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Bowling Accessories - Be Prepared (part 2)

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BRITEN YOUR BALL

You have seen Scotch-Brite pads in a variety of places: in the supermarket "cleaning" aisle, at the auto parts store, in the Wal-Mart paint section, and other locations. Their universal use is to scratch an object's surface to prepare it for a job.

This is also their purpose on a bowling ball or shoe. Generally there are different coarseness ratings as denoted by color ("Scotch-Brite" is a trade name ... you may find the pads with a generic name as well). They come in handy when you need to cream some extra traction between your bowling ball and the lane. (Extra traction also means "more hook," for those of you who have never had to use snow tires in winter.)

According to ABC/WIBC roles, you must scuff the entire outside surface of the ball in a uniform manner when you use a Scotch-Brite pad. The coarser the pad, the more "grip" you will create for your ball.

Scotch-Brite pads can be used by hand, on a ball spinner at high speeds, and both wet and dry. I have even seen fellow pros apply ball polish to a Scotch-Brite pad and apply it to a ball for a more specific type of reaction between the ball surface and lane. Take care to know your league's rules: This type of surface change may not be allowed during competition. If that's the case, you may have to do your resurfacing work before you throw your first ball of the day.

I also use Scotch-Brite on my bowling shoes to clean the soles, as well as to scuff them so that they will grip the approach a bit more. The pads don't harm the sole like a shoe brush sometimes does.

SAND FOR YOUR HAND

Another little useful tool to have is a sanding disc, a round items that normally attaches to the sander your pro shop uses to smooth out the inside of the bowling ball holes. Keep one for the same purpose, only to sand your ball by hand in a pinch. I have had pinsetting machines take a chunk out of one edge of my thumb hole when the pro shop wasn't open or accessible. As a stopgap measure, I used a sanding disc and bevel knife to make the hole bearable to bowl with until I could get my ball fully repaired in the pro shop.

CLEANING UP

The lane oil is your bowling ball's "makeup." Would you not take off your makeup at the end of the day? What would happen to your skin and pores over time if you didn't clean your makeup off?

Your bowling ball has pores, just like your skin. Treat your ball right, and it will treat you right. Keep a cleaner and towel handy in a protected place in your bag. Use a strong enough cleaner to do the job effectively--that means no Windex or alcohol.

TOWELING OFF

When was the last time your regular ball towel was washed? You don't use a dirty towel to dry yourself after you wash your face, so do the stone with your ball towel. Keep a clean towel with your accessories and use it regularly to clean the lane oil off the ball after each delivery. Don't forget to wash the towel occasionally.

SUPER GLUED

Most people today use finger and/or thumb inserts. These are inserted into your bowling ball with an adhesive such as super glue. I have had a few inserts pop out onto the lane after my delivery, and having my own super glue saves me the trouble of having to borrow glue from someone else to reattach them. Without glue, you won't be able to use that piece of equipment for the rest of the night if a mishap like this occurs.

The problem with super glue is that once you carry it, the whole world seems to realize you have it. You will be surprised how many people will hunt you down as the "person with the glue."

GET A GRIP

When you lose a grip, it is sometimes lost forever. Don't ask me where grips go. I think the sub floor under the ball return must collect all types of lost items, and one day when renovating the center, someone will unearth all of them as if they were in a time capsule.

This would be why you might want an extra set of finger grips to keep with your accessories. Another reason would he if your hand really changes sizes, going up and down with temperature fluctuations, and you are not near your pro shop to grab replacements. Grips are easy to remove because a good pro shop only glues them in where they are needed, making it easy for you to switch them out without a major operation. Carry a different-sized set of grips for this purpose.

SPARE A DIME?

Money for a Lustre King emergency, money for a snack emergency ... my mother always said to carry some spare "emergency money." I keep a little in my accessory case. Don't snoop around in there, though; I never have more than $2 with me.

PATCHING SKIN

"Nu-Skin," "Quik-Patch" ... there are many brands of this protective material, and even most supermarket health and beauty sections now carry it, too. It looks like clear nail polish, but is used to cover an abrasion, mostly on thumbs in bowling.

I always worry when I see a person who "patches up" about 30 minutes prior to bowling, using a whole procedure ... nylon patch, clear Nu-Skin to make it stick, more nylon. Nu-Skin should be used more as an emergency injury item. If its application is a regular pre-bowling practice, you should step into the pro shop to look into some ball alternations.

HANDS UP

Antibacterial hand cleaner is something I have gotten into the habit of using because its alcohol content allows my hands to get clean and dry without any residue.

As you can see there is more involved an just tying your shoes when it comes to preparing to bowl. A good accessory container will help to ease your mind because you'll know you are prepared. That, in turn, will also aid you in raising your confidence on the lanes to the next level.

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