When to switch balls?

[fokai73]

I'm pretty sure I know what the criteria of what makes a certain a ball a benchmark to each unique individual, ball, and the conditions they bowl on.

There's a reason why I said what I said about me, "I", having three benchmark balls. The environment I face is not as prime as what many bowl every week. In even "close" from week to week. It's extreme. So every week My "benchmark" will not be the same. but I can still ball up or down.. well not till I get to my pearl, which for a pearl is on the smooth side. (i hope you don't think all pearls are skid snappy) I rather not hijack this thread.....

Also that gut feeling, or intuition, you refer to only belonging to the regional or pro level bowlers.... well I guess you never have experienced these then.... anticipated a situation or made a guess move or trusted yourself in making those "guess" moves.... overriding your gut feeling will just keep you stagnant.

[1VegasBowler]

I'm pretty sure I know what the criteria of what makes a certain a ball a benchmark to each unique individual, ball, and the conditions they bowl on.

There's a reason why I said what I said about me, "I", having three benchmark balls. The environment I face is not as prime as what many bowl every week. In even "close" from week to week. It's extreme. So every week My "benchmark" will not be the same. but I can still ball up or down.. well not till I get to my pearl, which for a pearl is on the smooth side. (i hope you don't think all pearls are skid snappy) I rather not hijack this thread.....

Also that gut feeling, or intuition, you refer to only belonging to the regional or pro level bowlers.... well I guess you never have experienced these then.... anticipated a situation or made a guess move or trusted yourself in making those "guess" moves.... overriding your gut feeling will just keep you stagnant.

I agree with you here.

Any bowler worth their salt is going to get that "gut feeling or intuition" when they begin anticipating the transition on the lanes, and you certainly don't have to be a Pro of any kind to see this. You see it every week in different forms with everybody that you are bowling with and against.

Whether it's changing your line or your ball, you should have a pretty good idea as to when this change is going to happen.

There are rare occasions where you might not have to change anything for the entire night. As long as you're getting the same reaction there's no need to change anything.

[fokai73]

Not all House shots are typical. There are times moving right results in higher carry percentage, away from traffic. I"m not going to argue with the cash makers I know who move right. I used to think that way, "never" move right, but that doesn't hold water. I've done it and so have many house hacks and high caliber bowlers I've bowled with at this house. that way of thinking is almost like BLack jack bowlers in a sense. From a classic stroker like a friend of mine who starts out on the track then ends up going up 5 to the HOF who also moves right.. It opened my mind. Yet, there is "Dry" on the outside???

Carry down... well modern balls flare too much. I don't experience it much or not at all through a season. but there are those nights after birthday parties and I'm using a tropical breeze pearl, do I see push. but it all depends.. for the most part, I rarely experience carry down even when I'm using a entry level ball and even my spare ball with core which flares.

[fokai73]

I agree with you here.

Any bowler worth their salt is going to get that "gut feeling or intuition" when they begin anticipating the transition on the lanes, and you certainly don't have to be a Pro of any kind to see this. You see it every week in different forms with everybody that you are bowling with and against.

Whether it's changing your line or your ball, you should have a pretty good idea as to when this change is going to happen.

There are rare occasions where you might not have to change anything for the entire night. As long as you're getting the same reaction there's no need to change anything.

Anticipation gives you a winning edge.

[1VegasBowler]

Anticipation gives you a winning edge.

Yes it does. And you can start anticipating during the warm up/practice time while watching where everybody else is playing. Not a difficult concept.

And when I bowl in that PBA Regional in March, the 2 hour practice session is extremely valuable. You get to see what the transition is going to be like and you can anticipate your moves and/or adjustments during that 2 hours, and then when actual play happens the next day.

It's not brain surgery here.

[RobLV1]

There should be a caveat about that article.

The data he collected was not from typical house & league conditions. He did it at a camp on fresh lanes, using fresh patterns, players using similar equipment and playing the lanes in similar fashion.

That is not your typical league situation.

He says right at the start of the article about carrydown "Unless you come to a bowling center after hours of open play or a birthday party, your change of ball motion is not a result of carrydown."

"after hours of open play or a birthday party", lanes with maybe just a head shot or a fresh pattern but not cleaned as well as they could be and league bowlers playing multiple lines and using various ball types (plastic, urethane,resin) that is more of a typical league situation.

That situation could produce carrydown and at highers levels. Would it be enough to be a factor in reaction? Unless there is more data provided we don't know.

But it could be enough to be a problem for lesser players, especially coupled with the depletion that is happening.

The thing with carrydown is, you have to look at who your bowling, what they are using and what the conditions are at the start. Then decide if it's carrydown, depletion or a combination of the two that is responsible for your change in ball motion.

Agreed, but... if you give bowlers all the scenarios, they will glom onto the one that allows them to hold on to their belief that the ball is straightening out because of carry down and move right accordingly. If you tell them that carry down is never an issue, and the proper move is to move left, then they'll make the correct move 95% of the time.

[Aslan]

Any bowler worth their salt is going to get that "gut feeling or intuition" when they begin anticipating the transition on the lanes, and you certainly don't have to be a Pro of any kind to see this. You see it every week in different forms with everybody that you are bowling with and against.

...Also that gut feeling, or intuition, you refer to only belonging to the regional or pro level bowlers.... well I guess you never have experienced these then.... anticipated a situation or made a guess move or trusted yourself in making those "guess" moves.... overriding your gut feeling will just keep you stagnant.

The problem with this belief, is it recalls all those times your gut was right...and ignores all the times your gut was wrong. I like to think I have a high strike rate the immediate frame after making a ball change. If that stat actually existed, I'd probably be < 10% strike rate after a ball change...but I can't remember all the times I made the ball change and it failed...I just remember when it worked.

I'll take skill, precision, data, and form over my "gut" any day and twice on Saturday. My gut is "stupid".

So every week My "benchmark" will not be the same. but I can still ball up or down..

Then, you have no benchmark. A "benchmark" can't change. I guess, you could have a benchmark for every house...if the houses are different...that makes sense. The idea that the THS would be drastically different night to night...outside of Vegas...I'd say you're wrong. Like I argued with RobM in another thread...if the variations in game conditions changes SOOO much from minute to minute and lane to lane and shot to shot...then the game is just silly.

I also don't want to hijack (although, it'll just get hijacked later) either, but I already did an experiment about "Benchmark Balls". I had 5 bowling balls and the "middle" one...that was my benchmark. On paper...it seemed perfectly logical. If the lanes were slick...start out with a ball that hooks sooner. If the lanes were dry, start out with something weaker. The 'problem' with this wonderful plan...is it was entirely based on my visual observations, my very limited understanding of the game, and zero understanding of bowling ball specifications. Once I understood the game better (yet still poorly) and started to understand at least the THEORY of the various ball specifications...I abandoned that benchmark strategy...it just didn't make sense anymore.

The Mudpuppy Cliff Note version of that explanantion is; the benchmark method doesn't work, because the lanes are changing as you bowl. You start weak...the lanes only get drier...they only transition one way (minus a minor carrydown debate)...so all you're doing is shooting yourself in the foot in the later games (when you're using your weakest option). If you can't use your strongest ball...it 'might' be...that your line is too far outside. One option is to move inside until that stronger ball plays...then you have 5 options on that lane versus 1-3.

There should be a caveat about that article.

Bowl1820 is wise, wise, wise....

Agreed, but... if you give bowlers all the scenarios, they will glom onto the one that allows them to hold on to their belief that the ball is straightening out because of carry down and move right accordingly. If you tell them that carry down is never an issue, and the proper move is to move left, then they'll make the correct move 95% of the time.

Maybe. Bowlers are stubborn. Absolutely.
But, by only painting a partial picture...it can come off as "pushing" a concept.
Example, currently in So. California...we are under all kinds of water/drought nonsensical restrictions. To list the foolishness of California legislators would certainly exceed the 10,000 word limit...but lets just say, we're getting flooded with water lately and have been for weeks. Every time it rains hard, people start asking, "When will the drought restrictions be lifted?" The response is, without saying it, "Never. Water conservation is a good idea. Besides, we might be in a drought again soon." In other words, "it doesn't matter what the data is...so long as it pushes a certain agenda.

I KNOW what you're saying. I "get" it. And you're not alone in those beliefs (some you are in the majority).
But with the state of bowling these days...and I ask that if you respond to this question, you do so in a new thread so not to hijack and to give the topic it's own due...in the state of bowling these days...IF you believe that miniscule changes in humidity, topography, pattern variations, oil variations, lane materials, etc...can and DO have a significant effect on the game...what's the point? I know, I know. FUN!

But, besides that. What's the point? If I ever get to the point where I can make great shots...consistently...with excellent form...my expectation is that I should be a pretty good bowler. If thats not true...because on Tuesdays, the oil center uses a different oil than on Saturdays...and on Wednesdays the place is more humid because they open late and the air conditioners are off most of the day...and if I bowl a person that plays within 2 inches of my line...I have to play a different line....etc... Then, whats the point?

I just wonder...if the game has gone too far. Maybe it's no longer a sport. Maybe it's more like a lottery or a game of craps? I dunno.

[LOUVIT]

Stubborn...yea that's me. I know my Track Heat works better for me yet I keep trying to get my Storm Phaze to work. Last week I didn't even take the Phaze out of the bag and used the Track, it wasn't easy but I did it and it worked out ok, shot about 15 pins over average. I will probably try my Phaze the first game tomorrow..lol

Funny thing is my coach and PSO picked the Track for me and I won the Phaze in the contest on this site...lol

[fordman1]

If you know your game and are versatile you can do many things before changing balls. Change your hand release. Change your speed. Change your target down lane. Get a little loft to delay the hook.

Everyone gets a little practice before the lights come on pick a ball then.
Most don't have 5-6 balls available. My guess is 2 and a spare ball.
Learn to adjust your speed and release and quit buying a new ball every 2 months.
Lou I use the Phase I won on here as a door stop. Worse storm ball I ever owned. If shined it is pretty though.

[foreverincamo]

Learn to adjust your speed and release and quit buying a new ball every 2 months.
.

But I NEED those new balls! I'll strike more! The demo video said so!!