Article Research - POLL

[MiggityMatt]

1. Two
2. Yes, Benchmark ball.
3. No
4. B
5. During league, yes. Tournament play could go either way.
6. Sometimes, yes. That's probably because, while I can hook the ball, I prefer to play straight up the boards. Also, I don't have a well rounded arsenal, so balling down is usually a significant drop.
7. 215, I believe.

[ALazySavage]

I am attempting to do some research for an upcoming article. Could you please take a few minutes to help me out and answer the following questions:

1. How many bowling balls (besides a designated spare ball) do you bring with you to league each week? 4
2. Do you decide which ball to start with before you get to the lanes? Yes, unless I am informed of an unexpected pattern change.
3. Is a ball change normally the first adjustment you make when the lanes begin to change? No
4. If it is not, what is? a) speed b) lateral move on the lanes c) hand position d) loft e) other - usually a lateral move on the lanes
5. When you change balls during play, do you always "ball down"? No
6. If you are right-handed, when you "ball down" do you move your line to the right? Depends on the reason for the move and the severity of the "ball down", if the "ball down" is to get the ball further down the lane than usually not, but if the change is an angle issue than typically yes.
7. What is your current Book Average? 213

[Shaneshu87]

1. 4
2. yes
3. no
4. b
5. no
6. not always
7. 180

[fortheloveofbowling]

1) 3
2) no
3) no
4) lateral
5) no
6) no
7) 224

[JJKinGA]

I am attempting to do some research for an upcoming article. Could you please take a few minutes to help me out and answer the following questions:

1. How many bowling balls (besides a designated spare ball) do you bring with you to league each week?
2. Do you decide which ball to start with before you get to the lanes?
3. Is a ball change normally the first adjustment you make when the lanes begin to change?
4. If it is not, what is? a) speed b) lateral move on the lanes c) hand position d) loft e) other
5. When you change balls during play, do you always "ball down"?
6. If you are right-handed, when you "ball down" do you move your line to the right?
7. What is your current Book Average?

Thank you in advance for your help.

1. Just two. Mostly becuase I don't have a four ball carrier. Two is usually enough. I will carry three for sport shot (four if i have never shot on the pattern before)
2. Yes - but that may change in warm ups
3. No
4. B - lateral move - i only change balls if I see loss of energy or if I need to move deep and into much more oil
5. Usually, but a dep move inside may mean ball up if i can't turn the corner with a hanf position change.
6. Not usually - the ball down is to not burn off so much energy - moving right usually doesn't help.
7. 181

[MICHAEL]

I am attempting to do some research for an upcoming article. Could you please take a few minutes to help me out and answer the following questions:

1. How many bowling balls (besides a designated spare ball) do you bring with you to league each week?
2. Do you decide which ball to start with before you get to the lanes?
3. Is a ball change normally the first adjustment you make when the lanes begin to change?
4. If it is not, what is? a) speed b) lateral move on the lanes c) hand position d) loft e) other
5. When you change balls during play, do you always "ball down"?
6. If you are right-handed, when you "ball down" do you move your line to the right?
7. What is your current Book Average?

1. some leagues 3 balls, (NO SPARE BALL, like Norm Duke) I just throw it with a different wrist release, and it does not hook!
2.Usually I do, pretty predictable, BUT not all the time.
3.No change my position
4. change where I stand, lateral movement
5. NO
6. NO
7. 143, I hope Aslan goes easy on me!!

[Aslan]

7. 143, I hope Aslan goes easy on me!!

Also realize that entire post is suspect given Iceman is a compulsive "fibber".

I find these responses interesting because when I joined the site, before I knew any better, I got TORN UP for stating that arsenals are unnecessary and people should just learn how to adjust their feet and shot. TORE UP. Yet virtually few answers do people tend to ball down as an early response.

One "variable" in this research is; pros "ball down" (as well as make all kinds of other adjustments). But they ball down because they can hit the same strike line within 3 inches EVERY shot. If a lower level bowler (< 175) like me or Iceman's make believe version of himself…answers this question…you have to remember that many times when our balls aren't striking…it's likely because we missed our mark by about a foot.

Thats why, despite an elaborate arsenal…I rarely switch balls on league night. Because 2 of every 3 bad shots I don't really learn anything from other than I suck at bowling and I already knew that….a ball change won't help.

[Amyers]

Also realize that entire post is suspect given Iceman is a compulsive "fibber".

I find these responses interesting because when I joined the site, before I knew any better, I got TORN UP for stating that arsenals are unnecessary and people should just learn how to adjust their feet and shot. TORE UP. Yet virtually few answers do people tend to ball down as an early response.

One "variable" in this research is; pros "ball down" (as well as make all kinds of other adjustments). But they ball down because they can hit the same strike line within 3 inches EVERY shot. If a lower level bowler (< 175) like me or Iceman's make believe version of himself…answers this question…you have to remember that many times when our balls aren't striking…it's likely because we missed our mark by about a foot.

Thats why, despite an elaborate arsenal…I rarely switch balls on league night. Because 2 of every 3 bad shots I don't really learn anything from other than I suck at bowling and I already knew that….a ball change won't help.

Unfortunately I have to agree with part of this myself. I am late changing sometimes not because I fear the changeover but because it's always in the back of my head (did I just miss or was it the ball). Otherwise your off base.

I think you are taking some of what is being said here the wrong way. What people are getting at with move the feet are bowlers who start with ball one thrown over the (take your pick arrow) hooks too much get ball two throw that over the same arrow hooking too much get ball three repeat and so on. They never develop the ability or the want to explore a different part of the lane or learn what the lane is giving them. They just stay in their little 4 board wide box all night long. When they have a bad night it's never their fault for not looking for a line that works it's the oil or the ball or some other bowler messing their line up as if they own it.

Arsenals are necessary and become more so if you have more revs/stronger equipment. I'm not afraid to move my feet or my line but I do reach a point where I'm not playing where that ball was designed to go or I'm onto my C game which really sucks.

Part of it is equipment and ability though if I wanted to I could stand there and throw the euphoria into the pocket on heavy oil and play with it from start to finish but that wouldn't be the best option I have. I've only seen conditions once where there wasn't enough oil for even it so most of the time I'm sure I could throw it 10 games or more.

An arsenal is about having the ball that matches up best with what the lanes are giving you and how you play. Not getting to the pocket, not that it mystically makes your C game your A game, or plays the line you want instead of what the lanes will give.

[bowl1820]

I find these responses interesting because when I joined the site, before I knew any better, I got TORN UP for stating that arsenals are unnecessary and people should just learn how to adjust their feet and shot. TORE UP. Yet virtually few answers do people tend to ball down as an early response.
(

The fact that people are saying they don't make a ball change normally as their first adjustment. Doesn't prove your statement "That arsenals are unnecessary and............"

And you weren't "TORN UP" because you said "that arsenals are unnecessary and people should just learn how to adjust their feet and shot."

If you were "TORE UP" it was more for the continued belaboring of your idea that a good player just needed one ball and that by adjusting their feet and release could bowl on any condition, so arsenals are unnecessary.

and the thought that having a arsenal meant, that you would wind up making every little adjustment with ball changes to the exclusion of all else.

As many pointed out then, having a arsenal didn't mean you didn't make adjustments in feet and your release or shot.

You have a arsenal for bowling on differing conditions, different lanes and for making adjustments if needed And for the arsenal to be truly effective, you need to know your equipment. So you know when to either make a ball change or just adjust your shot and stay with the ball your using.

[Stormed1]

1. How many bowling balls (besides a designated spare ball) do you bring with you to league each week?

I usually take 4 plus my spare ball. Sometimes 5 if I drill something new

2. Do you decide which ball to start with before you get to the lanes?

I start with my benchmark and figure out whAat ball motion and strength I need from there

3. Is a ball change normally the first adjustment you make when the lanes begin to change?

No

4. If it is not, what is? a) speed b) lateral move on the lanes c) hand position d) loft e) other

Any of the above depending on what I'm seeing

5. When you change balls during play, do you always "ball down"?

No, sometimes I just change to a ball which hooks the same amount but with a different motion. It also depends on who's playing on the pair. Sometimes going stronger and moving inside of everyone is my move

6. If you are right-handed, when you "ball down" do you move your line to the right?

It depends on how much I ball down and what I am seeing.

7. What is your current Book Average? Current book average due to health issues 170 but prior to health issues was 215= for 20 years