The difference this year, than past years is the volume is lighter in the track area (10-15) and more oil in the front 15-20'.
Years past you wanted to use surface (1000 grit or so) and burn a hook area around 6-7-8. Then you got everyone around 10 area, some friction right and chase it from there.
This year with lower volume and more in the fronts, some teams are using shinier or even plastic for a few shots of practice throwing it around 15 to create some push, carrydown or hold area early so you can stay closer to 10 and have some bounce or friction around 7-8-9.
Most success has come using balls with surface around a smooth 2000 with pin down balls, as well as hole downs the VAL area. This gets the ball to be smoother responsive wise front to back and making moves easier. You do not want balls that have a tendency to be quicker in response or more angular. This can force you create steeper angles thus sacrificing carry.
There is enough volume in the fronts, that even when the shots starts to 'breakdown' you can still stay with 2000 grit balls, as well as pin down/hole down...just going to smoother or weaker balls.
If you can break them down correctly, they can turn into a house shot type look. Thus the scores are pretty good.
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