Full Roller Pin Placement

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

Background:
I'm typically a full roller, average about 158, and just switched my grip to tips. I don't bowl in tournaments, just on a league through work and typically play on house shot unless the lanes are so dry you could hook a hockey puck.

I used to roll a cheap-o Tornado with a full grip but recently purchased Storm's Virtual Energy and switched to tips. The ball track (when it is apparent) still resembles a full roller, but with a bit more flare. The person who drilled my ball only had 3 years of experience, but was confident in his decision to place the pin centered about an inch and a half above my finger tips. I've been adjusting to this throw style for about two months now and still find that I have little back end power and a moderately slow rev-rate. I understand that some of this could be due to my release, but I can't help but wonder if a different drilling layout would help.

Consulting Storm's Key drilling guide (http://www.bowlingball.com/info/storm-drilling-layout.html), they suggest placing the pin 3-3/8" south west of the center of the grip. Should I find my PAP and have the ball re-drilled in line with their suggestions? I'm quite curious as to how the placement of the pin will alter the behavior of the ball after it leaves the oil.

ANSWER: Ian,
A correctly drilled ball will react much MUCH better.

Print the Storm drill sheet for your driller and suggest that they plug and redrill your ball correctly (for FREE). They should get copies of drill sheets in some of the bowling ball boxes, or they can be acquired from the ball companys. So they should not have been ignorant of the difference for a full roller. Drill sheets typically represent layouts for right handed bowlers, I'm assuming you're right handed. If not let me know.

What was done isn't working. Balls (especially high performance balls) should be drilled for the individual. So knowing your Positive Axis Point will be helpful, but variations of the full roller layout can modify the reaction. Starting a lot closer to where you need to be is the first step and that is with the basic fuller roller layout. Let me know how things work out.

Thanks for the question. Good bowling.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Warren, your advice is much appreciated as well as is your incredibly fast response! Your assumption about being right handed is completely correct. When I was having the balled drilled for the first time, I actually mentioned the drilling guide. It was shrugged off and labeled as a tool that is frequently incorrect. Perhaps I need to find a different person to do the drilling work. Are you familiar with anybody in Kansas that you could recommend? (It's a long shot, but I had to try.)

I've read many reviews and seen many videos of how this ball can break; it's basically a pocket-seeking missile on the back-end. I have to admit that even though I'm quite a newbie (just shy of a year rolling with a ball that fits my hand), it was quite a disappointment to find my ball not behaving similarly. I originally wrote it off as adjusting to a new grip and release, but as I feel fairly acquainted with it now, perhaps I'll go get it re-drilled.

Thanks in advance,

Ian

Answer
Ian,
The International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association members usually represent experienced shops and instructors. Check out; http://www.ibpsia.com/regMem.asp?State=KS. Not many members in Kansas, sorry.

Your driller may just need some encouragement by ball companies that a lot of things are happening with the bowling balls these days and knowledge is huge for the success of the bowler. If you must be their motivation to learn to do what they do better, so be it. I'd still strongly encourage you to push to get the ball done right. Good luck.