When should I change balls? What ball?

[Blomer]

So currently I have these Storm balls: IQ Tour Nano, Rocket, Hy-Road Solid and Optimus. If there is enough oil I start with the Nano and then go to the Rocket. I usually use the Hy-Road for right side spares except the 10 where I go platic. Leaving the Optimus in the bag. Lately I've been throwing two good games and ruin the series by throwing a poor game. I think the issue is I don't know when t change balls or use the wrong ball. My question is, can anyone tell me when I should switch balls and to what ball? When should I use the Optimus? When should I use the Hy-Road more regularly? I used to use the Hy road as my main ball. The things I get myself into when getting multiple balls. Thanks for any input!

[ChuckR]

The criteria I TRY and use is that when line adjustments still leave corner pins CHANGE. In my case, I start with the Mastermind Genius, which I finally have the surface change I need, and then go to the UpRoar and throw a tighter pocket. Of course, take into consideration if the lanes and YOU have both changed. A bad shot is first my release and then the lanes.

[foreverincamo]

It's all trial and error. You already know the oil is gone by the third game. What I'll do is use my 10th frame to experiment in. Grab another ball and try it. See what happens.

[Tony]

I have never carried that many balls so I'm not sure if I can tell you what you want to hear but I did notice that the IQ and Optimus are similar balls as are the Rocket and Hy road.
One possible idea would be choose one of the more aggressive balls, the one you score best with on heavy oil, and one of the medium balls, the one your most comfortable with on med oil plus your spare ball. Leave the others in the car in case you need one but get comfortable with the conditions and reactions of both of those balls and switch from the aggressive to less aggressive ball when the adjustments you've had to make take you beyond the area where you can reliably hit the pocket and carry strikes.
I'm sure some of the highly experienced bowlers with years of experience will have some other idea's but being in a similar condition this is the strategy I would try to begin with and then take the balls out and practice and compare to get a better understanding of each balls strong points.

[RobLV1]

I have never carried that many balls so I'm not sure if I can tell you what you want to hear but I did notice that the IQ and Optimus are similar balls as are the Rocket and Hy road.
One possible idea would be choose one of the more aggressive balls, the one you score best with on heavy oil, and one of the medium balls, the one your most comfortable with on med oil plus your spare ball. Leave the others in the car in case you need one but get comfortable with the conditions and reactions of both of those balls and switch from the aggressive to less aggressive ball when the adjustments you've had to make take you beyond the area where you can reliably hit the pocket and carry strikes.
I'm sure some of the highly experienced bowlers with years of experience will have some other idea's but being in a similar condition this is the strategy I would try to begin with and then take the balls out and practice and compare to get a better understanding of each balls strong points.

You are right about the HyRoad and the Rocket, however there is quite a difference between the Optimus and the IQ Tour Nano. The Optimus is an asymmetrical ball with a polished pearl cover, and the IQ Tour Nano is a symmetrical ball with a dull solid (very strong) cover. I would suggest that you both might benefit from visiting my website: www.modern-bowling.com. Click on the bowling balls section and see if it is of any help to you.

[SRB57]

I just began bowling again after 12 year layoff and when I left the game reactive resin was relatively new and most the lanes were still wood. The balls today are very strong and synthetic lanes the norm. Looking for the right reaction and angle to the pocket seems to be the key. I practiced in a Hall that I had not been in in 25 years so was new to me. I have three balls and a spare ball I take all the time. I like roto grip so have a hyper cell skid,outcry,scream and a own it spare. I started out with the skid and used it 2 games and it seemed to be touchy so moved 5 boards right (I am right handed power tweener) and went to the outcry and threw 723 for the next three. I am no expert and don't know what type of bowler you are but it seems like all your balls are very close together performance wise. I know the covers and the cores are different but I would go with something weaker for when the lanes dry up. Steve

[Blomer]

The Nano as Rob said is solid or matte finish which is best for a lot oil as the Optimus is polished finish. I guess after the the oil breaks I could move to the Optimus. The Rocket is polished as well and e Hy road solid is a solid, dull ball. Both the nano and the Hy road have more of an arching motion here the Optimus and Rocket are more angular. League is just about over but doing a PBA sport shot league where the shot change every 3 weeks. I'm thinking that the Nano will be best to start with. On a THS, the Nano is prolly not the way to go and to probably sub in the Hy road to start and move to the Rocket or Optimus. Or do I have this all wrong?

[RobLV1]

You are only looking at the surface, and totally ignoring the core. PLEASE take a look at my website and find out all of the factors involved.

[Tony]

You are right about the HyRoad and the Rocket, however there is quite a difference between the Optimus and the IQ Tour Nano. The Optimus is an asymmetrical ball with a polished pearl cover, and the IQ Tour Nano is a symmetrical ball with a dull solid (very strong) cover. I would suggest that you both might benefit from visiting my website: www.modern-bowling.com. Click on the bowling balls section and see if it is of any help to you.
Thanks, very informative site ! I can see where this will be very helpful.

[bobforsaken]

You are right about the HyRoad and the Rocket, however there is quite a difference between the Optimus and the IQ Tour Nano. The Optimus is an asymmetrical ball with a polished pearl cover, and the IQ Tour Nano is a symmetrical ball with a dull solid (very strong) cover. I would suggest that you both might benefit from visiting my website: www.modern-bowling.com. Click on the bowling balls section and see if it is of any help to you.

Not to nit pick, but are you SURE the Optimus is asymmetric. I don't believe it is. No Intermediate Differential rating i've ever seen published.

http://www.stormbowling.com/products/balls/optimus

[vdubtx]

Bowlingball.com shows Optimus as Symmetric.

http://i.imgur.com/7e6cxx2.jpg

[vdubtx]

When I am changing balls is because of the entry angle or reaction that the ball is giving me. Typically, if I start to leave a lot of back row pins, then I change balls. Depending on center is whether I go a bit stronger or a bit weaker.

For Sport shots, it will all depend on the length of the pattern as to which ball I will choose to start with. Longer patterns I get my most aggressive ball, shorter get my less aggressive ones. It will also depend on where you need to play on the lanes and line up to make those shots consistently.

[Amyers]

Not to nit pick, but are you SURE the Optimus is asymmetric. I don't believe it is. No Intermediate Differential rating i've ever seen published.

http://www.stormbowling.com/products/balls/optimus

The Optimus could be considered as either. Technically the Optimus is asymmetrical but it's asymmetry is less than .10 which by USBC rules allows the ball to be marketed as symmetrical. I've seen it listed both ways.

[RobLV1]

The Optimus could be considered as either. Technically the Optimus is asymmetrical but it's asymmetry is less than .10 which by USBC rules allows the ball to be marketed as symmetrical. I've seen it listed both ways.

Thank you.

[bobforsaken]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Mike White]

The Optimus could be considered as either. Technically the Optimus is asymmetrical but it's asymmetry is less than .10 which by USBC rules allows the ball to be marketed as symmetrical. I've seen it listed both ways.

USBC has rules on how balls can be marketed???????

[NewToBowling]

Apparently

[Amyers]

USBC has rules on how balls can be marketed???????

Marketed may be the incorrect word. Balls with asymmetry of .010 or greater must have a mark to identify the PSA. .004 to .009 it is optional and below .003 they can not have a PSA mark.