What ball do you start with?

[Amyers]

Sounds like bad ball advice to
Me too.

[bobforsaken]

I can't remember hearing someone buy a ball that didn't ask for it to go long and snap.

This tees up a couple of questions that have been bouncing around in my brain.

1) When is a skid flip reaction advantageous over an arcing reacton? I have two balls that are more angular and two that are more arcing. I currently use the arcing balls when I play track area and move to a more angular reaction when I move deeper. (usually around the 3rd arrow as a target)

2) when does increasing or decreasing axis of rotation advantageous. Again when I play track area I tend to stay more behind the ball and try to tame down my axis of rotation. (My tendency is to come around too much and get 60+ Degrees of axis of Rotation). This also seems to promote a more arcing reaction. However when I play deeper I tend to increase that axis of rotation which seems to help create a skid flip reaction.

[Aslan]

This tees up a couple of questions that have been bouncing around in my brain.

1) When is a skid flip reaction advantageous over an arcing reacton?

I'll take a shot...but only because I know when I mess this up...Bowl1820, RobM, AND MWhite will jump in to correct me...

Usually on drier lanes you want the ball to go longer without hooking. The longer it goes without hooking, the more dramatic flare/angle/hook it will need to get into the pocket.

I have two balls that are more angular and two that are more arcing. I currently use the arcing balls when I play track area and move to a more angular reaction when I move deeper. (usually around the 3rd arrow as a target)

That may also be advantageuous if the arcing balls skid through the oil in the center but just can't make a sudden turn.

2) when does increasing or decreasing axis of rotation advantageous.

No idea. Most high rev/big hook guys use axis rotation. From what I've been told...axis tilt is preferable to axis rotation. But in all honesty...I'm not clear as to "why".

I know for me...if I hit UP on the ball...if I loft "incorrectly" the way I used to...my ball gets mostly axis rotation and generally my coach frowns upon this because it makes the ball hook too early. Others have said that in addition to hooking too early...it doesn't have the optimum angle into the pocket...but I don't know as much about that as some others might.

Again when I play track area I tend to stay more behind the ball and try to tame down my axis of rotation. (My tendency is to come around too much and get 60+ Degrees of axis of Rotation). This also seems to promote a more arcing reaction. However when I play deeper I tend to increase that axis of rotation which seems to help create a skid flip reaction.

From what I've heard...and I may stand corrected...the ultimate goal is to not HAVE to change the WAY you throw the ball to get the reaction you want. I have a Columbia Encounter...and if I "try" to rev it up...all axis rotation...slow speed...I can "make" it have a more skid/flip reaction. But it's horribly inconsistent.

GOOD LUCK!

[RobLV1]

Here's my take on this. Let the characteristics of the ball, both core and cover, dictate what it's going to do. Use the layout to either accentuate the reaction, ie., skid/flip reaction for skid/flip ball, or arcing reaction to arcing ball. When bowlers start getting into trouble is when they try to force a ball to do something other than what it was designed for.

[bobforsaken]

Here's my take on this. Let the characteristics of the ball, both core and cover, dictate what it's going to do. Use the layout to either accentuate the reaction, ie., skid/flip reaction for skid/flip ball, or arcing reaction to arcing ball. When bowlers start getting into trouble is when they try to force a ball to do something other than what it was designed for.

I think that answers my second question. Q: "when is changing axis rotation advantageous" A: Don't do it... What about the first? When is it I should choose and arcing reaction vs a skid flip? For me my intuition tells me arcing for track and skid flip for more inside lines. However I don't know if this completely wrong headed.

[RobLV1]

Let the results dictate what ball motion you use. If a skid/flip motion knocks down the pins, then use it. If an arcing motion knocks down the pins, then use it. Bowlers love to try to force the lanes to listen to their preferences; ball motion, path to the pocket, etc. This doesn't work. Again I will say that not listening to the lanes get us just about as far as not listening to our wives! LOL