Expert: - 12/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: I release the ball with 90 degree of axis rotation(PDW release). 16-17 mph ball speed//PAP 5 1/8x0//med rev rate. What layouts would you suggest? Thank You!

ANSWER: Rhyce,
What reaction are you looking for? What conditions do you bowl on? Is your ball to much, too little or just right? What equipment and layouts do you use and do they work ok but could be...?

Are you sure you're 90? Did you use a video to determine your axis rotation? Your delivery makes for a strong backend. Long and/or heavy oil will be tough on you, because the late strong reaction demands very precise ball speed. Any deviation and the ball is too high or light.

Drier lanes suit your game better, but your slow to med ball speed could get in the way. Is your spare game decent? You may benefit from a spare ball and some work on a "B" game hand position to compliment your current game.

Surface adjustments or extreme layouts (6 inch pin to PAP or 1-2 inch) could provide some control you don't get now. Fill in some details and let's see if we can find some options. Thanks for the question.

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

QUESTION: Happy Holidays,
Thank you for such a quick reply. I am positive that I am 90 and yes to the video. You are correct long and heavy oil, also flat is tough on me. If I deliver the ball with more speed it tends to go pass the break point. I have a very decent spare game and I use plastic for spares. For THS I use a 90 degree (arcing) layout. Morich Nsane LevRg//I own a Storm Gravity drilled Rico for the cheetah pattern. I have a Brunswick Fury drilled old school(axis leverage)//Brunswick Pearlized Avalanche 5 in pin (hate the ball) Roto Grip Epic Oddessy drilled rico,,,,,have not thrown it yet. Track Uprising on order.....I have not clue on how to drill it. I looked at the layout sheet.....Layout 1 or Layout 4 is what I am considering. Which do you prefer?

Coverstocks:
Morich Nsane Levrg----2000
Storm Gravity Shift---1500
Brunswick Fury--------800
Roto Grip Epic Oddesy-Particle

In February I will turn 50 and I am looking forward to bowling in my 1st PBA Senior Regional event which will be in my area in March 2009, I would like to have a decent arsenal to work with.

Thank you,
Rhyce  

Answer
Rhyce,
Your five inch pin (Avalanche) for a player with late reaction is adding fuel to the "too late, too much" fire that your release creates.

The axis leverage layout, with the cg on your axis will create earlier roll and strong hook, complimenting your release. The ball and surface should reflect where you want the ball to start hooking.
Does the axis leverage layout have a big hole on your axis? Is the Morich N'Sane 90 degree drill angle? What pin distance to PAP? What VAL angle?

The rico layouts provide quite a spread (pin buffer) between your vertical axis and your pin (top of the weightblock) and placing the pin below your fingers, which helps get the ball rolling sooner and tames some of the violent reaction 90 degree rotation creates.

Going with the very smooth (4000 grit Abralon (not un-like the Brunswick pearl Avalanche)) surface of an Up-Rising isn't a good idea. You're buying balls and seeing where they fit as you roll them. You need to think of the lane as your favorite path to the pocket and all the others. What do you use on your favorite path to the pocket? What do you do when that path drys up? Can you play on that path with less ball (try a 6 inch pin in the Avalanche or a 1 inch pin, when lanes dry out)?

Think of your bowling balls as tools. Is there a look or reaction you don't have?

Early enough on long oil and not so violent/touchy on flat. Drill a tame early reaction into something like your Epic or Fury for longer and more oil. If your speed is erratic get a Scorpion for flat.

PDW resorted to wrist devices (Cobra Product's Scorpion) when his reaction was uncontrollable on some conditions (it forces you to change your roll). Unfortunately, your roll is terrific on some conditions and brutally over/under on others.

So, in response, the balls won't tame or change the roll enough to only throw your "A" game in a Senior regional. Don't create an arsenal with bowling balls. If you enable yourself, by creating an alternative release (or buy one with wrist devices), each ball becomes two potential paths to the pocket, or more.

I'd put another rico in the Up-Rising and use it when the lane gets torched and you have to move in front of the ball return. The core and your release will get the ball back and the surface will manage the drier lane (I think like with the Pearl Avalanche, you'll hate the ball until the right condition happens).

You're creating an arsenal like a carpenter filling a large toolbox. If the right screw or nail comes along, a carpenter with a box full of hammers and screwdrivers will have the right tool. You need to think about what's on the lane, and how can you play it easiest (and sometimes there won't be any good options). Create your arsenal to play where you want to play, versus trying to throw something where the lane forces you to play.

Thanks for the questions. Let me know more.