Expert: Susie Minshew - 6/6/2009

Question
WHERE I BOWL, THE LANES ARE OILED BUT   IT SEEMS TO BREAK DOWN (THE OIL) REAL QUICK SO THAT MY BALL STARTS CURVING TOO MUCH.  I HAVE TO MOVE AS MUCH AS 12 TO 15 BOARDS TO MY LEFT.  THIS IS OK BUT IT CREATES PROBLEMS IN PICKING THE RIGHT SIDE CORNER PIN (10).  AM CONSIDERING GOING TO A HARD SHELL PLASTIC BALL WHICH WOULD HAVE LESS TRACTION. PLEASE ADVISE AND PERHAPS RECOMMEND A SUITABLE BALL.  THANKS,  RUDY

Answer
If you watch bowling on TV, you know that the pros roll plastic balls at all spares. Whether or not their family gets to eat depends on how many pins they knock down. Therefore, it would follow that they would do whatever it took to make sure they get the most pins possible.

That's why they roll plastic. Sparing is about hitting the pin with the ball - no finesse or power or hook is needed. Just hit the pin. A plastic ball will not misbehave or surprise you. It goes where you throw it. Roll plastic at every spare, not just the 10 pin.

When I am working with my students on this aspect of their game, they are required to roll plastic at every spare. That includes if they put the first shot in the ditch, they still must spare with the spare ball. You need to test under fire what you learned in training with the spare ball. Otherwise, the first time you leave the bucket, you think you need to roll your strike ball at it. Not so. Your conversion percentage on all spares increases with plastic. You will increase your average for sure.

All plastic balls are pretty much the same. Pick a color you like and go for it!