Curiosity: Tom Smallwood's ball layout

[jaypeesmith]

I was on YouTube and watched a few of Tom Smallwood's matches and, in one, the commentator was discussing how his ball was drilled (many of you are already well-versed with how his ball is drilled half-thumb). Because he is a full-roller, I believe that his thumb is drilled near the pin to keep it from rolling over the thumb hole when he releases it.

However, here's my question. Would such an offset always result in a full roll or is it that, simply because he is typically a full roller, he had to match up this layout to his bowling style?

[chip82901]

Being that Tom is a full roller, he really only has one option when it comes to drilling a ball because of how he rolls it. While most people will track to the left of the fingers and thumb, full rollers track BETWEEN them. Because of this, you have to have the proper pin placement (for a right hander, it is in the area to the left of the thumb). Tom can't really adjust layouts. Tom's arsenal consists of different cores and covers to get the desired look.

[bowl1820]

However, here's my question. Would such an offset always result in a full roll or is it that, simply because he is typically a full roller, he had to match up this layout to his bowling style?

He has to match his layouts to his style, The layout doesn't cause you to be a full roller..

[bowl1820]

While most people will track to the left of the fingers and thumb, full rollers track BETWEEN them.

Not all full rollers necessarily track between the finger and thumb holes.

Today there are basically two definitions of a full roller , the classic definition: A bowler whose track passes between the thumb and fingers and whose track measures the circumference of the ball.

And the more modern definition: A bowler whose track size is equal to or close to the circumference of the ball. (Meaning it can have a slight amount of tilt) regardless if it passes between the thumb and fingers or not .

The Modern Full roller is mentioned here:

https://youtu.be/5W5WkEswTfg

[jaypeesmith]

He has to match his layouts to his style, The layout doesn't cause you to be a full roller..

Thanks. I was intrigued by the layout. Personally, I don't know how effective I could be with it but, being "thumb-challenged", it caught my attention.

[fordman1]

Yes but his approach is so straight. He only fades left a few arrows. Just kidding he has bowled that way for many years.

[imagonman]

Tom has bowled that way most his life, started that way when he was a kid. It's what he did to hook the ball. Next time I'm in the shop {only 7 miles. away} I can take pics of his layout. Has about 20-30 balls on the shop rack. Pins are all down next to the thumb on the left. When I 1st went there I tried buying a few as I thought they were used sitting there unplugged. Told No, those were the owners balls he uses on tour or league here when he's home.