This probably goes along with the questions, "Why are there so many lane conditions and throwing styles?"Originally Posted by Mike White
The right ball for me is the one that allows me to use my regular line, stance, hand position , ball speed and doesn't require me to move much
throughout the evening plus gives me a couple of boards of margin and allows some not so great shots to carry along the way.
The right ball would smell like steak.
I would say:
#1- A ball that fits your hand well. Too many bowlers out there with second hand balls that don't fit right or maybe a weight that isn't right or drilling layouts that are goofy.
#2- A ball you can control....whether a weight issue or a ball strength/motion issue...again, too many bowlers buying the most expensive, lowest RG, highest flare, newest core ball because on the internet video they saw it turn on a dime into the pocket. Then they spend 5-6 weeks unable to control it.
I have this issue with my two Encounters. With my erratic/work-in-progress release...I have no idea what those balls are going to do downlane from shot to shot.
And that leads to #3- A ball you're confident with. I KNOW I can throw my Rhythm well. I've scored nearly every high score and high series using that ball. It fits my hand the best...the thumbhole is reasonably sized...and I know the arc it's going to make. Same as my old Frantic...with the moderate strength cover...and a symmetric core...I KNOW what those balls can (and can't) do.
The rest of my arsenal is more of a "?". The Encounters usually don't respond well to my inconsistent release (assymetric core). The thumbholes are way too big so there's like 8-9 pieces of tape in there. The Bullet Train has a good (VISE) thumb fit and a symmetric core...but it's coverstock is very strong so sometimes it over-reacts...especially if I keep my hand in a good position and relax my shot. And the Slingshot is a reliable ball...but thumb fit is also an issue with this ball...AND...I'm just not confident that it can carry corner pins (to Bowl1820's point).
In Bag: (: .) Zen Master Solid; (: .) Perfect Mindset; (: .) Brunswick Endeavor; (: .) Outer Limits Pearl; (: .) Ebonite Maxim
USBC#: 8259-59071; USBC Sanctioned Average = 192; Lifetime Average = 172;
Ball Speed: 14.7mph; Rev. Rate: 240rpm || High Game (sanc.) = 300 (268); High Series (sanc.) = 725 (720); Clean Games: 198
Smokey this is not 'Nam', this is bowling. There are rules. Proud two-time winner of a bowlingboards.com weekly ball give-away!
The first article that I wrote for BTM back in 2007 was about the dangers in preconception in bowling. When I hear about a "regular" line, it absolutely sends shivers up my spine!
The short answers are: something i can miss my target with and still get to the pocket or in other cases a ball that carries the corners. But, for the vast majority of us talking about the right ball is putting the cart before the horse. Unfortunately and sad to say a very very large percentage of bowlers never learn what the right ball is. You first have to understand the wrong ball, wrong foot placements, wrong angles, etc.
So true! Not long ago I had a long time bowler who averages over 225 come up to me while I was practicing. He asked me if the ball I was using was my "best ball." I asked what he meant by "best ball," and he looked at me like I had two heads and said, "Why, the one that hooks the most." For bowlers like the one I'm describing who have so much physical talent that they can average 225 on a house shot, having the right ball in hand is a whole lot less important than it is for the rest of us who don't have the power and speed to make one ball work all the time.
Rather than hunt for that ball that allows you to strike while missing your target, why not work harder at not missing your target. That would make all of your balls better.
In an article one time brian voss was quoted as saying the first thing he does is find a line where he can miss and still get to the pocket. I'm sure you haven't gone brooklyn since 1994 huh? If you have to hit dimes out there every shot you might want to work on your lane play theories.
Last edited by fortheloveofbowling; 04-14-2015 at 06:47 PM.
For me the "right ball" and "the right line" get a bit conflated. The right line, to me is the line that allows me to miss a bit right or left and still hit pocket.. The right ball is the one that allows me to be a bit imperfect on my axis of rotation and rev rate and still carry.
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