. Keep in mind, it is much more complicated than this, I am just going to give you the basics, and not the reasons why.
The effects the distance has depends on whether the ball has a symmetric, or an asymmetric, core in it.
Basically, the closer the pin is to the pap, the earlier it will pick up its rolling pattern, and will smooth out the reaction.
The further the pin is from the pap will cause it to skid further before rolling, and tends to make it have a sharper breakpoint.
THIS IS ONLY THE MOST BASIC OF INFORMATION.
The primary affect of pin to PAP distance is the % of the ball's flare potential that is realized. For symmetrical cores the max flare is at 3 3/8" pin to PAP and the flare reduces to a minimum at 0" and at 6 3/4". For asymmetrical balls you'll be better off to look at the chart in the link below. -- JohnP
http://wiki.bowlingchat.net/wiki/images/c/cd/DualAngle.pdf
Yes, I'm familiar with and use Mo's technique. I said "primary affect", not "only affect". The other affects have less significance than the affect on the flare. -- JohnP
For symmetric balls the longer pin will reduce the flare and help the ball go longer. To best understand asymmetric layouts, read the article in the link below and concentrate on the section near the end that tells how to apply dual angle layout to your characteristics. There is other dual angle info in the wiki section of the bowlingchat.net website. -- JohnP
http://wiki.bowlingchat.net/wiki/images/c/cd/DualAngle.pdf