AboutWarren Friedl Expertise 20 Years Pro Shop Owner/Operator, 17 Years Bowling Center Operator (Manager/General Manager), 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 Certified, IBPSIA "On Lanes" Certified, 2 Time Member of the IBPSIA Board of Directors and Past Secretary/Treasurer, Small Shop columnist "Pro Shop Operator" Magazine, contributor to "Bowlers Journal International" magazine, editor of IBPSIA NET NEWS weekly e-newsletter, editor of "The Bowling Tree" blog and webmaster of www.revbowl.com.
Experience 20 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.
Organizations American Bowling Congress/USBC Member since 1976, bowling 50 years.
International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter and continuing member (18 years), 2 time member of IBPSIA Board of Directors, former Secretary/Treasurer.
US Bowling Coaches Association (Bronze Coach)
Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA)
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 Technically Certified. Multiple Seminars from AMF, Brunswick, Columbia, Circle, Ebonite, Hammer, Mo-Rich, Storm, Track, Dexter, Etonic, and others. Kaploe and Davis Bowling Marketing training.
Certified with the Young America Bowling Alliance (YABA) and the National Bowling Council (NBC) 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
Question QUESTION: I just received a Storm Reign that I ordered, and am now looking for a pro-shop to drill the proper layout. When I was in high school travel league, I used to bowl with a Rhino (forget the model) with a minor hook (stood at center arrow right hook to far right arrow back into pocket). College I used the same ball in a fraternity league, so at that point my hand was obviously too big for a proper fit. But at that time, I was used to throwing the ball that I really didn't notice a change. I am now 27yrs old, 6' 175lbs and just started to bowl again last year. I bowled with a hook house ball that fit my hand best with about a 15lb weight. Now that I got this new ball today, I want to have a mean flip hook at the backend. Problem is that I do not know what my true rev is or any of the other specs that you mention about. Any ideas as to the best way I can approach the pro-shop owner and be somewhat beneficial in what I am looking for? I bowl in two leagues with different oil conditions. The Storm Reign is a 15lb ball. Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you
ANSWER: Gudziel,
If you bought a ball from me, I'd want you to get the best out of a ball. We take players on the lanes and try to determine the elements of their games that will play a big part in what will happen.
By buying online your driller IS NOT invested in the ball working for you (you choose the ball and are imposing it's nuances on the driller). The pin position and top weight of the ball you bought might work great or be something to be overcome. The core and cover might skid too much, hook too soon or too late. It might work OK, but without knowing your speed, rev rate, tilt and axis rotation, I couldn't predict the ball to be the flippy monster your looking for. That's why, knowing how you play before you get the ball works better. That is also why, when I don't feel a ball brought into my store can accomplish what a bowler wants, I won't drill it. I'm invested in your success. And a little cash for me now, won't lessen the impact of your dissatisfaction later (through loss of future business) if the ball doesn't do what you want.
The lane conditions will impact the success you seek also. One center might treat the ball kindly and it will work great while the other may not (the lane conditions). You never know unless you set a ball up for the house/conditions that you bowl on.
Why didn't you start the process with a discussion at the local bowling store? You need to interview potential drillers. Mention you have a Reign and ask how would they drill it for you. Ask about the process of fitting you and determining what to expect from the ball.
Some drillers will just stick three holes in the ball, and that is why I think so many bowlers have quit the sport over the last ten years. When you invest in an expensive piece of sports equipment and it doesn't provide the advantage you seek, a player will get frustrated, feel they can't be as competitive as they'd like and quit.
Unfortunately, a disappointed driller (that didn't get the ball sale) may not give you the service necessary to get optimum results. But the bowler, who for whatever reason brings in something to drill that just may not work is getting what they pay for (three holes and no real investment by the driller in their success).
Most bowlers don't know the equipment like the driller, don't know their own games, don't know the nuance of different layouts, yet want a magic wand drill job to make their new ball a wonder tool. Bowling balls can work spectacularly well or be less than adequate. Knowing what you want and what you need is why a good driller is so sought out.
Once again, unfortunately, some drillers don't know what they don't know, and just crank out the same kind of fit, drill job for years and years without truly understanding that they aren't really servicing the needs of consumers. Sorry to be so long winded, thanks for the questions. Good luck with the new ball. Let me know how it works out.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I understand what you are saying, and to be honest, never thought of that. I went to a local bowling alley last night after work. Fortunately, the owner of the pro-shop also co-owned the newly renovated alley. He was very helpful and I just asked him how long he had been doing it for, and he said over 20 years. I asked him how he planned on drilling it. He replied that since he has no idea what my original ball was drilled at, the type of bowler I am, etc, he couldn't really give me a drilling that pertains to my throws. After he drilled out the ball, he took me to a private lane away from all of the leagues going on and stood there with me while I threw a couple of balls to ensure everything was ok. After a few throws he realized that the thumbhole was a bit snug and re-drilled the hole. He gave me a few tips and pointers (dropping my shoulder which I've always done since middle school, etc) but the ball cuts nicely. After he drilled and we went back, we were both pretty satisfied with the results. He allowed me to bowl as many games as I needed to get used to the hook, as this backend hook is much different than my original. So I bowled 5 games total, with the low at 173 and high at 214.
But now I am left with a couple more questions. First of all, I was standing with my right foot at the second arrow in from the right gutter, throwing my ball over the first arrow from the right gutter (basically straight ball right handed). The ball would cut into the headpin just about everytime. IF, and I stress IF, I hit the pocket, it was a definite strike. But I had found that I had problems leaving the 7-6/10 split up most of the time, but I did have issues with splits as I would hit the head pin head-on. I know that I can just add a bit more power behind my back swing to get it into the pocket. But what I had originally wanted was to stand with my right foot at the middle arrow and swing out with a flip hook into the pocket. I tried it numerous times last night, and the ball would just barely hit the 3 pin, but would always hit the 6/10's. Is there anything I can do with my swing (lower the start-off point of my swing for less backswing or is the "general" drilling of this ball the main issue?
Final question: At the end of my fifth game last night, I was beat. I know that this might be the reason for my problem. But towards the half-way mark of the final game, I tore skin at the left-side of the knuckle on my thumb. It's circumference is about the size of the top of a pencil eraser. I didn't think I was really gripping my ball, as it slides off pretty easy and it can hang off my hand while still touching the palm. Any ideas?
I appreciate your quick response yesterday and I look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions on my questions. Thank you very much!
Answer Gudziel,
Sounds like you found a concerned driller that tried to help, the best he knew how. That's a good thing.
You described your set-up. But, standing on second arrow and aiming at first arrow demands that you drift left, unless your body is about 10 inches wide. You start, standing on second arrow (10th board), but where do you end up at the foul-line (where is the tip of your slide foot) while trying to hit first arrow (fifth board)?
Changing your ball speed (a physical adjustment) is the most difficult to be consistent with. Trying to slow down or speed up, demands a lot from your body which wants to throw the ball at it's own pace. I suggest to only very practiced and skilled players that a speed change be your choice of adjustments. The sport of bowling demands a certain level of consistency. Ball speed changes are the hardest to make with any consistency. Try first to move your feet and/or target when the ball goes awry (feet - forward, backward, left or right, target - right or left, or move target closer or further down the lane).
Tearing the thumb is an indicator that you are gripping the ball, also the fatigue. Sounds like the fit is OK, you just may be so used to gripping that it still is happening even though it may not be necessary (muscle memory). If the fit is good the muscle memory will change as you get used to the new ball. Try, in your set-up, to relax your hand, thumb specifically as much as possible and try to keep the thumb straight as you swing the ball. Thanks for the questions. Let me know more and I can address the ball reaction issue.
