Author Topic: What dictates ball motion? (Read 835 times)

CubsFan · « **on:** April 10, 2012, 09:13:57 PM »

Is it strictly drill pattern that determines ball motion? If I'm looking for a more angular motion to the pocket do I also need to improve my rev rate or is it simply changing the drill pattern?

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2012, 09:26:41 PM »

The primary cause of ball roll is the friction( or lack thereof ) between the surface of the ball and the surface of the lane itself. Give me a ball with the correct surface and the "wrong" drilling pattern any day over a ball with the "right" drilling pattern and the wrong surface.

JustRico · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2012, 10:11:48 PM »

A. Don Draper's comments are spot on....wrong surface equals inconsistent ball reaction

B. to create a certain reaction is up to the bowler's attributes...

The views and opinions expressed by myself are solely those of mine and NO one else, nor are they affiliated with anyone else.

« **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2012, 09:08:56 PM »

Agree with the two above. Based on my experience in order of importance:

1- Bowler and what he "puts on" the ball - speed, revs, rotation, etc.

2- Ball surface characteristics and finish

3- Core characteristics and layout (Layout may be #4) but I can't decide for sure.

Too much time is spent worrying whether layout A is better than layout B. Bowlers would be better served by becoming more versatile themselves and learning to tweak covers to match up with what they are seeing. Every so often a bad layout will make the ball less forgiving, but try not to get too crazy with layouts and they will rarely hurt you more than the rest.

Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah

Allstar Lanes

Brunswick Regional Staff

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2012, 11:38:59 PM »

Even if you're not convinced about the surface over drilling idea consider this: from a purely economical viewpoint changing the surface on the ball takes very little time and costs very little. A few minutes on a ball spinner and a couple of bucks. If you want to change the drilling pattern on a ball you will have to plug the holes( and let them dry ) and then you will have to have the ball redrilled( and this will cost much more than a surface change ).

If you are looking for a more angular motion then here is what you need to do as far as surface preparation: have the ball sanded to a SMOOTHER grit. This could be anywhere from 800 to 4,000 grit depending upon your ball speed, axis rotation, etc. This smoother surface will get the ball further down the lane and retain some energy for the backend. Applying polish over the smoother surface will add more length and create more backend reaction when the ball comes out of the oil and hits the drier backend of the lane. All of these changes to the surface will make the balls motion more angular.

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2012, 12:17:31 PM »

Finer base grit + polish will help, as well as release adjustments. You can do a lot with simple things.

But beware: changing a ball's reaction (or defining it though the setup) is always a trade-off. As already mentioned, more snap and back end goes hand in hand with more length and less traction up front, as well as a more nervous reaction at the breakpoint. You might trade snap for control and predicatbility, and you might force a ball to do something it was not designed for. This does not ruin the orb, but the overall package could be sub-optimal.

DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
2010/11 Benrather BC Club Champion
Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section

Author Topic: What dictates ball motion? (Read 835 times)

CubsFan

What dictates ball motion?

DON DRAPER

Re: What dictates ball motion?

JustRico

Re: What dictates ball motion?

Re: What dictates ball motion?

DON DRAPER

Re: What dictates ball motion?

dizzyfugu

Re: What dictates ball motion?