AboutChip Aki Expertise Ball drilling/fitting, Layouts, coaching related questions, any. USA Bowling Bronze Certified Coach, International Bowling Pro Shops and Instructors Assocation member, 15 years Experience in ball drilling, Storm Staff member.
Experience Team USA State Champion Indiana'87 and Lousiana '97, National Collegiate Championship Wichita State '87, Ky state Singles Champion '99,Team USA National Finalist '97,'98, USBC Open Singles Champion 2007 (814 series)
Question I want to make sure my ball is drilled correctly.. I am going down in weight because the pro moved me to a 12 pound ball, which wears me out.. I don't like to bowl, with a heavy ball, it feels like work.. Not fun.. could it be the ball is drilled wrong? I have an 11 pound Big Hit, that feels perfect.. I learned to hook it, but it takes a mighty effort to hook it consistently.. vs. the heavy Sauce, that wears me out.. but hooks great.
I am ordering two more balls, with reactive finishes, to try them out.. It is hard to find a high performance ball under 12 lbs..
But, I would rather bowl ten to twelve games and have fun bowling, than fizzle out after 5..
It's like hitting practice balls, at the range.. If you are have to over crank a stiff shaft to get thru the ball, it's work.. If the shaft bends with ones ability, it's fun.. 12 pounds is only fun, if I have quickly found the line.. Otherwise, I'm too tuckered out, by the time I find the line, I need to go each lunch or sit down or quit.. ugggggghhhhh...
So, what do think? Is the drilling having an effect? I try really hard to put the ball down quietly and stay behind the ball with lift.. But, the heavier ball, drags my shoulder and hand down, by the time I'm lifting, the ball is half way down the lane.. Vs. the lighter ball I can lay down and lift all in one smooth motion, in balance with a nice finish.. I have bowled my first 600 series, I am female and throw it left handed.
If it's true I can't bowl well consistently with a lighter ball... Then, this game isn't for me... I see people on the lanes all the time falling all over the approach trying to just release their heavy balls, it isn't pretty..
Okay, that's my story... Any advice is welcome.
Sunny
Answer It is much better to have a ball that you can control. Location is still the most important part of the game. However, the lighter ball will not give you the pin action on the off hits, or the shots that are not perfectly in the pocket. There is going to be some give and take with the lighter ball.
You did not say how heavy the heavy ball was. To get the performance out of the core that the heaviest balls provide, you would need to use a 14# ball.
Another thing to know, if the ball is not fit correctly, it will make the ball feel much heavier. I would suggest having another pro shop look at how our ball fits your hand before you give up on the heavier ball.
