I hate synthetic approaches.

My scratch league went to being a travel league when the house it was at shut down in June. Last night we bowled in a house that put down Brunswick Anvilane last year. They also replaced the approaches with the same synthetic surface.

There are areas of the approach that slide about like wood but in some sports it was tacky and others it was slick. You didn’t know what would happen when shooting corner spares.

I gave up on sliding and changed to a sole that would just let me plant. At least then I knew I would stick on every shot and could plan on it.

I’m amazed that synthetic approaches have not been litigated out of existence. And why does a house that already has wood approaches replace them with synthetics when they know this is almost always  problem. At least we only bowl there 4 times in a year.

I'm not a big fan of synthetic approaches.  Your slide is very dependent on how clean they are and the humidity.  If you're sweating, think plant and heave.  If you need a sweater, only sneakers will keep you on your own side of the foul line.  Very temperamental.  Like others have said, one part of the approach might be fine and other parts will be slick or sticky.  I'm glad I don't bowl on them regularly.
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Penn State Proud ......THB with loft

The bowler (term used very lightly) formerly known as Strider

Charlest - I do have adjustable shoes. But since the approaches are spotty unless you are going to test slide the part of the approach you are going to use and then change soles/heels on each shot you are going to get an inconsistent slide.

I decided not to slide at all and simply plant. I coped with the condition. But if I had to do it all the time I'd probably blow a knee out.

Synthetic approaches are here to stay. The approaches are just like the lane it's self. You have to be able to adapt to the condition. Get some shoes that have changeable soles. Glue a Teflon patch on the bottom of one of the extra soles. Poof no more problem with Synthetic approaches.

This problem is one of the main reasons we are in business.  What started out with someone wearing a tube sock over their bowling shoe has grown into growing part of the bowling industry.  Complex shoes soles, disk pads, heals, and yes slide socks are now like wrist braces were at one time.  We started just over 5 years ago making custom socks for SASBA bowler's and quickly grew by word of mouth.  Today we produce what we believe to be the finest device of it's type in the world and own the U.S. Patent Pending on the designs and technology.  We currently produce four models of the Bowler's Slide Sock in 2 standard sizes and will custom make our product for ANY size shoe. I have posted this before but this is WHY OUR SOCK?

Bowler's Slide Socktm. is designed to minimize or eliminate problems encountered with slick or tacky approaches.  It will give a consistent feel regardless of lane condition.  Designed to simply slide over your existing bowling shoe, the  Bowler's Slide Socktm is easy to use and comfortable.  No need for complex peel-on peel-off pads.  No hassles remembering which pad to use for what condition.  The Bowler's Slide Socktm even works with the fancy shoe systems.  Stop dealing with messy powders that are illegal in most sanctioned play.  Constructed of durable, machine washable fabrics, the Bowler's Slide Socktm will deliver a  consistent slide with easy care.  Yes there are less expensive products out there so what's the difference?  Quality! and Construction.  The Bowler's Slide Socktm does not have a thin material bottom that will wear out quickly.  These are simply the best devices of their type available.

Here is a letter we received!

Hi, Sandra

I wouldn't mind at all if you use this on your website.

As you know, I ordered a dozen slidesocks to sell in my Pro Shop. I have
been bowling at a terrific new facility that just opened 18 months ago.
Everything is great about that center, however, because the approaches
are synthetic, they can tend to be either tacky or slick, depending on
the weather and humidity. I figured the slidesocks might be just the
answer. Since I don't like to sell anything I haven't used myself, I
decided to try them out as soon as I got your shipment.

My first time bowling after receiving the slidesocks was on Monday,
January 27th. The approaches were a little tight, not terrible, but
enough to be noticeable. Even the most slippery sole and heel on my
Dexters didn't give me enough slide. I put on a slidesock and noticed an
immediate difference. The slide was just right. I decided to go ahead
and use it during my league play.

The back ends were flying, so I took out my newest reactive ball, the
Visionary Gryphon, and proceeded to knock off 12 in a row for a 300 game
right out of the gate. Not a bad first outing with the slidesock! The
last two games were nothing to write home about, but those low scores
were due to not changing to a duller ball to combat the heavy
carry-down.

Anyway, to say I'm pleased with the slidesock would be an
understatement. I'm figuring to sell a lot of them, especially when the
other bowlers see the difference wearing one makes with me.

Best regards,

Bill Arnold
Cinnamon House Pro Shop
Heath OH


Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
The Premier II Bowler's Slide Sock is NOW AVAILABLE with adjustable strap!
www.bowlersslidesock.com

I bowl on synthetic approaches all the time.  I used to always show up early just so that I could test the approaches and then clean the last few feet near the foul line.  I found that this helped to get the approaches more consistant. Some bowlers never have a problem with the approaches but I have a long slide so I always notice some tackiness in our synthetic approaches.

 A few months ago I purchased one of the Bowlers Slide Sock from Smash49 and found that I could remove the pucks from my Linds Exxtra shoes and just use the slide sock to get a consistant slide from week to week.  I just test the approaches now to make sure there is no major problem but I have rarely had to clean the approaches myself since I bought the Bowlers Slide Sock.  A few of my teammates have now bought them and some of them just purchased it as an insurance item to keep in the bowling bag if they ever need it (really sticky approach or stepping in some liquid).  

So, try cleaning the approaches and see if you can get them to be more consistant from side to side or try out a slide sock and see if it works for you.

We were at West Acres.

I've heard they are looking at replacing Northrock both the lanes and the approaches. Wonder if they will get it done before the womens nationals.

Also I heard that the new center is having delays in getting the needed permits and might not be open till August 2004. I think they were planning on having the Northrock leagues bowl there after the WIBC nationals started.

Bob Hanson has posted about the red heel for Dexters as solving most of the problem at synthetic lanes.

For some reason I have noticed a lot of guys with Dexter's having more problems than even the NON adjustable linds.  I don't know why.

At our synthetic approach house many wear slide sock also.  That seems like a cheap way to go.

REgards,

Luckylefty