SV, That is what I've been thinking the last few weeks. Two weeks ago I threw the first 15 balls of the night dead flush and had only a double to show for it. Three weeks ago I had 29 hits out of 33 of 9 or strike. Only about four of those were not quality shots. I just wish the dark cloud would lift soon!
Sorry, but from my point of view, there's no such thing as being this unlucky for such a long period of time. Been there, done that. There is always some reason.
Based on your descriptions, I'd suggest that some factor is making your pearls go slightly too long and hit slightly behind the head pin. It would seem like it's just a tiny factor. Some possibilities are too much polish on the ball (were any recently refreshed?), colder weather, like humidity, make the oil and the lane surface seem like it has slightly less friction; has there been maintenance on the oil machine or have they slightly modified the pattern or amount.
What you might try is to get the ball into a roll just a hair sooner, so it goes thru the skid/hook/roll transition a tiny bit sooner. Hazing the polish by hand with a Scotch-Brite light grey pad or a 4000 grit Abralon/Siaair pad could help (just to "haze" the gloss off a small portion of the ball). Adjustments to delivery could include moving maybe 1/2 board - 1 board with your feet left or right to hit the dry maybe one foot sooner at the breakpoint.
I think you're only off a tiny bit. If you were off a lot, you'd probably be carrying a ton of light hits. That's no consolation, I know.
