Post by: tenpinspro on June 07, 2006, 06:38:21 AM
For the average league bowler, I'd agree. A simple arsenal of 4-5 balls picked out correctly 3-5 boards apart should give us 15-25 boards on the lane to use. That's more then half the lane we'll have to utilize if your game allows you to do so as well.
As for Clint, Ex, achappy, myself and other tournament players, I also see a need for similar surfaces with different layouts needed to "kill" the shot. I don't mean just to bowl well and average 20 pins above average but to go about 50 over a game (which is what it takes out here on THS to win a 5,6 or 8 gamer). The last tourney I bowled I averaged 240 scrtach and came in 5th..lol My friend who won it went 319 over for 5 games, that's 263 scratch guys...just nuts. The only difficulty I see in having a very large arsenal is that you really don't have enough time to pick and utilize the "right" ball. You really have to know your equipment and which ball can offer that proper "carrying" reaction.
On edit: This is why some of you guys will see your league scoring go from 200+ to 160 and back to 200 (hypothetically) with the same ball. That one ball works well on one particular shot but as we transition, it doesn't carry as well which "is" the main difference in scoring and not scoring.
What are your thoughts?
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Edited on 6/7/2006 2:40 PM
Post by: Mark T. Trgovac on June 07, 2006, 02:48:32 PM
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Mark "scoot" Trgovac
C-G Pro Shop
Offical "Spokesman"
Youngstown, Ohio
"The Revolution has started. The sides were drawn, and if you didnt Choose the side ofEvolution you will fall to the power that it has."
and I said "PLEASE, I ONLY WANT TO GET ONE MORE BALL." he responded "THAT WAS WHAT 12 BALLS AGO." I said back "WELL, YA BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT."[/size=4
"Freak Bowling Ball cleaner of the TRACK Revolution."
Post by: Hex017 on June 07, 2006, 02:59:20 PM
"How many bowling balls do you really need"?
As many as it takes to win. period.
Some guys would prefer huge arsenals to cover a lot of conditions, but as was pointed out you might not know your arsenal well enough. Some prefer a smaller arsenal and know the exact reaction of each ball in. To each his own. Just my opinion.
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-If you're not willing to change, you're not willing to improve.
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Post by: cnimsk on June 07, 2006, 03:02:35 PM
Chuck
Post by: clintdaley on June 07, 2006, 03:06:47 PM
Clint
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Post by: Mark T. Trgovac on June 07, 2006, 03:10:05 PM
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Mark "scoot" Trgovac
C-G Pro Shop
Offical "Spokesman"
Youngstown, Ohio
"The Revolution has started. The sides were drawn, and if you didnt Choose the side ofEvolution you will fall to the power that it has."
and I said "PLEASE, I ONLY WANT TO GET ONE MORE BALL." he responded "THAT WAS WHAT 12 BALLS AGO." I said back "WELL, YA BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT."[/size=4
"Freak Bowling Ball cleaner of the TRACK Revolution."
Post by: nospareball on June 07, 2006, 03:37:43 PM
quote:
With today's equipment and lane conditions, for an average house bowler to average 200 consistently, I would say a minimum of four bowling balls, three if you can use your dry lane ball as a spare ball. One heavy or heavy/medium, one medium, one light to medium, and a spare ball. In tournaments, you may need more including one really heavy oiler, and one dry lane ball, making for a total of six, five perhaps. That's the way I look at it anyway.
Chuck
I averaged 205 and 201 two consecutive years a while back with 1 ball (Ebonite Matrix), and no spare ball. Granted I only bowled in one house, and the shot rarely changed. If you can change speeds, revs and hand positions one ball is all you need (plus spare) if the condition doesn't change.
I carry 2 balls now and find that my main ball is used about 80% of the time on a house shot. The secondary ball gets used when I can't find a change that works, or get frustrated and need to reset my mind.
Post by: dw23 on June 07, 2006, 04:00:23 PM
Thanks,
DW
Post by: WSUstroker on June 07, 2006, 04:08:07 PM
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Dan Chambers
Winona State University Bowling
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Post by: Ramtart on June 07, 2006, 04:39:57 PM
The same tournament Rick was talking about, I finished right behind Rick and in 6th place Scratch. Darn guy, edged me out in the last game hehe. We also crossed with each other on the same pair.
I brought 5 balls that day and funny thing was I ended up using the same ball for the whole tournament. (With the exception of another ball for spares) Rick I believe made only 1 ball change. (He used the Solution Solid & Machine) (I used an Ebonite One & Track Magic)
But yes, I do agree with having separation within your arsenal and you don't want to bring 4-5 balls that do the same thing or you would be defeating the purpose of changing balls. Rick and others here on the boards have taught me to broaden my arsenal with surface changes & layouts. I thank everyone for that.
For a typical tournament I try to bring 4-5 balls, each with diff characterisitics to try and battle the lane changes. Everyone is different though!
Good topic!
Ram
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Food is good for you!
Edited on 6/7/2006 4:46 PM
Post by: Leftyhi-trak on June 07, 2006, 04:56:18 PM
Post by: Xfest on June 07, 2006, 07:52:44 PM
my three - they are killer combo -
Machine - Medium Oil (My killer, always shoot my first ball with this)
Scorchin' Inferno - Heavy Oil (never use - does not hit hard at all)
BVP Ambush - Light-Medium Oil (use a spare ball that hooks)
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K-Dawg
A Track Junior Bowler
You can find me at Woodland Bowl - Kicking some ASS!
Post by: Brickguy221 on June 07, 2006, 08:02:14 PM
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Brick
Edited on 6/7/2006 7:59 PM
Post by: C-G ProShop-Carl on June 07, 2006, 09:06:43 PM
There is no wrong answer to this topic.....but for me I am generally comfortable 7+. Naturally I usually do not use all of the stuff I bring...but I know what each ball is going to do compared to one of the others. When I go to a tournament that typically has a tough shot I will bring as many as 10-12 balls. There are so many different variables a bowler can face that different layouts on different types of equipment could mean better carry....better angle etc...
-Carl
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Youngstown Ohio
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Post by: Slopsurprise on June 08, 2006, 03:22:26 PM
Post by: chitown on June 08, 2006, 11:15:20 PM
I have an all Hammer Doom arsenal which consists of 4 balls. I like this arsenal very much and a big part of that is because I know each balls reaction very well. This has made my game better because it's easier to know which ball to grab when the lanes start changing.
I have also noticed you don't always need to go down to your lighter oil ball when the lanes break down. Some times you need to grab a stronger ball and make big jumps on the lanes.
So knowing what each ball does is the key to a great arsenal. I prefer to use a 4 ball arsenal with a plastic spare ball. I could see using a 6 ball arsenal if you compete on many lane conditions. Just my 2 cents.
Edited on 6/8/2006 11:21 PM
Post by: kreitz on June 09, 2006, 08:21:31 AM
Ken
Post by: KDawg77 on June 09, 2006, 08:27:11 AM
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Oh splendid! This calls for a sexy party!
Post by: dizzyfugu on June 09, 2006, 08:32:45 AM
It took me about 10 balls from different manufacturers, a lot of testing other people's balls and watching them play their stuff in league and training to make a decision on a new ball and how to set it up with the help of a sound ball driller. No easy task, IMHO.
And even though I think that 5 balls are enough top covr desert to soup conditions, I am still a big fan of a B-ball in the bag which might give me different reaction shape by surface or drilling than an A-ball. Switching has saved my butt several times. As you descibe the 200-160-200 phenomenon: a different ball for the condition at hand can have tremendous effects (what does NOT mean that a skille player can adjust his/her game. I envy people who just come to the alley, pull out an Inferno and shoot anything with it, even 10 pins...).
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Edited on 6/9/2006 8:42 AM