Expert: Chip Aki - 4/9/2006

Question
I am a middle age bowler who seems to be plagued with a large
number of pocket hits leaving single pins without any particular  
pattern.  Some nights they are mostly ten pin and seven pins,
with a few eights
left in for good measure.  Other nights it will be fours and fives.  
I also leave large numbers of pocket splits on balls that appear
to have the pocket, these are mostly 5-7, 5-10, 4-9 and 8-10
combinations.  Many weeks I average from 15-20 or more of
these single pin leaves and pocket splits a night. My Average is
in the middle 170's, so even a 25% imrovement in carry could
lead to a significant improvement in average as many of these
leaves seem to interrupt possible long strike strings.  I throw a
moderate speed ball with a very small track, almost a spinner.  
Current balls include an Ebonite showtime, red wolf, and matrix
Tri max, each of which seem to work better on different oil
patterns, different lines and different houses.  One of my
favorite balls in the past was a old model Cuda-C.   I like a
rather straight down and in pattern if possible but am capable of
going out and in if need be, as long as I don't need to use a
deep inside line which I have yet to master.  What type of ball
would you suggest that might possibly help me overcome some
of these problems with carry?  Because of these problems, the
most strikes in a row I've ever been able to get is 6 with a
maximum of 10 in a game.  Most of my strikes at times appear
to come on what are less than perfect hits, with a lot of light
swishers, however, I will only on exceptional nights trip many
four pins if I am slightly heavy unlike some of my teammates
who are always tripping four pins on heavy hits. I currently use a
semi-fingertip grip with which I am most comfortable and have
more accuracy than with my previous full fingertip drill.  I use
both 15 and 16 pound balls and seem to see little difference in
the carry.  

Answer
Most of the leaves you are describing are weaker types of leaves.  The hard part is I cant really diagnose the reason without seeing the ball go through the pins.  My first though would be due to you ball track type, the ball just isnt going into a roll and is deflecting too much.  Once you try to adjust for that, the ball wants to go high and thus, you leave the 4-9.
You didnt mention what kind of surface your balls have or the layouts you are using.

This is where it gets tough to diagnos.  If you have too strong of a coverstock, or too strong of a layout, the ball can hit weak due to the fact it is rolling out.  If you have too weak of a coverstock, or too weak of a layout, the ball can hit weak becuase it never goes into a roll.  Both scnenarios cause the same types of leaves, but for complete different reasons.

If you are using a dull ball, try one that is polished to see if there is a difference.  If you are using a polished ball, use a dull one.  Then we might have a better idea what is going on.

Good luck,
Chip