I have to believe the lane oil has a significant part in the inflated scores.
At this point I have only thrown a White Dot, so there isn't any ball technology
involved in my scores. That leaves Lane Surface (synthetic), Lane Oil, and Pins.
Mike White question?
I have only been bowling for about 2 1/2 years,,, never had the time while working and raising 3 boys! I do remember a few friends that bowled, and I do remember the yellow dot! Hot ball as I remember when it came out. You said you are still using it! Do you mind me asking what your average is using it! How old is that ball? I looked on your profile but did not see any data! Thanks..... Iceman
yellow dot
Anyone have the data sheet on the Yellow Dot! Would be fun to look at anc compare to the newer balls!
Oh technology has inflated scores for sure. No doubt. The same comparison can be made in many other sports though. Would you rather play tennis with a modern raquet or maybe use the famous T-2000 from the 70s?
Alot of amateur golfers today can hit the ball much farther than the pros could just 30 years ago, due to improvements in equipment. Doesn't mean that that they are better golfers though.
I am using a brand new White Dot, and currently averaging 212 with it.Originally Posted by MICHAEL
Note: I've only got 14 games on the ball, and only 6 of those were in league. Thats 14 games after a 20 year layoff. Based on how I've thrown the ball, if it had been back on the old oil patterns, I doubt I'd be averaging more than 150.
The differences in oil pattern that I see is:
In the old days:
A pulled ball went thru the nose, or crossed over.
There was a board or two that would result in pocket shots that could carry.
If you got the ball wide by more than the board or two, you probably didn't get back to the head pin.
A small group of people could hit the pocket and throw messengers like almost everyone can now.
On todays condition (at least where I bowl at):
A pulled ball sits in the pocket, maybe a little light, but tends not to carry the 10. (again I'm using a White Dot).
That board to two seems to carry a higher percent than it used to. (again assuming a White Dot in use).
If the ball goes wide now, it hooks even more, going thru the nose leaving something ugly. (3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10, or 3-4-6-7-10 are a few I've left)
So the results of the mistakes seem to be reversed.
As long as you limit mistakes to pulls, I think the scores go up because of easier leaves, and a chance at luck carry.
As for the Columbia line of balls way back when...
The Blue Dot was the "go straight ball" When you measured the hardness, the durometer would say "ouch".
The White Dot hooked more than the Blue Dot, but thats like saying someone 5' is taller than someone 4' 11".
The Yellow Dot hooked even more, and again, more doesn't mean a lot.
In the late 80's my ball of choice was the Faball Nail (highly polished) I shot a lot of good scores with that ball.
I quit shortly after original reactive resin balls came around. Damn ball went straight in oil, then produced a shocking left turn when it hit dry. Never could get one under control. This was before the core technology played it's tricks.
The process of oiling the lanes back then wasn't "computerized" so few bowling centers had the info / talent to put out a high scoring condition.
Last edited by Mike White; 07-31-2012 at 06:58 PM.
I'd prefer to play tennis with, and against people using a Jack Kramer wood racket. It was a more civilized game back when.
With the rackets of today, I'd stand waiting for my opponent to serve, then yell OUT. Since I couldn't see the ball, nor hear the ball (went by so fast), I'd have to go by smell.
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