Expert: Chip Aki - 11/19/2009

Question
Good Evening Chip:

For background, i have been bowling for close to 22 years now (since 4yrs old) and have had several bowling balls and throw ~220 on a typical house layout.  I throw around 28-30kmh and am a medium rev player.  With the new equipment i plan to get, i will be having it drilled with my PAP in mind.  This is something i've overlooked for far too long as i have never had my PAP measured, i've just had equipment drilled with a desired reaction in mind.  Recently, I have had to change ball drillers and there is a significant language barrier between my new driller and I which brings me to you, Chip.  I would like an understanding of how the PAP measurement is used for drilling a new ball.  

I did read the post from 'Tom' dated 4/15/2006 which helped some but i am still confused.   I am left handed and for arguement sake let's say my PAP was measured out to be 5 1/2 over and 3/4 up.  I use Storm equipment and am familiar with viewing the 'key drilling guide' for suggested layouts.  In your response to Tom, what did you mean by "Find the spot what will put the CG and Pin the proper distance from your PAP" - what exactly is the proper distance?  when i look at the Storm drill guide, it mentions Pin to PAP distance, Key(mass bias) to PAP distance and pin buffer distance with no mention of CG distance.  

With that said, if my PAP is 5 1/2 over and 3/4 up, and i'm looking to get a storm ball drilled with Layout 1, for a typical house shot, am i alright to place the pin 4-3/4" from PAP, using a 4" pin buffer and locating the KEY 5" from PAP like the guide suggests or does my PAP measurement affect the suggested measurements in the guide?

I am looking to be as informed as possible when i approach my driller as it will be easy to lose things in translation.

Thanks Chip and please let me know if i need to be more specific.  

Answer
Unless the ball has a mass bias marker on it, like the key, it is easier to explain the layout by using the CG.  At times, I tend to use the CG even with the balls that have that extra marker on it.  Old school thinking that still sneaks out once in awhile.
The layout you have selected should be fine.  Keep in mind, depending on the ball, it may not look just like the picture.  The key and cg distance compared to the pin can be significantly different on every ball.

Good luck,
Chip