I had planned to buy a 2nd dimension, but my driller recommended the Virtual, which I ended up going with. I have had mixed results with it so far (few weeks), and am thinking of trying it with some polish.  So...if anyone polished their VG, am interested in your results, though obviously there would be all sorts of variables involved with a different bowler.

Am relatively "rev challenged" and my speed ranges from 16-18 mph, and is a tad slower with the VG. And therein lies some of the problem (for me). I tend to muscle it ...trying to get it a little farther down the lane, and often end up not giving it a chance to roll much. Then, I'll slow down and try to get more of a roll, and can string several strikes together, but the results (or the bowler!) are erratic.

Don't know that it's burning up, as it's not hitting weak. But it is clearly not breaking consistently at the same point, or by a consistent number of boards. It's as if I am switching balls from frame to frame, and so the results are unpredictable. Decent games, horrid games, and everything in between.

So... again... am debating putting some polish on it, and seeing if that will make it a little later, but hopefully also more predictable. Or if I might be better off selling it and going for a 2nd Dimension (or comparable piece).

And ironically, the shop's engraver is busted, so I haven't been able to get my name or initials added to the ball. Maybe that's a sign?  Then again--- Iwould like to see if I can tame or control this beast. It IS a challenge.

I won't be able to reply to any questions or comments till at least tonight, but thanks for any input.

I don't have the ball, but I have seen quite a few people with it polished up.  It might be worth a shot.

IMO, the VG, like the Dimension are too strong OOB for most THS. As stated. some polish should do the trick.

i tried polish on both mine... it made them very touchy. i took one down to 1500 (valentino pad) with a lil snake oil polish, gona try it 2marow nite.

As well as all that has been said,the problems you describe can be caused by something completely differentthe thumb hole.This happens especially often on new balls.Make sure the size,shape(oval,if any),and bevel are letting you clear the thumb on release.If not,it can seem like you are throwing a different ball every frame,as you described!
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the pooh

Well I had a little polish added yesterday, and so far I like the reaction better.

Before "test driving" after that, I was hoping for a dramatic improvement, and fearing that I would be grossly disappointed, but instead, I got a little more length and I was more consistent in my shots. Had several strings of 5 or more strikes, which was a rarity without the polish.

Still... there was another factor. The thumbhole was way too tight at the start of this practice session (though it is drilled same as my other balls), so I had to remove 2 pieces of tape. And after that, my consistency and control improved. So, it could be that the thumb was a tad too tight on previous outings ---- not enough to be obvious (as I prefer a snug thumb), but just enough to not have a clean and consistent release. However... a too-tight thumb would only account for the disappointing outing with the VG Thursday night, and my inconsistency with it goes farther back than that.

And maybe the results were better cause I expected them to be? (i.e. positive attitude)

Anyway... after a slow start the first game, finished strong in the last 3 games, with a 235 and 236 the last 2 games. Don't bowl those every day, nor are they that rare, but the significance was that it was the first time since buying the VG that I had strung multiple decent games together.

Still intrigued by how I would be doing with the 2nd Dimension, especially since   I tend to be a "down and in" bowler vs swinging it out and letting it come back.  With the VG I am forced to swing it out.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but not my customary shot either, so that would account for some of the inconsistency too. When shopping, I was actually looking for an updated version of my Triple X Factor, and thought the 2d was close.  

Instead... I think the VG is more similar to my Triple Xtreme on steroids. Not a bad thing either, except my Triple Xtreme is still hitting strong, while my Triple X Factor shows it's age on the lanes. So the VG hasn't really filled that hole in my arsenal. It just might now, though, as the reaction (with the polish) did remind me a little more of the Triple X Factor in it's prime.

Anyway....I do appreciate all the comments and info. Thanks !!!


Edited on 5/21/2009 6:25 AM

Edited on 5/21/2009 6:27 AM