How much Loft is too much?

[BearClaw1973]

Hello new guy again,
I practiced today and have a question. I`ve really been working on my release lately. I wear a wrist support to keep my wrist from breaking back but still seem to drive the ball down with a spin like you would a Top. I worked on it and found that if I don't get as low in my release I can rotate properly getting better rotation. Problem is I end up lofting the ball a little. I know a little Loft is good but how much is "a little". I can target better, don't pull the ball and actually Bowled four strikes in a row after figuring this out. I don't want to do anything improper or damage anything. One time I KNOW it was to much "loud thud" so is there a unwritten rule of thumb so to speak as to length of Loft. Thank you for your time.

[WAC4504]

There's no rule that I know of, and the moor you bowl the moor comfortable you will get with it. I usually put it out about 4 ft. I'd say.

[Strike Domination]

Maybe my definition of loft is different than others, I'm not sure, but loft to me is how much the ball goes in the air off the ground. Not length the ball travels before it hits the lane. So how much air are you getting and how far onto the lane does your ball land?

After watching one of my team mates for a while now, I've been trying to understand why he's able to have the success he does. He averages over 200 in our league, sometimes 210+. His ball does not hit the lane until around the arrows, most likely a little further. I thought that was a crazy amount of loft. But his ball does not make a very loud thud, and his ball is 2-3 feet over the lane. I think it's because his ball travels parallel to the lane most of the time. Now an older fellow in our league lofts the ball in the air about 4 feet I think, but it only lands a little passed the dots before the arrows. His ball makes a really loud thud because his ball's angle into the lane is steeper.

Just food for thought I guess.

[Motiv Girl]

If you're setting the ball down onto the lane 18 inches over the foul line, you could make the lane hook less for you by lofting the ball farther down the lane. This may mean learning to get the ball six to 10 feet out on the lane. To do this, hang on to the ball a little longer near the release point. When you accomplish this, you'll notice that the ball will go farther down the lane before it hooks.

[bowl1820]

LOFT: The distance the ball travels between time of release and the time it hits the lane.

The long lofts of today are a product of today's lane conditions and the powerful balls. Back in the day you laid a ball on the lane like landing a airplane, Nice and smooth. Most houses had signs up "No lofting" but as conditions changed so did lofting.

But a old training tip for a acceptable amount of loft, was to lay a bowling towel on the lane just past the foul line. the ball should just pass over the towel and land just pass the other side without touching the towel.


Also if you need to loft a ball 6-10-15 feet down the lane your using the wrong ball. It might work, but you shouldn't have to be doing it.

[BearClaw1973]

Thanks for all the replys. I would say from my hand to where it hit on the lane was about three to four feet. Not a loud thud at that distance. Like I said once I did make it go a bit future and its was too much but the distance I came out with was three or so feet. I still need to work on this like I say I figured this out today and Bowled two or three games afterwards. I can say this, I did have to change my angle because I was getting a lot more revs and hook. I`ll work on this more in the next day or two. Thanks again.

[randwool]

I would be curious as to the weight of the ball in question. Isn't there a trade-off between ball weight and overpowering a normal pendulum swing using too light a ball causing extra loft?

[Graaille]

I'm thinking that if the first thing the ball touches after it leaves your hands are the pins or the celing, then you have too much loft.

[BearClaw1973]

I would be curious as to the weight of the ball in question. Isn't there a trade-off between ball weight and overpowering a normal pendulum swing using too light a ball causing extra loft?

Its a 15lb Columbia Freeze. Honestly it seems plenty heavy for me. I`m getting frustrated because I haven't found anything that really works for me just yet. I think most all of it is my release. I want to be able to cup the ball somewhat so I can get better rotation but I don't seem to have the strength to do it. I consider myself a big strong guy but I cant seem to grasp the release with any repeat success. I was a amateur musician for many years "6 string electric bass and Double Bass" in the Nashville area. I`ve had wrist problems sense. I wear a wrist support but this doesnt let me cup the ball like I want. I guess I just need shut up and practice and It will come to me. Thanks

[randwool]

Might be worth having the Pro Shop guy look at your swing, release, and ball setup, if you haven't already.