QuestionQUESTION: I am a 64 year old bowler. I have bowled off and on since 1969 (continuously now since 1992). I have never been a cranker nor do I want to be. I think I am considered a tweener. As I have gotten older my ball speed has slowed down and my rev rate is moderate to low. Currently I use all Columbia equipment and would prefer to stay with them if possible.
My problem is that as league night progresses and the heads start drying out I have more and more trouble with too much hook through the heads, as everyone does, but I haven't been able to figure out a way out of my dilemma. Consequently I get a lot of splits. (Last night I had 4 in the 2nd game alone and 9 for the night). Makes for some rather low scores when you can't strike to make up for them. I usually average between 204 and 215 depending on the house, but right now I am at 183. ;(
Currently I own a Columbia Momentum that I like to use when the lanes are wet and fresh. Then I go to my Columbia Noize. When they get to dry for that I get out my Jekyl. All of them are 15 lbs and drilled to go long before hooking. The house that I am bowling at this year has wood lanes with a "Lane Shield" coating that is approaching 15 years old. They usually start off pretty wet the first game, but dry out rather quickly so that by the middle of the second game I am making rather drastic changes (moving left (3-4 boards at a time until I am up next to the ball return), changing balls, swinging the ball further right, etc.). This particular house has underground ball returns, but there is a hump above the floor making it impossible to move very far left when you are on the right lane.
I have come to the conclusion that my option is to get a new ball, but I have no idea what to get. If Columbia makes a ball for such a condition I have not been able to find it. If I have to go to another maker then so be it, I will.
I'm am not having any fun this year due to my low scores (I have had 4 games over 200 out of 15 games bowled, boo hoo). What can I do? What kind of ball should I consider? What kind of layout? I am really getting desperate to fix my game.
Thank you so much for your advice.
Bob
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
ANSWER: Bob, I understand your frustration but dayum, a hump... a real hump on the lanes. OMG! Okay, let me focus and ... geese...a hump? Really? :-) I thought my little 24 lane bowing alley was bad.
Let's get down to business. First the bad news. I take it you are spinning the ball out of your hand at release. The problem here is you rotate the hell out of the ball! This rotation or spinning makes the ball arch on the back end. This is very good when your ball speed is high enough. This is also good when the cover of your ball is well polished and the core is a light symmetrical core like the Momentum and Noise. If you haven't worked the cover of either ball, please do so. That way the balls will sail further down the lane.
If you haven't worked the cover of the balls, they will melt down and lower the surface from your working 2000 or 4000 grit, to 800 or lower, making the surfaces very tacky.
I need you to go out on a limb here... Buy yourself a Columbia Scout Reactive ball. One catch! Specifically try to purchase the brown, copper and gold colored Scout with the weight puck at the bottom if you can. Like Nike...Just do it! Many are going to say you are crazy, that ball isn't going to do a thing. They are right, and wrong. Right that it's not going to hook a lot. They will be wrong because since it doesn't hook so much, you are going to get a "long roll" out of the ball. That long roll will give you the best opportunity for a consistent read at the pocket without incurring split after split from an over/under reaction.
In summary Bob, find a new house,OMG! :-) Short of that, accept the challenge! Push yourself first to do a little ball maintenance and get the Momentum and the Noise resurfaced to 2000 or 4000. Throw some polish on them. Do that at least once every other week, or every week if needed. If that does not work. --- Get the Scout Reactive ball, and kick some butt!
Symmetrical cores are great. However, the cover and the way you release them, play a very big part in attaining your previous average or higher. Especially when I consider the environment you are bowling in. OMG!
Seriously Bob? A hump on the lane? God's Blessings to you. Be Well and bowl well!
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.ocm (It's a great book!)
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. First of all, I don't really think I am spinning the ball off my hand at release. I do work the surfaces of the balls, but probably not often even. I will get them polished again and see if that helps. And finally, I had researched the ball you recommended and thought about getting it before I posted my question here, but just wasn't sure if I should. It turns out it's a good thing I didn't because I was looking at the blue/white one. Lord knows I have spent tons of money on equipment HOPING that it would be what I needed only to find out that it didn't work well into MY game. I am going to go out on that limb and get one of these.
I really appreciate your advice, but I do have one more question. If I am in fact NOT spinning the ball off my hand at release would that affect your suggestion?
Thanks again,
Bob
Answer
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
Thanks Bob, but no, it would not affect my suggestion. I will explain. I started out on wood lanes. My mentor suggested I buy the lowest entry level ball they had at the time. I honestly didn't own a spare ball. So I purchased one. I shot some score like 245 with my "spare ball" and never had to move on the wood lanes. I had always been a forward roller. When I finally stop listening to other bowlers and purchased a scout reactive later, I shot a 290 and since then I never leave home without it. Just to solidify my thoughts here. I never leave home without my Columbia momentum either, its a beautiful ball and it rolls so smooth when you prep the cover. A symmetrical ball will always do the trick, spinning or forward rolling. Thanks for taking a chance on succeeding Bob. I truly feel it will pay off for you. :-)
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
