Why does my much older ball hook more then newer more "aggressive" ball.

[RobLV1]

It seems like I really hit a nerve here, and I really don't understand why. It's not a matter of excuses in case they bowl bad, nor is it that they are griping. It is nothing more than a topic of conversation; something like, "Hey, two of their guys are using the Purple stuff, be prepared to move fast and often." I'm simply trying to share something that I learned by being one of the lowest average bowlers amongst many elite players. If it doesn't apply to you, then ignore it, but keep in mind that someday it may apply to you, and it may apply to other posters now.

[bowl1820]

Didn't the USBC rule used to be you can't alter the ball in any way other than wiping it with a towel and no cleaner or scuff pads after competition starts? Personally i think that should be the rule. I think i will try some of that purple stuff though to clean before bowling.

You could use cleaners during competition if they are approved for anytime use, been that way for years.

The FAQ for Rule 18 – Bowling Ball – Altering Surface
When may I alter the surface of my bowling ball?

a. Cleaning – Cleaners approved for use any time may be utilized before, during or after
certified competition; cleaners approved for only before and after competition may only
be used during these times. The use of a ball spinner is prohibited during competition.

b. Sanding – You are permitted to sand the surface of your bowling balls prior to certified
competition; however, the use of abrasives is strictly prohibited once the first ball is thrown
in the competition.

c. Polishing – You are permitted to polish the surface of your bowling ball prior to certified
competition. However, once tournament or league play begins, the use of a ball spinner is
strictly prohibited.

[fortheloveofbowling]

It seems like I really hit a nerve here, and I really don't understand why. It's not a matter of excuses in case they bowl bad, nor is it that they are griping. It is nothing more than a topic of conversation; something like, "Hey, two of their guys are using the Purple stuff, be prepared to move fast and often." I'm simply trying to share something that I learned by being one of the lowest average bowlers amongst many elite players. If it doesn't apply to you, then ignore it, but keep in mind that someday it may apply to you, and it may apply to other posters now.

I just stated my opinion on the rule should be no cleaners during competition. If the rule is you can use them then fine, i don't care. I would never complain about anything done within the rules of the game on the lanes. If the guy is burning up a line or spot just move inside of him take away his hold and use what he is building to the right.

[bowl1820]

It seems like I really hit a nerve here, and I really don't understand why. It's not a matter of excuses in case they bowl bad, nor is it that they are griping. It is nothing more than a topic of conversation; something like, "Hey, two of their guys are using the Purple stuff, be prepared to move fast and often." I'm simply trying to share something that I learned by being one of the lowest average bowlers amongst many elite players. If it doesn't apply to you, then ignore it, but keep in mind that someday it may apply to you, and it may apply to other posters now.

Maybe it was the choice of phrasing:

"I've also seen it used to intentionally mess up someone else's shot."

Which is a far cry from ""Hey, two of their guys are using the Purple stuff, be prepared to move fast and often."

"intentionally mess up someone else's shot" sounds like their saying he's using unfair tactics by cleaning his ball to good to often.

[NewToBowling]

Whiners are as bad as baggers

[J Anderson]

Whiners are as bad as baggers

Not in my book. Baggers are cheating and if it's a money league or they're bowling in handicapped tournaments they are stealing from the rest of us who abide by the rules.

Whiners are merely annoying.

[Tony]

Not in my book. Baggers are cheating and if it's a money league or they're bowling in handicapped tournaments they are stealing from the rest of us who abide by the rules.

Whiners are merely annoying.

I would tend to agree, I'm not a fan of the bagging and don't really see that using that as a strategy to win very appealing.
Just last week in a league that does head to head points I was bowling against the top average bowler in the league who has 0 handicap, I on the other hand had 39 pins. One of the other players strolled by as we were in the 10th frame and commented "you got him by 100 pins , you can probably let up now" to me, I went up and threw 2 strikes and a 9 count to end the game.
Yes I could have thrown an 9 - and still beat him but I'd rather get a 240 game and feel good that I beat him scratch because I was bowling really good that day.
In the end I had a 854 / 1110 handicap and he had a 907

[RobLV1]

Maybe it was the choice of phrasing:


Which is a far cry from ""Hey, two of their guys are using the Purple stuff, be prepared to move fast and often."

"intentionally mess up someone else's shot" sounds like their saying he's using unfair tactics by cleaning his ball to good to often.

Unfair is a matter of opinion. Unfortunately, destroying someone else's shot is a common tactic used by the pros in modern bowling. Remember Brian Valenta using a heavily sanded ball a couple of years ago to burn up everything except lofting the left guttercap? Four or five years ago when the World Championship consisted of a series of stepladder events for the top twelve or fifteen, I remember watching Chris Barnes and Mika practice on Michael Haugen's line for no other reason than to ensure that Haugen would not advance. It worked.

[bowl1820]

Unfair is a matter of opinion. Unfortunately, destroying someone else's shot is a common tactic used by the pros in modern bowling........

It's not a matter of what's fair or unfair.

But of who said what.

You said that this is a topic of conversation before league starts.

"Hey, two of their guys are using the Purple stuff, be prepared to move fast and often."

Okay, this is some bowlers saying those guys balls are maybe going to be removing more oil than normal (Do to them being clean) and they have to be prepared to adjust.

That's a reasonable conversation, they could of have said the same thing if they saw the two guys were using sanded balls or particle balls or balls known for soaking up lots of oil etc.

Now you also said "I've also seen it used to intentionally mess up someone else's shot."

Okay here you said "you" seen someone using the Purple stuff to destroying someone else's shot. That is a very different view than the other conversation.

How did you determine that was their intent by using it?

Did they just clean their ball and play the same line as you or someone else?
That in of itself doesn't mean someone is using unfair tactics.

Did you over hear them saying "I'm going to mess with that guys shot?
etc.

In any case it's not the cleaners fault, it's not the USBC fault because they approved it and just because some is using it doesn't mean they are using unfair tactics just by using it.

Now if you want to say the USBC should not allow cleaning of a ball during league, hey that's okay. If ball cleaning is a problem somehow on a league, just pass a league rule saying you can't clean it during league problem solved.

[fortheloveofbowling]

I know i would rather have these problems than some guy spraying urethane all over the lot.