Like everyone else on this site, I have been struggling with carry. Most house shot conditions will allow almost anyone to hit the pocket, but as we all know, carry is what separates the scorers from the non-scorers.
A lot of people, including myself, have advocated changing balls when the corners just won't go.
However, when I have a good look with a particular ball, where it's breaking at the right place (not too early or too late), and it's hitting the pocket solid, I am reluctant to change.
I have started changing hand positions to slightly change the roll, and seeing more success doing this than by changing equipment.
Shouldn't we try this first - assuming we're hitting the pocket and have an otherwise good look?


Oh - usually what I have to do is back out of the ball, and get more to the side, less behind it, to get the corners to go. Sometimes, it's the other way around, but not usually.

Sawbones,

Just because one carries umpteen balls to a tourney doesn't mean that they'll win either. (please look at my most recent topic starter, I'd love to here what everyone has to say.) I mean, I'm 33 and I'm still old school, but I have some generation X in me as well too. I agree wholeheartedly about hand positions (even though I'm not good at it...), and I still feel that what was taught back in the day will work with today's crazy technology.
--------------------
When you've moved up, moved back, adjusted left and right, cupped, flattened out, have thrown everyting in your arsenal, and the pins still don't cooperate, just say, "Aw to HELL with it!", and throw the ball!

hand positioning/adjustments is by far the most effective way to tweak your ball reactions and carry problems. I would much rather do this then to move and/or switch balls. =:^D

I'm not versatile, I just want to grab the right ball!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS want to throw the same every ball!
PPS how many balls do I need now?

Mumzie - I think that in order to decide whether you should change hand positions or switch balls depends on many thing.  One of which is, Can you repeat the change effectively?  If so the hand change may be the best bet.  If not then a ball change may be in order.

I think overall looking at how the ball is reacting on the lane and how it stands up is the best way to decide if a hand change would be the best bet.  Seeing how the axis tilt and rotation are changing on the lane as the ball is going down the lane would give you the best read.  You stated that often times you need to come around the side more and this is an indication that the ball is losing the tilt and rotation early and using up enrgy early and this usually result in flat tens.  When you see the ball come into the pocket and deflect to the right for righties and left for lefties instead of driving the pocket. it is time for for the hand position change and/or a ball change that holds axis tilt and rotation longer.  A change to line that has more head oil would work as well.

For those that are reading that do not understand this concept.  During a practice time put a piece of tape on the PAP and throw an aggressive ball down the lane with near zero axis roation and see how long it stays there.  Then throw the ball with about 45 degrees rotation and see how long it stays before migrating toward zero.  Then try to throw at close to 90 degrees and see how long it hold rotation.  If you do this on a dry condition or with strong backends you will see what I am talking about.  You also need to see what the balls reaction is once it hits the pins.  Does it drive or does it deflect.  If youbegin to see this reaction and then watch bowlers who leave a lot of 10's often times you will see the ball deflect and hit the 9 pin in the face instead of to the left of it.  Opposite for lefties, 8 pin.

This a very good exercise when getting a new ball.  Experiment to see what the capabilities of the ball are when throwing different axis rotations and see how long the ball takes to migrate.

I hope this explains it well.
--------------------
Doc
Owner and Inventor of
DOC'S MAGIC BOWLING BALL ELIXIR
For more information click on the link below
http://home.comcast.net/~docsmagic/
or message me at:
http://Doc65@aol.com

Bones I agree with you but for different reasons. If I tuck my pinky finger on med to dry lanes or with lanes that have screaming backends, I can get 5 or 6 boards move. On the other hand on heavy oil to med-hvy or moderate backends maybe 2 or 3 boards.
Just like on any given Sunday it's forth and one, do you always run off takle, QB sneak or pass. It depends on the factors around you. Most times a little hand change will do you, but if the lanes seem to be changing quickly, is it 8th frame and a close match, what balls did you bring. Sometimes changing postions work, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes changing balls work sometimes it doesn't. It is not so cut and dry anymore. And if all else fails, you can always fling it.

I am not versatile with hand positions. Probably because of my somewhat forced armswing and not a loose-natural swing. I have one release and that is it, so I am forced to change balls, unless moving further-closer to the foul line works.
--------------------
In the old days, they used axes to chop up wood...Nowadays, they use "BUZZSAWS".