Expert: Russ King - 12/29/2006

Question
Years ago, I had an original Brunswick Sapphire Zone.  It was drilled on what I was told was a USA Pattern or a Team USA Pattern.  I actually had two balls on this pattern (one had a weight hole, one did not).  From what I remember the pin was below the thumb on one and right above the thumb on the other.  It reversed the location of the bow-tie of the track.  It created a more forward rolling ball.  I found an article on bowlingball.com that explains what I think is this pattern, but it doesn't give a lot of details on laying one out.  Do you have any information about this pattern (or patterns).

Answer
I have tried the pin under , beside & above the thumb. I found it rolls early with minimal back end. A stroker will love this pattern.When I cranked this pattern, the ball would not fade out to my target. It would turn over very early & pretty much roll out with no reaction beyond 15 feet.A good stroking down & in from the 1st or 2nd arrow or even pointing it up to the pocket are the main lines for this drill.I can't spin the ball. So, I don't know how it would react.
It is like putting the pin above the fingers. If the pin is under the fingers, it reacts sooner than the one above the fingers. The pin above (outside) the grip will react sooner than the one inside the grip.I found that 2" from my track was the best reaction. This was since I am a high 3/4 roller it positioned close to center span line.If you roll a lower 3/4 or spinner, the pin will be to the side of the thumb.Closer to the track was very little flair & further out over reacted for what this drill is meant for.
The Patterns given are the starting point to drilling one for you. Each bowler has way too many variables to just copy the Pattern exactly.This is a specialty drilling for only 5% of the lane conditions.
And by the way, those Oil Patterns the balls were drilled for years ago probably do not exist any more.