Is knowing your drilling layout really important?

[dgz924s]

With so many layouts and ever changing coverstocks I question if the drilling layout is all that important, in particular for those who are intermediate/beginner levels. In my opinion the coverstock and bowler are the most important as the 2 are what actually determine the action, the technical aspect of layout is merely fine tuning. Anyone can roll a ball regardless of the layout and hit the pocket so the coverstock and release/alignment seem to dictate just where the ball is going to hit. For me I control my hook by the speed rolled. The faster I roll the less hook and for more hook, slower. High RG and low RG does factor in on when the ball rolls but I see speed as a method of changing early/late roll. And obviously the coverstock plays a huge roll in ball action therefore I could roll 2 different coverstock balls drilled the same with identical RG's and get 2 different actions. This is so confusing for me trying to pick a layout and at my level I question if I should even consider it, hand the ball over to the driller and copy my present ball and let me do the rest.

So at what stage should bowlers really consider a layout and isn't the cover and bowler of more importance?

Hope I am making some sense here!

[TheJourney]

Personally, I think that the layout is always important but for beginners, that layout needs to fit and be comfortable. I don't think beginners should be playing with their layouts b/c they are just learning the game and working on repeating shots. My pro shop guy knows my layout and whenever I take a ball to him, he'll measure me again to make sure nothing changed but I have no idea what my layout is. He asks me how I want it to perform and I trust him to make it work.

I agree with you that how a ball reacts and coverstocks are something to pay more attention to as a beginner but even that can be overwhelming b/c it becomes very technical. Honestly, for beginners, find a ball, make sure it fits well and practice repeating shots.

[billf]

The layout is very important but knowing what your layout is, not important at all to the bowler. If the layout is not correct all you will have is a bunch of straight, spare balls. For a bowling Geek such as myself, learning the types and differences of cores, coverstocks, layouts, etc is fun and interesting. As a beginner, hitting the target consistently and perfecting form are far more important to the bowler.
It's the bowler's job to bowl and communicate with the pro shop staff. It's the pro shop staff's job to interpret what you want and expect from a ball and make suggestions and drill the proper layout accordingly. Pete Weber is a great example of that. On a Facebook chat through Storm about balls and layouts, etc he said he just uses the ball and line they tell him to. He has know clue what his PAP is or what layout his balls are drilled with. His job is to win, not drill balls lol

[DanielMareina]

Is the layout important? Yes. Do beginners need to know their PAP, layout, etc.? Nope. I think information on how a ball works and why it hooks where it does is incredibly important if you want to be a great bowler. If you want to be a really good bowler, you don't need to know any of it. If your pro shop guy is worth a damn, he will drill the ball to be within certain parameters, and you will love it because it is new and different. My father has owned bowling centers for the last 35 years, and he couldn't tell you the layout he has on the ball right now. He doesn't know his PAP, and he doesn't care. He averages 205 and is perfectly happy with that.
Personally, I think the reason my average has gone from 203 to 218 over the past two years is knowledge of ball technology, layouts, surfaces, oil patterns, axis migration, and entry angles. I think any bowler can see that their ball didn't carry the ten pin, but to really understand why it didn't carry, whether the ball rolled out, never engaged the core, came in too low of an angle, etc. allows for a bowler to make the right adjustments. The answer to your question is as easy as, it is not required to know and pick your layouts, but it is extremely beneficial.

[dgz924s]

Good stuff guys! I feel better knowing I do not have to have all the specs in mind. I will just rely on the pro shop to provide me what I am looking for. For certain I am not going to be a great bowler but do wish to be a real good one.

I got a kick out of the PDW comment, that is kind of how I see it, give me the ball and go to it!

Hopefully the mentioning of beginners will help those looking in to not get too concerned about specs.

Thanks!

[billf]

If I had hank Boomershine and Del Ballard to select my line and ball, I wouldn't question anything either. I would actually be able to bowl with confidence knowing two of the best in the business said to do it. Heck, if those two told me to crap myself on the approach I would stink the place up on my way to victory.
I honestly believe that it's the knowledge of these two gentleman of both their product and their bowlers that has led to Storm/Roto-Grips dominance in recent year. More so than the product itself.

[dgz924s]

I agree. Having the smartest minds in the "think tank" produces the best results. In my other hobby, auto racing, you can put a great driver in a slow car and win but you cannot put a poor driver in a fast car and get those same results.

[MICHAEL]

The Pro at NKC AMF, trent is his name, has helped me a lot. He takes the time to watch me bowl and then does a layout HE thinks will help in my game! He has been
pretty right on so far! Now its just learning as much as possible, and putting it to use!!