Did anybody hear Randy Peterson's comment last telecast about how Pete Weber almost quit bowling when the newer balls came out?

The reason was due to the new equipment (coming out in the 1990's) hooking too much.  

He had to learn to stay under the ball longer to reduce the hook, which is what I do and it works fine with oil laid down.  

Now when I think with centers not having enough oil laid down, it's no wonder people are leaving. If you've spent years developing a strong release and suddenly it is negated by the lane conditions and newer balls I can certainly see why Pete Weber would want to quit.

I think we lost a lot of good bowlers when resin came out.  It just took time to get used to all of that hook.  Just 3 years ago when I bought new resin balls, I had a tough time getting used to all of that hook.  I used to bowl with urethane and plastic.  I had an old LT-48.

My guess is that there are others here on this board that had the same problem.

Edited on 11/25/2003 4:14 PM

I have the same issue here. I was always a stroker and wanted to develop a stronger release so I have worked on my timing and release for the last 2-3 years. Just this past summer I have gotten it down to a fairly consistent operation and now there is the great oil embargo.

People have given up because there is no challenge any longer. Bowling used to be a game of skill...hit your mark, consistent release and ball speed. Now it is simply a matter of who can turn it more with enough speed to shred the racks.

I have a bowler who comes into my shop a lot to ask questions but always goes elsewhere to buy his stuff. He curently has an Icon 300, Heat 2 Pearl and Erase It. He complains that he cannot make the equipment move. Well the Heat 2 Pearl he got from me used (pin over the bridge with cg out 1/2") and the other 2 he got from "get a ball" leagues in the summer (both drilled 1:30 pin, label). To prove a point to this individual I took the following equipment out onto the lanes: XXXL (4x4 shined), Emerald Pearl (4x4 shined), Sling Blade (4-1/4x4 shined), Black Cherry Bomb (4-1/2x2-1/4 sheen), Blueberry (4-1/4x4-1/2 shined)and Inferno (5-1/2 x 4-1/2 box finish with no weighthole). I proceeded to take this set up and throw 1 ball each frame and then repeat it on the other lane. Of the 12 balls I threw I had 9 strikes, a 4-9 split, a 9 pin and an 8 pin. What does this prove? Nothing until I add the following.....I threw them on the exact same line. All I did was alter my hand position a tad. I was able to flatten out the Black Cherry and let it roll in flat (left the 8 pin) and revved up the XXXL hard which left the 9 pin.

What's my point? People who do not want to learn the game are becoming the dominant people who bowl these days in handicap leagues. These are the people the proprietors are catering to. Why no oil? These type of bowlers will NOT be able to score well with the new balls because they are still thinking with urethane so the proprietors put out a shot to give them a reaction like urethane. So back to short oil and heavily blocked lanes so that Joe Blow can knuckle the ball up 10 and shoot 279 after he has had 3 pitchers of Coors Light.

I shot 269 the other night and won the high game jackpot for game 2...guess how much it was worth? Keep in mind it is a 80 man league and pay $1 per game for the jackpot. I got a whopping $12!!!!!! WAHOOO!!!!!!!

Now where is our sport headed?
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Diamonds are a bowler's best friend!
Now accepting VISA/MC and Discover for your purchases

I'll ask it bennett.  Why is it most topics you author have the word quit in them?

Scott