Expert: - 2/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a question regarding ball selection and layout.
I'm a medium rev, 16-18mph off the hand, RH, stroker type bowler who prefers playing the twig, up to about the 9 board on the outside whenever possible. I currently use a brunswick copperhead, swarm, and columbia freeze balls. I can make them worker but...

My question is this: For someone who prefers to play more down and in from the outside is there any particular ball you would recommend if they came in your pro shop? Whether it be a urethane ball, or a certain specific ball that's out there? I always hear that strokers dont really need the high end balls, or people who play straighter lines don't. Do you agree with this? Would something like a brunswick evil siege or a jigsaw be a good buy or a waste of money for that kind of game? Would their be a benefit to these higher end balls for this kind of game?

Also what layout do you feel would work best playing the outside of the lane, medium to heavy oil on synthetic, down and in?
Of the three i have the freeze is drilled, pin under ring finger, cg slightly positive. It seems to work well for me. Does this make sense?

thanks
mh

ANSWER: Michael,
Layout and ball choice is influenced by lane condition and your skills. Your pin under Freeze could have a pin 2 inches from your axis or 5 inches from your axis. Your ball speed, rev rate, tilt and axis rotation should work with the ball's cover to allow you to control the lane condition to provide the roll and reaction needed. Layout MUST reflect your unique Positive Axis Point, Axis Tilt and Axis Rotation and compliment your ball speed and rev rate. Without knowing more specific details, I can only comment in generalities.

A pin under Freeze has a big pin buffer (more than likely), good for helping get the ball down the lane and keeping the core from unduly influencing the ball reaction (too early). It's tall core and strong RG Differential creates a controllable reaction. Generally, most bowling centers don't put much oil on the outside boards, so the balls you own seem to fit the bill for what your looking for. How do the other balls work? High end balls have benefits in core strength or cover strength or both that provide more than lower priced balls. If the benefits are needed, use them. Bowling balls are tools. Using the right tool makes the job easier.

Ball speed of 16-18 is a dramatic range. Get it to 16, 17, 18 or any fraction in between on a consistent basis and you'll bowl better. Your higher ball speed (nearer 18) is on the high end of average. So even light oil might play like more when you throw hard enough.

Consistency is a key to success. Unfortunately, modern conditions are the easiest they've (the governing body of bowling) required in decades. So, hitting the head pin with out much ability happens every day. When there is not much challenge, you get bored and quit, or you work to achieve your goals and luck and the right ball allows a competitor to roll great. When buying every new ball is too much to find just the right tool, you quit. I don't mean to be a downer about a sport I love, but the powers that be have kind of messed things up. Thanks for the question. good luck and good bowling.

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

QUESTION: You bring up something I am very interested in. The integrity of the sport.
I have felt the frustration you mention. I have studied and practiced and studied for week after week after week, to have someone who really doesnt care purchase a ball, walk out string three strikes together while I'm leaving 8 pins or 9 pins. I have spent countless hours studying this sport and love it more than words can express.

I hope the red,white, and blue patterns the USBC is now putting out can lead the sport back in a direction where the sport comes first, recreation second. Unfortunately at this time recreation seems to be the goal and the sport is a distant afterthought.

So I am with you and I hope for great things for this sport we love.

Answer
Michael,
As a former center GM, the league base has always dictated the availability of lanes, but since the league bowling base has eroded, centers recognize that open play or casual bowlers are now crucially important in the profitability of a center.

Unfortunately, the big boys (Brunswick and AMF) have quarterly profit projections, etc. to provide their shareholders, so the major companies in the industry are painfully short term oriented. It's difficult to run a league based house when the surrounding bowling businesses concentrate heavily on pricing to attract customers and heavy marketing to keep the doors open. Not every center has a competing Brunswick or AMF center in the neighborhood, but all the major markets in the country have pitifully small league bases (USBC Membership) and way too many short sited proprietors put out very easy lane conditions for the rec bowler.

I've never felt easy lanes were necessary, but years ago some houses notoriously cheated with their lane conditions and drew the attention of additional bowlers trying to catch the "Magic". Misguided proprietors looking to not get beat out for a few additional bowlers began the practice of out-cheating each other. Now the sport is in a quandary. Easy conditions are legal and the youngest perfect game bowlers are 10 or 11 years old. Ugly, for a sport. Thanks for the follow-up.