Expert: Chip Aki - 4/6/2004

Question
I bowl twice a week on synthetic and wood lanes. I average slightly over 200. Last year on your advice I purchased an ebonite pearl stinger drilled for medium curve and my game took off. This year I got a savage flip drilled the same way but it isn't working quite as well. It helps my spare game but cutting thru oil in the middle and not sliding but by the time it hits the pocket it seems to die. I get no carry at all. I recently went 7 games without a double! I went back to my stinger and lit them up. Do I need a different layout for the flip? Maybe later curve or more or less curve. Any advice you can offer? I understand the flip should be a hard hitter. Thanx and have a nice day!

Answer
The Savage flip is more aggressive so it will burn up a bit quicker.  Have you tried to play straighter with it and not swing it out as much as you would the stinger?  The stinger will handle the dry better, but the savage will roll out if sent to the dry to fast.  It will work better in the oil and hitting the dry later down the lane.

Good luck,
Chip