A new season soon, so the updating begins.

[bowl1820]

Well the new winter season will soon be upon us, so it's time start making sure all your equipment is ready. Even if you've been bowling this summer, it's time to step back and take a impartial look at your equipment.

Are those grips wore out? When's the last time you had your grip checked? Doe's your equipment need to be de-oiled? or is it time for that new ball? Now is the time to start evaluating! So you have time to get the changes made and test them out before the fall season starts.

That's what I did, went down to the Pro Shop and spent about hour+ getting my grip updated and ordering a new ball and discussing pitches and the modern release.

I brought along a copy of current grip spec's. with some notations I made on what I felt need changing and one of my current balls with the track marks still on it as a reference.

Talking to the PSO (Drew) I addressed my concerns about my grip and what I felt was happening with my release and what I thought the causes were.

First thing was double checking all the measurements and pitches were what they were listed as.(He had org. drilled the ball so they were spot on, but it doesn't hurt to double check!) Then it was on to checking the actual fit, flexibility, sizes etc.

Pretty much it was what I had already deduced, that I needed to shorten my span. My thumb wasn't settling properly into the thumb hole, which was resulting in me either dropping the ball early or having to grip too much to hang on to the ball.

The change is pretty big too! We're going with shortening my span 1/2", that would put my fingers where they technically should be. Which is the same measurement I has came up with, I did the fitting process at home before I went to have a comparison to what he came up with.

Also we're changing the thumb pitch some, going forward (I left it up to him to determine the amount) I was at a 1/16 rev. when you shorten span you usually go forward with your thumb linear pitch. Plus he's figuring on changing my finger linear pitch from 5/16" rev. to 3/16" rev. with no changes to the laterals.

He said it's a big change, I'll have to get use to it and see if I like it.

The unexpected finding was the possible change to my PAP!

As Drew was looking at the ball I brought with me, he noted where the oil track lines were (I had made a point of not surfacing since the last use, just for this) and what my listed PAP was. The track had moved away from the holes some and it looked like the vertical component of the PAP location probably had gone down also.

We didn't measure it right then, but I was leaving the ball there with him anyway so he could reference it and measure anything he needed too. It looked like the my PAP might wind up being just straight over, no vertical up or down.

He said it appeared I was coming around the ball a little better than usual. Looking back to when I happened to notice the track was different than "normal", I was getting a little better reaction and bowling better at the time.

I had the option to go with my old PAP or try the adjusted one, so I went with using the new one. (I say in for a penny, in for a pound )

Had some good discussion with him, some thoughts on release, some other balls (He's looking to get the new Rotogrip "Wreck It", He really liked the Wrecker. He shot like 9 300's with it, so is looking forward to the new Wreck It.)

I'm getting a Motiv Paranoia (Ball/finger&thumb inserts $180 out the door), we should be punching it up then. We'll workout the layout at that time.

Well this was a day well spent, had my suspicions confirmed and found one I hadn't noticed.

[RobLV1]

Great Post! While your at it, with another 4-6 weeks left before the season starts, check out my latest article on Bowling This Month about a summer tune-up for your physical game. It can only help you this winter.

[bowl1820]

Well went down today to pick up my new ball with all the changes to my grip and PAP.

First thing to say is "Have your grip checked regularly!" Just because you think it feels okay, doesn't mean it is!

Over time you get used to how your grip feels and you start not notice when changes occur which can eventually affect your release.

I've seen this first hand now, they recommend having it checked about every 6 months or at the least at the start of the new season.

As you can see here I put off having my grip checked too long.



We made several changes to my grip, both spans were shortened by 3/8" (instead of 1/2" after some fine tuning). The finger linear pitches were changed from 5/16ths reverse to 1/8th Rev. for the middle finger and 3/16ths Rev. for the ring finger.

The thumb linear pitch was changed from a 1/16th reverse to a 1/16th forward pitch. With all laterials staying the same. These changes allowed my thumb to fit better into the thumb hole and reduced my grip pressure greatly.

When I tried it on the lanes my release was much better, I could hold on to the ball with a much more relaxed grip and not worry about dropping it earlying which was a problem last season.

I could also feel (not sure the best way to describe it) but, the weight of the ball on my fingertips. I could feel myself coming through the ball better.

Trying a few shots with the Hammer Bad A$$ that still has the old grip (the BA in the above picture) on it, the differences were so noticable then.

I could feel the edge of the hole pressing into the base of my thumb and how much I had been knuckling my thumb in the hole. Which caused me to either drop the ball early or use too much grip pressure during my release.

As for the new ball and PAP, I can't say much yet. My PAP had changed from 5 7/8> 5/8^ to 4 7/8> 1/4^, so it moved about 1" from where it was.

I only bowled 3 games of nothing but basically strike shots, no real spare shooting. The first few frames I just walked up to the foul line and just did some swing and releases so I wasn't surprised by something making a actual approach.

I was mainly just checking the fit, making sure I didn't hang, rub whatever since it was a big change in my grip.

Drew said the lanes were pretty toasty and they were, He thought the ball was still making a good move though. I thought the shot shape looked good, I was standing a lot farther left than I normally would.

I can't wait to see it on the fresh.

I told Drew I thought the new grip felt good and wondered which ball I should have converted next my Dude or the BA.

He said nether, you do your spare ball next! You'll still have to shoot spares.

The spare ball I have now is like 9 years old, weighs more (its a #16) and actually has a grip older than what I was using, plus a few spider cracks around the thumb and fingers.

So maybe time for a new one!

[billf]

If you had your span shortened how are the finger holes further up the finger? I know I haven't slept in a long time but it looks like it was lengthened.

[bowl1820]

If you had your span shortened how are the finger holes further up the finger? I know I haven't slept in a long time but it looks like it was lengthened.

That's not the ball with the new grip.

That's my Hammer Bad A$$ showing how it fit then vs how much the span changed and it doesn't fit right now.

[billf]

Ok, I misunderstood.

[fordman1]

While you are in your bag checking you balls look in the corner and find that old wrinkled copy of the bylaws from last season.

Now sit down and read the whole thing and see what you could do to up date it and make the league stronger. Look at cost. Look at entering average requirements. Look at H\C. Try to remember why the teams that are not coming back said they weren't coming back. Is there a rule that could be changed to make the league stronger? No not your teams chances but the league overall?

Once you get your balls fixed get your league fixed. If your league folds why do you need your balls?

[SAbowler]

Great post bowl1820!

I just got the two balls from the "Get Your Gear" league that I am in, and I am definitely going to get my grip and PAP reevaluated before getting them drilled. I know that my stats have changed since the last time I had any measurements taken.

[bowl1820]

Well picked up my second new ball today, so should be ready for the new season. Will update the grip on one of my old balls later, most likely the Dude. That and the Paranoia will have a good spread in reaction and then decide later on what to do with the others.

The new additions:

Motiv Paranoia and the C300 Lime & Slime

[foreverincamo]

I won some $$$ in my summer league. I'm looking at the DV8 Deviant on the cheap on eBay. Been wanting that ball for a while. I need to replace some finger inserts too on my other equipment. My league starts Sept 1sr