Author Topic: Bowlers from the old days..... (Read 1496 times)

C-G ProShop-Carl · « **on:** August 24, 2003, 11:58:07 PM »

I have recently noticed (I saw it in the past as well, but now with the pro shop up and running I am seeing it more) some older guys 40-45 years old coming back into the game after not bowling since the urethane days.

Example, a guy came in to bowl yesterday, he just bought a Monster Smash/R at another local pro shop. He asked what I thought, I told him it is a good ball but he is going to need some oil. I started the lanes up for him, and noticed right away if this guy does not change his style he is never going to be able to throw this ball.

Apparently the other pro shop owner did not watch the guy bowl at all before selling him the ball. This guy really cranks the ball at about 14mph. Exactly the kind of release people had to use about 13-15 years ago just to get the urethanes to hook at all. Now he is not going to change his style because that is all he knows, he pretty much said that.

I am a new shop owner so please tell me if I would have gone about it the wrong way. I would have suggested to the gentleman to get a weaker reactive, or even something like a C300 Black Messenger, maybe even a pearl red urethane hammer. I do not think the other pro shop owner took the time with him that was needed. I think there was a sale and boom....please do not let the door hit ya on the way out.

Other shop owners out there, would this have been the appropriate way for me to go about a situation like that? Remember, this person was not going to change his game to match the stronger equipment of today, so you would have had to of given him equipment to match him, correct? Atleast that is they way I would have gone about it.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

thanks

Pinbuster · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2003, 03:13:06 PM »

First I would assess his grip, maybe not all aspects but at least the span and thumb size.

Assuming he was having problems both in his normal house and yours I would then make suggestions as to how you might change his current ball. Altering the coverstock or adding/subtracting weights to move the ball towards the reaction they are looking for. Finally I would suggest balls that would be better for their style on the condition they normally bowl on. I would give options from the cheapest to most expensive balls if asked for recommendations.

Be honest and donâ€™t push to make a sale. They often will remember that latter and return. I try to never bad mouth another proshop. I will simply state that I disagree with their way of drilling, fitting, etc but that everyone has their own opinion of what is right and in this case we disagree and try to explain why I would go another way.

C-G ProShop-Carl · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2003, 04:37:45 PM »

pinbuster, just wanted to state that in no way did I say anything bad about the other pro shop. I see doing something like that as poor taste and classless. I stated what I did on here to let everyone know what what the situation was, and that I did not agree with the how the other pro shop owner treated that situation---but never said anything like that to the bowler. Infact, I didn't really talk with the gentleman very much. When he was bowling I spoke with him a bit and told him he may need to try not coming around the ball as much because of the overreaction. In the area where I am from every house is going to be too little oil for the way this guy throws the ball. When I suggested not coming around the ball and trying to stay behind it more that is when he said when he bowled he threw the ball the same way he was and in no way would he want to change now.

Pinbuster · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2003, 04:41:33 PM »

EXCALIBER - Sorry if I implied that I wasn't meaning to. I was trying to simply state how we would handle the situation.

mumzie · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2003, 06:15:41 PM »

Yep. He'll figure it out. He'll realize that the game is totally different, and if he had smarts to change things for urethane way back when, hopefully he'll realize how different things are and he'll go back to school for the reactive/particle classes.

Constantine · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2003, 06:48:14 PM »

As someone who's release isn't that much different than it was in the urethane days, I don't think sending the guy back to a urethane ball is the best answer. And I don't think that he'll have to throw his current release out the window.

First off, I'd definately want to see him toss a few frames before making any decisions. Checking grip and span stuff is a no brainer. Checking his PAP off an old ball (or one he recently threw) is extemely important. He likely has a lower track which he would have developed to get length out of his urethane. Once you've got all his basics down, then you can make recommendations.

As Excaliber mentioned, under/over is a potential issue with newer balls, especially if he has a low track. I'd steer him toward a ball and drillings that are more stable than a typical customer. Low track bowlers can get a lot of stability out of lower pin placements such as a 2x2. If he has a normal track, I'd still want to help him smooth the backend but he'd need length help, so a 5x2 might be a good choice. And as duda mentioned, particle balls give stablilty, so a lower load pearl particle would be a good idea.
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Good luck & good bowling

Author Topic: Bowlers from the old days..... (Read 1496 times)

C-G ProShop-Carl

Bowlers from the old days.....

Pinbuster

Re: Bowlers from the old days.....

C-G ProShop-Carl

Re: Bowlers from the old days.....

Pinbuster

Re: Bowlers from the old days.....

mumzie

Re: Bowlers from the old days.....

Constantine

Re: Bowlers from the old days.....