Expert: - 2/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: For the longest time i was a canker and now i have turned in to a stroker.  my track is close to my finger and thumb holes but im not worried about it tracking over them. i want to know how i should drill my bowling balls for my new style.  stacked leverage isn't doing it and i wonder if changing to a heavy roll layout is what would be best. is my thinking right or do you have some better advise.

ANSWER: Steve,
Layouts (in the right ball) allow a bowling ball to react where you need it to.

Cover texture helps control the front part of the lane (the Heads). Your core positioning helps the reaction downlane.

What about stacked leverage isn't working? Your old style benefited from a quick transition and strong backend move. You're stroking the ball now, is the reaction too early and too much?

The layout dictates a little of optimum ball path. If you want to play straighter, a rollier layout will be more controllable. But to early and the ball hits weakly.

Ball speed, rev rate, tilt and axis rotation dictate, how and how much the ball will respond to friction. How much is your current arsenal hooking? Forcing you deeper than you want to be? Where, on the lane do you want to play (Stand, target)? Let me know what you throw, and where you want the ball to be on the lane and we can come up with some options. Thanks for the questions.

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

QUESTION: i am throwing the visionary immortal line right now the solid is for lack of a better turn flaring out about 20 feet down lane and moving straight while the pearl is making it down lane and moving with a smooth arc. both drilled the same way with my new stile i like to play straight up the 5 board. i still have a high rev rate and throw the ball 19 to 21 mph which is faster than when i was cranking all the energy i put into side rotation has been added to speed and lift.  i can no longer throw my solid and with the pearl im leaving allot of 9 pins unless i hit light i want to throw the ball either straight up 5 with a smooth move to the packet or swing it with a contentious arc i have more control with my new style i can hit my target time after time and keep my hand in the same position i will be replacing my visionary balls soon because they do not have pba sanction and im kind of in a state of limbo on what to do.  thanks for your help on this.

Answer
Steve,
Ask your driller about longer pins (if you use 4 inch try 5, if you use 5 (I doubt it) try 6 inch, Pin to PAP) and bigger drill angles, mass bias (or cg) swung toward/in/under the grip (thumb area) or into your track area.

Both ideas will help delay the roll, but your speed requires a knowledge of the lane conditions you bowl on. A wisp of oil for a player with 21 mph ball speed, plays like a flood.

You play very close to the gutter which in most bowling centers is fairly dry to sparks (illegal).

How the suggestions work with your rev rate (higher rev players get the ball down the lane easier), and axis rotation (less rotation get's the ball started earlier - Walter Ray Williams, more rotation gets the ball way down the lane but hooks a bunch - Pete Weber).

The idea of rollier layouts should work, with an eye on surface maintenance. Wipe the ball all the time and clean or refresh the surfaces often. Thanks for the question.