The coverstock creates too much friction on the lane - this can be either caused by an inproper surface preparation (e. g. using a sanded ball on light or short oil), a too aggressive coverstock material (e. g. a particle ball on too little oil) and also through the drilling (A strong layout makes the ball "bleed" its energy early and quickly - add friction, and the ball is dead before it has made it through the heads!) and the core (a low RG core will bleed energy easier/quicker than a higher RG ball). Additionaly factors are bowler's speed and revs - the slower you play and the less revs you put on the ball, the less energy you imaprt with the release, and the easier this little power is gone if the lane sucks it literally out of the ball.
Typical burn up symptoms are a lack of hook and/or a rolly reaction in the back end - very common sights with high end balls in the hands of beginners who think the ball is kaput. But it is simply a lack of energy. Hit will also be weak, even on good pocket hits. The ball simply lacks drive, so that wide open splits are also a common result.
You can counter the effects a little: more speed generally helps, as well as a shinier ball surface, if possible. Also, searching for oil on the lane with a different line might also be an option, e .g. moving deep and play through the oil that is normally more concentrated in the middle of a lane, swinging the shot.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
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