Expert: - 7/31/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am a a57 year old lefty. I have been bowling several years with a PBA experience league avg. of 196. My track is approx. a fingers length from the finger and thumb holes. (5-6inches. Is there an advantage to raising my track so as to use more of the ball? I have been told by Jasneau my rev rate is 325 and speed is around 17-18. I never asked him this question. Is it important? thanks Jerry

ANSWER: Jerry,
Tracking away from the grip causes the ball to read the lane later. Your equipment hooks hard and very late. Yes? Better luck on medium/drier lanes?

Getting the track up (with a change in hand position or fit, or with ball layouts) will allow you to get your stuff to read tighter lanes earlier with less violent and unpredictable ball reaction. The higher track gets a ball to rolls earlier, utilizing more of the ball during each rotation.

If you struggle with oily lanes, first games, or the lane not breaking down much (because you're left handed), you might want to address it. Have you tried adjusting ball surfaces?

Thanks for the questions. bowl well.

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

QUESTION: Warren, Thanks so much for the info. aROUND here we have no pro shop to speak of. Our house hasn't been surfaced in approx. 14yrs. Wood surface. I have found that with equipment like infinite one, resurgance jolt, the action at the end is minimal at times. I have made an appointment with Carol Norman in Houston for help . We bowl on a PBA shot in Monticello Ar. Ironically enough my best avg. was on the Shark pattern. I know from different PBA qualifiers the this pattern at this house is not as challanging but still slippery. I have an off set thumb which I have been told allows the fingers to have more of a left lateral pitch. I have changed the pitch in my fingers to reverse supposedly allowing me to have less hit on the ball. But I want to get more out of my equipment. I averaged 231 in our La. state tourn with my partner averaging 228 and won the Doubles scratch division. My track was higher somewhat. Hope this gives you some insite. Can you , without being incriminating, advise me if I am making a good move by going and getting Carol to help? Thanks so much , I need all the help I can get. Jerrry

Answer
Jerry,
I know Carol from IBPSIA (International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association). She and her partner are very good operators. I expect you are in very good hands.

Reaction down lane is enhanced by the ball layout (how much help you get from the core). So, expect a rough (neglected wood) surface to get most everything you throw to hook sooner, use smoother covers and stronger backend pin positions (pin closer to the vertical axis line) to clear the fronts and still hit strongly on the back. You're having more success on Shark because it is a long pattern with a higher volume of oil, allowing energy retention (floating the ball longer down lane on the rough wood surface you bowl on), and having more energy left when the ball hits the pins.

Let's address something you said. "I have an off set thumb which I have been told allows the fingers to have more of a left lateral pitch." The relationship between fingers and thumb are of distance (Span) and angle (Pitch). The three (or more) holes drilled for your hand whatever it's called (Sarge Easter, off-set, CLT, t-grip, whatever) is a combination of the spans and pitches. Any specialty "grip" can be measured and duplicated using the standard fit orientation (t-grip). The "off-set" grip is simply a pitch and span combination to help the hand sit flatter on the ball (for most). You can drill the fingers with as much lateral as you want, but moving the thumb (while seemingly accommodating the increased angle, just allows a different combination of span distances).

Also, you said: "I have changed the pitch in my fingers to reverse supposedly allowing me to have less hit on the ball". With away from palm pitches (reverse), the ball will roll off your fingers, out of your hand more quickly. Less hitting up on the ball, and less loft.

Good luck, say hello to Carol for me, and thanks for the questions.