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Author Topic: Nationals....First Timer Questions  (Read 4173 times)

TheGom

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Nationals....First Timer Questions
« on: February 21, 2016, 04:42:15 PM »
Going down on a sponsors dime....like a another father to me. Just singles and doubles.

Does anyone buy a ball down there, get re-fit or both? If so, did you stick with the fit?

Planning on 3 balls, and really do not want to travel with them even though the airline cost is absorbed by a teammates travel bennies, plus we are bringing our golf clubs and that really adds up to juggle all three bags thru an airport.

Was thinking about just bringing my spare ball and buy two down there. Not really happy with my current specs and I would love to have some input by someone down there that knows how to fit a person really, really good.

Into Storm/Roto and Motiv balls....my guess is that someone will down there from both OEM's selling and drilling.

Looking forward to this trip and having fun because I understand I'll probably be about 30-40 below my ave on these types of conditions since I never see anything harder than Stone Street.

Thanks

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SG17

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2016, 09:40:24 PM »
I have bought a ball at the tournament twice over the years.

Both times, I had the pro-shop at the nationals venue (The stadium, when in reno) pull the specs of my hand off of another ball.

If you are wanting to change a pitch or span, and not sure to what, the guys there are typically experienced pro-shop operators and will have the skills to do so.

The 2 balls I bought at nationals both fit me as if bought at my local pro-shop.

If you want to spend the money to buy balls at the tournament; I would have no reservations regarding the skills of the guys running the shops.

Depending on when you go, and how busy it is, it is possible that they don't have the ball you want in stock.  especially if you are there the last week or 2 of the tournament.
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cory867

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2016, 09:30:22 AM »
FYI though, it is not the OEM's running the shops.  It is a contracted pro shop.
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milorafferty

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2016, 09:37:47 AM »
I bought a Motiv Venom Shock and had it drilled the last time the Open was in Reno. Frankie May drilled it and I can't tell the difference between it and the other balls I have.

It took a bit of time to convince Mr. May that I wasn't interested in using one of his three "perfect" drilling layouts but otherwise was a great experience.
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Cornfed82

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2016, 12:29:38 PM »
I have personally bought atleast 4-5 balls at nationals through out the years and I have been very pleased with results that I have gotten out there. I have bought balls from the Ebonite, Hammer and Storm booths, all those guys are great and easy to talk with... I really liked working with the guys at the Hammer booth... Bought balls from them back to back years..
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bass

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2016, 05:59:40 PM »
I've only drilled up one ball at Nationals in 20 years. I layed it out and they put the holes in for me. That's when it got interesting. I prefer no bevel on my thumb hole. Pro shop guy wouldn't give me the ball without using a bevel sander. So I told him to keep it. After 5 minutes or so he finally agreed to not use the sander.

My take on drilling at Nationals is this. If you are a successful pro shop operator in your own area. How can you shut your place down for 6 months to work at Nationals?   
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WOWZERS

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2016, 06:07:09 PM »
Bass....

Before I moved, pro shop I worked in had 3 other IBPSIA certified drillers besides the owner/manager and me. That makes 5 of us in one shop. The owner/manager could have left with no qualms and run a Nationals booth and his home shop would have never missed a beat.

I do realize that not everyone has this type of coverage, so if there are no other certified drillers in the shop, I do question how one could leave for 6 months.
« Last Edit: February 23, 2016, 05:30:31 AM by WOWZERS »
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billdozer

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2016, 09:17:09 PM »
The local guys love the ebonite driller, and got mixed to bad results with the storm shop...which is also overpriced. 

I have my own grips and slug and I'm still looking at ~ $250 for a high end storm...boooo
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WOWZERS

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2016, 05:35:54 AM »
Costs are through the roof at Nationals to have one of the shops from my understanding. I have never operated one and I have never seen a bill, but I have some friends that have and they tell me the costs are going up up up.
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badbeard

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2016, 06:57:08 AM »
Frankie May is In the Visionary / Motiv booth and does a great job. One year he even drilled  a track ball I bought from the track booth with no problems.
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avabob

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2016, 10:01:45 AM »
I have had quite a few balls drilled at Nationals over the years.  I don't remember ever getting a bad job.  Don't look for any great bargains on the newest stuff though.  you might find a good closeout price on something, but that is about it. 
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bass

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2016, 05:14:39 PM »
I knew of one pro shop operator from 40 miles away that closed up his shop to work the ebonite booth years ago. Within 5 weeks he was either let go or he quit.
He moved back to my area and never reopened his shop.
I'm not saying you can't get a good fit/layout out there.
But just because they work there doesn't mean they have all the answers either.
At least if you deal with your local pro shop they have probably seen you bowl to help figure out what is best for your game. 
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Strapper_Squared

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2016, 05:25:02 PM »
Over the past several years, K&K has run the Ebonite booth.  Although I don't particularly care for Ebonite umbrella products (besides factory finish polish), they do a great job.  Stop by and see Adam.
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avabob

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2016, 05:28:37 PM »
Just a further note.  The guys at nationals generally do a good job drilling.  Don't depend on their recommendations for layouts or surface prep. They will have a one size fits all approach that may or may not work for you.
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bradl

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Re: Nationals....First Timer Questions
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2016, 05:39:26 PM »
Quote from: Strapper_Squared on February 23, 2016, 05:25:02 PM
Over the past several years, K&K has run the Ebonite booth.  Although I don't particularly care for Ebonite umbrella products (besides factory finish polish), they do a great job.  Stop by and see Adam.

Is K&K running them again? I know they were prior to 2011, but after that it was another shop that handled the Ebonite booth. I know this because of not only seeing it personally, but one of the guys at K&K at the time was my doubles partner in an adult/youth league in Vegas

If K&K is running it again I may head up there, as they already have my specs on file instead of making the trip back to Vegas again.

BL.
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