Why are they making bowling balls now that you have to start way left?

[Ball99999]

On heavy oil..

It seems like it wouldn't be very useful to have to already stand way left on a fresh heavy oil shot. Why not buy a heavy oil ball where you have to start farther right and gives you a chance to move left?

[billf]

Marketing. There are a ton of uninformed bowlers that are in love with the big sweeping, coast to coast hook. Brunswick went to what you're suggesting years ago and it wasn't successful.
**do you still have me blocked or can you see this? Not sure if I'm wasting my time trying to answer. Honest question not trying to start with you.

[Cochese]

Can see you post fine Bill. I have to say as a newer bowler, I am drawn to try and play inside and hook it more because it "looks cool", but most of my best games so far have been when I play outside, start around the 20 board and throw over the second arrow. Doesn't look amazing, but finds the pocket more often and results in more strikes.

[noeymc]

bill said:

Marketing. There are a ton of uninformed bowlers that are in love with the big sweeping, coast to coast hook. Brunswick went to what you're suggesting years ago and it wasn't successful.
**do you still have me blocked or can you see this? Not sure if I'm wasting my time trying to answer. Honest question not trying to start with you.

[75lockwood]

Everyone wants to hook like the pro's.... new bowlers go and watch the pba and think wow, if i want to be the best bowler ever i need to throw the ball like that! so, yes balls like the nightmare can be used well on heavy oil by a high speed bowler, but new bowlers go out and buy such a beast because they think its how you "should" be bowling instead of learning proper technique and growing your arsenal as you encounter conditions that require it

[Keithalw]

I know personally I can move left and have that big hook but as mentioned by some others I dont have the high speed or high revs like some others so I also throw straight up the ten and usually can find the pocket

[Zothen]

I play down and in! I also will take the length of the pattern and subtract 31 and that is the line I start with. So if a heavy oil pattern is say a 44' shark pattern I would throw my ball over the 13 board and slow my approach and armswing down to create friction.

Zothen

[Keithalw]

why would you subtract 31? Like how did you come up with that formula?

[Ball99999]

why would you subtract 31? Like how did you come up with that formula?

I don't think he did, but supposedly the people at Kegel training center did. so if the length is 42 feet, you subtract 31 and you should aim for board 11 as the breakpoint. Not sure what the breakpoint is precisely nor how it relates to how far the lane ON board 11 you aim for.

[billf]

The break point is the spot where when your ball is in the hook phase, it changes direction towards the pins/pocket. As for how far, that really depends on the bowler, style and equipment to be honest. Take the same bowler so the bowler, style, speed and revs are the same. Using a ball like the Revenge that has a sweeping hook you would want to hit 11 about three feet sooner than say the Terror that has a more angular break point shape. In general the break point is usually between 45' and 50' down lane but again depends on how angular the hook is. Most strokers could just play straight up the figured board, in this scenario the 11, and hit the pocket as the ball hugs the oil line and rides it in.
And according to the articles that is where you want the ball to exit the oil pattern which is different in most cases than where the break point is.

[bowl1820]

why would you subtract 31? Like how did you come up with that formula?

The exit point formula is from a Joe Slowinski article and is based on Neil Stremmel's article, Entry Angle, Part 3: USBC Research Shows Where Your Ball Should Be to Achieve the Best Angle. Where Stremmel shares data from USBC research on points that maximize 4, 5 and 6 degrees of entry angle

Read this thread:
http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/9982-Exit-Point-Calculation?p=46777&viewfull=1#post46777


Also read this update about find the breakpoint:
Click for Finding the breakpoint vs the Exit point formula (http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/10563-Finding-the-breakpoint-vs-the-Exit-point-formula)

[Davec13]

Everyone wants to hook like the pro's.... new bowlers go and watch the pba and think wow, if i want to be the best bowler ever i need to throw the ball like that! so, yes balls like the nightmare can be used well on heavy oil by a high speed bowler, but new bowlers go out and buy such a beast because they think its how you "should" be bowling instead of learning proper technique and growing your arsenal as you encounter conditions that require it

While I can swing it all the way across the lane I find that to many other people play that line and burn it up way to quick. I usually tend to go way outside and shoot the gutter, no one plays that line so I have it all to myself ;) The only downside is you have no margin for error as it's going in the ditch if you are even a half a board off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70zloyrYndc

[75lockwood]

While I can swing it all the way across the lane I find that to many other people play that line and burn it up way to quick. I usually tend to go way outside and shoot the gutter, no one plays that line so I have it all to myself ;) The only downside is you have no margin for error as it's going in the ditch if you are even a half a board off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70zloyrYndc

Ha, i play very close to the same line, maybe a board to the left, don't wanna flirt to close to disaster :o

[Brother_jd]

She can come over and show me how to play that line!

[billf]

Dave, that's my favorite line. Then for fun I will move over to the left side and loft the gutter when the game is out of reach. Just to show them I can still do it.

[GeoLes]

Not everything is for everyone

At the same time, they are making all kinds of balls for every type of bowler. Siimply select as ball with core, coverstock and drilling more suited to your bowling style. That's where you prosshop is most valuable.