New member, ball advice?

[Grande]

I'd have thought not but I'm sure it's possible...

[Tony]

Generally with a typical house oil pattern, and a average release the Cyclone will not hook much if you play that part of the lane, it might be worth experimenting on lining up with the outside of your right foot at the center dot / board 20, and throw the ball right over 2nd arrow and see what happens.

[Amyers]

Well, I did as suggested this AM in my newly joined senior league (casual, welcoming to a newbie like me). After moving everything (approach and target) to the left, I'm a lefty, I got decent rotation , transition to a roll and gentle hook that turned out to be both effective and repeatable. For a while, I was in love with the Cyclone!

Fast forward to a few hours later; went back for practice 2 lanes over. Same everything; approach, target, velocity, stance, grip, follow through etc. The ball wouldn't hook at all. Skid, roll, a barely detectable change of direction. Others suggested that maybe all the right handed players and straight ball rollers pushed all the oil to the left side and down the lane. Does that make sense? What do I do with that situation? Again, would another ball help?

As for the PSO, virtually non-existent. Only there for 3 hours a week and there's a waiting line. And, why change the surface on the Cyclone if it works well sometimes and it may be a matter of lane condition?

Thanks,
Grande (Jon)

Glad to hear that you found a league you like. I really doubt that all the oil had been pushed over and caused your ball not to hook. If that would be the case you have two choices move your feet and target farther right for a right hander farther left for a lefty or switch to a more aggressive ball. When you are setting up the first thing you have to do is find the hook. Keep moving your feet and target towards whichever hand you bowl with. If you get outside 5 on a house shot and the balls still not hooking you've got an issue with your release. My personal guess would be you changed something in the release and just didn't realize it. Breaking the wrist back or maybe your hand position are two likely culprits as both can happen and not be easily noticeable.

I would suggest working with the Cyclone a little longer especially since you did find some success with it before buying something else. Adding another ball is not a bad idea but you want to make sure you are bowling correctly before you buy something else so that you get what you actually need instead of trying to use a ball to correct a problem because that rarely works. If you do purchase another ball rather than the adrenaline that we discussed earlier I would go with the regular GB 2. If wont give you that super big backend but with the issue your having the additional surface will help you get the ball started and into a roll.

Are there any other PSO is your area?

[Grande]

There are 2 pro shops about an hour away (different directions) that I know nothing about. Sound like a road trip.

My local shop has 5 balls in inventory. One is a GB2 but it's 15 lbs. I'd like to drop to 14 in the next ball. He recommended an Arson High Flare Solid. Got to admit, I can't get past what it looks like... I'm trying to keep my business local but it's difficult if they don't show up!

I'll go back and try again paying close attention to release and hand position.

[Amyers]

If you decide to purchase a new ball make sure the PSO watches you throw before you buy anything stick to something medium end with a little bit of surface since your existing ball is a pearl. I would stay away from asymmetrical balls for now.

The Arson High Flare solid and the GB 2 are somewhat close both medium balls with some surface.

[Tony]

Others suggested that maybe all the right handed players and straight ball rollers pushed all the oil to the left side and down the lane. Does that make sense?

No that does not really make sense at all. There might be some oil carried down but the oil will not migrate across the lane to the left side. The most likely oil condition that would happen on the left side when no lefties are bowling would be from right hand bowlers that move way to the left and deplete some of the oil on the first 15' of the lane on the left side.

[Grande]

No that does not really make sense at all. There might be some oil carried down but the oil will not migrate across the lane to the left side. The most likely oil condition that would happen on the left side when no lefties are bowling would be from right hand bowlers that move way to the left and deplete some of the oil on the first 15' of the lane on the left side.

You're absolutely correct. I went back and at Amyers' suggestion, concentrated on wrist position and release. The results were favorable. Just the right amount of hook returned like magic! I'm told the lanes were oiled last night for league play and much oil remained on the left side.

I think the GB2 might be the next purchase.