Got a new ball tonight!!!

[gefecht]

As was said before. Just came back to the game a few months ago after taking a long (read 10+ years) break. Came back with a Trauma ER - Heavy oil. Bought a Crux - Heavy oil. Was doing fine until I started this summer league. With the way the heat is out here even though the lanes are oiled before each nights league, it is still rather dry. My Crux even taken to 4k polished still has a tendency to lose energy downlane and hit like a marshmallow. Trauma is a little better but still cannot play crosslane like I used to.

Well, decided to splurge and get a Motiv Tag on the recommendation of a few league members and after talking to my PSO. Who has had his own shop for well over 20 years and is a Gold coach as well. Drilled it up, Sorry, cannot remember what the measurements were. But he took the time to get my PAP and everything else after determining what I want and how I throw.

All I can say is WOW. My crux is lucky to cross 5-6 boards. This Tag will come from the 3rd board straight to the pocket. Yes, this is a THS but I was not expecting this level of reaction from that ball. Took me a bit to learn it's travel but once I did, it was worth it. It skids nonstop till 40 feet down and then makes that hard left turn.

Long story short. Got a new ball from a very knowledgeable PSO and am doing a lot better with it. I know it comes down to proper drilling but I am still amazed.

[dougb]

Congratulations on a successful new purchase! The value of a knowledgeable pro shop operator watching you bowl, taking your measurements, and recommending a ball/layout/surface cannot be underestimated.

It's possible the reason why your Crux appears to hook less than the Tag is it's burning up energy because of its surface and has nothing left by the time it hits the pocket. Since it's a hybrid cover at 3000 abralon that might be true.

Surface dictates a lot of the ball's reaction, and the Tag is probably better suited for the lane conditions you are on. It comes at 5500 grit surface -- much better for light oil.

The Crux also has a stronger core (lower RG/higher differential).

So much of this game is making the right adjustments to match your game to the lanes you are on. That could be physical adjustments or a ball change. Sounds like you made the right one!

[gefecht]

Yeah, I knew the crux was losing so much energy due to the aggressive surface. That is the main reason I decided to get a "light" oil ball.

[Jessiewoodard57]

My PSO bowls league at the same house as I do (he is in a free standing building) when I went to him interested in the crux knowing the house and their oiling habits he told me I did not want the solid but the pearl would be a much better hitting ball. Boy was he right I love the pearl Crux. I love the fact that he is interested in matching the person, the house, and the ball.

[John Anderson]

Good to hear that both of you guys like the crux pearl.

Can you still use it for more than 3 games or does it become too strong at that point?

[RobLV1]

Yeah, I knew the crux was losing so much energy due to the aggressive surface. That is the main reason I decided to get a "light" oil ball.

You could also change the surface and save yourself some $!

[gefecht]

You could also change the surface and save yourself some $!

Yeah, I did do that initially. Took it to 4k with polish. Besides, it gave me an excuse to buy another ball.

Needed a lighter oil ball since both mine were heavy oil.



And John Anderson, I have the original crux. Wanted but could not justify buying the pearl. I do love the crux in the winter when they change the oil.

[dougb]

Yeah, I did do that initially. Took it to 4k with polish. Besides, it gave me an excuse to buy another ball.

Needed a lighter oil ball since both mine were heavy oil.



And John Anderson, I have the original crux. Wanted but could not justify buying the pearl. I do love the crux in the winter when they change the oil.

So what type of reaction did you see after the surface change?

[Jessiewoodard57]

John, 3 games with my Crux is not a problem but when I come into a dry house (which is usually the case on Saturday nights) I start with my Storm Ride or my recent favorite dry ball which is my Hammer Taboo Spare ball. I really would love to get the new Optimus Solid but again our house rarely uses heavy oil.

[John Anderson]

John, 3 games with my Crux is not a problem but when I come into a dry house (which is usually the case on Saturday nights) I start with my Storm Ride or my recent favorite dry ball which is my Hammer Taboo Spare ball. I really would love to get the new Optimus Solid but again our house rarely uses heavy oil.

Thank you. Good to know. Just wanted to be sure it's not a total waste to get a ball that's only usable for 2 games.

[Amyers]

Thank you. Good to know. Just wanted to be sure it's not a total waste to get a ball that's only usable for 2 games.

How long you can continue to use a ball will be very dependent on your bowling style, lane conditions and how comfortable you are moving your feet. If your lower speed or want to play the oil line your not going to be bowling with it long. If you have higher ball speed and/or comfortable moving deeper inside you may be able to use it quite a while.

If your looking for a ball that you can use for an entire set you may find out your better off picking something more midline than a high end asymmetric.

[gefecht]

So what type of reaction did you see after the surface change?

A good one. It stopped losing energy as fast. Had more oomph when it hit the pocket. Was able to play a little deeper which is how I like to play.

[dougb]

A good one. It stopped losing energy as fast. Had more oomph when it hit the pocket. Was able to play a little deeper which is how I like to play.

Good to hear. That's why I bought my own spinner.

[Jessiewoodard57]

Thank you. Good to know. Just wanted to be sure it's not a total waste to get a ball that's only usable for 2 games.
Learned something last night at league. First off I should explain a few things. I am disabled and bowl from a power chair so my ball speed is not the greatest. My average is not great like 150 on a good day. I have always approached from the far left side and rolled my ball across the 2nd arrow (With a lot of hand I might add) the ball will make it back toward the pocket but is very erratic results at best. Tonight I followed the advice of a good friend who like a 250 average and lined up closer to the middle still using the 2nd arrow but not applying hand to the ball just allowing it roll off my hand. Guess I have been over working the ball, it came back like a champ allowing me to hit the pocket with much more pin action and consistency. I was picking up spares I usually miss. A few of my spares where the 2,4,10 split . I just missed 200 (one missed spare cost me the 200) but I know it just around the corner now. My team is my son his wife and myself and each of us blew away our averages last night. I laughed and said to them there goes our handicap. I really like my Crux Pearl now.

[dougb]

Learned something last night at league. First off I should explain a few things. I am disabled and bowl from a power chair so my ball speed is not the greatest. My average is not great like 150 on a good day. I have always approached from the far left side and rolled my ball across the 2nd arrow (With a lot of hand I might add) the ball will make it back toward the pocket but is very erratic results at best. Tonight I followed the advice of a good friend who like a 250 average and lined up closer to the middle still using the 2nd arrow but not applying hand to the ball just allowing it roll off my hand. Guess I have been over working the ball, it came back like a champ allowing me to hit the pocket with much more pin action and consistency. I was picking up spares I usually miss. A few of my spares where the 2,4,10 split . I just missed 200 (one missed spare cost me the 200) but I know it just around the corner now. My team is my son his wife and myself and each of us blew away our averages last night. I laughed and said to them there goes our handicap. I really like my Crux Pearl now.

Sounds like you had a breakthrough bowling moment! Now the trick is reprogramming your muscle memory.

The balls these days do all the work for you. The trick is putting them down in the right place on the lane conditions you are rolling on at that moment. And repeating it consistently. No muscling is necessary-it hurts your consistency.

[Mike White]

Sounds like you had a breakthrough bowling moment! Now the trick is reprogramming your muscle memory.

The balls these days do all the work for you. The trick is putting them down in the right place on the lane conditions you are rolling on at that moment. And repeating it consistently. No muscling is necessary-it hurts your consistency.

If it is true that the ball does all the work for you, then when you shoot a high score, who gets the credit?