Expert: - 1/23/2009

Question
Hi, I am a stroker by nature and consider it my A game.
I have a pretty high ball speed, avg. around 19 mph with a good rev. rate. Cant give exact there wish I could. But I know that it is above avg.
Getting the ball to go into a roll and hook tends to be my problem.
We have no local coach here any more, wish we did I am sure they could help more than a ball can but thats not an option right now.
Anyhow my question was about ball choice. I have 3 balls to choose from and was wondering which one may suit my game best.
1) is Lane Masters Satisfaxion  2) Lane Masters Counter Strike and the 3rd is Tracks Rising.
Are any of these good balls for lets say a speed dominant type player?
Also secondary question if I may. Are Lane Masters balls really that much better?
thanks in advance
Hope I was not to confusing for you.

Answer
Rich,
I've found the Lane Master/Legend's products (strength of cover, thick coverstocks)work well for speed dominant players, but core help depends on your rev rate and control of tilt and axis rotation. I found they have thicker covers which contribute to carry/effect, but the cores aren't as "helpful" for today's weak handed league bowler. A forgiving ball like the Legends and Lane Masters products is effective for a good bowler. If you depend on the dry outsides or big friction downlane to steer your ball to the pocket when you miss a little, you'll love their stuff (provided it's chosen, matched to you and drilled properly), but if you can't keep your shot path within an arrow of your target (and possibly average 220!), you need way more help and I'd recommend other stuff.

The Satisfaction is a non-particle, polished reactive ball while the Counter Strike is a particle Pearl while the surface is a little rough (1000) it will bite earlier than the Satisfaction. The Track Rising (the original) is a very smooth version (4000) of the new Ball the Rising SE (same core). I've thrown both and the rougher cover of the new Rising SE will help slow your ball down. But, the core works better, the better/more consistent you are.

I attended the introduction of the Up-Rising (in Vegas) and saw many ok bowlers struggle with the ball on a long (50 ft) tournament pattern. Speed and rev rate must match the condition too!

Most of the guys threw hard and to the gutter (obviously house bowlers) and dumped it in the gutter, a lot. It will move strongly when encountering friction (I throw slower). It out hooked many balls I've tried (and recently threw the Rising SE and it's earlier!). For you, layout and surface will be key to help you match up.

So, Counter Strike would, potentially, be the best of the three, but their are others available with more surface. I'd need way more info to give you a better assessment.

Thanks for the question.