Expert: Russ King - 12/31/2007

Question
Hello I am 25 and have been bowling for about 15 years. I have a very high track, lots of speed(18-18.5 on first shot),  and play fairly large hook(15 -18 at arrows,  and out to 5-8 normally  on a medium oil pattern), heavy oil I do close up and play a little more direct. 40' pattern typically so lots of backend movement.  Over the years I have  acquired lots of different bowling balls,  some already drilled that fit, normally carry 5 balls but have all different fits   nothing the same, all different manufacturers. I decided to get rid of everything, and keep my main ball storm x factor trifecta,  and use this ball to base the fitment from. I purchases a Columbia Resurgance, Rival, Scout/R, and White Dot. The white dot and scout/r have been drilled already as they are pretty self explanatory. My question is on the rival and resurgance,  my local pro shop isnt the best,  he basically bases everything off what the drilling paper says and that it,  what I am wondering is if there is anything I can do to modify the drill patterns to help aid reaction based on my speed??

Answer
I have no idea where you are in the world. But if there is another Pro Shop around,I would try them.I SAID THIS BECAUSE HERE THERE IS ONLY VERY DRY CONDITIONS HERE IN   SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS USA.WELL, I THINK I AM IN USA.

The spec sheets in the box are really generic. You personalize the ball by fitting the surface of the ball into what you need(tweaking the surfaces).BY CHANGING THE SURFACES, YOU CAN REALLY GET 20 DIFFERENT REACTIONS OUT OF ONE BALL. For each grit of wet/dry sand paper(400,500,600,800,1000,1200,1500,2000,2500 & waxes/polymers up to 30,000 you can get around 3 boards differences & around a foot or 2 sooner or later break.This should be done on a ball spinner to keep the ball round.DOING IT BY HAND, MAY GET MORE SANDING IN ONE SPOT MORE THAN ANOTHER CREATING A SORT OF A FLAT SPOT.I DO THIS WITH EVERY BALL I DRILL UP TO FIND THE BEST REACTION THE BALL WILL GIVE MY STYLE.

 GETTING ALL YOUR BALL DRILLED WITH THE SAME GRIP IS THE FIRST & BEST WAY TO IMPROVE ACCURACY & CONSISTENCIES.

I AM CLOSE TO YOUR STYLE.I LIKE A VERY SHINY BALL IN DRY & A LITTLE SURFACE (2000-2500) ON OIL TO GET SOME TRACTION FOR STABILITY.IF THE BALL IS SHINY OUT OF THE BOX, I STICK AROUND FINER GRITS NOT TO CHANGE WHAT THE BALL IS BASICALLY FOR. IF IT IS DULL, I TEND TO STICK AROUND A COARSER (800-1000) GRIT.IF THE REACTION IS NOT GOOD, I THEN MESS WITH THE OTHER GRITS TO SEE WHAT THE BALL WILL DO.

THE KEY IS A GOOD FITTING GRIP.YOU NEED TO FIND A GOOD FEELING GRIP & DRILL EVERY BALL WITH THE SAME GRIP SPECKS.

IF YOUR IN THE STATES, GO TO PBA.COM THERE IS AN AREA WHERE THE PROS HAVE THEIR SHOPS LISTED.

OUT OF 100% OF BALL DRILLERS, THERE ARE ABOUT 25% THAT ARE GOOD & 10% THAT ARE VERY GOOD.SHOP AROUND FOR A DRILLER.LIKE YOU WOULD FOR A USED CAR.A BAD GRIP CAN TEAR YOU UP.

A GOOD GRIP WILL NOT GIVE BLISTERS,BURN SPOTS,PAIN,TUGGING AT RELEASE,DROPPING AT RELEASE(WHERE YOU HAVE TO SQUEEZE THE BALL>BAD!<).

THE BETTER DRILLER IS USUALLY A GOOD DRIVE & NEVER THE CLOSEST TO YOU IT SEEMS.A FEW EXTRA MILES WILL PAY OFF.