Expert: - 2/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Mr. Friedl,

I am currently a 36 year-old bowler who is bowling in a league for the first time in 2 years; before that it was 17 years in between leagues (as I bowled from 9 to 18, then not again until I was 34).  When I left bowling the first time in 1989 I left with a 206 book average and 3 300's under my belt.  At this time my balls of choice were a Red Hammer, Blue Rhino and White Dot (The ball that I used to bowl my final 300.)  The other balls I shot 300 with were a Black U-Dot and a Wine U-Dot.

As I stated above I returned to league bowling 17 years later in 2006...boy had things changed! :-)  The lanes were now synthetic, the balls made of Reactive Resin and there were now bowling ball terms that I was clueless about!  So I pulled out my trusty 18 year old equipment attempted to see if I could still bowl.  At seasons end I found my old stroke  finishing the league with a 206 average (exactly where I left off 16 years ago); along with a 279 and 288; choking in the 10th frame both times...(funny how I didn't remember being that nervous when I was 18 and younger.) At this time a few guys in the league told me that if I got new equipment I would average 10-20 pins higher.  I found that hard to believe as I didn't believe I could throw the ball any better than I was.

Now, 2 years later (2008), I find myself once again in a league.  We have bowled two weeks now and I am slowly regaining my stroke and averaging an even 200 after two weeks.  The first week I used my trusty “old” Red Hammer and other than being a little inconsistent I was happy with my improvement over the 3 games.  The second week there seemed to be a lot more oil on the lanes, so I pull out a ball I rarely ever used (drum roll), a Ebonite Thunderbolt.  It went long and straight, but I found the pocket playing straight up 7 or so.  I had room to tug it, but I could not let the ball out at all.  As I struggle to do this, I saw guys with Twisted Fury’s and Buzzsaw playing inside throwing the ball way out and it was like a magnetic to the pocket.  I think it might be time for some new equipment.  

This is where I need some help in which ball or balls I should select.  As you know I average about 200-206, I have been told that I throw the ball hard, though I think its pretty average for a quality bowler (about 17mph for strike ball and 18mph for spare ball).  I have the confidence that I can bowl on any lane condition thrown my way (hate people that complain about the lane conditions).  I can bowl just about any style that I need to for the condition.  I can crank/rev the ball up when I needed (to swing it), I can also slow it up and play straight up the outside when needed.  Where my game suffers is the inconsistency of my strike shot; as I can no longer bowl 10+ games a day as I did before I was 18.

So, with that long winded amount of information do you have any recommendations for me?  I have been looking at the Twisted Fury and Black Widow Pearl, but was worried that I might get too much back end reaction out of them.  Any thoughts?

Thanks for your time…Mo


ANSWER: Do you still have the White Dot and use it for spares? Good base, because as you pointed out todays equipment can be much stronger than the equipment you mentioned (have experience with). Always good to have something you can kind of ignore the lane conditions with and go straight with for spares.

Layout of high tech equipment also must be taken into consideration, because layout creates the shape of the reaction. How quickly or slowly the core comes into play facilitates a bowler's ability to "match up".

Trusting your local pro shop guy can lay the ball out for your speed, rev rate and axis tilt, the two balls you mentioned act differently on a fresh house shot.

The Twisted Fury is meant to be an earlier reading ball (asymmetrical core and rough buff cover), starting to gain friction in the midlane, while the red pearl Widow is very smooth maybe more appropriate for slower speeds or drier conditions. It's asymmetrical core will provide the highly prized long and strong ball reaction for players with more hand. I have seen the red Widow do well on tighter conditions, when the player is more skilled.

With your speed and experience with a more center heavy ball (the red Hammer), you'll probably find both balls more arcy, but strong on the backend of the lane. If lanes are oily, the Twisted will afford an earlier "look" while the smooth Widow will make a longer then strong arc move to the pocket. I'd concern myself that if layout, lane condition and your speed and rev rate don't match up the Widow will be too long on fresh lanes. You might be better served by the original Black Widow or a strong little brother the new Black Widow Bite. You might also consider the T-Road pearl, Shift or new Gravity Shift (out in a couple days) from Storm. Thanks for the question. Good luck with your new ball.

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply.  Yes, I still have the white dot for spares.  Thanks for the information on Layout, I will seek the advise of my local pro-shop on that.  Funny you mention the T-Road Pearl; as I have been looking at that one too, along with the Attitude Shift.  I will also take a look at the other Storm balls that you mentioned.

Oh, one other thing.  I have been told that I should drop down to 15lbs by a few guys in the league.  I asked why and they said that the new balls hit so hard that you don't need the extra weight.  I am concerned about dropping down in weight because of my ball speed, but one of the guys that mentioned this to me does throw the ball similar to me.  Back in the day I used to have a couple of 15lbs balls (the thought back then was that if you couldn't get the right angle to the pocket and kept sticking the 10pin you would bring out the 15lb ball) (That's probably a funny concept now-a-days?)  Your thoughts on ball weight?

Thanks again...Mo


Answer
When I put my dad into a lighter ball years ago, the style I saw for so many years returned. I switched to 15's a couple months later. The lighter ball allowed me to throw harder (don't throw very hard even with the lighter ball). I can turn the ball more, having some physical options I didn't before, especially when playing more games at one time.

The weight of your ball dictates what you can do, to a degree. Ball speed can be controlled, somewhat, by swinging around the heavier ball.

Ball speed is one of the best assets to have in today's High Friction Game. So, going lighter may take awhile to get a handle on, but it would benefit you, especially in the long term.

Yes, Dad is going strong at 80 plus with a 14lb arsenal. Some well respected colleagues have passed along some info on experiments with 14lb balls. They still hit good, especially in the hands of good players, and the ball speed thing is huge.

If you decide to drop in weight, do the spare ball to. Consistent weight in all your equipment will help the transition. Also, as someone with some speed, you may want the first ball to have a stronger cover or something that can easily be tuned rougher to help control the inevitable additional speed you will generate with the change. Good luck, let me know how your choice works out.