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Author Topic: Considering a new ball, but...  (Read 2984 times)

bigjtmoney

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Considering a new ball, but...
« on: December 30, 2008, 03:38:20 PM »
I am just overall struggling right now with the two houses I bowl on, and when in doubt, buy a new ball right?

I bowl on two extreme opposites:

First shift long, heavy oiled shot out to about the 5th board on synthetic lanes... this shot befuddles me because it seems like I have no shot, I throw it out and it barely moves or I get it in and it slides out.  I typically play my Momentum Swing here and throw with my feet at around 25 and cross the 12th board at the arrows and out to 8th board, but the ball is hit or miss; it either rips the rack apart or doesn't want to move one way or the other.  I try different lines and different balls, but for the most part I cannot find something that works.  Tonight I used my Twisted Fury which I have roughed up a bit and stood at about 20 and crossed the 5th board at the arrows causing it to be more of a gradual hooking action, but I have probelms standing that far right and playing that line.  I would have thought that a ball made for heavy oil and drilled as such per the recomendation of the Columbia ball rep would work here...

Third shift with what is a broken down house shot, but it varies to how much oil is left, however this year there seems to be more oil insides which is where i tend to play.  However I have been struggling with changing lines on such a dry pattern unless it is extremely dry, in which case I use a Zone Classic with the pin right above the center of the bridge.  I had some recent success with pitching my Twisted Fury drilled really skid-flippy out to the ditch, but this was on a dry night.  Most of the time I used my LevRG which worked great last year playing around 30 with my feet out to 13 at the arrows and about 8 at the breakpoint, but with more oil it seems to have much of the same reaction as my Momentum Swing does on the fresh oil.  I am beginning to sense a theme that maybe it is not the balls....

In discussions with my dad, we do not really see anything that I am doing differently in my approach and release that I haven't been doing for the last several years, so I am confused as to what to do.  The driller that really helped me turn the corner and helped with my with my release issues I was having left the state, so I don't know whether to talk to another coach or whether to try a different layout on a ball (was thinking a RICO), etc...  Any help would be appreciated.

Also, would RICO-ing a Strike Zone be a waste of a ball?
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- Smokin'' Inferno - White Pin
- LevRG
- Hawg
- Zone Classic - Red Pin
- Twisted Fury
- Momentum Swing

Year 1 - 154
Year 2 - 185
Year 3 - 198
Year 4 - 181?
High Game: 300
High Serie: 762

 

Spider Ball Bowler

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2008, 11:56:49 PM »
You're going to have to square up more.  Shots with heavy oil need to be played straighter and there is no ball in the world that is going to help you.  

My only advice is learning to go straighter to attack the heavier oil.
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Ahhh Disco Biscuits!

nextbowler

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2008, 01:02:16 AM »
Because your average fluctuates, it does not necessarily mean that you are
not bowling any better or worse than previously.  We are all at the mercy
of the mechanic and his tools to put out the "shot'.  Some times you throw
the ball much better and don't score as well.  Accept what the lanes give
you and do the best that you can on the condition.

Burak Natal

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2008, 01:46:04 AM »
You need to square up more and close your angles. Try to play straighter inside, keeping your breakpoint close to the pocket. You may need surface, but you better be staying behind the ball to create earlier roll.

Regarding new ball, something aggressive would help naturally. It seems, that spot is missing in your arsenal. There are many great alternatives in the market. Brunswick Maxxx Zone, Storm Virtual Gravity, or if your choice is Columbia, then Resurgence..

quote:
Also, would RICO-ing a Strike Zone be a waste of a ball?

No, Strike Zone with a Rico layout will never be a waste of a ball!!

However, If I were to drill Strike Zone for that purpose, I'd prefer stronger pin position relative to your PAP (you will be around 5 inches range in Rico). Lower pin, 3-1/2 to 4 inches from PAP with a 45 degrees MB would be my choice.

Hope this helps,
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Regards,
Natal
Regards,

Natal
International Track Staffer

Xcessive_Evil

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2008, 08:45:14 AM »
Along with squaring up more and playing a straighter shot, try lowering your ball speed as well.  Holding the ball lower in your stance/approach or moving your starting postion closer to the foul line can help that.
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Does it really matter?

dizzyfugu

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2008, 12:23:13 PM »
Keeping the hand behind the ball during the release, reducing side rotation and creating more forward roll, is also an additional tool to try.

If lanes are slick, you want the ball to get into its roll and build up friction, so that it drives through the pins and has a stable back end reaction. While some balls are well suited for this (low RG, high differential, matte surface, particles are never a bad idea here), must of the job is up to the player to adjust. Forget the wide hook, get the ball to roll, not skid. No player will be able to play or score consistently if he/she does not adjust to the condition at hand, and the ball is IMHO just 50% of the job, at best.
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dursty

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2008, 02:57:07 PM »
I agree you need to work on your angles.. Standing 20 and hitting 5 at the arrows?  Seems like your standing too far left to be playing that angle unless your drifting right a lot.. Maybe post a video of yourself bowling and we get a better idea of your style.

bigjtmoney

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2008, 05:43:18 PM »
Thanks for the input guys.  I have been making a conscious effort atleast the last week to try and stay behind it more, but I must not be doing a good enough job so I try to work on it more.  I have also really slowed my speed down on the fresh shot from around 15.5 mph to now around 13.5 mph (QUBICA).

I know that a new ball isn't going to fix my problem, but you always need an excuse to buy a new one right?  Plus I was looking for something that maybe rolls a bit earlier than anything I currently have.  I thought I was getting that in the Momentum Swing.  But I am not a Columbia guy, more of a Big B guy or Mo. I cannot figure out how to post a link on here, but here are some pictures of my current stuff: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21221825@N05/sets/72157603297053913/.

I would also I agree I am probably being a bit stubborn in wanting to swing the ball, especially at the heavier oiled house.  I do drift a few boards right in my approach, however I have never really looked down to see where I end up at release.

I will try and get access to a camera and see what I am actually doing and maybe it will be more apparent.


Edited on 12/31/2008 6:47 PM

FrontTwelv

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2009, 03:10:10 PM »
Well if you like the twisted fury, try the solid version.  I'de do about 45* x 4 1/2 x 50* layout.  this should put the pin right under ring finger and mass bias around 2 inches right of thumb. adjust surface accordingly.
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Drew Jordan
Columbus, OH

bigjtmoney

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Re: Considering a new ball, but...
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2009, 08:00:01 AM »
I know my problem came from a night at the beginning of the season when the lane machine broke down that day, and our pair didn't get oiled.  That resulted in having to throw the ball as hard as you could and do absolutely nothing in your release.  That developed the bad habits I was experiencing.  I don't know why this didn't cross my mind before, but I was surfing youtube the other day for PDW's release and realized my problem right away I was over-rotating my hand through the release.  I had noticed last week that when I didn't gave what I thought was a good release, in which I didn't think I was getting enough wrist action, my ball would hook.  So I made sure that I finished my release with an open hand last night, coupled with playing a little further to right, and got a reaction similar to what I had last year.  I started out the night trying to play more inside, but I don't think I have a ball to match up to that, so I played up the 7th board and was able to get some hook.  That being said I was inconsistent with it, so I didn't score to my liking, but it was an improvement.

I like my original TF, but I just received a Destruction to hopefully replace it.  I think my mistake on the original was getting it drilled to skid-flip.  Any suggested drillings?

Also for an oiler, I am considering a Virtual Gravity or a Maxxx Zone.  I like what I read on both of them, but am having a hard time deciding have never owned a Storm product.  Ang suggestions on either ball and possible layout?

Appreciate your response.