BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: abcarr on July 14, 2014, 10:26:38 AM
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I'm sure there is no one "right" answer for this, but what do you look for in ball reaction/lane conditions when deciding to go to a different ball? On Thursday night league during practice (before play), I was throwing my Thunderstruck Pearl and just couldn't get it in the pocket so I went with my HyRoad Pearl and while the scores weren't earth shattering, they weren't bad either. For me anyway.... I'm caring a 184 avg and shot a 210, 178 & 183.
After league is over they open up the lanes for free open play to league bowlers until closing, so we usually stick around and bowl 2-3 more games. So for this I decided to try my Thunderstruck Pearl again and proceded to shoot a 234, 192 & 184. By this time it seemed to be an easier, more controlled shot than what I had with the HyRoad. So what should I be looking for in order to make a descission on when to go to a different ball?
While I'm not a real technical bowler and don't know the proper terms or formulas for the layout of either ball, I do know this; the Thunderstruck goes longer and has a sharper, more abrupt break at the end while the HyRoad is a more arcing shot all the way down lane. Which seems to be a lot more forgiving early, with fresh oil. If I miss my mark a little to the outside (I'm righthanded) the HyRoad can usually find it's way back, whereas the Thunderstruck just slides and with the late break will hit light, barely hitting the 3 pin. But on the flip side of that, if I miss my mark to the inside the HyRoad will take off. If I'm lucky, it'll hit the 2 pin. If not, it's ugly. But the Thunderstruck will again just slide and more often than not be a pretty solid Brooklyn. So during league and with fresh oil, the HyRoad always seems to be the better ball to start with, but then I'm affraid to second-guess myself and make the swith.
Again, I know there's no one answer. Just trying to improve my game.
Thanks,
Aaron
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I never change balls in order to "get to the pocket", that's not a wrong ball issue. Well maybe if it's hooking off the lanes. Unless you are talking about during warm-up/shadow.
I generally change balls to improve carry. Usually after trying an adjustment or two like moving or release changes.
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It just depends on where my ball is starting to get into a roll if I like the area it's starting to get in a roll then I will just stay with the ball and move accordingly if it's to early or too late then I switch. This is something I'm still learning about myself as I tend to revert to old habits of reading the lane side to side vs front to back
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"reading the lane side to side vs front to back"
I understand reading the lane "side to side" and making adjustments left or right to get the ball in the pocket, but how do you adjust "front to back"? Is that a ball issue??
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Reading the lane front to back is basically just reading the phases of your ball. When you notice the ball start to flip and go into a roll that's what I've been trying to pay attention to. If it's to early I need to pick a ball to go down lane if If it's to long I need to get one that reads earlier. I could care less how much it moves side to side where it gets into a roll though is going to determine carry
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Makes sense.... Will keep that in mind the next time out. I can say this though, regarding the differences in the Thunderstruck and the HyRoad. The Thunderstruck definitely goes into a more defined or noticable roll.
Thanks,
Aaron
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Do you happen to know the rgs of the two balls
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They both have longerish rgs but the thunderstruck has a higher diff therefore it is technically suppose to respond more to friction therefore probably showing that more defined roll but it could also respond sooner as well that is for you to find out in practice pay attention to where they start to roll that will tell you
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Bought both these balls used, so not sure of the RG or Diff. of either ball other than what Storm has listed on their website. They are both 16lbs, so according to Storm they both have a Diff. of .058 and the Thunderstruck has a slightly higher RG; 2.55 vs 2.52. The difference in reaction may be in the different layout of each. This pic was taken just after I got the HyRoad and before I had the thumb hole plugged and redrilled. Only difference is that the thumb hole was moved slightly (maybe 1/4") closer to shorten the span. The Thunderstruck has been resurfaced since this pic, and it really seemed to improve the way the ball reacts.
(https://www.ballreviews.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi169.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu204%2F2005Roadstar%2F100MEDIA_IMAG0387.jpg&hash=9643ecb0e29dce996df23fd9bc935ed4175978ca) (http://s169.photobucket.com/user/2005Roadstar/media/100MEDIA_IMAG0387.jpg.html)
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Layouts can make a difference but they are relative to each bowler so what those layouts would do for me are different then what they would do for you. But basically just let the ball show you. Use the rule of 31 to determine where you want your ball to exit the pattern. Based on where you want it to exit if you execute the shot the best you could watch the reaction if it gets into a roll to late try a ball that will read earlier if thrown in the same spot. Once a you find a ball that is starting to get into a roll at the right part of the lane then you make your adjustments to get it to the pocket
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I was going to say the same thing as Milo. I seldom change balls because I can't find the pocket. The only exception would be when I cant get to the pocket playing the part of the lane I want to play based on what I know about the condition. Example, I often put away a super strong shelled ball if it makes me move to farther in on the oil than I want to play on a house shot.
Basically you change balls to help your carry. On most house shots guys other than high rev players are going to carry better, and line up easier by using a tame ball out of the gate that lets them go more direct to the pocket. As the shot breaks down an you have to move in to stay in the pocket, then your carry might improve by going to something stronger.
Bottom line, don't change balls to try not to move, and don't change balls because you aren't hitting the pocket. First option is always to move, then if you don't carry look for something different
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I completely agree with bob. I don't change balls that often except for when I have to like later on in a block or something along that nature. In practice I throw a couple different options if my first ball I chose didn't read the lane at the right point. Example I throw my eruption pro it's reading the lane way to late I would throw a different ball in my ALF to read the lane sooner. I create plenty of angle as is I don't need any more. It's not about me not getting to the pocket it's how you get there. On a house shot no matter where it's at I always end up throwing the same ball anyway
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Watch what the ball does in the pins...ball tells you what the lanes are doing pins tell you what the ball is doing
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Listen to Rico, the ball will tell you when to make adjustments. All you need to do is evaluate how the ball "deflects" after it hits the pins. Massive deflection means a change in line or equipment. Ball diving through the pocket with zero deflection, same thing, change in line or equipment.
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Also watch how the ball resounds to friction
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So from everything that's been said, I would say that (in the situation I mentioned) the HyRoad was working fine and there wasn't a need to go to a different ball. Yes, I did have to make a slight adjustment (about 1-1 1/2 boards) to the left over the course of the three games, but nothing major. But as luck would have it, when I went to the Thunderstruck during open play, it just worked better.
Thanks again for all the replies and I'll definitely try and put to use everthing that was said!!
Aaron
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If you are a subscriber of Bowling This Month magazine, there is an excellent article from Susie Minshew with an in-depth explanation of what JustRico is talking about.
http://www.bowlingthismonth.com/article/how-the-ball-goes-through-the-pins/ (http://www.bowlingthismonth.com/article/how-the-ball-goes-through-the-pins/)
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The key phrase-"during open play". Everyone strikes in practice.
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The very first person, whom I never met, who told me about watching what my ball does as it goes through the pins was Sawbones.
It's crazy, but many times I watch what my ball does, I am reminded of this man.
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The key phrase-"during open play". Everyone strikes in practice.
And I wish the strikes in practice could work their way into league and tournament play.
For me I'm stubborn. I always tell myself that it is me and not the ball so I continuously try to move and adjust ball speed which works most of the time. But sometimes, the time I take making my adjustments, reflects in my score. But then I am set up for the next few games.
Only when my ball goes straight as a arrow, or turns harder than I believe it should will I change balls. That has worked for me, but I am looking for ways to improve it as well.
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Practice with something on the line. A dollar, a soda, lunch. Whatever. I can't count the number of sodas I bought for guys I had no business bowling against when I was younger and getting "schooled". There are very few guys that are any good that didn't pay their dues somewhere along the line.