Why are they making bowling balls now that you have to start way left?

[Ball99999]

On heavy oil..

It seems like it wouldn't be very useful to have to already stand way left on a fresh heavy oil shot. Why not buy a heavy oil ball where you have to start farther right and gives you a chance to move left?

[billf]

Marketing. There are a ton of uninformed bowlers that are in love with the big sweeping, coast to coast hook. Brunswick went to what you're suggesting years ago and it wasn't successful.
**do you still have me blocked or can you see this? Not sure if I'm wasting my time trying to answer. Honest question not trying to start with you.

[Cochese]

Can see you post fine Bill. I have to say as a newer bowler, I am drawn to try and play inside and hook it more because it "looks cool", but most of my best games so far have been when I play outside, start around the 20 board and throw over the second arrow. Doesn't look amazing, but finds the pocket more often and results in more strikes.

[noeymc]

bill said:

Marketing. There are a ton of uninformed bowlers that are in love with the big sweeping, coast to coast hook. Brunswick went to what you're suggesting years ago and it wasn't successful.
**do you still have me blocked or can you see this? Not sure if I'm wasting my time trying to answer. Honest question not trying to start with you.

[75lockwood]

Everyone wants to hook like the pro's.... new bowlers go and watch the pba and think wow, if i want to be the best bowler ever i need to throw the ball like that! so, yes balls like the nightmare can be used well on heavy oil by a high speed bowler, but new bowlers go out and buy such a beast because they think its how you "should" be bowling instead of learning proper technique and growing your arsenal as you encounter conditions that require it

[Keithalw]

I know personally I can move left and have that big hook but as mentioned by some others I dont have the high speed or high revs like some others so I also throw straight up the ten and usually can find the pocket

[Zothen]

I play down and in! I also will take the length of the pattern and subtract 31 and that is the line I start with. So if a heavy oil pattern is say a 44' shark pattern I would throw my ball over the 13 board and slow my approach and armswing down to create friction.

Zothen

[Keithalw]

why would you subtract 31? Like how did you come up with that formula?

[Ball99999]

why would you subtract 31? Like how did you come up with that formula?

I don't think he did, but supposedly the people at Kegel training center did. so if the length is 42 feet, you subtract 31 and you should aim for board 11 as the breakpoint. Not sure what the breakpoint is precisely nor how it relates to how far the lane ON board 11 you aim for.

[billf]

The break point is the spot where when your ball is in the hook phase, it changes direction towards the pins/pocket. As for how far, that really depends on the bowler, style and equipment to be honest. Take the same bowler so the bowler, style, speed and revs are the same. Using a ball like the Revenge that has a sweeping hook you would want to hit 11 about three feet sooner than say the Terror that has a more angular break point shape. In general the break point is usually between 45' and 50' down lane but again depends on how angular the hook is. Most strokers could just play straight up the figured board, in this scenario the 11, and hit the pocket as the ball hugs the oil line and rides it in.
And according to the articles that is where you want the ball to exit the oil pattern which is different in most cases than where the break point is.