Expert: Chip Aki - 5/27/2007

Question
FORGIVE ME, NOT WELL VERSED IN BOWLING TECH OR STYLE

I picked it up early last week and have bowled 5 games with it already. 2 at my usual place, and just to be sure I went to another alley down the way.

When I had it drilled, the pro really didn't ask much about my throw or what I needed/wanted, nor did he give me any info on what he did to the ball. Probably my fault, but I wasn't sure what to do as this is my first ball outside of a house ball.

I noticed the pin is about an inch over my finger next to my pinky and to the outside about .250 offset. Ball is 15#

My average is very low 154 (recreational bowler and now in a league with my 2 daughters and my wife) My highest game ever was a 170 on a house ball about 8 years ago.

I noticed right away this thing had a serious hook and I ended up having to go to the last dot on the left to at least make a "brooklyn" hit on the pins. No matter how far I throw to the edge, it hits the same spot, just at a different angle. I've had a few ride the last edge of the boards and still make a sick cut in fast to the left of the #1 pin. After awhile I learned to tighten my wrist a little more and keep it straight, which seemed to give the ball less spin in the beginning and more forward speed. This still went brooklyn, but hit the pins with so much power once it hooked, the people around us were looking at me like I was trying to kill the poor pins.

I have never bowled many strikes, mainly just good at getting my spares. My best game is now 184 and I'm sure if I had kept bowling I would have beaten even that score today. I was trying everythign I could so there were quite a few games of gutter balls when I pushed the envelope.

Now, my question is:
Is there anything I can do to the ball to get less bite at the end? Right now it seems I can hit the Brooklyn side whenever I want. If I try any further right, it just goes RIGHT to it, or to the gutter if I really press it too close to the edge.

pic of the ball:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2614000-2614999/2614259_9_ful...


Answer
You may be able to create a little more length by polishing the ball.  However, that will make the breakpoint sharper as well.

This type of ball will react to the dry part of the lane.  It sounds like the lane condition you are on is really dry to the outside of the lane towards the gutter.  You are moving your feet in the right direction, but you will need to mover your target in as well.  By only moving your feet, you are hitting the dry part of the lane at a stronger angle so the ball is bouncing off of the dry like if you were throwing it against a wall.  Moving your target in with you feet will keep the ball in the oil longer and may help control the hook.

Good luck,
Chip