Expert: Chip Aki - 2/4/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
My friend just bought an Alter Ego and while looking at the drilling instructions, I read something odd.  It said on the back of the sheet on things to remeber something about drilling the ball back to negative.
I thought that the ball would hook more if it has close to an ounce of side weight.  Will the ball hook more if it is drilled back to negative?  We were looking at the layout sheet, and thinking that he would want his pin outside of his fingers and outside of his thumb, (well, the choice that was closest to his thumb according to the Columbia 300 drilling instructions).
Anyway, the negative side weight had me baffled, and that is the primary question here.  Could you please explain why drilling a ball with negative side weight will react better than a ball with positive weight?
Answer -
Drilling the ball back to negative will get the ball to roll a bit sooner and provides a bit more control of the breakpoint than positive side weight.  It is a very common practice with the modern bowling balls.  The only static balance that is of real concern is top weight.

The other reason why the ball will be set up so the ball can be drilled back to negative is to make sure the mass bias is located right of the thumb hole.  (for a right hander)

Good luck,
Chip


Thanks for the answer Chip.  You state that the only other static balance to be concerned with is the top weight. Do you mean after the ball is drilled or before the ball is drilled? Isn't it true that if you slow the ball slower that you want a high top weight, and if you throw it at a higher speed, you want it to be a lower top weight?  Please explain as well the top weights for me.  And does the same apply to ball to balls with a mass bias, and those without?

Thanks again,
Mark

Answer
Top weight will enhance the skid/flip reaction of the ball.  Most balls are going to have 2-4 before drilling, so you would want the higher top weight after drilling if you want to increase the skid or sharpness of breakpoint.

Good luck,
Chip

Balls with a mass bias marker will have the tendancy to go into a roll a bit sooner than those without.  Top weight has the same affect on them as other balls.