Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are bowling during a time in which almost every "serious" bowler in the world comes to the lanes each night with at least a 4-ball roller full of gear that allows him/her to adequately attack nearly any condition that the lane man has set out.

As I am not immune to this trend, I too have tried to construct an arsenal full of equipment that covers the gamut of forseeable conditions. Doing so increases my confidence, as it makes me feel as if there is a much lesser degree of bowling skill required on my part.

While the validity of that feeling of confidence is widely up to debate, I have also run into situations in which my equipment barrage has been a much greater hinderance than a help.

A few months back I noticed this during an ABT tournament. After bowling 2 mediocre games in which I restrained myself from using the brand new Blade I had purchased a few days earlier, I decided to break out the new toy for game 3.

I proceeded to shoot 234 during the third game, and I very much liked the look that the ball gave me on the transitioning lanes. Therefore, I re-entered for the next squad and proceeded to shoot 280, 191, 211 to lead the field after the first day.

You ask, 'why didn't you use the Blade from the beginning?' That's simple, I was afraid that I would break that ball out just because it was new, instead of using it because it gave me the best look, which it obviously did.

I have also found this to be true with the lines that I want to play. Ever since the equipment revolution began I've frequently had to fight the urge to use one ball or another simply because I felt like throwing a certain line.

Of course, we all have our "A" games, you know, the lines we like to play and the shot shape we are most comfortable playing. However, I've found that having a large collection of equipment sometimes allows me to try to force the issue, rather than just taking advantage of what the lanes are giving.

The game of bowling has rapidly become much more mental than physical, even more than it was in the past. Today, it's not just about being a solid shot-maker. Instead, we all have to keep up-to-date on ball technology, drillings, surfaces, oil patterns, etc in order to stay in the hunt.

I'm not one of those guys who seeks to re-invent the wheel or to go back to the 'good old days.' Hell, I wasn't alive in the good old days, as I'm only 23.  Besides, I've been helped by the advances in equipment just as everyone else has.

I'm willing to do what I have to do, as I love this game and desire to compete at a high level for years to come. But does this trend bother anyone else? Have any of you fallen victim to the same equipment paralysis that I've described? Just looking to share thoughts.

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Bowling is without a doubt the dumbest, most pointless, most idiotic excuse for a game that has ever been invented. So, what time are we bowling tomorrow?

Gene, you state that bowling has become more mental than physical.  I can assure you that bowling has become more mental, but physical has no less importance than it ever did.  When you show up to bowl a tournament, I can assure you that somebody has the right ball, line, and is mentally ready to beat your butt.  If not let me know where you live, as I would be willing to move!  My advise is:  Always assume that you are bowling well.  If your not scoring well it is because of either the wrong line or the wrong ball or both.  Of course, this isn't always true, but you should approach your bowling this way, or you will be toooooooo slow the change.  Thus negating your chance to cash.  I couldn't imagine going into a new house to play a match without at least five balls.  I usually pack eight or nine, counting a spare ball, and a polished urethane. How to read the lanes is the problem.  Start with a ball that you would use on a medium, wide open shot.  During warm up, find any out of bounds.  If there is out of bounds, move deep enough that it isn't in play. After a ball or two you should be able to know if you need medium, dry, or heavy oil equipment.  This reduces your selection of balls at least in half.  I usually start with a ball with an aggressive drill (label leverage, stacked leverage, etc).  The reason for this is:  If scores are going to be through the roof, I need aggressive equipment to keep up.  If I start with a ball that is going to the correct length, but is out of control, then I would either go to a milder drill or a more e aggressive cover.  If flat 10's are showing up then figure the cover is too strong. If you are ringing 10's either the angle is wrong (line), or  the cover is too polished (the ball is still hooking at the pins).  My first thought about ringing 10's, is to go to more cover and play the same line.  If I can't score, and I see everybody else having trouble I go to urethane.  My theory is I'm more accurate, thus if it isn't a carry contest, I can win with urethane(this isn't always true, but it goes back to my original approach, that if I'm bowling poorly it is because of the lane set up).  I hope this helps.  I know there is pressure (mostly self imposed), that if you change balls, you have to score higher, or you look foolish.  Remember, that when you lose you always look foolish.  I try to win, and don't care what anybody thinks about my bowling.  If I change balls five times, and don't win, I still just didn't win.  If I'd have stayed with the original ball the results would have been the same.  At least I tried!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

I too have noticed something interesting about using "new" equipment.  It always seems like a ball performs at its best when it is right off the drill press, during the early games of its lifespan.  As the lineage piles up on a ball, the performance tends to slowly dwindle down, unless you take proactive measures such as using Doc's Elixer to protect the ball from excessive oil absorption, and if you keep on top of the coverstock keeping it at the desired grit level.  Of course, when you scuff or polish a ball, you need to retreat it with Elixer to maintain the ability to shed oil.

Before Doc's Elixer hit the market, there was virtually no way for reactive resin or particle ball users to protect their equipment from a certain death over time due to picking up lane oil.  I've been using Doc's Elixer on a Trauma Response since it was brand new, and I'm happy to say that the ball still has a decent performance, even though I've racked up about 450 games on it now.  My previous history with numerous particle and reactive resin balls was that the lane oil would kill off a significant amount of ball performance around 100 games....the Elixer appears to offer a good alternative towards maintaining equipment in much better condition.

I've never figured out exactly what it is about brand new equipment, but I've seen numerous bowlers shoot honor scores on the very first set out of the box with a new ball.  I can even think back to once where I shot 268 with a brand new ball on the first game (2 10-pins from 300), so I've experienced it too.  Anyway, there is something to be said for new equipment.....a ball is always at its best when it comes right out of the box, and it is difficult to maintain that level of performance.

Of course, only the Pros can afford to drill up a new ball every few sets, while the rest of us are forced to continue to use older gear or cough up $200 every time you turn around.  Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't care to pay $200 every week or two for a new ball, so I'm forced to try to maintain my equipment as best I can.