Is wiping the oil off the ball after every shot overrated?

[sprocket]

My track flares as the ball travels down the lane. I assume the flaring continues even when the ball is in the dry on the back end of the lane. I WANT the ball to skid in the oil and hook in the back end. What's so bad about leaving the oil on the ball to help the skid? Won't the track still be flaring in the back end of the lane where there is almost NO OIL? Won't the track therefore be flaring to a DRY PART OF THE BALL?

Doesn't wiping the ball actually have the potential to SPREAD the oil around on the ball so that there is now oil on parts of the ball where there wouldn't be if I didn't wipe it?

I'm probably wrong since all the pros seem to wipe the oil off the ball but couldn't leaving the oil on the ball have benefit under the right circumstances? Of course the ball might need a good de-oiling from week to week if I don't wipe it off. I barely wipe mine; just a slight spin on my shirt.

[Judy clemons]

well, I don"t know but I've been told to much oil and you will not get that hook your looking to get your ball is going to go
sliding right on thru the back end with out hooking and your probably going to leave a big wash out or at least a half of a loaf.
You might want to think twice about getting a microfiber towel to wipe down that ball with instead of your shirt tail.

[aussiedave]

My track flares as the ball travels down the lane. I assume the flaring continues even when the ball is in the dry on the back end of the lane. I WANT the ball to skid in the oil and hook in the back end. What's so bad about leaving the oil on the ball to help the skid? Won't the track still be flaring in the back end of the lane where there is almost NO OIL? Won't the track therefore be flaring to a DRY PART OF THE BALL?

Doesn't wiping the ball actually have the potential to SPREAD the oil around on the ball so that there is now oil on parts of the ball where there wouldn't be if I didn't wipe it?

I'm probably wrong since all the pros seem to wipe the oil off the ball but couldn't leaving the oil on the ball have benefit under the right circumstances? Of course the ball might need a good de-oiling from week to week if I don't wipe it off. I barely wipe mine; just a slight spin on my shirt.

Like you say, the pros wipe their ball before every shot. They are looking for consistency and if a lot of oil is visible it is a good idea to wipe it off. I don't think you spread it too much if you use an absorbent cotton type wiper.
It's probably okay to leave the oil track on a ball that doesn't hook much like a plastic ball.
You should wipe pretty thoroughly after your last frame as 30 minutes is enough time for a good bit of oil to penetrate and be absorbed into your ball.
ad.

[Greenday]

If you watch carefully, the ball should switch motions down the lane, and it'll be in it's final rotation while there's still some oil. So it'll slide more instead of hooking properly in the backend.

Also, it prevents oil from soaking into the ball.

[explorer05]

I never wipe my ball off, I only clean them everytime after the league is over. Same with my buddy. At least with the THS. I might wipe them more when I go to Nationals.

[swingset]

I wouldn't think of not wiping the ball down.

For one thing, each time I throw the ball it is in a consistent state...meaning that each shot the ball hits the lane in the same condition...whether it's rolling over oil or not. This is very valuable in reading the lanes. For instance, is your oily ball reacting to carry down, or the oil all over the track? How would you know? You'll be guessing.

I never have to guess what the surface of my ball is doing, because it's the same each shot as far as oil sitting on the surface. I only have to worry about the lane.

Secondly, it preserves the life of the ball. That matters especially if you're in the middle of a game or tournament and the ball starts to die because it's oil-logged. It's also just easier than rejuvenating a ball all the time because it's soaked up a gob of oil and was never wiped or cleaned.

[billf]

I'm with Swingset 100% on this.

I didn't wipe my ball when I first started. Had never heard of de-oiling or any of that stuff. After the first 100 games my 'new' Storm ball had zero reaction and was as useless on the lanes as a paperweight.

[panbanger]

I've made wiping the ball part of my ritual. Even if it is overrated, which I dont think it is, it's a couple seconds for me to get in the zone before I line up and throw.

[SmilingBowler]

I've made wiping the ball part of my ritual. Even if it is overrated, which I dont think it is, it's a couple seconds for me to get in the zone before I line up and throw.

This is specifically why I have that routine to prepare to bowl. I go up there as practice starts and even though the ball hasn't touched the lames yet, I still go through the method of preparation. Like others have said, rhythmic consistency is a big part of success.

[Tampabaybob]

Wiping the ball on your "FIRST" ball does a few things for you. First, it gives you a few seconds at the ball return to get into the zone. While you're wiping the oil off (and you don't have to scrub it as many people do) keep your eyes focused on the lane to get your mind right. It'll help your concentration. Secondly, these ball absorb oil like sponges. If you have the money to buy a ball every few months then don't worry about it. But even at that you're killing your own scores. Your ball's reaction will constantly be changing because of the oil build up. Wiping the ball down after each "first ball" gives you the added opportunity to "KNOW" what reaction to expect out of your ball. I never wipe it down on the second ball, BECAUSE I do want to take advantage of less traction of the oil on the ball. Make sense ????