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Author Topic: Bowling ball cores  (Read 2197 times)

thewhiz

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Bowling ball cores
« on: March 03, 2017, 07:27:22 PM »
I hear the term heavy rolling core used a lot in today's game.  How do I tell if a ball has a heavy rolling core or not?  Are assym Balls heavy rolling core balls and sym balls not? 

 

Juggernaut

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Re: Bowling ball cores
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2017, 05:34:23 AM »
TW,

 To me, the term "heavy rolling", when talking about a balls core, is something of a misnomer, as a "heavy rolling" ball is an overall quality a ball has, and there are many factors involved in that.

 Now, there are cores that lend themselves more to the process than others. The main factor, to me, is having a lower rg number. Usually, the lower the rg number, the easier it is to get it into a roll, as the mass is more centrally located in the ball, and gives the ball an earlier rolling nature than it would have otherwise.

 BUT, to get the total picture, you must also factor in the balls coverstock friction qualities, the drilling used on the ball, the friction available on the lane, and the individual bowlers release.

 Take, as an example, the new Forrest Green Quantum. It has a relatively high rg core, which doesn't lend itself to an early roll, yet the ball still wants to roll early, due to the aggressive cover and the dull finish. Those factors weigh in more than the core, and the ball ends up being kindof early, and oretty "rolly" by nature.

 Now, as far as asymmetric cores, they can be classified either way by using the same "rule of thumb" as symmetric cores, by looking at the rg ratings.

 Yes, you can fine tune the asymmetric cores by using specific placement of the psa, and make them a bit "rollier" than they would otherwise have been, but if you need to be that specific, you were probably looking at the wrong ball to begin with.

Mass bias, for me, is only a tuning tool, not a reaction building tool. If I have a poorly reacting ball, having the same ball with the mass bias in a different spot really won't help me. If it's the wrong ball, it's just wrong.

 There are lots of guys here, many more learned than myself, who should chime in on this subject. I have given you what I have, but there is still much more out there.
« Last Edit: March 04, 2017, 05:36:12 AM by Juggernaut »
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avabob

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Re: Bowling ball cores
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2017, 08:34:40 AM »
Not sure I can add a thing as far as your excellent analysis of cores goes.  Only thing I would add is that the biggest factor in obtaining a veavy roll is the bowlers own release, and even that is something of a misnomer

bergman

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Re: Bowling ball cores
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2017, 10:14:24 AM »
Great analysis, Juggernaut.  All of the factors you mentioned in your post will affect ball motion, but when it comes to the effects generated by the ball itself, the two most important elements are the RG and the coverstock. They have the biggest effect on ball motion, regardless of the other core specs.