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The harder I try the harder they fall

What are some of the more successful bowlers at that league/house using? See if any of them bowl similar to your style and area of the lane you like to play.
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3 holes of fun!!

Edited on 2/4/2009 10:53 PM

How about a "stupid" Brunswick ball? try a copperhead with a 4.5x4 pin under grip and adjust the cover to what you need.
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The harder I try the harder they fall

It definitely sounds like a ball surface issue. Either it's rolling out and hitting flat, or it's never getting into a roll at all and sliding through the pindeck. The easiest thing to change on the ball is surface and that's what I'd try, either by taking something to 1000 or 2000 Abralon with no polish, or by polishing up one of your solids.

A similar thing happened to me a few years ago at what was then my home bowling center in Tennessee. It had older Brunswick lanes with a lot of friction, and scores were through the roof. Then they expanded and put in all-new AnviLane, and averages dropped about 10-15 pins across the house. The newer lanes were low-friction, and it took the lane guys a while to properly oil them to match. The biggest problem during that time was getting the ball to face up to the pins and carry properly.

Jess

I must confess that although I have been bowling for many years, am not just a hack, and DO understand some of the differences between ball surfaces and lane patterns, that I don't know all of my specs (PAP, speed, revs, rotation, tilt, etc..).  And I don't know what actual pattern they're laying down.

I also confess that the other house that I bowl at is generally acknowledged to be an easier house, and I DO realize that. So....SOME loss of reaction or diminished success is expected ----even by me--- based on that. In other words, I know that no matter what adjustment I make, it's very unlikely that I would have the knd of success (or luck) at the Brunswick house, that I do at the other inedependent one.

But "greycat" hit the nail right on the head. It's about my pride.

It's not about how much money I'm not winning....it's not a big money league at that house anyway. And it's not just about the scores being lower...I know going in that everything will be about 15-20 pins lower across the board.

It's the way the ball hits so flat and lifeless so often. Throwing harder causes other problems as the pins don't mix as well. Throwing slower works for awhile, but then I'll get a split or a weird leave, or just a lot of 10 pins, and I get disgusted and abandon that strategy.

I'm basically a "down and in" player, and friction is definitely part of the problem. If I throw too hard, I'm flying past the point where I want the ball to break toward the pocket. But THAT is true in ANY house. What is different on the Brunswick shot, is that the slightest adjustment produces major changes. And there's a sort of gray area between which something can be considered a great challenge and conversely a pain in the butt.  

We have some very good bowlers in our league, but most are more hacker than bowler. Where do I place myself? Somewhere just below the better bowlers.  What frustrates me is not that THEY are making their shots when I am not. But that other bowlers who clearly do not have the skill level that I do are getting better results not because they're smarter or talented, but because they happen to match up well in terms of speed, equipment, and whatever line they play.

They may not even KNOW what line they're playing, but just by chance, it happens to work. In fact... I have at least one relatively informed source who told me that Brunswick deliberately oils the lanes to benefit casual bowlers who tend to go up the middle.

But even knowing that doesnt help, cause going up (or near) the middle, produces more splits and 10's. At least ....so far.

Anyway---- sorry for ranting again.  I AM going to check out the Copperhead and I DO appreciate all the feedback....even the negative.

I just wish I could stop leaving those lanes scratching my head as to what is going on. It's not just lack of success. It's feeling completely lost. Even on a terrible night at the other house, I usually know WHY I'm missing, and know that I will come back strong the next time. I dont know that at all regarding Brunswick's shot.



Edited on 2/5/2009 6:47 AM

Edited on 2/5/2009 6:47 AM

I do hear you.

The reaction is not consistent, though. What is consistent, is how much it varies. If I throw it over the 2nd arrow, it crosses over to the left side of the head pin (am right-handed). If I throw it between the 1st and 2nd arrow,it slides past the [desired] break point.

One thing I DO know is happening is that the ball is still sliding when it hits the pins. So...yeah, that would suggest slowing down. Yet slowing down, results in the ball crossing over. I've tried rolling out and letting the ball come back in (vs down and in), and it would work SOMETIMES. Others, there would be no "IN", as it would just die in the oil.

I DO make adjustments. Successful ones.  For example, I am never intimidated by the 10 pin. I have a strong shot at both houses for that, but they are completely different shots due to the different lane patterns. At my "good" house, the boards are dry on the ends, so I need to apply enough speed to keep the ball from hooking away from the 10 pin. At the Brunswick house, there is plenty of oil, so I basically throw toward an imaginary 9 pin, and let the ball slide into the 10. Both shots work in their respective houses.

But nothing is more disappointing than seeing what looks and feels like a well thrown ball hit the pocket and leave garbage. Not once in awhile, but frequently. If I have a bad game at the ----ok ... the "easier house", I KNOW it's my fault. At the Brunswick lanes, I feel ripped off.

Most of the time, it's just minor disappointment ...180's instead of 200, or low 200's instead of 220's. But every once in awhile there is a "last night" where I struggled to get to 165-170.

I even tried bowling from the left side and throwing the ball on a mild angle to the right of the head pin and letting it come back in. And it worked ----for awhile!  Everything works there for awhile.  Then I start making other changes when the success isn't long lasting, and that of course is a no-no. Then I run out of frames.

:-(

(Note: I'll be away from the home computer till at least late tonight, so am not ignoring any additional posts. I'll be able to view them, but can't reply from work.)

Edited on 2/5/2009 7:37 AM

This may or may not be what you want to hear but try a different release, coming more up the back getting it into a roll earlier or come more up the side should create more skid(if you keep your speed down) and should give you a bit more reaction further down lane to possibly create more pocket into the pocket.