Expert: - 7/15/2009

Question
Hi Warren, I just bought a Siege and I am going to drill it myself. It has the PIN and MB marked but no marks or info on the CG. I assume its a pin-out ball but how can I locate the exact CG location? Thanks for your great answerers.
John

Answer
John,
Without a scale you can't.

Where did you get the Siege? How can you assume it's a pin out ball? It could be a pin in, or pin/cg ball. It could be a pro cg ball with the cg 6 inches from where you expect?

This is an absolutely basic question. This kind of question scares the hell out of me.

Is it possible that bowlers think drilling a ball successfully is so easy that without the proper equipment and training, you can just poke some holes in a ball and it will do great? What makes you think you can drill the ball, if you don't know what the cg is or what it looks like?

What is the object of drilling it yourself? It sounds like you've never drilled a ball before. Do you want to drill balls? Do you want to open a pro shop? Or just mess up this one ball?

Please take the ball to a trained pro shop professional and have them "walk you through the process" or at least pay them to find the cg (and utilize a scale that runs about $1,000).

Honestly, if someone came to my shop looking to learn how to do what I've been doing for 20 years, so they could do it themselves, what do you think that education would be worth? IBPSIA (International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association) training for a non-member is $1,200 and four days long.

Clearly you are offended. I wanted to get your attention, but I apologize if you feel I disparaged you. I assumed you had no scale because of the VERY BASIC nature of your question.

You are right, I don't know you. So, I must assume: 1. You have no scale, because even without a starting point any trained pro shop operator can find the cg of a ball. 2. You don't know what to look for. 3. Your assumption (pin out) has no basis.

Lastly, you scare me, because I count you among the hundreds, maybe thousands of bowlers that think what pro shop guys do is no big deal.
I get the same feeling from new bowlers that think big box sports store know how to fit and drill bowling balls. If you run a shop or work in one, get some training.

Too many people are drilling balls, and learning by doing. Making mistakes on customers and driving them out of the sport. I'm excited by others drilling balls well. That's why I am a charter member and continuing member of IBPSIA.

To many bowlers (millions) have been driven out of the sport by ill fitting, badly performing balls. I volunteer here to help bowlers understand the sport and it's equipment, not be a FREE teacher for the wannabe ball driller.
  
If you have a scale, e-mail me (revbowl@gmail.com) and I'll walk you through finding the Center of Gravity of your Siege.

I do this because I really want to help bowlers. Please accept my apology, because I don't have much information about you and my assumption could very well be incorrect. Thanks for the question.