What does the track n the ball tell you exactly?

[Blomer]

I had a few people recently look at my ball and mention the track on it. What is the track and what does it tell you?

[Shaneshu87]

the track tells you where you ball is making contact with the lane. the width doesn't really matter but you dont like to see tracks on top of each other, some people like wide tracks to ensure that a clean surface of the ball is always touching the lanes for maximum hook potential from the cover stock.

[bowl1820]

I had a few people recently look at my ball and mention the track on it. What is the track and what does it tell you?

The track is the part of the ball that contacts the lane, it looks like a ring or series of rings going around the ball.

Depending on where the track is in relation to the holes, it can tell you if someone is a

"Full Roller", "3/4 Roller", "Spinner"

By measuring across the first ring you can determine your tilt and PAP location.

When you see several rings side by side, that's the track flare. The point where the oil rings cross is the "Bowtie"

How far apart those rings are related to the balls Differential.

The lower the differential the closer together the track flare rings. The higher the differential the further apart the track flare rings.

When someone says they have 4" of flare, they are talking about the distance measured from the first oil ring to the last.

[Blomer]

I appreciate the response. I had a few people talk about the track on my ball but had no clue what they were talking about. Thanks again!

[bobforsaken]

I'd like to expand on this question, if I could.. I'm especially interested in Bowl1820's response since his sig says that he is a High Track player and has a PAP similar to mine. I've been told I'm a high track player. Storm's Matchmaker defines that as a track within 1" of the finger and thumb. I'm not sure if that applies to me because my track is within 1" of my thumb but much further from my finger holes. (3"+ ?)

So my questions are:

1) Am I a High track player and what does the big difference in track distance from thumb compared to fingers tell you? (Axis tilt related?)
2) What advantages/disadvantages does a high track vs low track player have? Does one get more ball motion per revolution? Does one get more skid length?
3) I have the same question as #2 about Axis Tilt.

[bowl1820]

I'd like to expand on this question, if I could.. I'm especially interested in Bowl1820's response since his sig says that he is a High Track player and has a PAP similar to mine. I've been told I'm a high track player. Storm's Matchmaker defines that as a track within 1" of the finger and thumb.
I'm not sure if that applies to me because my track is within 1" of my thumb but much further from my finger holes. (3"+ ?)

IMO: I'd say your closer to what was called a 3/4 Roller (about 15-25 degrees tilt). On Storms matchmaker, That would be closer to the medium track.

To be more exact you can measure your tilt yourself.

theres a video here that shows how to do it. its easy and they show a chart.
http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads...-and-axis-tilt

(They use a prosect to measure it. But you can use flexible/clothes ruler or use a piece of string and a ruler.)

1) Am I a High track player and what does the big difference in track distance from thumb compared to fingers tell you? (Axis tilt related?)

As for the meaning of how close the track is to fingers vs thumb, I'm not up enough on that to comment.

2) What advantages/disadvantages does a high track vs low track player have? Does one get more ball motion per revolution? Does one get more skid length?

3) I have the same question as #2 about Axis Tilt.

High track (a more forward roll release, less tilt) vs low (more of a spin release, higher tilt).

The more tilt you have, the farther down the lane the ball will push (go longer, better for dryer conditions).

The less tilt the earlier the ball will roll. (better for wetter conditions)

[bobforsaken]

Thank for the Info!

[Amyers]

I have to say this post motivated me to look at mine. I have my rings spaced very close together but there were quite a few about 4 inches from the finger and thumb holes.

So I'm guessing I'm low track high tilt. I've always noticed my ball looks different than a lot of the guys I bowl with and my ball tends to hook earlier than theirs does even with similar balls. I guess this helps explain why.