolute inferno.  Instead of a scotch brite, use a 600 wet/dry sandpaper though.  That way, it will be easier to polish if need be and I doubt you will need the aggressiveness of the scotch brite.
Also, you will need to do the whole surface of the ball as it needs to be uniform in accordance to USBC rules.

Good luck,
Chip