It's easy to get a little too hung up on statistics.  First thing you need to do is buy the proper ball for the conditions.  You're not going to turn a Big Hit Pearl into an oiler or a Super Carbide Bomb into a dry lane ball.  Second is to make sure the ball has the proper surface.  This ties into the first point.  Third is to make sure the drilling pattern compliments your style and the lane conditions.  Then you can worry about the ball's statistics.  A 3" pin and 3 oz top gives you a lot of options, so it's a safe bet for just about everyone.  A shorter pin and less top might be better for an earlier roll and more arc (vs. flip), but if your other choices are wrong, it won't help a thing.  Same thing with a long pin and high top weight.  You will get more length and snap compared to a short pin and low top, but it's a relatively small difference.  It doesn't hurt to taylor your pin and top weight preferences when ordering a ball, but your other choices are much more important.
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Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive