Expert: - 3/9/2008

Question
Just wondering what new ball out there might help my game out. I have been bowling for three years now, and I'm up to about a 190 average. Our lanes just switched to synthetics, and I'm having a rough time. Being a lefty, the oil stays on the lane, and since I don't put a whole lot of hook on the ball, I was wondering what ball out there now might help me carry the ball into the pocket with a little more force. Right now I'm rolling a Track Freak (2nd generation) and last year I bought a Track Machine. The Freak hooks more for me, so I usually use that a little more often.  I was looking at the Black Widow Bite, but I'm game for anything. Any suggestions?

Answer
Matt,
190 after three years is doing very good. Don't underestimate your progress to date. How about a spare ball? Hows your spare game? is that where you're falling down a little?

So much must be analyzed. First look at why the Freak does what it does, because the Machine is awfully strong too. Maybe the Machine is rolling out???

Instead of looking for the next new ball, why not spend a little on some instruction and some practice. You said it in the question, that you don't "put a whole lot of hook on the ball." When you have the perfect ball, you and the environment change constantly, so the perfect ball is only perfect for a little while. Why not develop a stronger you?

When you say rough time, what do you mean?

Your rough patch could mean ball speed to slow or to fast, lane to oily, or dry, ball to strong, or weak? layout to much or too little??? What kind of synthetic lane did they install?

Let me know more please, and we can work on a better understanding of what you do and what you might need. Thanks for the question.