janderson - I will definitely keep you updated on my experimenting, I have several old balls laying around that I can mutilate through experiments. I have tried the suitcase grip and as with the other methods I've tried it works for a game or so and then I have to keep moving inside where the ball then rolls or hits very weak leaving back row splits. The only reason I've been able to have an average in the 180 range the past few years is because I end up throwing straight balls into the 1-2 pocket and sparing what I leave (and even then I still leave 1 or 2 back row splits because of the lack of entry angle).

There is head oil it's just that it's only 15 feet or so long.....it would be a lot easier without the long ball returns though, because I am actually fairly comfortable lofting the left gutter cap, but as I said that doesn't work on the right lane because I can't get over far enough.

I actually think I may try and get to the proshop next week so I may have an update for everyone then.

JTC
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http://www.ohmytrance.com

Ok, here is the update as promised:

I got my Groove back from the shop today with a slightly lowered ring finger and different thumb/finger pitches. We also had to punch a weight hole in it as the new layout had too much side weight, so we put it below my PAP in a position that gave the ball more midlane and less backend.

My observations on a THS:

Before punching the hole in the side of it this thing was popping pretty good on the backend. Playing about 12 out to 5 this thing was just crushing the hole. I tried a couple of shots coming more up the back of the ball and this required a 5-6 board move back to the right with my feet. After we punched the weight hole I was able to start where I left off when I was coming more up the back (playing 7 out to 4 or so), only I was throwing with my full power release. When I tried to coming more up the back again I pretty much had to just point the ball at the pocket because it did not want to grab on the fresh oil with that type of tamed release.

The different thumb and finger pitches did help in reducing my axis rotation by a little bit, but on screaming backends I doubt I'd notice much of a difference in overall hook.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I was throwing at about 13.5~14 mph......my normal speed is around 17~18 mph. I feel confident that throwing my normal speed back at my home center and taming my release a bit should let me keep this ball in play all night long. I never tried any shots with loft or taking revs off, but I will be able to utilize those skills as well if the lanes still get horribly fried like they have been.

I also mentioned in a previous post that my Power Groove and Mojo were identical in reaction so we punched a weight hole in the side of the PG (which gave it negative side weight) while I was there as well. Like the hole we punched into the Urethane Groove, this hole decreased backend and gave more midlane read. The two Grooves now compliment each other very nicely and give similar reaction shapes, the only difference being the coverstock aggressiveness in oil. Now I shouldn't have to hug the ball return all night long in league as I should be able to start around 2nd - 3rd arrow and work my way in from there.

Thanks for everybody's suggestions, I am kind of glad I didn't go to the extreme of drilling a Sarge Easter Grip because now I know that there is still one last resort should the lanes get even drier. Hopefully I'll be able to get down and throw some shots at the desert-dry local house soon so I can get some first hand experience (instead of just speculating based on what I saw on the THS at the newer, better center) of what this ball will really do.

Thanks again,
Chef

P.S Sorry for being so long winded....I really didn't think I had that much info to type LOL
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