Expert: - 3/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am trying to surprise my son with a 14lb Virtual Gravity. I have no idea what pin/top weight are. I am ordering the ball and need to specify what I want. My son throws a backup ball and he always says he wants length with a strong backend... whatever that means:) Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Jennifer,
Bowling balls are tools. What kind of ball does he roll now? What weight?

If he has a basic ball (plastic) the Virtual would be a huge change. Kind of like getting him a huge pipe wrench, when he needs a small crescent wrench.

But if he already rolls a strong cover and core ball, the Virtual might just duplicate what he already does. Do you understand my dilemma?

Pin and top weight are elements of the ball that help a driller provide the reaction for a bowler. If he throws hard, too much top weight will contribute to the ball skidding, possibly to much.

Not knowing anything about how your son rolls his bowling equipment, I'd only recommend you stay away from extremes (pin-in balls or pin out balls more than 4 inches). Try to get top weight between 2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 ounces (less than two or more than 3 and 1/2 starts getting in the way, depending on his ball speed). Extremes make it difficult to facilitate some ball reactions. The ball driller he uses should be the person recommending the specifics. Are you getting the ball from the driller?

Your son is in his infancy as a bowler. What he uses now influences what he learns to do. Having the person responsible for creating the ball reaction (the driller) be invested in the choice and details, helps him get the right ball for the player/game. And, allows the driller to have optimum control of the outcome. Trying to change a ball or its predisposition, with layout and drilling, is like the wrench scenario above. You can only do so much.

The back up delivery is not something I'd encourage him to continue doing. As kids grow they are not as flexible and it will be harder and harder to be consistent. Good luck and I hope your son likes his  new Storm ball.

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

QUESTION: Thank you for the advice. His current ball is a Brunswick Swarm. I talked to the driller who did his swarm today and he helped with the pin/weight issue also. I wanted to get your opinion on the "drill scenario" and see if you thought moving up to the virtual gravity was too much of a change. He really wants a high performance ball.

Answer
Jennifer,
A stronger ball is needed typically because of a lane condition that causes your current equipment to skid to much, or hook less than you need.

A player throwing hard is effected more by oil on the lane. So a speed dominant player might need a high end ball like the Virtual Gravity to help control oily lanes. Your son doesn't throw hard.

If a player doesn't hook the ball much any oil seems to be a problem(your sons back-up delivery doesn't provide a strong backend movement, typically). But rather than a stronger ball, I suggest to bowlers, they take some lessons.

Building a stronger game will last forever. Getting a stronger ball still leaves you a slave to the lane condition (too much oil and the ball still doesn't hook enough, too little oil and it hooks to much).

Young bowlers occasionally build their skills around lane conditions, or ball reactions. Your son is building his game around a delivery that is difficult to duplicate. As he grows, muscles and bone will get in the way more and more.

His delivery requires a very dedicated layout to have the ball roll contrary to the arm he throws it with (it must be laid out as if he rolls with the other hand). When a ball is drilled for a backup, fit for a backup, and laid out for a backup, throwing it differently isn't an option.

You may want to discuss the idea of lessons with your son, and offer redrilling his current Swarm. Changing his delivery will make him more consistent (a provide more room for growth and improvement). Promise the new Virtual Gravity when he completes the education. Maybe even buying it first, and drilling it later.

Does the pro shop operator offer lessons? Does the center he bowls in have a coach? Are there coaching options in the area?

Thanks for the questions. I may not have offered opinions you or your son may like, but this forum allow me to champion ideas and approaches that will benefit the customer and the sport, not be influenced by a need to make a buck for my skills or knowledge. I run my store this way, but many of my peers, in my experience, aren't as concerned about your long term success.