When to know when?

[got_a_300]

Can you expound on this a little but more please?

I think what RobLV1 was saying was you might get in and on top of another
bowlers line that they have already dried out and then getting out of your
comfort zone is say you only like to play 2nd arrow and you have to move
inside of 3rd arrow or maybe even 4th arrow to find oil then you just wouldn't
feel comfortable playing in there.

I personally have no comfort zone I'd just as soon play the 1st board on the right
hand side of the lane or loft the left gutter cap and play some where inside the 7th
arrow or some where around the 3rd or 4th board on the left hand side of the lane
and belly the ball out as it makes no difference to me I play where the shot is and
where the lanes dictate that I play.

[RobLV1]

Easy way to evaluate ball motion: the ball should exit the pin deck between the eight pin and the nine pin. If it deflects toward the nine, you need to move in to find more oil, or go to a less aggressive ball to retain the energy. If it keeps hooking toward the eight pin, it is going to long, so you need to go to a more aggressive ball that will hook earlier so that it will roll before hitting the pins.

[MICHAEL]

Easy way to evaluate ball motion: the ball should exit the pin deck between the eight pin and the nine pin. If it deflects toward the nine, you need to move in to find more oil, or go to a less aggressive ball to retain the energy. If it keeps hooking toward the eight pin, it is going to long, so you need to go to a more aggressive ball that will hook earlier so that it will roll before hitting the pins.

I have seen a number of young pups that throw the ball with high speed, and incredible revolutions, but don't have great averages. What their ball looks like to me is a car spinning its wheels going toward the pocket, with no ROLL phase!!

A well thrown ball, as you have said needs to go through the 3 phases. Skid, Hook, and ROLL! I have seen many young bowlers skip the Roll part, and they don't get the total devastation due to the sliding of the ball. It's like a runner in baseball, sliding into home, or running over a guy! Sure both can get the job done, but ROLLING over a guy at home plate, does the most damage! (

ICEMAN knows a lot about skid!!!! Make sure that ball rolls, and as always, don't walk on thin ice, or heavy oil, leave that for the pro's!

[Amyers]

I am always working to expand my comfort zone and try and increase my option for how I deliver the ball. The more area you can cover the more options you will have.

[Aslan]

I use a complicated spreadsheet to determine when to ball down or ball up. I highly doubt anyone is interested in learning about that.

My only concern with watching the ball exit the pin deck (which I agree IS the best way to evaluate ball motion, power, and ball change determinations) is that it requires hitting a consistent target and having a consistent release. So for a beginner or early intermediate, like the OP…that advice isn't going to work and the correct answer is balling up or down is probably not a good idea at that level. IMO.

[RobLV1]

I use a complicated spreadsheet to determine when to ball down or ball up. I highly doubt anyone is interested in learning about that.

My only concern with watching the ball exit the pin deck (which I agree IS the best way to evaluate ball motion, power, and ball change determinations) is that it requires hitting a consistent target and having a consistent release. So for a beginner or early intermediate, like the OP…that advice isn't going to work and the correct answer is balling up or down is probably not a good idea at that level. IMO.

One thing that many bowlers don't understand about matching up with the right bowling ball is that it's not just getting to the pocket. It is also creating miss room so that you get better results when you don't hit your target, or when your release is not perfect.

[dnhoffman]

One thing that many bowlers don't understand about matching up with the right bowling ball is that it's not just getting to the pocket. It is also creating miss room so that you get better results when you don't hit your target, or when your release is not perfect.

I try and tell my teammates this but they don't seem to get it. My best nights are not when I laser slice every shot.....but when I find a nice sweet spot that let's me miss a board or two either direction.

[circlecity]

This wednesday I shot very good but left four 9 pins. What is the cause and what should I be looking for when the ball hits the pins?

[J Anderson]

This wednesday I shot very good but left four 9 pins. What is the cause and what should I be looking for when the ball hits the pins?

I think the cause is that your ball is still hooking as it enters the pocket.

Obviously, when the ball hits the pins it should be in the pocket. Just barely touching the 1 or the 3 doesn't count. The ball only needs to hit the 1,3,5,&9, and should exit the pin deck between the 8 & 9 pins, The ball doesn't hit the 8 because the 5 has already taken it out. My brain is too slow to actually see every thing that happens between hitting the pocket and exiting the deck.

[RobLV1]

This wednesday I shot very good but left four 9 pins. What is the cause and what should I be looking for when the ball hits the pins?

The ball should exit the pin deck between the eight pin and the nine pin. If it goes toward the nine pin, it is losing energy and deflecting too much. If it goes toward the eight pin (leaving you the nine pin), it is beginning to hook too late. Remember that the ball cannot roll until it has finished hooking. Losing energy = move more into the oil. Hooking too late = go to a ball with a lower rg or a little more surface.