I bowled my first adult league in the fall of 1966. I used hard rubber balls till 1975, polyester till 1981, and resin since 1992. Highest average ever with rubber balls, 199. Highest average with polyester, 218. Highest average with urethane 229. Highest average with resin. In my opinion lane conditions had very little to do with those average increases.
Here may be more telling statistic. In 15 years using rubber and plastic 2 300s, both with plastic. In 11 years with urethane 4 300s. In 25 years with resin, 38 300s.
Not only is it clear that resin balls had a monumental impact on award scores, it is just as interesting that they had a much smaller impact on averages. I know I am only one person, but my experience is similar to that of most other top scratch bowlers during an era that transcends ball evolution
