win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: How about using plastic only?  (Read 1678 times)

Gene J Kanak

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3005
How about using plastic only?
« on: December 02, 2004, 05:25:12 AM »
Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about this for quite a while now. There are no sport leagues or anything tough in my area, and I do not feel like driving great distances just to get work on a tougher shot. With that in mind, what if I was to just use my Target Zone in my mixed league? I would use my full array of gear for my men's league, but it would be plastic and plastic alone for mixed. My thought is that doing so would force me to work on accuracy, speed, angles and spare shooting to a much higher degree than I have to on my THS. This would not be an exercise in bagging, as there really wouldn't be a point in this kind of league. I would sincerely do my best to score, but with plastic only. My hope would be that over the course of a 30+ week season, as long as I stayed dedicated to improving, I would have to become more accurate and a better spare shooter. Has anyone ever tried such a thing? This season is almost half way over already, but I could either implement it for the remainder or simply try it at the beginning of next season. Any thoughts or suggestions?
--------------------
I can't bowl 300, but I can bench 310 : )

 

OGrady

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 142
Re: How about using plastic only?
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2004, 01:48:22 PM »
i think using plastic for league would be a very good idea...considering it is a mixed league which probably doesn't have any brackets, you should do it.....i devote one practice session a week just to my plastic ball and shooting spares...it will improve your skills when you bowl on a flat pattern that has no friction....im sure some people in the league will criticize you about sandbagging and not taking the league serious enough...good luck

Pinbuster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4585
  • Former proshop worker
Re: How about using plastic only?
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2004, 01:49:16 PM »
As long as you use plastic all the time in that league I don’t see a problem with it and it would probably help your game some. But if you get into a league roll off don’t bring out the resin equipment.

I agree with everything Bob stated. As long as you have dry enough boards so your plastic ball gets some reaction then you’ll be ok.

You may want to look into getting a 2 piece plastic ball so that it reacts a little stronger.  

9andaWiggle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13414
Re: How about using plastic only?
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2004, 02:10:09 PM »
quote:
Last season he told me time after time how he got away with a bad release and even missing his target a few boards and still get a strike.


Must suck to be a lefty... LOL

I'd say go for it and work on your game.  I don't see where it could hurt you any.  Let us know how it goes.

--------------------
9~

Keep your balls on the lane and your mind in the gutter!
Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep...

I wonder where they went? ;)

ChinaManB

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 427
Re: How about using plastic only?
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2004, 10:18:14 PM »
Sounds Like A great Idea For A Tournament......HINT HINT Gene!
--------------------
THE CHINA MAN!

MSC2471

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2080
Re: How about using plastic only?
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2004, 10:44:36 PM »
I wish they would consider a tournament like that for up in New England. I think it's a good idea Gene, you would really be able to tell what needs to be worked on as a result of plastic moreso than with the latest equipment.

Matt

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: How about using plastic only?
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2004, 06:00:50 AM »
Gene--I'll add something here.  I assume your mixed league is on a THS or China like conditions???  If so...even using plastic like a TZ on China will give you some hidden advantage.  The easier lane condition will give you more even with a plastic ball.  Of course, your carry won't be as good as with modern equipment.  

Take two examples.  

1.) Use your TZ on your China like condition and play the dry correctly to score and you will average very well.  Poorer releases/speed/etc. won't show up as much.

2.)  Now take your TZ on a flat pattern and try to find that same albeit smaller area to play and you won't find that big of an area to play.  Poor releases will show up much more on the flatter/tougher pattern.  

Also spare shooting on the easier condition still won't show up your poorer shots.  The big block in the middle will still allow your spare ball to scoot down the lane to make a 10 pin.  On a flat condition that puddle will be gone and any pulls or inconsistent release will go right or left.

Scott

Scott

Gene J Kanak

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3005
Re: How about using plastic only?
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2004, 07:10:37 AM »
Hey everyone,

Thanks for the input. The house shot I bowl on is medium oil with clean backends. It's not a cake shot, but it's certainly no grind either. My initial thoughts are to either play down and in off of the corner or to play really tight right up the gut and try to control speed in order to create enough angle to carry. My only worry with this whole thing is that I'm afraid that if I'm not careful I could create some bad habits as well. Obviously, because I don't tear the cover off of the ball I'll have to control speed in order to get the desired reaction. I'll have to be careful not to let that force me into slowing down and/or dropping my shoulder and such in order to guard against these things. Provided I stick with the fundamentals that I know, I think this experiement will help me. If I don't, it could cause worse problems to ensue. Then again, maybe that's another good lesson that I'll learn: it'll teach me to trust the shot and go with it even if the shot is tight. I think I'm going to start this Sunday. If I do, I'll be sure to let you guys know how it's going.  Thanks for all of the tips. If anyone else has any thoughts, feel free to let me know.

Gene J. Kanak
--------------------
I can't bowl 300, but I can bench 310 : )