win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Track Solution EX  (Read 3406 times)

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Track Solution EX
« on: September 28, 2005, 02:27:34 AM »
Two of our local stars(well known on the national amateur scene) came in yesterday and threw the Track Solution EX in league.

First game from one of our stars 290!  Not a bad demo!
Other guy grabbed it and was thowing it too and looked great with it!

Both are strong hi speed bowlers.

Our condition, 40 feet of oil at 5:30 am followed by a short run of 16 feet at 5:00 after a long day of open play.  Usual condition is wet heads, dry midlanes, sloppy backends.  A ball that has a description that it does not read the midlanes quickly is quite good for this condition.

Whether it would look as good in my hands or other less skilled flingers I'm not sure.

Cheap enough and hot enough lookin to be worth a try!

Regards,

Luckylefty
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

 

BackToBasics

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2005, 05:14:52 PM »
There are no definitive ball selections for Sport shots.  Lane surface, oil volume/type, oil length and the bowler's release should determine what's the correct cover/core combo.  I've had tremendous success using a box Crunchtime on Sport shots (and sport like shots like the World Team Challenge) because of the underlying surface and the breakdown (a long but thin pattern so strong midlane and solid balls burned up). This wasn't just for me but others with lower revs.  A Solution EX can be used if the layout matches or that type of reaction is desired.  Each situation is unique.

I seem to recall (very vaguely I might add ) that there was cover change on Hex where the later ones had Mica which created a little more midlane and a smoother backend.  The first one I had was pretty tame but then the last two was very close to all of the Crunchtimes I had.

P.S.  charlest:  I know you know this but I was just making a general statement.  I didn't want others to get the impression that there were balls that should or shouldn't be used on Sport shots.
--------------------
Anthony Chapman
Track International Staff
Turbo Grips 2-N-1 Staff

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #17 on: September 28, 2005, 05:19:28 PM »
Duke,

You're left handed? Darn, I missed that last time I looked at your profile.
Lucky devil!

Still all I suggested still applies. Just reverse the numbers on the clock.

--------------------
Bowling: Just like hand grenades and horse shoes, you only have to get close.
Life: Deal with what is.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #18 on: September 28, 2005, 05:23:51 PM »
quote:

P.S.  charlest:  I know you know this but I was just making a general statement.  I didn't want others to get the impression that there were balls that should or shouldn't be used on Sport shots.
--------------------
Anthony Chapman
Track International Staff
Turbo Grips 2-N-1 Staff


Ironically, I use to sand pearls a LOT more 4-8 years ago, than I do know. Sometimes, it just slips my mind to even suggest such.

In Duke's case:
While a sanded Ex may work well, I leaned toward the Solution PP, a solid, mostly because the PP coverstock is weaker than the PP Ex coverstock. I hate to suggest expensive experiments that may or may not work.

Duke's revs is pretty strong and I'm not 100% positive how much grit he needs to get thru the heads safely and still retain enough energy for a controlled "hit".
--------------------
Bowling: Just like hand grenades and horse shoes, you only have to get close.
Life: Deal with what is.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

DukeHarding

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5855
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #19 on: September 28, 2005, 05:37:53 PM »
quote:
That oil doesn't seem too bad; surprised it's hooking early inside. Well, "inisde" is relative - given you say feet starting at 25, with 5 board drift, and minimum 7 board for ball laydown point at the foul line, probably results in playing 12 crossing 9/10 board at the arrows out to XXXX at breakpoint.


Actually, it hooks "early" more in the "track" area, than inside. The leftys playing the track area don't seem to habe to move much (which all rightys know).
I don't and never have swung the ball much on tougher shots. I gre up bowling on
"true reverse block" conditions. So I have always felt more comfortable inside 15 with minimal belly.

quote:
you might use a solutions PP or Slash BUT with very fine grit, like 2000 grit (might even be able to use the 4000 grit Abralon pad), as previously suggested. Your rev rate kind of indicates you might need long but low pin position, maybe 5" or 5.5" but under the middle finger to start up revs early but smoothign out the overall hook AND the breakpoint. Polish is not often good on sport shots, unless the ball is already a very mild one, like the Desert Heat. The DH is probably too weak for your shot.


I used a Slash in the summer Sport League for awhile, I tried it polished, 1000 Abralon, 2000 Abralon and 4000 Abralon. It worked the best at 1000. Ball was drilled pretty strong, though. I sold the Slash and have a Havoc which is drilled fairly strong, I put a coat of Magic Shine on it.

I'll try some of the finger positions you mentioned...I haven't tried a weaker release, yet. They put out the Sport shot in the house on Sunday nights, for practice...I'm going to have to do some practicing on the shot. Try some different balls.

Thanks for the input.
--------------------
Duke Harding

click here to Join the Track Revolution!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Duke Harding Collectibles

DukeHarding

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5855
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #20 on: September 28, 2005, 05:42:44 PM »
quote:
Duke,

You're left handed? Darn, I missed that last time I looked at your profile.
Lucky devil!

Still all I suggested still applies. Just reverse the numbers on the clock.

--------------------
Bowling: Just like hand grenades and horse shoes, you only have to get close.
Life: Deal with what is.



charlest,

I figured you missed that...I know I'm lucky...back in the late 50s, it wasn't so lucky being a lefty, so it all evened out.

My ball driller used to also.
I always reminded him before he drilled the first hole.

--------------------
Duke Harding

click here to Join the Track Revolution!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Duke Harding Collectibles

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #21 on: September 28, 2005, 06:14:31 PM »
quote:

I used a Slash in the summer Sport League for awhile, I tried it polished, 1000 Abralon, 2000 Abralon and 4000 Abralon. It worked the best at 1000. Ball was drilled pretty strong, though. I sold the Slash and have a Havoc which is drilled fairly strong, I put a coat of Magic Shine on it.



As you implied here, one must match the bowler's release with the coverstock strength plus the coverstock's finish, for any oil pattern. Second, the drilling determines the ball path for that cover/core combo, with respect to the bowler's tilt, ball speed and rotation angle. Mild drilling at one end of the spectrum, 5.5"x4", 6"x4", 5.5"x3" and such, or the other end of the spectrum, 2"x5", for example, are usually required to control a ball for as sport shot.

quote:

I'll try some of the finger positions you mentioned...I haven't tried a weaker release, yet. They put out the Sport shot in the house on Sunday nights, for practice...I'm going to have to do some practicing on the shot. Try some different balls.

Thanks for the input.
--------------------
Duke Harding


Release changes are the most difficult, but very worthwhile!

Good luck.
--------------------
Bowling: Just like hand grenades and horse shoes, you only have to get close.
Life: Deal with what is.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #22 on: September 29, 2005, 06:51:33 AM »
quote:

Scott,

I drift right when I get into that area...I'm working with Lyle Zikes on my mechanics. I'm in a 4-step, on my 2nd step I have a tendency to step off to the right. I target at about 35 feet (due to macular degeneration in both eyes).

I was watching Brad bowl Monday, and as you know he gets pretty down into his shot pretty well with a deep knee bend.

I worked on playing that line for 3 hours today...It's going to take some practice. Any tips on walking straight? Right now, I'm trying to concentrate on the feeling I get when I put my 2nd step in front of the first step...feels like I'm walking on a "tight rope"

 


Duke--Suggestion I'd have for walking straighter is most very good players have a crossover step.  In a lefties, case the heel of your left foot crosses over in front of your right which would be on your first step with your left foot.

A lefty that has always done this well is Steve Cook.  A very large man who has very nice foot work.  Mike Aulby is good at this also as in the modern game I'd look at Patrick Allen.

Players that have a good crossover step you will normally see a wearing of their crossover heel and the toe cap of the other foot.  

Duke as far as Brad is concerned if he is playing the lanes and scoring I'd try my darndest to get where he is playing them.  I would bet that he is using a release that will allow him to control the back end.  To me this is the biggest concern on any sport pattern.....control the backend.  I'd guess he is using more end over roll less axis tilt to get the ball where he wants.

I think you've got a good coach in Lyle also.

Scott
Scott

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #23 on: September 29, 2005, 08:08:59 AM »
Charlest,

I always thought hex had some light particles as I believe almost all of Del's stuff usually does!

It was a beautiful smooth not so much backend ball.  I called it the back row eliminator.  If you were getting 8 and 9s switch to the hex!

As you stated I see the EX VERY differently!

REgards,

Luckylefty
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

DukeHarding

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5855
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #24 on: September 29, 2005, 09:51:22 AM »
quote:

Duke--Suggestion I'd have for walking straighter is most very good players have a crossover step.  In a lefties, case the heel of your left foot crosses over in front of your right which would be on your first step with your left foot.



Scott, I'll try the crossover step...

Steve Cook had such a nice game, for a man his size. Mike Aulby, was as smooth as silk...and Patrick Allen's game, he's the lefty I really like to watch bowl. He makes the game look easy.

Thanks for the input,
--------------------
Duke Harding

click here to Join the Track Revolution!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Duke Harding Collectibles

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Track Solution EX
« Reply #25 on: September 29, 2005, 10:09:01 AM »
quote:

Scott, I'll try the crossover step...

Steve Cook had such a nice game, for a man his size. Mike Aulby, was as smooth as silk...and Patrick Allen's game, he's the lefty I really like to watch bowl. He makes the game look easy.

Thanks for the input,
--------------------
Duke Harding

 


Duke--Ask Lyle about the crossover step....he'll know what you are talking about.  When, I am having drift problems I do a lot of mirror work.  Use a full length mirror and watch myself.  It seems to help with head and upper torso positions as well as foot work.

Scott
Scott