Expert: - 9/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I'm back. 52 year old female bowler, right handed, reverse hook. Had to go back on question menu, too many follow-ups. My ball is drilled conventional, I know, but I tried fingertip and injured myself, I had tennis elbow. I use to bowl with 14lb but now I do 12lb because of back problems, I tell you, its not fun getting older even if you're in good shape. It takes about 3 seconds to hit head pin. That's it. Thanks

ANSWER: C,
Do you roll it straight and let the ball hook in from the left side of the lane? or swing it from the right side of the lane?

Layout could be the key. Your speed should be an asset (about 15.5 mph), but if you are rolling the ball so fast that the modest core can't get the ball to do much it will look like it's laboring, trying to hook but skidding too far. Is your ball laid out as if for a left hander? Your reverse hook or back up needs the proper core positioning to be most effective.  

Thanks for keeping with it. Your ball seems to be OK for spares because it's so straight, I'm concerned that it's not drilled to utilize the modest core. Have you ever polished it? The surface maybe just too much and it's causing a bleed off of just enough energy at the pins to disappoint. Where is the track of the ball when it comes back after a shot? Close to the grip? how far?

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

QUESTION: I swing ball from the right side of the lane. My ball is laid out for a left hander. Never polished ball. Track of oil is close to grip.

Answer
C,
As mentioned before, you're limited to how much core effect you'll get out of a lighter ball. Your ball speed (about 15.5mph) helps retain energy, and trying to swing the ball from the right side of the lane is fighting all the lane conditioner in the middle of the lane to get the ball to the left pocket (if your hitting the right pocket, your roll isn't as effective).

You may want to change your alignment to roll the ball more like a lefty (use the left side of the lane, less traffic their, less leftys). Roll up the lane or a little belly out toward the gutter and get the ball to roll back to the 1-2 pocket. You'll fight less lane conditioner and better utilize the ball you roll. A new ball will be limited in core effect, because of the ball weight. Try the different alignment mentioned above and let me know if your reaction improves. Thanks for the follow-up. Bowl well.