Heavy oil bowling

[Zothen]

I was asked in a private message why I keep telling everyone to slow everything down when bowling in heavy oil. So I thought I would post my response here so everyone can weigh in.

I went to a bowling seminar several months back that was hosted by mark Baker and Chris Barnes. They had the shark pattern layed out and Chris was giving tips on how some of the pros bowl heavy oil patterns. Chris said to move forward on the approach about 12"-18" from where your standing. This will make you take baby steps,thus by slowing your armswing down,which will slow the ball speed down to about 10-13mph allowing the ball to build up friction,so as soon as the ball hits the dry backend it will hook. I have tried this and while it is awkward at first,it does work! I read posts where people say they've tried everything and nothing works. I figured this might work for them.

Zothen

[UBowling]

Also people should remember, on patterns like shark, you want to keep your break point (the point on the lane where the bowling ball transitions from skid to hook phase and then eventually hook to roll) closer to the pocket. Keep in mind the rule of 31. Take the length of oil, e.g. 43 feet and subtract 31 to get the board where your break point should be. On longer patterns like Shark you want the break point to be around the 12 board, 43 - 31. On patterns like Cheetah you want it to be around 4 or 5, 35 - 31 and 36 - 31.

[billf]

But what is your normal speed? For instance, if you normally have a speed of 18 mph at the pins would you expect or even want to slow down that far? I remembered you went to that conference that's why I asked. I just get a more aggressive ball but normally don't slow down and if I do, by not more than 2 mph. But that's my trial and error, you heard it from one of the best bowlers on the planet.

While we are on this subject, I was told the rule of 31 determines what board you want your ball to exit the oil pattern which may not necessarily be the break point. Which is actually correct?

[bowl1820]

Here's another article by Slowinski about the Exit Point formula in Bowling Talk:

http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/..._6_12_2007.pdf

He tells in it how different players will have different breakpoints, but they use the same Exit point. And his formula pattern length -31 showed where the exit point at the end of the pattern was.

[Zothen]

I think for bowlers similar to me where speed is 15-16mph and 250 revs,slowing the ball down to 12mph made a lot of sence,since the ball didn't glide down the lane like it did when I threw it at 15-16mph. I also am a down & in player and while I don't like to throw up 5 board,I will if thats what it takes to hit pocket.

Zothen

PS-I always use the rule 31 for medium or long patterns. Short patterns are THS for me!

[billf]

So you're basically slowing it down by about 2 mph, the same as I sometimes do. For some reason when you post "slow down" I envision little old man speed lol

[75lockwood]

So you're basically slowing it down by about 2 mph, the same as I sometimes do. For some reason when you post "slow down" I envision little old man speed lol

idk, from what i hear, Micheal throws quite fast LOL

[billf]

I said little. I know some seniors who have waists smaller than Mike's arms.

[Zothen]

When I said slow down I figured 3-4mph,unless the speed gun is wrong?

Zothen

[Tampabaybob]

Ok Bill, define "Little Old Man" !! LOL

Zothen, you hit the nail on the head with the slower speed. Think of it as throwing a ball 17 or 18 mph on ice and of course, what else would you expect. A slower ball speed "allows" the ball time to gain some traction. You have to do whatever it takes to get your ball to roll stronger into the pocket. If its 11 - 13 mph, then so be it. Good thread.

Bob