Expert: Chip Aki - 11/12/2008

Question
I was told that there are certain bowling balls that work best for full rollers. Is that true, and if so what kind of equipment and all would work best im buying about four new balls.

Answer
I would not say that certain balls work best for a full roller, but certain layouts.
A full roller has a track that is between the finger an thumb holes.  This type of track can not use the layouts designed for 3/4 or spinner track bowlers.  If they are used, the full roller will see the ball track over the grip holes and than might cause much less affected ball motion and hitting power.
As a full roller the most common and best layout will place the pin in a 7:30 position in the left/thumb quadrant of the ball.  This will have the track flare near the center of the grip and help clear the grip holes.
If you are looking for different ball reactions, you will need to concentrate on different coverstocks and core designs.  Unless you are on the heaviest of oil patterns, I doubt you will need particle coverstocks.

Good luck,
Chip