What are some of the best Core to Cover combinations for Dry, Light, Medium and heavy oil that you guys have used over the past? Do you have any particular Ball company choices for this (Brunswick, Ebonite, Hammer, Track etc..)? I know everybody might have a personal preference depending on what type of game they have but, is there a basic theory used?

I won't argue with other people's success with the Granite Gargoyle.  People can find a use for anything.  As far as its popularity, that's lost on me - I don't see many people using Granite Gargoyles, in fact, only one since the ball's release.

As stated, I was trying to give a general idea of what to look for.  Lower-Rg cores help a ball start/hook early as does a particle coverstock.  So the two compliment one another.  Same thing with Higher-Rg cores helping a ball go longer as does a reactive pearl coverstock.

There have been countless debates on this site as to whether coverstock and coverstock preparation has a greater effect on ball reaction than the core and layout or vice-versa.  Whichever theory you believe, you can tweak performance with cover-core combinations.  Here's how.

Consider the PowerKoil (PK) coverstock.  This Brunswick reactive coverstock has been used on many balls for both Brunswick and Lane#1 (and others?).  Lets say you purchase a ball with the PK coverstock with a low-Rg core and put your favorite drill on it.  If you don't get the length you want out of the ball you can look for another ball with the PK coverstock that has a higher Rg core to gain more length.  (Yes, you can polish it or put a different layout on it or change your release or any other number of things, but this is a discussion of cover-core combinations).

Conversely, you may find one type of core, say a general mid-Rg "lightbulb" core.  These types of cores have been used in many balls.  If you purchase a ball with this core, put your favorite layout on it, and the ball goes too long, you can look for another ball with the same type of core that has a stronger coverstock.

Aside from the general guidelines and the above examples, my personal opinion is that you need to find out what works for you and the only way to do that is trial and error.  Other people will suggest as many core-cover combinations as they will "oh, such-and-such a ball is a great ball".  Many of the ball manufacturers have weekend events where you can go and try their new equipment (such as the Ebonite "Demo Days").  That might be a good place to see if you can find something that compliments your game.
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Kill the back row (or maybe this should read "make your spares, dummy")


Edited on 3/11/2005 11:27 AM