BallReviews
Equipment Boards => 900 Global => Topic started by: Firied1993 on March 04, 2025, 10:46:48 PM
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I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?
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Layout definitely matters! Surface also matters. Specifically when you're trying to attack a specific condition, layouts matter as well. I know a few PBA bowlers who just put the same favorite layout on all their balls and then adjust according to how the balls themselves differentiate themselves.
However, knowing your PAP and then knowing what layout gives you what result down lane is very important. If I have a very dynamic ball that gives a lot of motion due to the core/cover combination, I'm gonna put longer Pin to PAP layout on it, so it's controllable for me. I'm kind of a stroker. I throw between 12.5-13.5mph but I'm fairly accurate. I'm also rev dominant.
On my dry lane pieces I go with standard leverage layouts so I can be sure to get the ten pin out. There's nothing more frustrating than getting to the pocket continually only to see a ring ten pin all day long. That's an indication that your ball is coming off the spot too hard and needs to be more gradually slowed down. This can be done with surface; moving into the oil a little more or having a weaker layout. The object for me is always to get that damn ten pin out, since I'm right-handed.
By changing layouts on my balls they become more useful in tournament play and there's fewer chances of me labeling the ball as a dud.
Lately I have been able to use medium oil pieces that I drilled extremely strong, on heavier oil patterns with success. So yes,.......layouts matter immensely.
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I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?
While speed and rev rate matters, the key is whether your rev rate is matched up to your ball speed. So a bowler with 14 mph ball speed with a 250 rev rate is going to be similar to someone who is 17 mph with 400 rev rate and yet be similar to someone who is 20 mph with a 500 rev rate. As an example, look at LaVoie and Simonsen on the Tour. They are nothing alike and yet use pretty much the same equipment on the same oil pattern. The three types of players are speed dominate players, rev dominate players, and those who are matched. Two bowlers can have the same ball speed and two totally different rev rates which will require two different types of layouts and potentially not even being able to use the same ball. Same with rev rates. They can be similar but if one guy has a 14 ball speed and the other an 18 ball speed, same thing applies. The two biggest variables when determining balls and layouts is bowler specs and lane condition. In your case, since both your ball speed and rev rate went up, you shouldnt really have to do much layout wise. You may just need to tweak the surface of the ball to get your desired ball reaction.
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JMHO, but if your rev rate is 450+ I don’t think layouts matter because they naturally create more entry angle and todays game is about carry percentage. Guys with lower rev rates are far more impacted by layouts and at times have to trick the lane just to have a chance like Lavoie using full roller layouts.
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JMHO, but if your rev rate is 450+ I don’t think layouts matter because they naturally create more entry angle and todays game is about carry percentage. Guys with lower rev rates are far more impacted by layouts and at times have to trick the lane just to have a chance like Lavoie using full roller layouts.
Best answer you are going to get.
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I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?
5" pin to PAP is not really that strong, but if your ball is going a bit too long now with your increased speed, just add a bit of surface so the ball will read a bit sooner. Try surface first, but if you do not like your reaction, try going to a 4" pin to pap.
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Flare management. Allowing the ball the opportunity to do what is needed while not over flaring or flaring over holes.
Can a ball do all the wrong things and still hook, strike, etc because of the cover stock or condition. Yes. Does that make it a good idea, no.
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I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?
Speed and rev rate definitely make a difference. Since you’re throwing faster and with more revs now, it could be worth experimenting with your layout a bit. The pin up layout is solid, but you might find a pin-down or slight tweak works better for your current style.