Expert: - 4/20/2009

Question
After taking a 7 year absence from the game, I started bowling again last year.  With that being said, here is my question.  All of my equipment is old.  I am a two handed bowler (Jason Belmonte style) and use a Brunswick Riot Zone (with the pin about an inch to the right of my ring finger) as my main ball.  With my high rev rate, I start out way left compared to everyone else on my pair. As the right side of the lanes begin to break down, I am forced to move even deeper.  Because the center I bowl at uses so much oil in the middle of the lanes, I start leaving weak 10's and even 2-8-10's, and if I bump it out to the dry it hooks through the nose.  I need a new ball that will hook up hard in the heavy oil.  I was thinking a Virtual Gravity, but I do not know what kind of layout I should choose.  Any  help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Johnny,
Your delivery allows great options in axis tilt and axis rotation, to help control the lanes. You haven't gotten to that point in your skill set yet. Getting some coaching, so you can change how your release the ball, will help more than just buying more hook.

To suggest a layout and ball, I'd need lots more information about your game, the lanes you bowl on and lane conditioning.

Can you determine your ball speed, rev rate and tilt and rotation? Get a Positive Axis point? And fill me in on what lane surface, type of lane oil and pattern of lane conditioner that you bowl on?

Even two handers are unique in how they roll the ball. You seem to have too much axis rotation and less ball speed, if an average lane condition forces you to start so deep.

I can't suppose or assume. It's easy to suggest stuff but if you go off pursuing the wrong adjustment, it could mess you up very easily. Please get me more info and we can address your situation. Thanks for the question. I look forward to hearing back from you.