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Date: 26 Nov 2007 07:43:07
From:
Subject: Time to relearn about the balls and the like
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In a feeble attempt to add content to the group, here I am starting a
new topic...
Forgive me for repeating myself, but I'm a formerly avid bowler, with
mild accomplishments, and a huge geek habit about the equipment. Used
to subscribe to BTM, but when I started losing interest in the game, I
dropped my prescription (sic), and am just now coming back after 4
years off.
When I bolted the scene, particle balls were everywhere, but I'm
getting a sense folks are moving away from them somewhat?
Assymetric core balls and the mass bias therein were getting popular,
especially with Ebonite; are they still as popular as I remember?
I'm seeing a lot of retro action in my brief searches, like Nighthawk,
ThunderStorm, and even Rhino Pro core based balls from Brunswick.
All this makes me wonder, have things really changed much over the
last four years?
Please help clue a brother in. :)
-ed
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Date: 26 Nov 2007 08:59:24
From:
Subject: Re: Time to relearn about the balls and the like
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Yes, but where's the fun in that? LOL
While it might seem like I'm only focused on the equipment side of the
game, I do realize it's but a part of the pie. Can't help feeding my
inner geek, however. ;)
thanks much for your thoughts
-ed
On 26, 10:26 am, newsreader wrote:
> Just where the latest model ball fits into this in a way that is more
> important than technique, lane reading, ball selection, lane play and
> proper drilling is hard to see in my view. Considering that combinations
> of less than a handful of adjustments to technique can make the same
> ball behave in lots of different ways and it becomes even hazier...
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Date: 26 Nov 2007 08:54:18
From:
Subject: Re: Time to relearn about the balls and the like
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Was going to add something and look, there's already a post reply!
How about that? :)
Ironic you'd mention the bowl.com articles, I haven't looked much
there, but did catch one discussing the reaction differences between a
1:30 drill and (IIRC) a 12:00 or 10:30 (can't remember which).
Interesting stuff.
Thought I'd also mention the balls I currently have at my disposal, in
case anyone cares to comment on them:
El Nino Gold (10:30, 4" pin to PAP, 600 grit dull)
Tidal Wave Wipeout (stack leverage, 600 grit dull)
Triton Elite (stack leverage, polished)
Omega/R (4.5" pin to PAP, modified "E" label drilling, polished with
light hit with scuff pad)
Nighthawk SPT (5" pin to PAP, 12:00, polished with light hit with
scuff pad)
The TW and Elite are actually someone else's bowling balls that I more
or less borrowed. A buddy of mine found his and my spans are
virtually identical, and actually preferred my equipment (pitches,
mostly), so had his drilled the same specs. The Nighthawk is a prime
candidate for a plug and drill. The El Nino Gold is oil soaked and
badly needing a rejuv.
Also in the vein of "if anyone cares" (lol), i used to track pretty
high, with a PAP 5.5 over and 0.5 up, but in my last year or two, I'd
lowered the track without actually changing the axis. This change has
stayed with me in my return.
Thanks to the Jock for his thoughts, and advance thanks to any who
subsequently reply.
-ed
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Date: 26 Nov 2007 16:26:13
From: newsreader
Subject: Re: Time to relearn about the balls and the like
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nrjyzr@gmail.com wrote:
- snip
>
> All this makes me wonder, have things really changed much over the
> last four years?
>
> Please help clue a brother in. :)
>
> -ed
Nope, ball manufacturers still depend on convincing people that only the
latest ball will do the job. Despite the fact that we all know its about
knowledge and skill and that differences between ball models (of the
same type (slider, reader, spare, heavy oil ball) are not really that great.
Improving your release and your lane reading will help much more.
I often take recourse in the words of (the great) Tom Kouros.
"Four things affect strike potential
1) The Mass of the Ball
2) The Speed of the Ball
3) The angle in the pocket
4) The nature of the ball roll
of these by far the most important is 4) The nature of the ball roll"
Just where the latest model ball fits into this in a way that is more
important than technique, lane reading, ball selection, lane play and
proper drilling is hard to see in my view. Considering that combinations
of less than a handful of adjustments to technique can make the same
ball behave in lots of different ways and it becomes even hazier...
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Date: 26 Nov 2007 07:56:10
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: Time to relearn about the balls and the like
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> All this makes me wonder, have things really changed much over the
> last four years?
Not really. In fact, your current ball list will still do you pretty
well today, if you give them some maintenance (oil extraction,
cleaning and resurfacing).
The major "shift" in balls that I see is a "preference" towards
REACTIVE RESIN balls rather than particles. HOWEVER, there are times
when a particle beast (like your Night Hawk) will outshine what's out
there.
Since you've been "gone" for 4 years, I suggest you hook-up with a
Certified coach and see if he/she can discover any kind of "flaws and
such" that will hamper your game. I also ** STRONGLY SUGGEST ** you
take your equipment to an IBPSIA-certified driller to verify your
current fit and, if necessary, refit/redrill your gear so you can get
Maximum Performance (or even "Overdrive"? :) ) out of it for your
curren skill, etc. level (that's where the COACHING helps).
Finally, IMHO, IGNORE all the "hype" about "mass bias, etc.". Over at
www.bowl.com, down @ the bottom of the maiin page, are some excellent
research articles the USBC folks have done on bowling balls,
specifically in the area of "core dynamics vs. coverstock". Read them
- I think you'll be interested in the findings.
Take care, I hope this helps a little, and I hope you find a renewed
enjoyment of the Sport. :)
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