Author Topic: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long) (Read 3493 times)

charlest · « **on:** December 28, 2004, 10:22:13 PM »

OK, guys now I have a problem I need some help with.
I'm only bowling 1x a week, at an old wood house that gives me fits.
I have to conquer it or die trying.

Background:
I have medium to medium-slow speed (17 at arrows, 14+ at
the backend) with above average revs.
This year they started putting down more oil, medium
maybe medium-heavy. Last year it was medium-light oil and because
the lanes are old, it changes to light, almost dry outside by the
2nd game. Last year I used a Slay/R drilled 5x5 and it was
too much by the end of the 2nd game; had to use a Barrage.
This year I was actually able to use a polished New Standard
or a Rush, then an Intense Inferno for a month or more.

Problem:
It was almost a shock I had to adjust to: OIL.
So 2 weeks ago we're back to medium-light to light oil,
and I'm back in hell. Monday just about fried my guts.
Six 10 pins, both weak and ringing, in the first 12/13 frames.
Plus a 4 pin and an 8 pin to boot. One split, 19 clean
frames for 181 and 193, no doubles obviously.

3rd game was death; teammates are telling me to
go down the 2nd arrow to retain energy. I'm standing
35 (on the right lane) with a 5.5x5 CrunchTime.
(Hadn't brought a weaker ball than it on 2 months)

Odd, Temporary, apparent Solution?:
Around the 6th I give up and I stand 22/23, and
FIRE it down the 12 board at the arrows with
a suitcase grip and a totally flat wrist. I go from
17 mph at the arrows & 15-18 revs, to about 22+ mph,
maybe higher, with, if I'm lucky, 6-7 revs on the CT.
Hell, maybe less. The ball hooks the 5 boards, versus
my normal 20+. I stone the last 4 or 5, leaving 1 stoned 7 pin.

SKidding 50 feet at 22 mph tends to retain energy.
I guess. Didn't have to worry too much about carry
since most were dead solid. (I can be fairly accurate at times.)
Being an old man (58 in a week), I don't know if
I can be accurate over a 3 games at that speed nor if I can
keep up that speed. Of course, they won't be this dry to start
the league each week.

The main problem is that this release and delivery are not
exactly part of my repertoire.

Also I'm wondering if I was able to do that speed
only because I was so mad at that point in time?
(Yes, "mad" is the correct term, not angry, not
just frustrated; seething, nasty, viciously mad.)

I will be bringing my Slay/R and my Slate Blue
Gargoyle next week. (Had my White Dot spare ball;
plastic strike balls are not in my mind set nor my skill set.)

Thanks for reading this far.

Comments? Criticisms?
Open to anything except a joke at this point in time.
(Maybe later a joke would be acceptable.)

ctturtle · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2004, 07:28:49 AM »

charlest, I feel for you. I have been struggling myself on similar wood conditions. I'll shoot 220- 240 first 2 games (if I carry) then go 160 or 170 on third.

What I have learned so far this year is that I have to stay behind the ball more. I used to turn it up pretty well but, have been working on staying behind the ball. Seemed like the more I swung it out the more I got tapped.

I have gone back to my Spirit which goes long and snaps in. I throw RH 18+ mph and I usually play 12 and swing out to about 5-6 but lately have been throwing up 10. Problem is that everyone plays around 10 and by the last game they're flyin'.

What I did last week (after fighting for 3-4 frames splits,opens) was to move my game left 5 boards on the approach and 5 boards left on target. This opened the lane up and I did finish low 200's. I left a couple half pocket 10's but I think that was mostly from my speed.

Anyway I hope this helps, Russ

Stjosephkid · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2004, 08:03:08 AM »

Same here,
I average 215 the first 2 games on wood then I shoot 160's. But what I do is play it straighter and take a half step forward, sometimes it helps.
--------------------
Ninety Percent of this game is half mental.

JohnP · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2004, 08:31:34 AM »

charlest -- This condition sounds tailor made for the Slate Blue. Let us know how it does. If it's still too strong you may have to look at something like the red Hammer (urethane). -- JohnP

scotts33 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2004, 12:29:17 PM »

quote:
Also I'm wondering if I was able to do that speed
only because I was so mad at that point in time?
(Yes, "mad" is the correct term, not angry, not
just frustrated; seething, nasty, viciously mad.)

Know exactky what you mean by amping up speed when you're ticked. I fall in this catagory.

Jeff--We are pretty much in the same boat here. You may have read some of my posts here earlier this year. Old wood house with Guardian put down new this year. Wet/dry block with the heads drying out fast. Most high scorers in this house fire it up the track with less revs and carry the best.

I am very similar to you. I just turned 57, speed is about the same, tweener like to roll the ball when I can. 4 7/8" over 1/2" up.

I have tried everything in this house and I am down 20 some pins from 215 to the 180's this year. I have fired non hooking equipment outside down track 5-12. Balls used Col. Blue Dot last week shot 602. Amulet Glow last night shot 598 with a 170 finish. I get caught up in the carry down problems in last game and a half with non-hooking stuff.

I feel for you Jeff. When you figure somwething out let me know.

Scott

MSC2471 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2004, 12:42:32 PM »

As you know per our conversations Jeff, I face a very similar tough issue with oil conditions and how to play the lanes in my Tuesday league house. Every year they've gone from one extreme to the other (light oil to heavy oil), sometimes from pair to pair. What you warm up on may not be what you see in the first game of league, and definitely doesn't hold up the whole night.

I've resigned myself to playing a tighter, straighter line with my Barrage. I would rather spend a night getting the occasional strike, leave makable spares and peg out 190/low deuce games than fishing all night for a line and leaving a ton of splits as I did last night- a 135 with 5 different splits in the first 9 frames (culminating in a pocket 7-10 in the 9th). One I decided to stick with the straighter line, lower ball speed and a more up the back release, I was able to finish with a 202 and 179...not awesome scores, but at least kept me in the game.

Let us know how things work out- that is why I find wood houses more of a challenge, you never know what you can get out there once transitions occur...

Matt

charlest · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2004, 06:02:02 PM »

Bob Hanson wrote:

quote:
What happens when you move deeper like around 15-17 at the arrows after the shot breaks down?

Bob,
I actually start standing about 30; I gave up around the end of the 2nd game, standing around 37/38 on the right lane, against the ball return.

quote:

Most old wood houses (and even a lot of older synthetic houses ) have a very defined track in that area, and the finish gets better toward 4th arrow giving you a bit of hold. If you can get into that area with a controlled swing area, it will negate the need for so much speed. You still want a shiny surface ball, but you can probably get away with a little stronger layout from the deeper angle.

I'll try that, if my teammates don't raze me to play the 2nd arrow next week. I tried it briefly with a polished New Standard, but it was still drilled too strongly, 4x5, pin next to ring finger. My polished Rush, drilled 5.5x5, pin over the bridge may be better for this line. It's got a 1500-200 grit polish on it. Should be good, with that drilling & that polish for a tight inside line.

Guys,

I will also bring my Slay/R and my SLate Blue (thanks, JohnP), skipping my Barrage for the time being. It isn't so great for me once I have to target inside the 2nd arrow.

I'll also start with my Igniter, rather than my CrunchTime; same drilling, but the CT is on its 3rddrillign with 2 re-plug. It's lost a little hitting power. The Igniter has a little more oomph at the pins.

KillerInstinct,
-My pearls are all 1500 grit polish, with weakish drilling, 5.5x5, pin over the bridge. Both CT and Igniter are around.040-.045 RG Diff.
- I already target around 40 ft down.
I do tend to stay behind the ball.

I think speed and/or increased speed may be keys, along with a more direct line and weaker balls.

I do use weaker releases at times, but that has not been a strong point in my game. (I do have a wide variety of balls to use/play with.)

MSC2471,
You wrote:
"I've resigned myself to playing a tighter, straighter line with my Barrage. I would rather spend a night getting the occasional strike, leave makable spares and peg out 190/low deuce games than fishing all night for a line and leaving a ton of splits ..."

I think I can do that, but since it seems we've returned to being a hell-hole, I'd rather try to score some good 200+s rather than settle for clean 190s. Clean 190s are too frustrating. I'm not yet desperate, just PO'd.

xman,
"I might suggest a piece like a Lane#1 xxxl or a Bullet .."
I do have a 5x5 Slay/R and a SLate Blue Gargoyle (pearl urethane) in my arsenal; I had not been bringing them because we had had oil for 2+months. I will bring one or both next Monday.
I had an XXXL; didn't like; might have drilled it wrong, tho'.
Thanks.

BTW
I tried to practice that suitcase release today.
Of course, they had decent oil. Unless I slowed way down
I could hardly get a reaction, with the suitcase.
I could have used a Mojo or the Rush today.
At least I worked up a sweat for 8 games.
Didn't accomplish much else.

Thanks, Guys. I appreciate the suggestions and the words of encouragement.

Next, I'll try primal scream therapy.

charlest · « **Reply #7 on:** December 29, 2004, 06:08:52 PM »

quote:
Jeff--We are pretty much in the same boat here. You may have read some of my posts here earlier this year. Old wood house with Guardian put down new this year. Wet/dry block with the heads drying out fast. Most high scorers in this house fire it up the track with less revs and carry the best.

I am very similar to you. I just turned 57, speed is about the same, tweener like to roll the ball when I can. 4 7/8" over 1/2" up.

Scott,

I had no idea you were so ..archaic, also. Condolences. Just bought my first dose of melatonin; will try it tonight!

quote:

I have tried everything in this house and I am down 20 some pins from 215 to the 180's this year. I have fired non hooking equipment outside down track 5-12. Balls used Col. Blue Dot last week shot 602. Amulet Glow last night shot 598 with a 170 finish. I get caught up in the carry down problems in last game and a half with non-hooking stuff.

I feel for you Jeff. When you figure something out let me know.

Scott

Wow! I don't think mine are so dry that I need to "fire" a Blue Dot!
Guys with naturally high speed are loving this shot.

Actually I was quite surprised I could fire the ball the way I did. I suspect I was actually higher than 22. I just used that as a ballpark estimate. The ball got down there VERY quick. Hell, I'm surprised I hit the head pin AND pocket. This was the CrunchTime.

I won't bowl again til next Monday; so it will be a while.
Fuuny, now that I've done all this whining and planning, I'd bet they put out a normal shot agaim. If they do, the Rush should work well, but I will be annoyed. In any case, I'll be bringing more of an arsenal with me.

Author Topic: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long) (Read 3493 times)

charlest

Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)

ctturtle

Re: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)

Stjosephkid

Re: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)

JohnP

Re: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)

scotts33

Re: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)

MSC2471

Re: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)

charlest

Re: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)

charlest

Re: Hook vs speed in transitions from medium oil to dry? (long)