Pete,
I also "lost" a Master shammy (Chamois, actually)). Just tried Buddies leather pad. It was so tacky, I had to hold the ball firmly and it would move the ball it was that tacky. It still didn't do any more than my micro-fiber towel, though.
I think you need to see heavier oil than I do for it to make a difference. Since our lanes are so dry I can throw my plastic down the 4th arrow and watch it take out the 7 pin, nothing comes back with any significant oil on it.
I first tried a plain shammy/Chamois (true leather) that I had for drying cars. It worked just as well, as I had first surmised. If anyone thinks the leather they sell is better at absorbing oil, who am I to say it doesn't.