I am looking at the numbers of a few balls and I am wondering how you choose a ball based on the rg numbers. For a stronger selection do you want a higher rg diff or a lower. What do the numbers really mean. If the diffs are within .05 of each other are the balls similar enough that it wont matter.

    I have an odyssey and In trying to find something stronger what should i look for. The taboo has a higher diff. value,but the ball is really not stronger then the odyssey in my hand,actually as far as ball motion and oil handling from what I have seen the taboo isnt strong,but its rg diff is .1 higher than the odyssey so I am confused and trying not to make another dissapointing purchase.

"how to pick a ball by the numbers"

 

The simple answer? You don't. The RG and differential numbers will give you an idea about the nature of the ball, but they are not the basis of ball choice. Lower RG means the core will rev up sooner and quicker, while higher RG cores take longer to rev up and do it more gradually, but different layouts will change the final RG numbers when you put holes in the ball. Higher differential cores have more flare potential, but even then the layout you use will change the amount of flare you see. And adding an extra hole or drilling the fingers or thumb deeper will also change the RG and differential. And beyond that, core shape, coverstock, cover prep, and so forth all make huge differences. For example, my Mutant Cell has a higher RG than the Special Agent I used to own, but it hooks earlier than the SA because the coverstock reads the midlane more aggressively and I had a higher flaring layout on it.

 

Do you have any good coaches in your area? It might not be a bad idea to work with one on your physical game, and also to get a better understanding of your arsenal and how to build and when to use it. (Remember, a coach is almost always a better investment than buying a new ball when it comes to shooting higher scores, even for the best bowlers in the world!)

You have to understnad that the numbers are only a part of the total equation. Tring to pick a new ball simply by the numbers is like trying to buy a new car based solely on data and not on your own experience.

 You wouldn't buy a new car based solely on the numbers, would you?

 

 All that being said, I have always been told that the BIGGEST influence of ball reaction was the part of the ball in contact with the lane, or the coverstock.

 

 For you to be able to get something comparable, you must start out trying to get something that has a cover that is as aggressive as the Odyssey. Once you have found SEVERAL of those, then you can begin to compare the numbers and specs to allow you to get as close as possible.

 

 You must also realize that, according to Mo Pinel, that the drilling of the ball effects the total reaction of the ball and that the same drilling will have more effect on one core type than another, depending on how the core is influenced by the drilling.

 

 To be the closest possible, you need to find your POST drilling specs on the Odyssey, then calculate what they would be on the different balls you have chosen and try to see if there is one that will allow you to end up with the same post drilling specs as you have on the Odyssey.

 

 As bad as I hate to say it, if you know your specs ( rotation, tilt, speed etc.....), it is pretty easy to go to bowlingchat.net and ask for Mo himself to give you reccomendations. He IS very smart, and very good at what he does, even if he is a bit technically demanding and can come off as abrasive.

If the coaching helps you with consistency, especially with timing and your arm swing, it will definitely translate to sport shots.  Other than that, you just need to bowl on them more to get comfortable with them.  Because house shots allow you to be lazy and get away with errant shots, you will still spray the ball on a sport shot if you only see one occasionally.  Strokers tend to miss left and rely on hold and tweeners/crankers tend to miss right knowing the dry will bail them out.  I used to belly the ball way too much on the occasions that I'd see a sport shot.  Now I'm much better at throwing the ball straighter through the front part of the lane.  Nothing wrong with finding balls that match your style, but stick with coaching - it will pay off more in the long run.