QuestionQUESTION: Thanks in advance for your advice. I am a 200+ avg bowler who is, dare I say, getting older. I am finally getting a new ball because the center I bowl at has changed their house pattern to favor more inside play. I have alot of ball speed about 17mph and when I go inside (say around board 15) I have a tendancy to slice through the rack and leave 8 pins and pocket 4-9's. If i play my normal line (6 board) I come in behind the headpin and leave 7's and 4-7's. I am looking at the columbia out burst. I don't get under the ball like i used to but still have a high rev rate. I notice when I stay under the ball like I used to I carry a little better. but my shoulder is starting to frown on that. I still come around the ball quickly but I'm not under it, I'm behind it. I'm hoping the outburst will pick up mid lane enough to not come in behind or skid through the rack but still be able to play inside. I don't know if this comes into play but the oil seems to be pretty thick in the inside part of the lane but the backs are very strong and late. I'm guessing about 38ft.Does that sound like a good ball/adjustment or should I try something else. maybe its just my being behind the ball instead of under which has affected my carry, in which case, what would you recommend? Hope I gave you enough info. Thanks.
ANSWER: Les,
It sounds by your description that your current ball skids long down the lane then hooks violently when used on the oil (the inside line), but when played straighter it doesn't hook enough to be strong to the pocket. The down and in path (6 board) may be too dry and the balls energy is being burned up, leaving little for the backend. Staying more under the ball (a more forward roll) usually results in less overall hook but the angle delivered from the outside line may provide a better angle of entry and better carry because the ball deflects less. You may have more axis rotation and very little axis tilt.
You didn't mention what ball you use. Your skill set sounds like it's a good match for today's Typical House Shot (THS). Speed is a big asset, but so many centers have no clue about their customer base that putting out something easy (that the mechanic, owner or manager can hit) that ball surface and layout becomes more crucial for effective lane play for rev challenged, speed dominant, or any player whose skills don't match up well. Today's bowling balls are great tools but it's like taking a Big Bertha Driver to a putt putt course (WRONG TOOL) sometimes.
Knowing more about your axis tilt and rotation would help, but it sounds like if you were to change the surface of your current ball it could moderate the violent result when playing inside. Not knowing layout and ball, your ball/shot could retain more energy and and have more energy at the pins with a different layout on the outside line. With the big friction near the gutter in most centers the loss of axis rotation to quickly/early translates to weak hits. Recommending a ball without more info would be silly (just guessing). The Columbia OutBurst is a good piece as is the Burst and Resurgence before it. But getting more info would be the only way to really be able to recommend anything. Can you tell me what ball(s) you roll and what the layouts (pin position, Center of gravity, mass bias, weight holes) are located? Thanks for the question. Look forward to hearing back from you.
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violet quantum pic
QUESTION: I am throwing a violet quantum that I just got drilled last year. my axis rotation is about 45 degrees, axis tilt is 3/4. I do not have any weight holes. I'm not very familiar with drilling techniques, as far as what my pin position is, or my center of gravity relative to my layout. here's a picture of my violet quantum. the silver circle is the CG. I do not know how to locate the mass bias point, but I'm hoping you can tell by the pin and CG in the photo.
You mentioned that i may not have enough hook when playing outside to be strong in the pocket. I have a very strong ball reaction when playing outside BUT, I'm leaving fast tens or 7's and 4-7's all night long. which is a sign of coming in at too deep of an angle and essentially coming in behind the head pin. I'm trying to move in to change the angle to the pocket. but more oil inside is prohibiting the ball from generating energy until its too far down lane and I'm not getting that DRIVE into the pocket. I leave 8 pins and 4-9's. It appears to slice through the rack. Basically I just want to carry better. I average 200+now because I don't miss spares.hoping you can give me suggestions as to what to change as far as layout change when changing from an outside shot to an inside shot(if there is a change?). Or if i should get a ball that hooks early or late. with my ball speed I'm thinking earlier hook, but dont know if it will use up all its energy and die before it hits or if a later hooking ball would still slice through the rack. Thanks for all your help and time.
AnswerLes,
Looks like your mass bias would be in your track (or near it), a long and late layout. Axis tilt is identified in degrees also. A quick way to get an idea is to measure the first track mark near the center of your grip and use a pro-sect and draw a line across the ball until you hit the first track on the other side of the ball. If you know your track is low and a tighter circle or if its high, near the grip and circles most of the ball, let me know, that will help too.
Try to adjust the surface of your ball with a fairly smooth scotch brite or Abralon pad. Play with the pad in practice and move in a little and see if it doesn't temper your reaction enough.
There are definitely different layout for different paths to the pocket and your Quantum is a very basic layout. But, it seems to work OK at least sometimes. Thanks for the question, let me know a little more and try the sanding option,
