Changing Spare Pick Up Tactics

[GoodGravy]

Well, after a recent rash of embarrassing 5 pin misses (not to mention having to jump the left gutter cap to even get close to the 10), I am taking the plunge and ordered a plastic ball today. My plan is to have it drilled with my normal set up ( finger tip, inserts, thumb slug etc...) and just make sure that my pro shop drills it for full control (zero hook).

It has been roughly 20+ years since I have used a plastic ball....is there anything new to be aware of, or just the same 'ol 'keep it clean and polished'?

[crimsoneyes]

I've never actually done anything to my plastic ball other than wipe the oil off. I'm sure it could use a polish but I don't think there is anything else really to do to it.

[billf]

I don't even wipe the oil off my plastic ball. I figure what's the worse that can happen, it skids further? lol
I also only use it during tournaments. I can't get a pro shop around here to put the Vise ITs in a polyester ball.

[crimsoneyes]

My pro shop put the switch grip in my plastic ball. I know they are totally different installation methods but I wonder why they wont do an IT in polyester?

[GoodGravy]

I was thinking about just having it drilled and leave out all the inserts....I might try it like that and see. If it doesn't work, the shop would be more than happy to put them in since they will get more money!

And yes, not wiping oil off the ball make sense. I was also reading that keeping it high gloss/polished up will help keep it true also.

[bowl1820]

I was thinking about just having it drilled and leave out all the inserts....I might try it like that and see. If it doesn't work, the shop would be more than happy to put them in since they will get more money!

And yes, not wiping oil off the ball make sense. I was also reading that keeping it high gloss/polished up will help keep it true also.

One thing to remember, If you get the ball drilled without inserts (which is fine) and you decide later to have inserts installed. You have to have the holes plugged. If you don't and just have the holes drilled out bigger, it will make the bridge too thin and more likely to crack.

As for not wiping the ball. This is okay while your using it, but wipe it off before putting it in your bag. If you don't the oil (and any grime) on the ball will get the inside of your bag dirty over time. The oil will collect dust, dirt etc. and if you put other balls in those spots, they'll get dirty, absorb left over oil off the inside of the bag.

[GeoLes]

I just wipe it. I have found that the T-Zone has about 2 pin break in really dry conditions. So release can be a factor. Just release it with a flat grip to ensure a straight, end-over-end roll. If you are not used to this release, it may take some practice.

[aussiedave]

Well, after a recent rash of embarrassing 5 pin misses (not to mention having to jump the left gutter cap to even get close to the 10), I am taking the plunge and ordered a plastic ball today. My plan is to have it drilled with my normal set up ( finger tip, inserts, thumb slug etc...) and just make sure that my pro shop drills it for full control (zero hook).

It has been roughly 20+ years since I have used a plastic ball....is there anything new to be aware of, or just the same 'ol 'keep it clean and polished'?

It will take a game or two to get used to the ball going straight on you, but sounds like you will still throw it the same way you do your strike ball. That's fine, but plastic balls can still hook if you've got some decent lift and revs on it. And patchy conditions will be enough to give you a problem if that is the case. If so, I would highly recommend you flathand the ball completely - keep your hand directly beneath the ball for those spares. This will straighten it out for ya.
ad.

[classygranny]

My pro shop put the switch grip in my plastic ball. I know they are totally different installation methods but I wonder why they wont do an IT in polyester?

My pro shop guy says they have a tendency to chip or crack around the thumb - some do, some don't - it's a risk. He drills them as long as the ball owner knows the risk. He says it doesn't effect the ball, but some people would freak out if the ball had a crack/chip.

I want all my balls to feel exactly the same, so I take the risk. Figure plastic and polyester balls are cheap enough to replace if I don't like the results.

[GoodGravy]

Thanks for all the help on this........

I should have the ball in a couple of days (shipping to Alaska, ya just have to love it). Now the big problem is going to be finding a pro shop that is open in the summer around here that will actually drill it!