Expert: Chip Aki - 2/16/2010

Question
Chip,

I have a Storm Pearl reactive resin @ 14# and it hooks far less on synthetic than on wooden lanes. Before I get it refinished what grit should I have the pro shop use? I was considering going from 1500 stock to a 800 grit for a less glossy finish. I read somewhere that actually for synthetic lanes the ball should be even more of a gloss finish, any truth to that?

Thanks in advance!

Dallas

Answer
It is more of the lane condition than the surface that makes the difference in ball reaction.  I have bowled on synthetics that hooked alot more than wood.  If the condition is oily, then a ball with more surface usually reacts better.  Drier a ball with more shine usually works better.  The problem is, there is not a ball that is both. I would suggest 1000 to see what happens.

Good luck,
Chip