http://www.bowlersslidesock.com/If you're having an problems with approaches, get one of these!
I moved to another house in one of my leagues this year. They have new owners, and they are doing a bunch of changes/improvements. One was to resurface the approaches. The only problems is that they became super slick. I went to practice at the center a few days before the league to get a feel for the place and see the shot. Just walking out on the approach was interesting. My slide shoe tried to slip out from under me with regular steps without the ball in hand. I tried different sole/heel combinations without luck. I fell with my normal red heel/#10+teflon. I've never been able to use the other Dexter heels (SST6's with the "horseshoe" heels). Moving down to the #8 gave me better traction during the approach, but would sometimes stick at the line (sometimes is worse than always or never).
Come league night, everyone had problems. Our team (1029 average for 5) shot a high of 550, mostly because of the approaches. I think they poured gas on the back ends and lit it on fire because I've never seen that much friction on the back, but that's another story. I had to move up about 10 feet and take baby steps because it was the only way I felt stable at the line. If you have no stability during the approach, and little leverage at the line, it makes for a long night. The muscles in my legs felt like I jogged a few miles before the night was over.
The next day I ordered a Slide Sock from the above link. I think Smash49 is a representative of the company, so he might be able to answer any questions you have. I was hoping to have the Slide Sock before the next week, but you never know with USPS. I bowl Thursday, but needed it by Wednesday since I go to bowling directly from work. I ordered it Friday about 3pm and received it Monday (TX to NC)! Before the next night, I found a #10 sole (Etonic) and did not add a teflon pad this time. I wanted as many options as possible.
The Etonic #10 w/o teflon was much better than my original set up; I felt good at the line, but still felt some slippage on my 3rd step that threw me off. I put on the Slide Sock and rubbed it on the carpet a few minutes before the next shot. The first shot or two felt pretty similar to the Etonic #10, but maybe it wasn't conditioned enough because it felt better and better over the next few. By the time practice was over, I stopped thinking/worrying about the approaches.
I'e never tried another shoe sock before, but I would definitely recommend the Slide Sock. It might be a few bucks more, but it's already more than paid for itself to me. It made well and the material is pretty thick, so I don't think it will wear out anytime soon. There are plenty of colors to choose from, so it will blend in to just about anything you own.
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Penn State ProudRon Clifton''s Bowling Tip Archive
