I bowled last weekend and wanted to share my experiences (I apologize in advance for the length). Of course, we all match up differently, so please don't hold me responsible if you see something else!
First some background -- 8 previous ABCs with a little over 200 lifetime average; right-handed tweener with slightly soft speed; I'm usually playing 25 or deeper at the tournament. For reference, last year I popped a low 1900.
I can characterize this year's tournament as a grind for me. When you can't string strikes and you're on a shot where you occassionally leave things you can't make, you're looking at 180's and 190's. I ended up shooting a 1680-something with 3 series in the 560's. I was motivated to post because I hear a lot of people talking about all the high scores and how easy the shot looks on the graph. I've had pretty good success over the years and definitely didn't see it that way this year.
I would say the shot was definitely shifted a little right this year and it brought in a whole different style of bowler shooting the scores. Please don't confuse "shifted right" with "outside". I've heard a lot of people describe it as an outside shot but, as usual, everyone I saw trying to play 5 or the track would go washout, double, split through the nose for 150.
I spent most of my time fishing for something 25 or deeper -- it gave the impression of last year's shot from here but definitely didn't play as consistent. Most years I can get soft enough to turn the corner from deep inside. This year as I moved further in to get the necessary length, I just couldn't get the recovery no matter what speed or ball. The only time I struck from in here were those shots that kind of freeze at the 1-3 and then blow the rack. However, did I mention that this was one of those years where you trip like 1 out of 10 4 pins?
My best look was with a V2 Sweet (polished with Control-It), standing about 30, laying it down around 22, 18 at the arrows with some loft, a little extra speed, and not trying to hit it much. A few guys who I go with every year that like to lay it down around 20 with a small belly (higher speed/lower revs) bowled pretty good this year. I had a Weapon of Mass Bias (polished with Black Magic) that I used when I was deeper. I also had an Ambush (also polished with Black Magic), but it read the mids way too strong. Most of my stuff has lower pins and are fairly rolly/control layouts. I think I would have liked to try a polished solid reactive with a tall pin...
By the way, the left side looks pretty good this year. The last few have looked pretty tough on them, so I guess they have it coming. One of the people I bowl with is a lefty who was a touring PBA guy at one time, and he shot 3 nice 600 series'.
Well, hope this helps someone. Does anyone else feel like me and wish you could re-up for another set in this tournament? Even if for no money, I just want to see if I could ever hit it in the years I don't!!!
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stempy
