AboutChip Aki Expertise Ball drilling/fitting, Layouts, coaching related questions, any. USA Bowling Bronze Certified Coach, International Bowling Pro Shops and Instructors Assocation member, 15 years Experience in ball drilling, Storm Staff member.
Experience Team USA State Champion Indiana'87 and Lousiana '97, National Collegiate Championship Wichita State '87, Ky state Singles Champion '99,Team USA National Finalist '97,'98, USBC Open Singles Champion 2007 (814 series)
Question Chip, i am in the market for a new ball. My curent ball is an LT48 from brunswick, i have had it for close to 30yrs now. It is fingertip drilled with close to max sideweight. When looking at the Storm Hotwire, which is rated for the med. to heavy oil that i bowl on, and the price is not to high, i mentioned getting the same sideweight, i was told that it wasnt done that way any more, i was told that i ordered the ball with proper "pin" placement and then it was drilled, also if the balls weight was off, he would have to drill a hole in the side. How do i determine the "pin" placement for sideweight? any help? Thanks, Doug
Answer Sideweight doesnt have much of an affect anymore, but still can be used to fine tune a reaction.
I would get a ball with a 2-3 inch pin and then place the pin near the ring finger and shift the CG almost an inch to the right of the centerline. This will allow you to add a ballance hole to change the ball reaction later on. Keep in mind, with the new balls, surface is the most dominant factor in ball reaction.
