Expert: Warren Friedl, Pro Shop Owner/Operator, - 11/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am in my mid60s,left-handed and have bowled for over 30 years...recently suffered some heart disorders requiring surgery and have found my ability to hook the ball has diminished with strength. Would like your recommendation on ball and weight to maximize the hook and pocket power. I am considering the Brunswick Siege but am open to your suggestion.

ANSWER: Owen,
One of the keys to ball reaction is ball speed. How hard do you roll the ball? What Ball and weight are you rolling now? What area of the lane do you play (straighter down the lane, a little swing shot, or bigger bank shot)?

When playing most Typical House Shots (THS) the closer you get to the gutter the drier the lane is and earlier a ball will start to hook. That sometimes means, a ball played down the lane (to close to the gutter) loses so much energy early that it seems to not hook very much or hits the pocket weakly.

Your medical condition is diminishing grip strength? Grip strength should NOT be necessary to deliver a ball effectively. Your ball should fit so NO grip pressure is needed to control the ball during your approach/swing/delivery.

Strength in a bowling ball often means rough or dull early rolling coverstock, high flare potential (high Differential Radius of Gyration) and/or low Radius of Gyration (RG). On an oily lane, someone with average ball speed might need a stronger ball if their skills aren't very good. I've found as I've aged and as my customers lose ball speed they become more rev dominant and need less ball, but sometimes a little stronger layouts.

So, it sounds like you may have a few issues, but until I get more info on what you do, recommending a ball will be premature. I can suggest a few does and don'ts.

If you've always rolled duller bowling balls and throw the ball harder than the average player, a ball like the Siege might be a good choice (I've thrown it, and it was A LOT more ball than I needed on a fresh condition- but I'm slower in ball speed and a little rev dominant). But if you've always thrown smoother or shiny bowling balls and speed and rev rate have been reduced by your medical issues, you might benefit from less aggressive covers but cores and/or layouts that give you more recovery and backend action. Thanks for the questions. I look forward to hearing back from you.

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

QUESTION: As followup to your response I use an UltraZone with slight top weight and I generally play from the 7 board out. I would consider my ball speed to be in the moderate range with a down and in reaction. The strength issue is more general than grip and also affects stamina to a slight degree. Your response leads me to believe that you put more emphasis on ball core and drilling layout than cover stock so what would you recommend on those lines for the info I've provided?  

Answer
Owen,
The Ultra was one of Brunswick's stronger entries in the last few years. Most bowling centers don't put much oil outside of second arrow (the ten board) on both the left and right gutters. So, from what you mentioned, I'd have to assume your Ultra Zone has picked up an oil shine or your rolling firmly (quicker ball speed). Wanting more backend usually is the result of a ball burning up somewhat on its path to the pocket or a layout that either revs the ball up too soon or much too late.

Coverstock is the tires of a bowling ball. Getting more friction from the coverstock would usually get a ball rolling earlier. If that's your issue, the Siege would surely roll early enough. If the Ultra rolls too early sometimes (hitting weak, leaving soft 7's), I'd adjust the surface a little (smooth it a stage or two, maybe even a little polish) to see if the ball retains more energy and gives you a better move down lane. If smooth or polish skids the ball down the lane way too much, than you have a layout issue.

Generally, I talk cores and layouts with bowlers with weaker skills. Coverstock comes up for more oil or much less, or for players with ball speed issues (too much or too little). But all the elements of a ball, creates the package of characteristics that can be utilized to create an optimum ball reaction.

From what little you've mentioned, a strong Brunswick ball is leaving you wanting more finish. I'd conclude that either the ball is rolling too early sometimes (hitting weakly) or the layout is not helping much. If your benchmark ball (the Ultra) can be tweaked to get an improved reaction, it would be a strong indicator of what your next ball should feature. If something with a shine looks to be the direction you want to go the C System (developed by Carmen Salvino for Brunswick) rolls very nicely. The Wild series has a variety of cores and covers and might work well for as direct as you play, also. Lastly, I was impressed with the new Python, at a lower price point. That's just some of what Brunswick has in their line, at the moment, at the price point of your Ultra Zone. There are quite a few other options, from other manufacturers. Thanks for the follow up, good luck and good bowling.