Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

**Aslan** · 01-08-2016, 03:08 PM

As to the ball age issue...it's been talked about before...but I guess with the new folks around...

1) My simple hypothesis is that the ball doesn't really matter.

Now, Rob tends to disagree with me on this a bit and we've had a lot of intellectual conversations here and in person about this topic. Of matter of fact, at the most recent lesson he gave me a Melee Jab to try to see if I noticed the effect that the newer technology has...and I will concede that the Jab is now probably my favorite ball in my bag. It's "erratic", but when it's "ON"...it's extremely effective.

2) My philosophy is that bowlers should work with older technology and improve their physical game before buying $240 top of the line equipment. I feel bowlers have become too reliant on technology. I want to get GOOD....and THEN level the playing field by using the newest technology.

3) Because ball companies release balls twice a year, I feel their marketing is extremely deceptive. There's simply no way the ball companies can truly improve balls and ball reactions in a substantial way in such a short time frame. So while I agree with Rob that newer technologies (especially cover stocks) can and do improve ball performance...I feel you have to get > 1.5 years difference before it's truly noticeable.

And given #3, I don't see why I'd pay $240 for a ball that in 9 months is going to be on clearance for $105 or $89.

So, that's the closest to the Mudpuppy Cliff Notes version of why my equipment tends to be on the older side. Just realize, I also go through arsenals (complete change-out) every 1000-1400 games. So just because I'm using older equipment...with the exception if the Melee Jab that was given to me second hand...all the balls are new when I start using them.

**Briantime** · 01-08-2016, 04:12 PM

That's very interesting and kind of bums me out as one who is always looking for an equipment related shortcut :-)

Originally Posted by Aslan

As to the ball age issue...it's been talked about before...but I guess with the new folks around...

1) My simple hypothesis is that the ball doesn't really matter.

Now, Rob tends to disagree with me on this a bit and we've had a lot of intellectual conversations here and in person about this topic. Of matter of fact, at the most recent lesson he gave me a Melee Jab to try to see if I noticed the effect that the newer technology has...and I will concede that the Jab is now probably my favorite ball in my bag. It's "erratic", but when it's "ON"...it's extremely effective.

2) My philosophy is that bowlers should work with older technology and improve their physical game before buying $240 top of the line equipment. I feel bowlers have become too reliant on technology. I want to get GOOD....and THEN level the playing field by using the newest technology.

3) Because ball companies release balls twice a year, I feel their marketing is extremely deceptive. There's simply no way the ball companies can truly improve balls and ball reactions in a substantial way in such a short time frame. So while I agree with Rob that newer technologies (especially cover stocks) can and do improve ball performance...I feel you have to get > 1.5 years difference before it's truly noticeable.

And given #3, I don't see why I'd pay $240 for a ball that in 9 months is going to be on clearance for $105 or $89.

So, that's the closest to the Mudpuppy Cliff Notes version of why my equipment tends to be on the older side. Just realize, I also go through arsenals (complete change-out) every 1000-1400 games. So just because I'm using older equipment...with the exception if the Melee Jab that was given to me second hand...all the balls are new when I start using them.

**Timmyb** · 01-08-2016, 08:49 PM

I agree with Aslan, in that I don't think the ball really matters. I was averaging 207 this year bowling with a 12-13 year old ball, and now I'm averaging 207 with a brand new ball. I shot in the 670's twice with both balls. Put me out there with my 40 year old LT-48, and I'll eventually figure it out. Shot placement, understanding transition, and consistency are what will make you better. That being said, I average better than probably 65-75% of league bowlers out there, and I still don't have a 300 game, or an 800 series. I've been bowling league since I was 8. I'm probably about as good as I'm ever going to get. Doesn't mean I won't finally get one someday. I just try to bowl the best I can every time.

**RobLV1** · 01-08-2016, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Timmyb

I agree with Aslan, in that I don't think the ball really matters. I was averaging 207 this year bowling with a 12-13 year old ball, and now I'm averaging 207 with a brand new ball. I shot in the 670's twice with both balls. Put me out there with my 40 year old LT-48, and I'll eventually figure it out. Shot placement, understanding transition, and consistency are what will make you better. That being said, I average better than probably 65-75% of league bowlers out there, and I still don't have a 300 game, or an 800 series. I've been bowling league since I was 8. I'm probably about as good as I'm ever going to get. Doesn't mean I won't finally get one someday. I just try to bowl the best I can every time.

The question is how you came to decide on the new ball. If you took the time to buy a new ball that's right for you, that 300 game or 800 series is probably in your future. If you buy a new ball that doesn't match up for your game, those goals will probably stay just that: goals that you will never reach. If you are as good as you are ever going to be, having the right ball in your hand may just give you the advantage of not having to be perfect.

**Timmyb** · 01-08-2016, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by RobLV1

The question is how you came to decide on the new ball.

A guy I bowl with had a brand new 15# Nano in the box for $100. It smelled nice, so I bought it.

**Hot_pocket** · 01-09-2016, 02:15 AM

In my opinion the older the ball the hard to line up. Coverstocks and cores do make a difference on sport shots as i learned making my return to bowling this season. I was throwing a Roto grip defiant, c-system maxxed out and aplha maxx. I got a haywire and cyclone gamebreaker and it definitely helped out. On the contrary i also put in practice time to adjust my game because unlike my time as a junior bowler i wasn't bowling 2-3 times a week. I even subscribed to the USBC bowling academy to watch some lessons. I also credit my mental game even though I'm hard on myself a-lot of the time.

**Amyers** · 01-11-2016, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Hot_pocket

In my opinion the older the ball the hard to line up. Coverstocks and cores do make a difference on sport shots as i learned making my return to bowling this season. I was throwing a Roto grip defiant, c-system maxxed out and aplha maxx. I got a haywire and cyclone gamebreaker and it definitely helped out. On the contrary i also put in practice time to adjust my game because unlike my time as a junior bowler i wasn't bowling 2-3 times a week. I even subscribed to the USBC bowling academy to watch some lessons. I also credit my mental game even though I'm hard on myself a-lot of the time.

The more houses or shots you play on the more balls you are going to need. I know a few one ball guys who can throw it really well on the THS shot they always bowl on. Put them on a travel league or a PBA/Sport shot league and see how well they fare it's not been pretty in my experience. Some of them decide to grow buy some additional balls and get better most of them quit after a few weeks.

**JasonNJ** · 01-11-2016, 04:29 PM

Hey Aslan, I'm usually just lurking on your thread but for some reason when I watched this video I thought about you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XjV54tetTk

Classic examples of the 2 ladies playing either the wrong line or the wrong ball and not adjusting. The older lady stayed with the same line and ball the whole match, the younger lady stayed with the wrong line but at least tried to switch balls after 5 frames. I think to Rob's point if you want until your sure your release is perfect before making a change then it's going to be too late kind of like in the video. I think both ladies should have moved right a few boards and played a straighter shot or at least tried some other things because what they kept doing wasn't working.