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Author Topic: Sidewinder  (Read 6923 times)

carlos

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Sidewinder
« on: November 02, 2008, 01:42:12 AM »
I have a friend that just purchased a Sidewinder. He bowled with it for the first time on Sat. He did not do well. He stated to me that two other people who also has the Sidewinder told him that the ball needs to soak up oil to be effective. Is that a accurate ? I was thinking about getting one and was curious. Thanks Carlos
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BrunsBob

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2008, 09:58:29 AM »
Depends on what you want the ball to do. If you need it to be rolly, with a smooth type reaction, then a fresh coverstock would probably be best. If you need it to get downlane longer, then yes, the cover needs to pick up some oil. Really though, the ball is meant to be smooth, so you should choose a copperhead if you want more overall hook with backends, or choose the Swarm if you need more skid/flip. Make sure you always choose the right ball to begin with rather than buy the wrong type reaction and then try to manipulate it with layout or cover preperation.

RoB LaW

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I'm gettin' old, I'm hurtin', but I've got Brunswick balls.......Color me competitive.
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carlos

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2008, 10:08:54 AM »
I was with him on Fri. he was throwing it on some lanes that had not been oiled and he was happy. Does the ball perform better on Dried out lanes ? I was throwing my Razyr and was very pleased with the reaction I was getting. His pin location was about where your pinkie would be and the cg just inside the palm. Could he have it drilled wrong ?
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carlos

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2008, 10:09:18 AM »
I was with him on Fri. he was throwing it on some lanes that had not been oiled and he was happy. Does the ball perform better on Dried out lanes ? I was throwing my Razyr and was very pleased with the reaction I was getting. His pin location was about where your pinkie would be and the cg just inside the palm. Could he have it drilled wrong ?
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carlos

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2008, 10:09:49 AM »
Thanks BrunsBob for the information.
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Spider Ball Bowler

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2008, 10:25:12 AM »
I had a Sidewinder, and it was very aggressive for me.  I bowled a couple decent scores with it, but never really liked it that much.

For me definitely not a light oil ball.
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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #6 on: November 03, 2008, 11:30:47 AM »
The Sidewinder is a hybrid reactive ball with a very low particle load. The particle load can help the ball cut through carry-down better than your typical reactive ball. The purpose of particles in the cover is to create friction. Friction too soon on the lane and the ball will lose it's energy faster.

Today's game is about managing friction for optimum carry percentage. Too much friction early and the ball won't hit as well as it could, and friction too late and the ball never transitions from skid to hook to roll. This is the same problem with any ball out there. You need to be open to making surface changes that will help you maximize pin carry.

For most bowlers on typical house conditions it is a fairly strong ball that should stay polished if the bowler prefers staying closer to the outside of the lane (friction area). The opposite might apply if the bowler prefers playing deeper where he'd get skid from the oil on the lane instead of polish.
The Sidewinder has the capability of being one of the most versatile balls on the market, especially for the price.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
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carlos

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2008, 03:51:32 PM »
Thank you for your information Notclay. Is this the type of ball that a person could use for  3 games of league play ? Or would you have to put it up after a game or so ?
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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2008, 04:02:53 PM »
You can definitely use it for 3 games if: 1) You bowl on fresh conditions, and 2) You can move inside as the oil pattern dries out in order to get some skid early on the lanes.
 
If you're bowling on older, softer, wood lanes with tons of friction you'd be better off with something like the Swarm or maybe even an Avalanche. Synthetic lanes you're probably OK unless they get too dry too fast.

Much of this depends, as always, on the bowler's ball speed, rev rate and such.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff
www.brunswickbowling.com
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carlos

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #9 on: November 03, 2008, 04:12:50 PM »
Thanks Notclay. That's funny he has the Swarm and the Avalanche. He just got the Swarm Friday. He also has the Ambush. He said that he will try the Sidewinder first and then go to the Swarm. He thinks that he may be bowling the blind. In that case he said the Sidewinder may hold up for all 3 games. I will leave you a message here tomorrow and let you know what happened.
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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2008, 06:09:56 PM »
Great.
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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff
www.brunswickbowling.com
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carlos

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #11 on: November 04, 2008, 03:22:42 PM »
He used the Ambush Monday night. He said that the Ambush gave him a good look in practice. He said he want's to practice with it more. I will stay in touch.
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J_Mac

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #12 on: November 04, 2008, 03:32:13 PM »
A little off topic...

Sold my Sidewinder to a local college bowler and he used it last night for a 800 series.  

This house has 3 year old AMF HPL and they still use a wick-style lane conditioner.  Compared to what I'm used to, the lanes are very wet/dry there.

Seems like a ball that can shine on this sort of condition...
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ayo

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #13 on: November 04, 2008, 03:33:04 PM »
i had a sidewinder until someone stole it.. i started off with a simple drilling just as your friends. cg around the center grip line, pin about 45 degrees to the top right. first tried and got, NOTHING! no reaction or anything. i thought it was the lanes but tried it at multiple houses and still nothing. dried up lanes, nothing, medium lanes, nothing, oily lanes, still nothing. it was a spare ball for me until i redrilled it with a rico pattern. that gave it some reaction and hitting power but still not what i expected. others who have the sidewinder that i know seem to have better reaction then i do. i also heard they made 2 different kind of sidewinders, one with and one without the particle in it? just my review on the ball. i do love the colors though! =)
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carlos

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Re: Sidewinder
« Reply #14 on: November 04, 2008, 03:33:45 PM »
Did the Sidewinder not match up with your game ?
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