Expert: Gary L. Oatis, PBA Coach and USBC Silver Level Coach, PBA Member, Pro Shop Staff Member - 12/23/2011

Question
i am attempting to learn and understand drilling patterns so I will be more knowledgeable when I buy new bowling balls. I was wondering if the pin on a bowling ball is always at the same distance from the pap irregardless of the layout and how that distance is maintained. thanks for your input.
Your,
Dale

Answer
Hello Dale, thank you so much for asking your questions. First of all, I know it's a little un-nerving to walk into a pro shop to buy a new ball these days.  Naturally you are going to be asked questions by the pro shop professionals. If you cross the line and try to talk their language about ball drilling and patterns without training, this would be the wrong way to get a bowling ball.
  I can't give examples of drill patterns, or instructional language in this forum to help you understand drillings. This would be wrong of me. Also, it would be disrespectful to the pro shop professionals. Besides, modern bowling has a lot of technical jargon that will leave most bowlers with that deer in the headlights look.
   When I say to someone, the Radius of Gyration(RG's) verses differentials, along with understanding how the mass bias (MB) impacts the fine tuning of the ball are the golden keys to understanding ball reaction. Most people look at me and say,...wait, wait, what the hell!
:-)   
   Naturally, I have to followed that up with,...."Furthermore, there is a difference in drilling a ball that is symmetrical verses asymmetrical which will involve understanding your safe zone. smh=shaking my head. Now do you really want me typing all that and what it means?
  Still Dale, if you truly want to invest a lot of time in understanding how all these terms tie together, you may want to start with the technical drill sheets that accompany the bowling balls in the boxes.
  Otherwise, a apprenticeship in a pro shop, or taking a ball drilling class may be about the only way to learn about the drill patterns.
  To answer your question about the PAP or positive axis point being static on all drillings or layouts. The answer is no, the PAP's do not normally remain the same on drillings. To truly get a significant difference in ball reaction you will want to vary the distance of the pin to PAP placement on different bowling balls of different calibers. Most likely along with altering the surface of the ball.
  Because of the Core/Cover combinations of today's modern bowling balls, certain drill patterns on various balls may respond slower or faster on a lane condition. The experience of the pro shop professionals can not be underestimated or understated here.
   However, knowing just a few things about your bowling game will assist ball drillers and sales personnel to help you with your next bowling ball purchase.
  First off, most bowling ball sales staff will ask you,... Do you track high or low? Next, they may ask you if you spin the ball or forward roll the bowling ball? Also, they may ask you about the lane condition you bowl on, is it pretty wet, or dry? Lastly they may ask, ... Do you deliver the ball fast or slow? To every bowler worldwide, just knowing these few details will make you sound more knowledgeable than you could ever imagine.
  Everything I listed in the paragraph above is what most bowlers need to know before walking into any pro shop to purchase a bowling ball.
  I use to hate sounding so "dumb" about bowling when I went into a pro shop. Especially, after the guy started in with all the questions. We all want to sound a little intelligent about the game we love. It's like buying a new vehicle.  
  Sure, you want it because it's new and it looks good, but overall you want it to work on the lanes you will be bowling on. You want it to work in the rain/wet, sleet/carrydown, or snow/dirt, sometimes it's so dry, the ball has a lot of trouble going long enough down lane and it may hook way too soon.
  In summary Dale, No, the pin doesn't normally stay in the same position with layouts. When considering purchasing a new ball, know what the lane conditions are like which you will be bowling on, whether you spin the ball or forward roll the ball, know how fast you deliver the ball, and lastly, know if you track high on the ball or low. This will help your pro shop staffers get the right ball for you. Also, this brief but very important information will also help them to provide a recommendation for drill pattern or layout for you.
  I will share with you Dale, that the pin is the most influential aspect of the balls reaction. Ball drillers are very experienced at finding the correct drilling for you. They do this based on the information you provide.
  It takes years of interviewing bowlers to successfully come to drill solution for a customer. Ball drillers will have an abundant reserve of previous bowling styles to compare you to. You can bank on them knowing which bowling balls may work for your particular style, and lane conditions. Take care and bowl well.

-Coach Gary
Las Vegas, NV
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a Great Bowling Book!)