Once you accept the fact that bowling balls are much simpler than the manufacturers and proshops would have us believe, it's pretty easy to figure out for yourself what you need or don't need. Bowling Ball Basics:
1. There are only two basic factors within a bowling ball that determine ball reaction: friction and resistance. Everything else depends on the bowler. Most bowlers understand friction; the effect of the contact between the ball and the lane. Resistance is simply how easily the ball revs up as it goes down the lane.
2. There are four elements in each ball that affect the friction and resistance: the core, the layout, the cover material, and the surface preparation.
Core: there are two basic types of cores in reactive bowling balls: symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetric cores are the same all the way around, much like a lightbulb hanging from a string. Asymmetric cores are not the same all the way around. Symmetric cores are smoother and more controllable. Asymmetric core produce a more noticeable reaction, but also magnify any inconsistancies in the bowlers' release. There are two numbers that are associated with all cores (you can find them on manufacturer's websites and on the shelf talkers under the balls displayed in the proshop: the low rg and the differential. The low rg (radius of gyration) is the predominant factor in determining the balls resistance to revving up. Low rg is the measurement (in inches) that indicates how much resistance there is to the ball revving up. The minimum allowable low rg is 2.46. The higher the low rg measurement is, the longer the ball will go down the lane before hooking. The lower a bowlers rev rate is, the more important the low rg becomes. The differential is the mathematical difference between the high rg and the low rg. The maximum allowable differential is 0.060. The higher the differential the more unstable the core is within the ball which contributes to how much the ball flares as it makes its way down the lane.
Layout: Where the finger holes and thumb hole is drilled in the ball in relation to the position of the core does nothing more than change the rg and differential numbers that come with the ball. Those numbers are for the undrilled ball. Once the ball is drilled, the numbers change. The position of the pin in relation to the axis that the ball is rotating around when it is releases by the bowler (PAP) determines how much the ball will flare, as well as the direction of the axis migration. Balls drilled with the pin above the level of the finger holes have an axis migration that goes in an upward direction. These drillings cause a more angular reaction down the lane. Balls drilled with the pin on the level of the fingers have an axis migration that goes across the ball yielding a very smooth reaction. Balls drilled with the pin below the level of the finger holes have a very arcing motion as the ball goes down the lane. That's all there is to it. There is no magic involved in layouts, despite what many ball drillers will try to tell you.
Cover material: There are three types of cover materials in reactive bowling balls: solid, pearl, and hybrid. Solids give more read in the oil and react less violently to friction on the lane. Pearls, on the other hand, skid more in the oil and react more violently to dry parts of the lane. Hybrids combine both solid and pearl materials in one cover and give bowers the best of both worlds: medium skid in the oil, and medium reaction to friction. The most difficult thing about evaluating cover materials, is that there are no numbers associated with them. We have to depend on marketing rhetoric, and we all know how reliable that is! In terms of anticipating how aggressive a ball's cover material is, the best indicator is the price of the bowling ball. In a great majority of cases, the more expensive the ball is, the more aggressive the cover material will be. Keep in mind that I said "in most cases," as there are frequent exceptions.
Surface Preparation: The surface is the most easily adjustable element of any bowling ball. Balls with more surface (duller) read the oil more effectively. Balls with less surface (shinier) skit more in the oil and read the friction with a stronger reaction. The out-of-box finish (OOB) is nothing more than the surface preparation that the manufacturer has chosen to appeal to the greatest number of potential consumers. It is not sacred. 60% of bowlers will have to adjust the OOB finish to get the best reaction for them.
There, that's all there is to it. I'm sure that you have at least a thousand questions. Feel free to ask them here, and I will try my best to answer them for you.
Rob-
Based on all that, wouldn't you say that the best advice for a newer bowler is to get a symmetric core, hybrid coverstock, and the OOB finish??
That way, as their game improves and they understand their needs better...they can go Pearl or Solid based on the help they need. They can surface it if need be. And the core will provide a consistent reaction even if their release varies a bit??
In Bag: (: .) Zen Master Solid; (: .) Perfect Mindset; (: .) Brunswick Endeavor; (: .) Outer Limits Pearl; (: .) Ebonite Maxim
USBC#: 8259-59071; USBC Sanctioned Average = 192; Lifetime Average = 172;
Ball Speed: 14.7mph; Rev. Rate: 240rpm || High Game (sanc.) = 300 (268); High Series (sanc.) = 725 (720); Clean Games: 198
Smokey this is not 'Nam', this is bowling. There are rules. Proud two-time winner of a bowlingboards.com weekly ball give-away!
I CAN"T believe it!!!! YOU condensed what Rob said to 1/4!!! GREAT JOB man of many Words!!Originally Posted by Aslan
ARE YOU READY FOR THE RUMBLE in the SUN!!!!! I think bowlinboards.com should give each of us a T shirt and new ball for the Heavily broadcasted Event. I would like a Hyper Cell! What ball would be your choice! Think Mike would drill them for use at the local Pro Shop?
Hey,, what's 5 new balls to them.... think of the publicity,,, this thing is going ESPN,,, (I hear)!
Don't walk on Thin Ice!
Well, not quite yet. I recently had my 2nd lesson with one of my coaches and I think a small change has been made that might help things. But it will take some time to perfect it and I'm quickly running out of time!
But the key to my victory, won't be me becoming "gifted". The key to my victory will be watching ole Iceman implode as his game/gift can't adjust to this brave new world West of the Rockies. You're like a Republican presidential nominee. I don't have to say anything or point out anything or change my strategy to defeat you....I just need to sit back and wait for you to defeat yourself.
Personally I can't figure out how that place makes any money giving away a ball a week like they do. Much less give out anything for this little event. Hopefully the site administrator knows it's going on and is at least kinda interested. I mean, they seemed quite supportive of the VBT and personally I think this event is FAR more significant. This is bowlingboards.com bringing together 5 bowlers for a unique little competition. 5 people who otherwise would never have crossed paths. Thats kinda significant if you think about it.
Since the Brunswick Aura Mystic is no lonnger available, I think I'd request a Storm Hy Road. I realize it's not a "fancy" choice but I'll eventually need a hybrid/symmetric core ball to replace the Rotogrip Asylum (still on shelf waiting it's turn) and the Hy Road is probably the best fit. I'm not sure what the coverstock on the Hyper Cell is, but I don't need another assymetric core ball right now. I already got 2 of them in the bag and 7-8 in the closet undrilled.
Doubtful. I think it's bad pro shop etiquette to use another man's drill press.
Who needs another bowling ball?? You have what, 17? I have about 17. How bout these ideas:
1) Winner offered a moderator position on the site to help Bowl1820 battle spammers trying to sell us cheap Canadian pharmaceuticals? Loser gets a 1-year ban from the site.
2) Custom bowlingball.com jerseys with our usernames on the back that commemorate the 1st Annual Event?
3) Winner gets an an interview on the "Let's Go Bowling" radio show and a free entry into next year's USBC Open.
#2 sounds the cheapest and easiest. I mean, #1 would work IF Rob M. wins the tournament and either MWhite or Mudpuppy lose...but if either your or I lose...thats a loss of 18 posts per day and pretty soon the site shuts down. And if anyone less mature than Rob wins the thing...Bowl1820 will quit.
And #3 sounds good except on the off chance you win this event...which you won't...you'd actually have to go to the USBC Open to test your "gift" which you time and time and time again are too afraid to do.
Maybe THAT should be another sidebet? Loser MUST go to the 2015 USBC Open OR pay the winner the basic entry fee (in the event the person absolutely can't go for some reason). And in the event that the Loser goes to the USBC Open and actually wins money...all winnings go to the Winner of the sidebet???
In Bag: (: .) Zen Master Solid; (: .) Perfect Mindset; (: .) Brunswick Endeavor; (: .) Outer Limits Pearl; (: .) Ebonite Maxim
USBC#: 8259-59071; USBC Sanctioned Average = 192; Lifetime Average = 172;
Ball Speed: 14.7mph; Rev. Rate: 240rpm || High Game (sanc.) = 300 (268); High Series (sanc.) = 725 (720); Clean Games: 198
Smokey this is not 'Nam', this is bowling. There are rules. Proud two-time winner of a bowlingboards.com weekly ball give-away!
Actually, I think the Rotogrip Rumble. I forgot that I already have a replacement for the Asylum. But the Rumble would make a good replacement for the ball I have to replace the Rhythm. A solid cover stock around a symmetric core.
You do realize it's a sickness when your thinking about the replacements for the balls you haven't even drilled yet?
I am a proud member of Bowlingboards.com bowling forums and ball contest winner
Current arsenal
900 Global Badger Claw - Radical Ridiculous Pearl - Spare Ball Ebonite T Zone
I'm on the road to recovery though. I mean, the question being asked is, "if we're being GIVEN a ball...which one would we get?" I have no intention of BUYING a Rotogrip Rumble...thats just what I would take if GIVEN one.
I am getting better. The pace has slowed considerably from 1-2 balls a month to now maybe 1 ball every 4-8 months. I just have to make it past this year's black friday and I'll be good. And the last 2 balls I bought THIS year...I definietly stopped and considered, and re-considered, and considered again...a lot more back and forth than in the past where I'd just the see it and go Whoa! and press the button.
I'm at 1201 games right now, I figure I'll have my next one drilled at around 1400. Roughly 19 games per week....that means probably by the end of November. Then my arsenal will be all 16lbs...all the same weight. That'll bring the stockpile in the closet to 10. Bowl with the 16lb arsenal for Fall season, sweeps, and the start of Spring/Summer.
And I figure another 600 games...then switch out to a comepletely (almost...might have to get a 15lb plastic spare ball for a complete change-out) 15lb arsenal just to see how I like it and if I notice any differences in carry or deflection. Drill 3-4 balls to replace 5-6...that'll bring the closet stockpile down to 7. Figure that'll be probably early July 2015. Get used to throwing the 15lbers in time for sweeps and the start of the next Fall season.
And then it depends on what I see. Of the remaining 7 balls, some are 15lbs, most are 16lbs. I'm presuming that I'll see no difference from one weight to the other. BUT...IF I DO...and I decide I absolutely want to bowl the one weight...then I'll have some undrilled balls I'll need to sell on BBE or Ebay.
In Bag: (: .) Zen Master Solid; (: .) Perfect Mindset; (: .) Brunswick Endeavor; (: .) Outer Limits Pearl; (: .) Ebonite Maxim
USBC#: 8259-59071; USBC Sanctioned Average = 192; Lifetime Average = 172;
Ball Speed: 14.7mph; Rev. Rate: 240rpm || High Game (sanc.) = 300 (268); High Series (sanc.) = 725 (720); Clean Games: 198
Smokey this is not 'Nam', this is bowling. There are rules. Proud two-time winner of a bowlingboards.com weekly ball give-away!
I would say the core type, obviously, and what lane conditions they're more suitable for.
My bowling balls include:
Brunswick Brute Strength, Brunswick Mastermind Genius, DV8 Endless Nightmare, DV8 Diva, DV8 Diva Pearl, DV8 Marauder Mutiny, & Brunswick White Viz-A-Ball spare ball
Sometimes I just really like the line a certain ball uses. I went out and purchased the Rude Dude because it was a essentially a stronger version of the DV8 Dude that used the same basic breakpoint shape.
In the bag: DV8 Dude; DV8 Rude Dude; DV8 Zombie Spare
Retired: DV8 Hellraiser Terror; DV8 Marauder; Hammer Black Widow Venom;
USBC Avg - 175
Speed 15.5mph - Revs - ???
This would only work if all manufacturers were used on the PBA tour. For example I use Lane Masters which is not used on PBA tour.
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