Wednesday Practice: older Brunswick synthetics; thinner pattern
621 Series: 169-256-196
First game wasn't so bad; only opens were a few splits.
Game 2 was obviously strong. The two asian girls next to me were pretty impressed. Only open was a missed 2-pin...barely.
Game 3 was 1 frame away from a clean game...a friggin misfire.
PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.91 pins
Strikes: 55% (1 6-bagger, 1 turkey, 3 doubles and 4 singles)
Spares: 61% picked up
Single Pin spares: 66% (2/3)
Left a single 2-pin, 5-pin, 5-pin, and 7-pin.
Multiple Pin spares: 60% (6/10)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (2x)
Splits: 25% (1/4).
Average over 3 games: 207.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 210.00.
Sometimes, when I walk over to sub and don't get picked up...I like to roll a series just to taunt them and show them what 'they' "could have had". 1 out of four times I look awesome, 1 out of 4 times I look horrible, and half the time it's mixed.
I didn't bother with the non-polished Dark Encounter. And after about 4 frames...I switched to the Loaded Revolver. Even then, I had to add some loft to my shot because the lane was just playing really narrow.
The old guy on the nearest team was watching me..and making a face that he wished his low average teammate hadn't shown so I could have subbed for them again.
Worked on a lot of physical stuff (approach, release, etc...) in my last 2 lessons and in that timeframe: I'm averaging 188.10 (over 41 games). It's a weird time where I feel like stuff is finally coming together...but it's nowhere near perfect.
I'm at about 570 games on this arsenal...planned on switching it out at 600...probably gonna have a new arsenal selected and drilled up near the end of the month. Not 100% sure which options I'm going with...but I'm leaning towards an interesting experiment where I drill up the:
- Radical Reaxx Pearl
- RotoGrip Defiant Edge
- Ebonite Innovate
All 3 have identical "specs" with the only exceptions being differential and PerfectScale scores. It's not completely narrowing down to just one variable (which would be ideal)...but this comparison takes cover stock material (all pearls), core symmetry (all asym.), and RG (all 2.49) out of the equation.
So, I'll be relying on one of 4 things to turn this "experiment" into an arsenal that will actually have any value beyond academics:
(in order of least likely to do anything to most likely to do something)
4) Drilling Layouts
I haven't had much luck with changing drill layouts and seeing much of a difference. I think drilling layouts are more for folks that have a really good shot and release and mechanics...and just need a slight bump one way or the other. But, without a really consistent release....I'm not sure how much drilling comes into play.
3) Differential
If you believe in the power of SPECS...then this is your only hope. All specs identical...except differential. The Reaxx Pearl has a 0.054, the Defiant Edge has a 0.052, and the Innovate 0.041. That may seem like a small thing...but 0.054 to 0.041 is a huge range in terms of differential. If these balls all do EXACTLY the same thing...then differential really means virtually nothing. I'm not ready to say that yet.
2) Manufacturer Differences
The more knowledgeable bowling ball folks seem to all agree that some manufacturers make balls that roll sooner (on average) than other manufacturers. These "folks" may disagree on that order a bit...but you'd be surprised how close their interpretations are. Radical is on top of the list (in terms of hooking soonest). Ebonite is either last (hooks latest)...or very close to last. Rotogrip...is somewhere in the middle. Thats a near perfect spread. If there is ANYTHING to bowling ball manufacturers having slight differences in terms of when a ball hooks...I should see a difference.
1) PerfectScale (bowlingball.com's tool)
I KNOW...I'm like one of maybe 5 people that think there's value in this scale. I know it's not perfect...I know it's just numbers...it's a tool...not a system...I get all that. But thus far...I'd go out on a limb and say that PrefectScale has been a better predictor of ball strength or ball path....than anything...EXCEPT for maybe RG.
The jury is still out on RG. I think using RG can be a good spec-based way to put an arsenal together...I agree with Rob on that...I'm just not sure how one would apply and use RG when the other variables aren't constant...including manufacturer.
But using my calculations...this arsenal (#3) should be stronger (overall) than Arsenal #2....actually maybe much stronger than Arsenal #2. The Reax Pearl will likely be the strongest ball I've ever thrown...and the Defiant Edge...somewhere in the top 3-6. The Innovate is much weaker...but perhaps will give me a better look/option when the lanes are playing the way they have been.
I'm not 100% confident about the low RGs though. I've not had good luck with lower RG EBI balls. But, optimistically...the Melee Jab was lower RG and to date, that was the ball I've thrown the best.
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