Expert: Chip Aki - 8/3/2008

Question
Hi, I'm 15 and I've been bowling for almost 5 years and have an average of about 170. I started learning to hook a ball about 2 years ago, but recently my ball (a different one with fingertips) has stopped hooking as much as it used to, practically none at all. I purchased this ball in September of '07. I don't know if it's just from bowling alot(6-18 games a week from September to April) or something else. I clean it regularly with "Black Magic" a resin ball polish, which the pro-shop guy advised in using.

Another question, my house lanes have also changed the surface of the lanes and I don't know what it is. It is half brown and half tan, but I've seen this at other houses. I was wondering what kind of surface it is.

Answer
What kind of ball is it that you are using?

It sounds like it is a synthetic lane surface which would play differently that the old surface, especially if it was wood before.

Unless the ball you have started with a dull surface and now has a more polished look, I doubt if cleaning it or using it has changed the reaction.

Good luck,
Chip