Is wiping the oil off the ball after every shot overrated?

[sprocket]

My track flares as the ball travels down the lane. I assume the flaring continues even when the ball is in the dry on the back end of the lane. I WANT the ball to skid in the oil and hook in the back end. What's so bad about leaving the oil on the ball to help the skid? Won't the track still be flaring in the back end of the lane where there is almost NO OIL? Won't the track therefore be flaring to a DRY PART OF THE BALL?

Doesn't wiping the ball actually have the potential to SPREAD the oil around on the ball so that there is now oil on parts of the ball where there wouldn't be if I didn't wipe it?

I'm probably wrong since all the pros seem to wipe the oil off the ball but couldn't leaving the oil on the ball have benefit under the right circumstances? Of course the ball might need a good de-oiling from week to week if I don't wipe it off. I barely wipe mine; just a slight spin on my shirt.

[Judy clemons]

well, I don"t know but I've been told to much oil and you will not get that hook your looking to get your ball is going to go
sliding right on thru the back end with out hooking and your probably going to leave a big wash out or at least a half of a loaf.
You might want to think twice about getting a microfiber towel to wipe down that ball with instead of your shirt tail.

[aussiedave]

My track flares as the ball travels down the lane. I assume the flaring continues even when the ball is in the dry on the back end of the lane. I WANT the ball to skid in the oil and hook in the back end. What's so bad about leaving the oil on the ball to help the skid? Won't the track still be flaring in the back end of the lane where there is almost NO OIL? Won't the track therefore be flaring to a DRY PART OF THE BALL?

Doesn't wiping the ball actually have the potential to SPREAD the oil around on the ball so that there is now oil on parts of the ball where there wouldn't be if I didn't wipe it?

I'm probably wrong since all the pros seem to wipe the oil off the ball but couldn't leaving the oil on the ball have benefit under the right circumstances? Of course the ball might need a good de-oiling from week to week if I don't wipe it off. I barely wipe mine; just a slight spin on my shirt.
Like you say, the pros wipe their ball before every shot. They are looking for consistency and if a lot of oil is visible it is a good idea to wipe it off. I don't think you spread it too much if you use an absorbent cotton type wiper.
It's probably okay to leave the oil track on a ball that doesn't hook much like a plastic ball.
You should wipe pretty thoroughly after your last frame as 30 minutes is enough time for a good bit of oil to penetrate and be absorbed into your ball.
ad.

[Greenday]

If you watch carefully, the ball should switch motions down the lane, and it'll be in it's final rotation while there's still some oil. So it'll slide more instead of hooking properly in the backend.

Also, it prevents oil from soaking into the ball.

[explorer05]

I never wipe my ball off, I only clean them everytime after the league is over. Same with my buddy. At least with the THS. I might wipe them more when I go to Nationals.

[swingset]

I wouldn't think of not wiping the ball down.

For one thing, each time I throw the ball it is in a consistent state...meaning that each shot the ball hits the lane in the same condition...whether it's rolling over oil or not. This is very valuable in reading the lanes. For instance, is your oily ball reacting to carry down, or the oil all over the track? How would you know? You'll be guessing.

I never have to guess what the surface of my ball is doing, because it's the same each shot as far as oil sitting on the surface. I only have to worry about the lane.

Secondly, it preserves the life of the ball. That matters especially if you're in the middle of a game or tournament and the ball starts to die because it's oil-logged. It's also just easier than rejuvenating a ball all the time because it's soaked up a gob of oil and was never wiped or cleaned.

[billf]

I'm with Swingset 100% on this.

I didn't wipe my ball when I first started. Had never heard of de-oiling or any of that stuff. After the first 100 games my 'new' Storm ball had zero reaction and was as useless on the lanes as a paperweight.

[panbanger]

I've made wiping the ball part of my ritual. Even if it is overrated, which I dont think it is, it's a couple seconds for me to get in the zone before I line up and throw.

[SmilingBowler]

I've made wiping the ball part of my ritual. Even if it is overrated, which I dont think it is, it's a couple seconds for me to get in the zone before I line up and throw.

This is specifically why I have that routine to prepare to bowl. I go up there as practice starts and even though the ball hasn't touched the lames yet, I still go through the method of preparation. Like others have said, rhythmic consistency is a big part of success.

[Tampabaybob]

Wiping the ball on your "FIRST" ball does a few things for you. First, it gives you a few seconds at the ball return to get into the zone. While you're wiping the oil off (and you don't have to scrub it as many people do) keep your eyes focused on the lane to get your mind right. It'll help your concentration. Secondly, these ball absorb oil like sponges. If you have the money to buy a ball every few months then don't worry about it. But even at that you're killing your own scores. Your ball's reaction will constantly be changing because of the oil build up. Wiping the ball down after each "first ball" gives you the added opportunity to "KNOW" what reaction to expect out of your ball. I never wipe it down on the second ball, BECAUSE I do want to take advantage of less traction of the oil on the ball. Make sense ????

[Greenday]

I never wipe it down on the second ball, BECAUSE I do want to take advantage of less traction of the oil on the ball. Make sense ????

I get what you are saying, but that's why I use a plastic ball when I want to throw straight.

[The German Shepherd]

My track flares as the ball travels down the lane. I assume the flaring continues even when the ball is in the dry on the back end of the lane. I WANT the ball to skid in the oil and hook in the back end. What's so bad about leaving the oil on the ball to help the skid? Won't the track still be flaring in the back end of the lane where there is almost NO OIL? Won't the track therefore be flaring to a DRY PART OF THE BALL?

Doesn't wiping the ball actually have the potential to SPREAD the oil around on the ball so that there is now oil on parts of the ball where there wouldn't be if I didn't wipe it?

I'm probably wrong since all the pros seem to wipe the oil off the ball but couldn't leaving the oil on the ball have benefit under the right circumstances? Of course the ball might need a good de-oiling from week to week if I don't wipe it off. I barely wipe mine; just a slight spin on my shirt.

I also wipe my ball before every shot. It gets my mind "in the zone" and equally of importance it clears off oil rings. If you use a good micro-fibre towel, it will not spread the oil, it will absorb the oil. That is why it is important to keep your micro-fibre towel clean. I was mine every two weeks or 12- 15 games whichever comes last. My flares lines come fairly close to where I place my index finger and I do not want to feel oil under my finger as I attempt to "hit" the ball...

Jay

[BigErn32]

I've made wiping the ball part of my ritual. Even if it is overrated, which I dont think it is, it's a couple seconds for me to get in the zone before I line up and throw.

Thats how I am as well. With my Hammer, there would always be a good amount of oil on that ball after every throw. When I got my Misfit it threw me off because there was NEVER any oil on the ball. But out of habit and routine I still grab that towel and wipe it off.

[sprocket]

OK, In a perfect world I agree that wiping the oil off the ball is a good idea, but I'm not convinced everyone that wipes their ball with a towel is actually removing oil. Some may be just moving the oil around and pushing it into the pores. I mean it depends on the towel and the condition of the towel, right?

Let's say I WANTED to put oil into the ball. How would I do it? Well, I would squirt some oil on the ball and the smear it around with an oily rag until the whole ball was covered. How do we know people aren't doing just that in their attempts to clean the oil OFF the ball? Hmmmm??

[GeoLes]

It's such a simple thing to do. I figure why not just make it part of your pre-shot routine to help you focus. I grab my ball, spin it in the rag as I envision my next shot. Finish wipe as I step up. i am mentally ready to bowl. All I have to do is set up and go.

[scottymoney]

OK, In a perfect world I agree that wiping the oil off the ball is a good idea, but I'm not convinced everyone that wipes their ball with a towel is actually removing oil. Some may be just moving the oil around and pushing it into the pores. I mean it depends on the towel and the condition of the towel, right?

Let's say I WANTED to put oil into the ball. How would I do it? Well, I would squirt some oil on the ball and the smear it around with an oily rag until the whole ball was covered. How do we know people aren't doing just that in their attempts to clean the oil OFF the ball? Hmmmm??

With wiping the ball down you are at least removing the majority of the oil from the track, and putting it elsewhere on the ball. Yes the towel will absorb some of it and yes it pushes it into the ball but I would rather have the oil spread then a huge line right on the track where the ball will be contacting the lanes.

[e-tank]

With wiping the ball down you are at least removing the majority of the oil from the track, and putting it elsewhere on the ball. Yes the towel will absorb some of it and yes it pushes it into the ball but I would rather have the oil spread then a huge line right on the track where the ball will be contacting the lanes.

this. Even if none of the oil is absorbed by the towel and it was just spread over the ball(which after washing my microfiber towel i can tell you its not), you lessen the concentration of oil on your track thus less oil gets absorbed and your ball will go much longer without needed to be baked or washed.

[sprocket]

And now this topic has come full circle because we are right back to the point I was trying to make in the original post. I'm pretty sure track flare continues all the way until the ball hit's the pins. That is, every revolution is on a new part of the ball. There are revolutions that occur in the DRY part of the lane. The ball will pick up very little, if any, oil in the back end of the lane because the lane is dry there. By wiping the ball and spreading the oil around on the ball, there is now oil on the ball in areas where it wouldn't be if the ball wasn't wiped down. This includes areas of the bowler's track that are where it was rolling in the DRY PART OF THE LANE. The track does not pick up oil there! The only way oil gets in that section of the flare rings is if it is placed there by the towel.

[swingset]

And now this topic has come full circle because we are right back to the point I was trying to make in the original post. I'm pretty sure track flare continues all the way until the ball hit's the pins. That is, every revolution is on a new part of the ball. There are revolutions that occur in the DRY part of the lane. The ball will pick up very little, if any, oil in the back end of the lane because the lane is dry there. By wiping the ball and spreading the oil around on the ball, there is now oil on the ball in areas where it wouldn't be if the ball wasn't wiped down. This includes areas of the bowler's track that are where it was rolling in the DRY PART OF THE LANE. The track does not pick up oil there! The only way oil gets in that section of the flare rings is if it is placed there by the towel.

Who are you trying to convince? Yourself?

Do you honestly think letting the oil pile up on the ball represents a mechanical advantage of some sort?

It doesn't...and there are downsides which have already been spelled out.

[billf]

OK, so my flare goes all the way around the ball, end to end. Flare rings are 15 with a beautiful bowtie. What part of the ball is tracking in the dry that wasn't in the oil? Not being argumentative just curious.

[sprocket]

Billf, in order to have 15 flare rings that you can see, you would have to have 15 revs before the ball hits the try. That's a TON of revs. I not doubting it can be done and if there was enough separation between the rings they would go all the way around the ball. In that case, my argument fall apart.

I was thinking more along these lines: Imagine if they had Throwbot throw 1000 balls all with the same rotation and the flare DIDN'T go all the way around the ball. Imagine the oil was never wiped off the ball. Re-oil after every five games. The oil rings would just cross exactly over the oil rings already on the ball. Would the oil lines mushroom out and spread due to saturation or would the ball simply not pick up any more oil after X number of shots? I suspect the latter. Of course there will be flare rings you don't see because they occur in the dry back end of the lane. Will they remain dry for the whole 1000 games or will they pick up oil from the bow tie area on the ball? That I don't know. I don't really KNOW anything but I don't like to accept things as true just because that's what we've always believed. I totally believe that a ball saturated in oil will react poorly, but I also believe that a dirty cotton towel can spread the oil on the ball and eventually saturate it.

So have ANY studies ever been done on the effectiveness of wiping the oil off the ball verses not wiping the oil off the ball? How about cotton towel verses microfiber? What about a quick spin on a bowler's CLEAN shirt verses using a DIRTY bowling towel?

[billf]

I don't know either and I'm usually the antagonist questioning everything. But I would think that a clean shirt would beat a dirty towel any day lol
Yes, I'm slightly rev dominant, even at 20+ mph lol I've been working on cutting down the rev rate even more but will admit to enjoying messing with my scratch league's two-hander. I love letting it rip, getting more speed and revs (and pin action) than he does. I only enjoy it because he constantly yells about how great his revs are, etc., etc., etc. Typical young guy I suppose, more mouth than sense.

[J Anderson]

Billf, in order to have 15 flare rings that you can see, you would have to have 15 revs before the ball hits the try. That's a TON of revs. I not doubting it can be done and if there was enough separation between the rings they would go all the way around the ball. In that case, my argument fall apart.

I was thinking more along these lines: Imagine if they had Throwbot throw 1000 balls all with the same rotation and the flare DIDN'T go all the way around the ball. Imagine the oil was never wiped off the ball. Re-oil after every five games. The oil rings would just cross exactly over the oil rings already on the ball. Would the oil lines mushroom out and spread due to saturation or would the ball simply not pick up any more oil after X number of shots? I suspect the latter. Of course there will be flare rings you don't see because they occur in the dry back end of the lane. Will they remain dry for the whole 1000 games or will they pick up oil from the bow tie area on the ball? That I don't know. I don't really KNOW anything but I don't like to accept things as true just because that's what we've always believed. I totally believe that a ball saturated in oil will react poorly, but I also believe that a dirty cotton towel can spread the oil on the ball and eventually saturate it.

So have ANY studies ever been done on the effectiveness of wiping the oil off the ball verses not wiping the oil off the ball? How about cotton towel verses microfiber? What about a quick spin on a bowler's CLEAN shirt verses using a DIRTY bowling towel?

My guess is that in your thought experiment is that as oil is absorbed along the track rings the rate of absorption slows and the oil spreads out on either side of the rings. At some point the ball effectively becomes saturated and the amount will be negligible. Because of the track flare you will still have some reaction but it will be much different than the original reaction. Even using a dirty towel that is leaving as much oil as it takes off, and spreading the remainder around will slow down the process of saturating the ball with oil and the change in reaction will be more gradual.

By the way, the reason I started wiping off my bowling ball was that all the shirts that I wore while bowling were getting a permanent stain from resting the ball against my abdomen while setting up.

[Old lefty]

I think your on to something here....they really should do a study as to how much oil a ball picks up and at what point does it repel because of saturation,I'm still going to wipe my ball between shots because (a) it's now habit (b)I feel the more oil I can keep off of the ball the longer it will last and (c) my WIFE just hates oil stains on my shirts....hahaha.

[swingset]

Here's another reality - if everyone just let the balls go, even if it made the ball better somehow, you'd see maintenance problems on the machines and returns. That oil all over all the belts, wheels and everything would be a real headache to the operators.

That's already a problem on some leagues with a lot of older bowlers who don't maintain their equipment.

[peterfa]

No one has mentioned that the towel swipe also removes dirt from the shell of the ball. The swipe removes both oil and dirt (dust) that the oil attracts to the coverstock.

[TCJ]

Wiping the ball off for every shot is a routine for me. If I fail to do so, it breaks my routine. Because of that I will use a towel on it regardless of whether or not there is a lot of oil on the lane, and hence, the ball, or if it's a strike or a spare ball. Also, as a sometimes two-hander, I want the ball as free of oil as possible because my left-hand is being used as support on the backswing. If my hand gets really greasy, sometimes it will slide off prematurely and cause me to drop the ball.

[Hammer]

Don't worry about the oil on your ball. Leave it on there then you won't have to worry about washing the bowling towels. Maybe at the end of yoyr bowling season you can wipe the oil off then. Also what you should do is go into the pro shop and tell the shop operator that his oil extractor oven is over rated and doesn't really do anything to the ball to make it work better on the alleys. No need for all that ball
cleaner fluid to clean the oil off of bowling balls. You should just never clean your ball even if the oil on it is dripping off onto the floor.
Hey, a ball like that with a bunch of oil on it will work real good on dry alleys. It should skid real nice before or if it hooks to the pocket.
Just think of the money you will save on bowling towels, ball cleaner and trips to the pro shop to clean the oil off professionally. You have the right idea. :cool:

[swingset]

Don't worry about the oil on your ball. Leave it on there then you won't have to worry about washing the bowling towels. Maybe at the end of yoyr bowling season you can wipe the oil off then. Also what you should do is go into the pro shop and tell the shop operator that his oil extractor oven is over rated and doesn't really do anything to the ball to make it work better on the alleys. No need for all that ball
cleaner fluid to clean the oil off of bowling balls. You should just never clean your ball even if the oil on it is dripping off onto the floor.
Hey, a ball like that with a bunch of oil on it will work real good on dry alleys. It should skid real nice before or if it hooks to the pocket.
Just think of the money you will save on bowling towels, ball cleaner and trips to the pro shop to clean the oil off professionally. You have the right idea. :cool:

Hey, that has me thinking - a non-wiper with an oil soaked ball should ask the front desk for a discount on his games. He's actually depositing oil from last week back onto the lanes. He's saving the house some duckets on that stuff and it's not cheap.

[sprocket]

OK, you guys are picking on me now.:p

Let me give one final analogy and then I'll drop the subject. Let's say I spill some oil on the garage floor. Should I wipe it up? Yes, and I should probably follow it up with a good degreasing at some point.

How should I wipe it up? How about if a take a dirty rag I have around the shop that already has oil soaked into it. Maybe an old cotton t-shirt. How would that work? It wouldn't work well at all because it would just smear the oil around and pick very little up. It would put oil in places on the floor where it wasn't before. It just moved the oil around. I would be far better off with a clean rag specifically designed to clean up oil.

So how many bowlers use dirty towels of the wrong material to wipe off their bowling balls? When is the last time YOU cleaned your bowling towel? Is the towel made from the best material it could be for removing oil?

Using a dirty towel to spread oil around the ball makes as much sense as using a dirty t-shirt to wipe up oil off the garage floor. The results won't be very good.

[Gunz1911]

With your analogy, Arn't you more saying "Its the device used, not the concept" that is flawed? If you have a clean towel, that is meant to absorb liquids such as oil, I am sure your taking more out/off of your ball than your rubbing in. And I don't clean my towels... My wife does that for me :D

I personally wipe my ball off every frame or two. I get an oil track near my index finger and do not like how it feels. I carry 3 different micro-fiber towels and switch them out when I feel one is getting dirty. I use white towels, as that is an easy way to judge how clean they are.

I do not know if it makes any difference to the ball, But it does make me feel better about getting rid of the oil, so it is not all over my hands.

[ghetto24]

in the 20+ years ive been bowling ive tried using towels. the problem with them is I tend to forget them when I go home. I stopped using them for the longest time. but in all honesty, I think im going to try to get back into the habit of using one

[billf]

Permanent marker with your name or initials will let everyone know who's towel it is. Amazing how things get turned in to the "lost and found" when they know who it belongs to.

[swingset]

Permanent marker with your name or initials will let everyone know who's towel it is. Amazing how things get turned in to the "lost and found" when they know who it belongs to.

I switched to a microfiber dusting mitt because it seems to work better have have more surface area than a towel, plus it looks so crazy/unique that I tend to see it and remember to take it with me.

I noticed a lot of Japanese bowlers use a purpose-made one that looks like these, so when I was in Walmart I saw one in the broom isle and picked it up. Works great, easy to tell if it gets dirty too.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/CIS_IMAGES/LARGE/1045.JPG

[got_a_300]

I switched to a microfiber dusting mitt because it seems to work better have have more surface area than a towel, plus it looks so crazy/unique that I tend to see it and remember to take it with me.

I noticed a lot of Japanese bowlers use a purpose-made one that looks like these, so when I was in Walmart I saw one in the broom isle and picked it up. Works great, easy to tell if it gets dirty too.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/CIS_IMAGES/LARGE/1045.JPG


Cool looking dusting mitt I might have to try one of them out myself.

[MICHAEL]

For what its worth, Bruce , the owner of BP Pro shop, X pro bowler, and now teacher also said: Latest research says not to wipe the ball off, that it does more damage then good.
He said even with the absorbent new towels it actually pushes more oil into the balls. This was, according to him tested and proven with scientific equipment. He pass this on to me during a bowling lesson. ((( I still wipe it off, LOL))) "everyone should WIPE IMHA!!! (something my parents passed on to me at an early age)!! (:)

(I am talking between shots), always clean your balls AFTER BOWLING.

[billf]

So let's take a closer look at this; the guy who makes his living selling and cleaning balls says not to wipe the ball between shots. Yet every manufacturer and the USBC say that it will help prolong the life of the ball. Huh?
Mike, can you ask Bruce what research he is referencing? I would love to read it.

[MICHAEL]

So let's take a closer look at this; the guy who makes his living selling and cleaning balls says not to wipe the ball between shots. Yet every manufacturer and the USBC say that it will help prolong the life of the ball. Huh?
Mike, can you ask Bruce what research he is referencing? I would love to read it.

Hey Bill, I was surprised!! I will get that information tomorrow if possible! I remember him saying (THEY) found that removing oil from ball with even the new bowling towels , causes the oil to go deeper into the ball. I will get back with you on that,,, I agree,,, sounds hard to believe, but then what do I know! He's the Pro!! LOL I still wipe mine LOL

[Big Nick]

While I totally understand the idea that your question originates from, I think there's one part of the puzzle that you're missing and I'm surprised that no one has mentioned it yet. Not all balls react the same way, some are designed for light oil conditions and others are designed for heavy oil conditions. We all know that the core plays a part in the reaction of a ball, but do you really think that a strong core in a plastic-shelled ball is going to read the lane the same way that an identical core wrapped in a strong cover will? I think the obvious answer is no, but why is that? Well, it's because bowling balls with strong cover stocks are designed to start reading the lane while they're still in the oil. If you soak the track with oil, then you're negating that effect and YOU WILL LOSE BALL REACTION. Also, when you're talking about the flare lines, a vast majority of those that you see occur while the ball is in the oil and if it didn't help the ball's reaction, why would ball manufacturers be designing cores that cause bow-tie flare lines instead of just a single ring around the ball? They're there so that you're rolling over a new part of the ball for every rev so you get the most out of the cover. Once again, if you let your ball soak in all the oil over the flare lines, then you're negating the effect of the cover and the design of the ball.

I speak from experience when I say that wiping a ball down after every shot, even if it's with a "dirty towel", and then cleaning the ball after every bowling session with an approved cleaner or 91% alcohol will drastically extend the life of the cover. 10 months ago I purchased a Storm Manic and I quickly put a ton of games on it, however I wasn't cleaning it like I should and before long it just wasn't making the move off the end of the pattern that it had in the past. I had the proshop de-oil it and resurface it, and it helped for about a week and then it was dead again. Then I had the proshop work on it again, and they used their ball degreasing hotbox on it, and he said it bled oil for almost 8 hours. Since then, I've used it quite a bit more but I've been very stringent on my cleaning routine and the cover is holding up far better than it did the first time around.

If you don't believe us, then you'll just have to try it for yourself. It won't take long for you to come to the realization that cleaning a bowling ball both during play and especially after will make a big difference in prolonging the life of the cover.


OK, you guys are picking on me now.:p

Let me give one final analogy and then I'll drop the subject. Let's say I spill some oil on the garage floor. Should I wipe it up? Yes, and I should probably follow it up with a good degreasing at some point.

How should I wipe it up? How about if a take a dirty rag I have around the shop that already has oil soaked into it. Maybe an old cotton t-shirt. How would that work? It wouldn't work well at all because it would just smear the oil around and pick very little up. It would put oil in places on the floor where it wasn't before. It just moved the oil around. I would be far better off with a clean rag specifically designed to clean up oil.

So how many bowlers use dirty towels of the wrong material to wipe off their bowling balls? When is the last time YOU cleaned your bowling towel? Is the towel made from the best material it could be for removing oil?

Using a dirty towel to spread oil around the ball makes as much sense as using a dirty t-shirt to wipe up oil off the garage floor. The results won't be very good.

[Big Nick]

Sorry for double posting, but I couldn't edit my last post. Someone also mentioned that not wiping the oil off the balls will cause trouble with the machines, and they're spot on in that regard, too. I was talking to one of the employees at the lanes where my wife bowls in a women's league about why they use a different pattern for them versus the pattern used in the men's and mixed leagues. He said it's because most of the women in that league thrown the ball straight down the center of the lane and that they don't clean the balls before throwing them. If they used the same pattern as they did with the men and mixed leagues, that the machines in the back and the belts on the ball returns would become soaked in oil and stop picking up the balls and cause them to have to do a lot more cleaning work on the machines at the end of the night after the league was finished.

[sprocket]

Sorry for double posting, but I couldn't edit my last post. Someone also mentioned that not wiping the oil off the balls will cause trouble with the machines, and they're spot on in that regard, too. I was talking to one of the employees at the lanes where my wife bowls in a women's league about why they use a different pattern for them versus the pattern used in the men's and mixed leagues. He said it's because most of the women in that league thrown the ball straight down the center of the lane and that they don't clean the balls before throwing them. If they used the same pattern as they did with the men and mixed leagues, that the machines in the back and the belts on the ball returns would become soaked in oil and stop picking up the balls and cause them to have to do a lot more cleaning work on the machines at the end of the night after the league was finished.

Part of this can be the use of plastic or house balls on those leagues that do not absorb oil and are thrown up the oiliest part of the lane. Also those balls have less grip so they don't grip the belts as easily in the ball returns.

I am biting my tongue to not get into a discussion of why on earth we now need 10 times as much oil on the lanes as we used to. Obviously the balls used today require it, but is there really any benefit? I saw a guy on a lighter house shot bowl 800 with a plastic White Dot. So we are now responsible to help make it possible to continue to use a massive amount of oil on the lanes?

[MICHAEL]

Part of this can be the use of plastic or house balls on those leagues that do not absorb oil and are thrown up the oiliest part of the lane. Also those balls have less grip so they don't grip the belts as easily in the ball returns.

I am biting my tongue to not get into a discussion of why on earth we now need 10 times as much oil on the lanes as we used to. Obviously the balls used today require it, but is there really any benefit? I saw a guy on a lighter house shot bowl 800 with a plastic White Dot. So we are now responsible to help make it possible to continue to use a massive amount of oil on the lanes?

VERY INTERESTING,,, maybe your right on in that regards, (about the oil)! Balls now days get burnt out after a number of games, some swear that sweating the oil out only gives some of the Out Of Box performance back! 800 with a plastic white Dot!! Wow..... VERY INTERESTING,,,,,! And as I have pointed out in another thread, the very oil your talking about in the form of SPORTS PATTERNS, is what average JOE the Plumber does not want. He wants a blocked every week the same house pattern so that his 220 average is not affected with the reality of just how difficult it really is to have a GOOD AVERAGE on Pro like conditions. I call it, (THE BRAGING AVERAGE)! hum,,,,, I do think that the Sports Patterns added another dimension to bowling, for the REAL MEN/Women! LOL...Few chose to accept the challenge!! (:)

[sprocket]

While I totally understand the idea that your question originates from, I think there's one part of the puzzle that you're missing and I'm surprised that no one has mentioned it yet. Not all balls react the same way, some are designed for light oil conditions and others are designed for heavy oil conditions. We all know that the core plays a part in the reaction of a ball, but do you really think that a strong core in a plastic-shelled ball is going to read the lane the same way that an identical core wrapped in a strong cover will? I think the obvious answer is no, but why is that? Well, it's because bowling balls with strong cover stocks are designed to start reading the lane while they're still in the oil. If you soak the track with oil, then you're negating that effect and YOU WILL LOSE BALL REACTION. Also, when you're talking about the flare lines, a vast majority of those that you see occur while the ball is in the oil and if it didn't help the ball's reaction, why would ball manufacturers be designing cores that cause bow-tie flare lines instead of just a single ring around the ball? They're there so that you're rolling over a new part of the ball for every rev so you get the most out of the cover. Once again, if you let your ball soak in all the oil over the flare lines, then you're negating the effect of the cover and the design of the ball.

I speak from experience when I say that wiping a ball down after every shot, even if it's with a "dirty towel", and then cleaning the ball after every bowling session with an approved cleaner or 91% alcohol will drastically extend the life of the cover. 10 months ago I purchased a Storm Manic and I quickly put a ton of games on it, however I wasn't cleaning it like I should and before long it just wasn't making the move off the end of the pattern that it had in the past. I had the proshop de-oil it and resurface it, and it helped for about a week and then it was dead again. Then I had the proshop work on it again, and they used their ball degreasing hotbox on it, and he said it bled oil for almost 8 hours. Since then, I've used it quite a bit more but I've been very stringent on my cleaning routine and the cover is holding up far better than it did the first time around.

If you don't believe us, then you'll just have to try it for yourself. It won't take long for you to come to the realization that cleaning a bowling ball both during play and especially after will make a big difference in prolonging the life of the cover.

It's important to take this thread as a whole. I know it is a lot of reading. Yes, I did suggest in the original post that there may be benefit to just leaving the oil on the ball entirely, but I also asked whether wiping the ball might have the effect of spreading the oil around the ball, including to areas of the ball that would have no oil unless it were put there by the towel.

During this thread I came to the conclusion that it does make sense to remove the oil from then oil rings but then asked what is the best way to do that. I suggested that doing it the wrong way could have results that were not intended or desired.

You make very good points on the ball needing to read the mid lane when it is still in the oil. That makes perfect sense to me. Thank you for your well written explanation of the subject.

See, this is not a topic where the OP (me) is just going to cling his original argument no matter what. I come here to learn. I expect threads like this to evolve which it has.

I think we still have the question of the truly best way to remove the oil JUST FROM THE OIL RINGS without smearing it around the entire ball or driving the oil into the ball. I think it can be done with the right towel and the right technique. It was interesting to read about the pro shop owner who says there is research that shows that wiping the oil off the ball just pushes it into the ball. That is a VERY BROAD statement which does not discuss the types of towels used, the condition of the towel and the technique used to wipe down the ball. Any study would have to look at those things.

I personally line up the oil rings and give my ball a quick turn on my shirt. As silly as that sounds it might actually work reasonable well. My shirt is clean and the light turn just either removes or slightly spreads the oil on the surface of the ball but does not spread it around the whole ball. They have excellent lane maintenance where I bowl and I haven't noticed my shirts getting dirty.

[bowl1820]

I am biting my tongue to not get into a discussion of why on earth we now need 10 times as much oil on the lanes as we used to. Obviously the balls used today require it, but is there really any benefit?

It's a catch-22 situation

We have more oil because the balls have got stronger and they make the balls stronger because they put out more oil.

[MICHAEL]

I think we still have the question of the truly best way to remove the oil JUST FROM THE OIL RINGS without smearing it around the entire ball or driving the oil into the ball. I think it can be done with the right towel and the right technique. It was interesting to read about the pro shop owner who says there is research that shows that wiping the oil off the ball just pushes it into the ball. That is a VERY BROAD statement which does not discuss the types of towels used, the condition of the towel and the technique used to wipe down the ball. Any study would have to look at those things.


That Pro shop individual, Bruce, BP's Pro shop, has 40 something 300 rings, has clinic's at his lanes with big name pro's coming in to give classes! Bruce, who I would call a friend, has helped this old broken down burnt up Iron worker reach that elusive goal of 300! ( I just started bowling at the young age of 61, and now 64 lol) Bruce is an X pro, that Drilled balls for many big name Pro's in the past, he knows his stuff. I thought to myself, (when he told me about the latest research concerning wiping the oil off of balls while in play, (THAT's HARD TO BELIVE!)

But then who am I to question a man of his knowledge, talent, and ability!!??

I will get that information today, I have already sent an email asking for that study..... We will get to bottom of this!!! (to be continued)!! :confused:

[MICHAEL]

I'm not exactly sure who came up with it. I'm sure it's probably one of the big level coaches like Fred Borden, Bill Hall, one of those guys.

Sent from my iPhone

This was sent to me today from James, Bruce's assistant mgr, and apprentice! He is the one that drilled my IQ, (the one that gave my the 300) (:)

[WolfGirl1980]

I bowl 6 games a week maybe 7 but that is rare 3 in League 3 in practice maybe 4 if not too tired should I be cleaning my ball with ball cleaner after I am done bowling each session like Tuesday night is League come home bring my ball up and take ball cleaner to it and then practice do the same? And if so what type of ball cleaner is the best to buy that will keep the hook cause ball cleaner usually takes the hook off it usually makes it not hook as much so is there a cleaner out there that won't do that?

[MICHAEL]

For sure after each session!! The debate is if it does more damage then good to wipe it after each shoot! I will get, from Bruce, the place he got this latest research, backed by scientific data, stating not to wipe after each shoot.

[sprocket]

I wonder what mineral spirits would do to a ball? Nothing works better at work to remove oil. I suppose solvent is just a bad idea no matter how carefully you apply it, even if it were just sprayed on a towel and used after each session.

[bowl1820]

I wonder what mineral spirits would do to a ball? Nothing works better at work to remove oil. I suppose solvent is just a bad idea no matter how carefully you apply it, even if it were just sprayed on a towel and used after each session.

Mineral spirits are not USBC approved for use at any time. It would be in a class like acetone and would soften the cover over time.

[Mike White]

I guess I look at the problem in a slightly different manner.

I have two different towels, one to keep my hand dry, and one to remove oil from the ball. I try hard not to get those confused.

While I do wipe the ball before each shot, it's more out of habit, and a pre-shot routine.

What I do different than most others, is I wipe the ball with the de-oil towel after each frame is completed. I don't leave the oil rings there until my next turn.

I do both balls after my turn if I had to shoot at a spare.

[WolfGirl1980]

Here is what I was told to keep up on topic with the debate, I was told by a teammate of mine to wipe my ball after every shot but I didn't ask why and I didn't ask for details or nothing like that but I can ask the guy where I usually take my bowling balls to get drilled and I am going to get lessons from he is a professional bowler who owns a pro shop now and drills bowling balls and coaches well I wouldn't say coach but he gives lessons for 50 bucks an hour I think maybe longer that I am not too sure on but that is besides the point I will ask him sometime before tuesday thats when I bowl again or call him tomorrow and ask him or michael can ask the guy at his pro shop who also x pro so either way

I am looking for some advice on what kind of ball cleaner I should get that won't take away the balls hook cause the cleaner I got every time after every time I use it and bowl with the ball the ball doesn't seem to wanna hook like normal why would that be is it the type of cleaner I am using or is it that I am using too much or what?

[Bendial]

I've gotten into the habit of wiping my ball after every shot because I hate getting oil on my hands.