Arenal #9H

[Aslan]

Arsenal 9H

So...the challenge I've faced over the last couple seasons is:

1. Get back in bowling form...back to a 190s bowler that I was when I left California.

2. Start utilizing my arsenal "system" that I developed.

However, I've faced a challenge I hadn't expected: Very Dry Lanes

My "system" is designed to give you a starting ball, a ball down option (as the lanes transition), a 2nd ball down option for nights where the lanes are really transitioning, maybe when you're playing on burnt conditions in a tournament or on lanes that hadn't been oiled. Then there's a skid/flip ball for late in the night when you might be experiencing oil transition to the break point.

The "problem" is I started to notice something this past fall...it took me a good 1.5 years to really notice it because I was struggling to get back into form so I didn't necessarily see the lane issue (too many issues). These lanes are very dry...or the pattern is narrow...or both...or there's some other reason that results in the same problem. And, when lanes play that way...the stronger equipment becomes useless. Sure, you can increase your speed and/or move inside and change your release/speed accordingly. However, these two options involve learning new skills while I'm still trying to get back to where I was in 2017.

So...I played with a watered down/higher RG arsenal late last fall and will be switching to that again as the summer season comes to an end. But, as I put together Arsenal #9.0...I've had to alter my criteria a bit. There's just no point in buying a new "Ball #1" that has a low RG, aggressive cover, and strong core. I just don't have any use for that in my present house. Not to mention, I probably have 4 different "Ball #1s" retired on my rack in the basement that I could use if needed.

(to be continued)

[Aslan]

So, I created a "dry lane" criteria and decided to go with this combination in the fall:

Ball #1: Hammer Black Widow Hybrid 2.0
Ball #2: Ebonite Fireball
Ball #3: Brunswick Endeavor
Ball #4: Brunswick Forbear Exile

This lineup still gives me a strong Ball #1 option...but with a 2.50 RG (rather than 2.47-2.49).
It gives me a much weaker Ball #2 option...which should mean that I can at least start with Ball #2...even when the lanes are too dry for the Black Widow.
I end up keeping the Endeavor, which has worked very well for me on these lanes.
And, although it was a tough choice between the Forbear Exile and Force Pearl...I decided to unretire the Exile for the skid/flip position.

The biggest challenge I see is with the Fireball and Endeavor. The Endeavor is probably...overall...a stronger ball. But, it has a 2.54 RG...well above the Fireball's RG of 2.51. So, if using RG as the way you stack your arsenal (which is one of the ways RobM recommended in the past)...the Fireball would be Ball #2 and the Endeavor Ball #3. Yet...the Endeavor has a higher PerfectScale rating and its a Brunswick and it has a significantly higher differential...which all point to maybe it being a better Ball #2 candidate.

So...I'll probably have that conversation with my pro shop ball driller...see if he can maybe drill the Fireball in a way that gets as much out of it as I can. And, I can always play with the surfaces a bit.

But...the hopes, with this arsenal, is to have more options despite lanes that play very dry...where keeping the ball right of the headpin...even at 14-15 mph...is a real struggle for strong, low-RG equipment.