Difficulty adjusting to lane conditions...

[rico]

Yes, true....the oil pattern initially establishes a break point and then the chose ball and the consistency of ball speed by the bowler influence the break point....in the old days with lesser aggressive bowling balls, the breakpoint never really changed much and all that was required were angle adjustments and slight release or speed adjustments....not today....today the ball influences the break point as does the amount of power (rev rate) the bowler applies to the ball coupled with the oil pattern.

The oil pattern distance and cross lane oil ratios of application determine the initial break point....there are more adjustment options needed today than in the past....check out some of the articles in BowlVersity about lane adjustments, etc...

[bobforsaken]

Still struggling with this. I move left a board or two and end up throwing the ball over the edge and cleaning out the gutter. I just have an issue with a sharp angle; i.e. standing left and throwing at a target that is to the right. It just doesn't seem natural; it's like I'm reaching way right trying to hit my target. It's hard to explain but when I have to move left and shoot right, I end up in the gutter. It just doesn't seem natural.

I was at a center last night and like all centers these days, they're trying to save money. Unless there's a league, they only condition 2-3 times a week! They keep the left half of the center with fresh oil for the leagues and the other half they just let em' dry out. I was moving all over the place and couldn't find a position that worked. Very frustrating; going from throwing 180-200+ with a house ball to throwing scores I'm too embarrassed to even mention.

AND: Ran into this again yesterday; ball was skidding through the pin deck with little or no motion and I already have a slow ball and slow to medium revs (I throw 15 MPH tops). My best guess is it was due to carry-down. Definitely frustrating! When I move further right to get "out of the oil", I was throwing Brooklyn's. My best game was a 166. I did improve over a 3 game set, (135, 145, 166) but it was a struggle the whole time. When I know I'm capable of 190+, that's disappointing.

I've been bowling a short while and this sounds so familiar to me. "Skidding through the pin deck" to me sounds like my issue with speed dominance that I've fought with. Keep in mind that speed dominant doesn't mean you throw fireballs. My speed is around 15mph too. It just means that the Rev Rate isn't high enough to create the friction at that speed needed to have the ball go through all 3 phases. If I had to guess you are hitting the pin deck at the Skid or Hook Phase and not during the roll phase. If you were indeed burning up or rolling out, you would notice the reaction, but your pin carry would be poor. If you are going through the same thing as me, you would experience a ton of 5 or 5-10 leaves on pocket hits. You would also be struggling when the lanes are more freshly oiled and post those nice 190 scores when the lanes are dryer. That is precisely why I needed stronger more aggressive equipment than what the lane conditions would require for most.

I've made a huge improvement over the last two months by increasing my rev rate by cupping my wrist. I was using a wrist support device to force my wrist straight and keep it from breaking, but it wasn't enough. On fresh conditions I had to play up the first arrow (standing about 10 and throwing 5) but this was giving me the look of a straight ball and I only had marginal success. The precision needed was (and is) above my ability at this point. If I played 2nd arrow (standing about 20) I would hit light or not make it back to the pocket.. Once my wrist was strong enough that I could cup the ball I finally got out of that rut. Now Dryer conditions are my nemesis, when it used to be the times I posted good scores.. But with dryer conditions I can move left and find more oil.

I don't have the problem with throwing in the gutter when moving deeper but I also don't walk straight to the foul line. (i'm not that good). I focus on the breakpoint I want to use and walk towards that. It works for me and it keeps it simple. I'm not saying you should do this, but it works for me for now. Next time I work with a coach I'll work on walking my lines better.