AboutWarren Friedl Expertise 18 Years Pro Shop Owner/Operator, 17 Years Bowling Center Operator, Certified Coach since National Bowling Council and YABA days. Also Dick Ritger and USA Bowling Bronze certified. International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter member, IBPSIA Hands On Training Certified and 2X Member of the IBPSIA Board of Directors, contributor to "Bowlers Journal International" and "Pro Shop Operator" Magazines. Member Bowling Writers Association of America.
Experience 18 Years operating Revolutions Pro Shops in 2nd Largest bowling ball market in the country, Chicagoland.
17 Years in Center operations as Marketing Director, Asst.Manager or General Manager, becoming GM in every Center I worked.
1 year Operating Revolutions Consulting, a pro shop and center operations consulting group.
Organizations American Bowling Congress/USBC Member since 1976, bowling 50 years.
Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA)
International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter and continuing member for 17 years, 2 time member of Board of Directors, presently, outgoing Secretary/Treasurer. IBPSIA Hands On Training (HOTs) Certified.
US Bowling Coaches Association (Bronze Coach)
Publications “Bowlers Journal International” and “Pro Shop Operator” Magazines.
Chicago Bowler, Windy City Bowling News, Centennial Lanes.com, The Bowling Tree Blog, IBPSIA.com and IBPSIA Net News (e-newsletter).
Education/Credentials IBPSIA Hands On Training Certified. Multiple Seminars from AMF, Brunswick, Columbia, Circle, Ebonite, Hammer, Mo-Rich, Storm, Track, Dexter, Etonic, and others. Kaploe and Davis Bowling Marketing training. Extensive Trade Subscriptions. Several newsletter/e-zine/blog Subscriptions on trade topics.
Certified with the Young America Bowling Alliance and the National Bowling Council as a coach in 1982. Other coaching credentials include: Dick Ritger Level One, Dick Ritger Coaching Coaches, and USA Bowling Bronze Level.
Awards and Honors Created and executed Promotions highlighted in Bowlers Journal Magazine and included in the “150 Promotions for Bowling Centers” organized by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA).
First Pro Shop featured in Bowling Industry magazine, for customer service and merchandising, October 1996.
Identified “One of the best ball fitters in the country” by then Track, Inc. President Del Warren, September 2005.
Tournament Promotions lead to top performance in center, or for center hosted events including: Chicago City Championships, US Open Qualifiers, Amateur Bowlers Tour.
Past/Present Clients Presenter at the IBPSIA National Convention.
Presenter at Bowling Proprietors Association Management School
Answer Andy,
Sanding may be a good start, if the oil or your ball speed get the ball too far down the lane to be effective. But, the Groove is a fairly rough ball at the surface. The most recent variation has some polish on it. Is yours dull or shiny?
You are playing with a weak combination of core and cover for a full roller. The puck/weight block of the urethane Groove is very basic. Much like a house ball or basic polyester ball.
What are you averaging? What weight is the ball? Is it hooking? How much? And where do you place the ball at the foul line? Are you throwing about average ball speed? Faster than most? Slower?
To provide a usable recommendation without too big a jump in ball reaction, knowing the above info will help. Your in a entry level urethane/reactive resin urethane category with the Groove. A little stronger might be the same category of ball (Power Groove, Tornado, Jazz, or Tropical Storm) with a better layout or a step up to the next stronger level of products (for example: Avalanche or other BVP ball, Jolt/Street Rod, Bash/Clash, or Vibe series balls).
