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Talk Bowling #107 – My Bowling Ball Won’t Hook and How Do I Adjust To Lanes?

Mar 152012

Question from Chris Otap:

Q – I throw a 15lb ebonite tornado with the out of the box finish, I have a high throw speed and medium rpm’s. when i throw my ball on a normal house pattern i can see the ball spinning but it never hooks i just goes straight, simalur to the way pros plastic spare balls go, any ideas on what is happening and how to fix it ?

A – This one is pretty simple yet one of the most misunderstood aspects of our sport. People that don’t bowl think you just roll a ball down the lane and hope to knock down pins. In reality, the skill is to match your bowling style (speed, revs, etc) to bowling balls and lane conditions. And being able to adjust your style is another skill. You said that you have a high ball speed, with medium rev rate. It sounds like you are getting the ball too far down the lane with little time to react. You definitely need more aggressive equipment, as the Tornado is on the lower end of the spectrum. You could also lower your ball speed, giving the ball more time to react. This one takes some time though, and sometimes makes men feel less like men. You want the high speed because it looks cool and is impressive, but sometimes laying off the speed and just letting the ball do its job is key to high score.

Question from Mark L:

Q – Thanks for producing these videos. I’m a new viewer and am feverishly trying to catch up on all the episodes. I can only take you guys in so many doses a day. I have a question about lane breakdown and carry. I bowl in a center with a lane condition similar to the USBC blue oil pattern. As the lanes breakdown, I migrate left and am able to keep the ball in the pocket but my carry goes down drasically. I end up spending a game or more making adjustments to correct this. Sometimes I find something that works and other times not. What should I do to speed this process up and what order should I try them in. For example moving on the approach, adjusting speed and then changing balls. Thanks.

A – Mark, thanks for watching Talk Bowling. We have said numerous times, the further right you stand, the wider the pocket is/seems. Your carry is going to decrease as you move further left, unless you have some great speed and revolutions to compensate for the additional distance the ball must travel. Your best bet in most cases is to change balls and stay right. Sometimes this just isn’t possible based on lane conditions, so at that point, do what the pros do. Stay in the pocket and leave makeable spares, take your 200 (because you are making your spares), and keep making minor adjustments to line up for the next game.

There is not going to be a magic fix for times like this. The smaller your adjustments, the better you will be at staying in the pocket while trying to find a line that works. Sometimes though, you have to make the major adjustment out of frustration. At that point, realize you are sacrificing a few frames with the potential of finding a great line. You are gambling on losing a few pins now in return for a big score in the future. Is it a gamble you are willing to make?

Sponsor:
This weeks episode is brought to you by DV8 Bowling. Check the all new Hell Raiser Revenge from DV8. The Hell Raiser Revenge offers easy length through the front and mid-lane with a very quick response to friction on the backend creating a highly angular motion for a matte finish ball that tears through the pins on medium oily to oily lane conditions.

Check out our ball reaction video to see the Revenge in action.

How to contact us
Email us questions@talkbowling.com
Leave a comment on TalkBowling.com
On Twitter we are @TalkBowling
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TalkBowling

Last Week’s Question of the Week:
Q – Who was the first left handed player to win a national PBA tournament?
A – Roy Lown from El Paso, TX

Question of the Week:
Q – Who was the first PBA Champion to win titles using a three step approach, a four step approach, and a five step approach?
A – Watch the next episode

Choose Your Path Contest – Get 2000 likes and win a Choose Your Path Prize Pack
10000 likes on bowlinball.com and have a chance to win 1 – $100 G/C, 2 – $50 G/C, or 4 – $25 G/C good on bowlingball.com

Contest reminder:
bowlingball.com gives away a brand new bowling ball every week of the year. 52 weeks, 52 winners. All you have to do is signup for our contest weekly.
Also through the end of the 2012, there is a separate giveaway just for participating onBowlingBoards.com. Come join the community of bowlers there, discuss equipment, lane conditions, tips, techniques, and more. Every post you make is an entry into a drawing for a brand new bowling ball.

Closing:
Please remember that bowlingball.com is free shipping on every item, every day. No hidden handling fees, no packaging fees, no added insurance fees. The price shown is the price you pay at checkout. No Surprises.

Talk Bowling #106 – Learning to Hook a Bowling Ball

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Mar 042012

Question from YouTube viewer kaseyuyesugi:
Q – In a typical house condition…what kind of ball does Mike Jones use? Does he still hook the entire lane or does he square up to the lane and use urethane and entry level equipment?

A – Answer straight from Mike Jones. “On a typical house shot I tend to use mid performance symmetric equipment with the sarge grip. Start out playing around 3rd arrow most of the time, but move deeper throughout the night. I also throw a mean back up ball when the lanes get really weird on the right side.”

Question from assassinflight:
Q – Hi, im looking to start bowling a hook and want a ball i can grow into what would you advise on house lanes.

A – That is a very broad question. What you are quickly going to find out is that there is no one right bowling ball. As lanes surfaces change not only based on the day you bowl, or even the time you bowl. They actually change while you bowl and they change differently based on who you are bowling with.

However, to get started bowling, I usually recommend going more with an entry level or lower performance bowling ball. Mainly because they are cheaper, and you don’t need to spend too much money until you know more about your game. Drilling a bowling ball for an individual correctly, really depends on their PAP, and you don’t necessarily know where your is until you have some basic delivery down and an understand of your release.

I would start with something like a Brunswick Slingshot, Storm Tropical Storm, or something along those lines. Get it professionally fit, and learn to throw that ball. You will probably quickly learn that you want something more aggressive and that will hook more as you improve.

Question from Christopher D:

Q – Here’s a question. I have a really aggressive Taboo Blue/silver, I’m standing on the lane next to me, just to hit high pocket. Should I buy a new ball, or should I switch to my even-more aggressive ball; The Reaction. I’m learning how to be more consistent , but it doesn’t help the fact that in the early to middle 2nd game, the lanes transition to a really dry lane, which causes both of my aggressive balls to react with more hooking. I’m also having a hard time making my ball roll, instead of slide. My balls will just slide into the pocket, instead of sliding, and then rolling. Is there anything I can do to try and control my bowling balls?

One last thing; I’ve been slowly getting my average up (163 League average, right now), but I’ve been hitting high games, 200s, 230s, etc. Is there any way I could make my average go up any faster then the regular 2-3 pins a week?

A – If you are already starting that far left, then you answered your own question. You need something a little weaker and you need to get back to the right some. It’s fun and you can impress people hooking the ball that much, but it can really be detrimental to your average.

You say you are getting some high scores, but how often? As for getting your average to go up faster, that is all dependent on the number of games you have bowled this season. It’s the law of averages.

Example 1: You have bowled for 3 weeks, and your average is 163.0. You shoot a 600 tonight, your average is going to jump up to 172.25. (Long math: ((163.0 x 9) + 600) / 12)

Example 2: You have been bowling for 20 weeks, and you average is the same 163.0. You shoot the same 600 tonight, your average will only go up to 164.76. (Long math: ((163.0 x 60) + 600) / 63)

For you own information, after you feel like you have made a positive change in your game, track your scores over the last 4 or 5 weeks, and see what your current average is to make yourself feel better that you are improving, and not look at the whole season’s average.

Sponsor:
This weeks episode is brought to you bu Storm Bowling and the all new Vivid.

The intent of the new Vivid is to create a motion which expands the current Premier line, giving you a clear picture of the lane condition while utilizing Storm’s most technologically-advanced cores and coverstocks. This new Vivid will be a perfect fit between the original Virtual Gravity Nano solid and pearl versions, combining midne traction and backend hook.

Purchase a Vivid now through March 31st and you can receive a $20 mail-in rebate from Storm Bowling.

Check out the Vivid ball reaction video on bowlingball.com.

How to contact us
Email us questions@talkbowling.com
Leave a comment on TalkBowling.com
On Twitter we are @TalkBowling
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TalkBowling

Last Week’s Question of the Week:
Q – Who won the first ever PBA title using a reactive resin bowling ball?
A – Mark McDowell – AC Delco Classic – January 7, 1992 at Gable House in Torrance, CA

Question of the Week:
Q – Who was the first left handed player to win a national PBA tournament?
A – Watch the next episode

Choose Your Path Contest – Get 2000 likes and win a Choose Your Path Prize Pack
10000 likes on bowlinball.com and have a chance to win 1 – $100 G/C, 2 – $50 G/C, or 4 – $25 G/C good on bowlingball.com

Contest reminder:
bowlingball.com gives away a brand new bowling ball every week of the year. 52 weeks, 52 winners. All you have to do is signup for our contest weekly.
Also through the end of the 2012, there is a separate giveaway just for participating on BowlingBoards.com. Come join the community of bowlers there, discuss equipment, lane conditions, tips, techniques, and more. Every post you make is an entry into a drawing for a brand new bowling ball.

Closing:
Please remember that bowlingball.com is free shipping on every item, every day. No hidden handling fees, no packaging fees, no added insurance fees. The price shown is the price you pay at checkout. No Surprises.

Talk Bowling #105 – To Loft Or Not To Loft, How To Add More Bowling Ball Revolutions

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Feb 202012

Question from Ed:
Q – Hi Tony and John,
I am wondering how to determine whether to loft the ball on to the lane or to lay short for best result. I usually release ball at fowl line and let ball roll long thru the oil to breaking point. I use the dots at fowl for releasing points rather than arrows which allows me to keep my head down and better follow thru. I have found when I loft ball 1 or 2 feet out on lane I seem to lose revs and lift on ball and it slides out past breaking point and then I start to turn my wrist over too soon. Laying ball short allows me to stay under ball and get more revs and better reaction. I may have answered my own question but watching tony bowl with different layouts, he sometimes lofts the ball on release and sometimes lays shorter. Does the layout make a difference on release? Thanks Ed

A – This is a great question and topical considering the addition of Mike Jones to our bowling ball reaction videos. The answer is (as it almost always is) it depends. If there is enough oil in the heads, then usually getting the ball onto the surface sooner is better. I personally feel this helps with your timing as well, and keeps you more consistent. Some people either naturally loft the ball, or do it to help clear the heads. Clearing the heads is important if there is not enough oil, or if the heads are burnt up from high rev players.

However, if there is plenty of oil on the lanes, you will experience what you are describing. You will lose that 1-2 feet of time for the ball to setup which will cause it to push further down the lane. And if you haven’t practiced this, your timing will almost definitely be off, decreasing your rev rate and/or speed.

Question from Teejaye:
Q – I currently throw a Storm Furious, which I know is supposed to be a fairly aggressive ball. This is not the case for me… The reason, however, is my fault. I can’t get nearly as many revolutions on the ball as most bowlers out there.. Unless the lanes are really dry, I can’t get nearly as much hook on it as other bowlers who throw the same ball. Save from buying an even more aggressive ball, what are some things I can do to get some more rotation on the ball?

A – Ah, one of the great questions asked by bowlers all the time. How do I get more revolutions and hook. The biggest deterrent to bowlers hook potential is the same as the reason for amateur golfers not being able to hit the big drives. It all comes down to timing and balance at the fowl line. The rest should fall into place. So the answer is Practice, practice, practice.

Some keys to increasing your rev rate:

Practice your balance, you don’t want to be trying to gain balance at the fowl line. When you are not balance, your focus during release becomes “I need to balance so I don’t fall”, which will take revs off the ball.
Follow through. If you are anything like me, once the ball is off your hand, you stop your arm. I have worked hard on this. You may want to over exaggerate the motion and pretend you are trying to swing your hand all the way back to your shoulder. This is one of the easiest things to remedy, yet it feels so funny for most of us.
Think “be aggressive”. I was often told this before league when I would ask Tony for advice before going to league. When you are just getting the fowl line, don’t just get the ball off your hand, think I need to be aggressive and swing my hand through the ball and follow through.
Don’t try to increase revs by twisting your wrist or arm, or coming over the top of the bowling ball. It’s easy to think that if I rotate my hand around the side of the ball that I will increase revs, but it just isn’t true. You are decreasing speed and adding too much side roll.

Sponsor:
This weeks episode is brought to yo by Brunswick Bowling. Check out the all new Nexxus f (P+R), the newest additon to Brunswick’ Nexus series. The combination of the Projection additive, new Recovery additive, and the Rotor core results in a ball motion with the highest hook potential and most continuation of any Brunswick ball to date.

Be sure to check out the new Nexxus f (P+R) ball reaction video as well as all the other new releases from Brunswick at bowlingball.com

How to contact us
Email us questions@talkbowling.com
Leave a comment on TalkBowling.com
On Twitter we are @TalkBowling
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TalkBowling

Last Week’s Question of the Week:
Q – Who was the first professional athlete to endorse a major product brand on national TV and when?
A – Billy Hardwick for Miller Beer in 1969

Question of the Week:
Q – Who won the first ever PBA title using a reactive resin bowling ball?
A – Watch the next episode.

Choose Your Path Contest – Get 2000 likes and win a Choose Your Path Prize Pack
10000 likes on bowlinball.com and have a chance to win 1 – $100 G/C, 2 – $50 G/C, or 4 – $25 G/C good on bowlingball.com

Contest reminder:
bowlingball.com gives away a brand new bowling ball every week of the year. 52 weeks, 52 winners. All you have to do is signup for our contest weekly.
Also through the end of the 2012, there is a separate giveaway just for participating on BowlingBoards.com. Come join the community of bowlers there, discuss equipment, lane conditions, tips, techniques, and more. Every post you make is an entry into a drawing for a brand new bowling ball.

Closing:
Please remember that bowlingball.com is free shipping on every item, every day. No hidden handling fees, no packaging fees, no added insurance fees. The price shown is the price you pay at checkout. No Surprises.

Talk Bowling #104 – Bowling After a Kids Birthday Party

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Feb 122012

Question from YouTube viewer kingzmaul:
Q – Sometimes whenever i bowl on open bowling condition after a kids birthday party i have trouble making it back to the pocket. I want to say its oil carry down but im unsure on how to fight that. do i need an early rolling bowling ball with pin down or just a ball with a stronger surface. im a 180 average bowler mid revs, 13mph ball speed. i use a mission 2.0 and a critical theory.

A – It sounds like what you’re describing is carry down. Typically open bowling conditions get this way after open bowling occurs. Especially kids birthday parties because most of the bowlers are using house balls which will cause more oil to carry down the back part of the lane.

With your ball speed you would want to find something that will be cleaner in the font part of the lane then the 2.0 and Critical Theory. Something shiny and pinned to get down the lane with a more angular motion would suit this condition the best. What you are trying to do is have the ball store up as much energy as possible so it can cut through the oil down lane.

Question from cd_ebay:
Q – When the lanes are fresh it is very easy to get lined up and strike. What would you suggest when the right side is completely burned up and you are forced to play from the fourth arrow or even further left? I have heard of taking the bump out of your game but how??

A – Practice, practice, practice. Getting comfortable playing that deep is something that you have to practice to feel ok in here. Really what you are trying to do is migrate left on the lane to find more oil. Mentally I envision the lane turned on the angle I am forced to play. So instead of thinking the gutter is to the right, I mentally angle t entire lane so in my minds perspective the lane is the exact same as when Im playing up 10 just turned at a different angle.

Sponsor:
This weeks episode is brought to you by Storm Bowling. Check out the all new Modern Marvel in Storm’s Master line. One of the most popular balls of this years World Series of Bowling was the Marvel Pearl. The new Modern Marvel will provide more midlane traction as it features a textured R2X hybrid reactive cover prepped at 4000 grit.

With the outstanding combination of coverstock and core, youll quickly see why this new release from Storm is sure to become a true modern marvel.

Be sure to check out the Modern Marvel ball reaction video as well as all of Storms new equipment on bowlingball.com

How to contact us
Email us questions@talkbowling.com
Leave a comment on TalkBowling.com
On Twitter we are @TalkBowling

Last Week’s Question of the Week:
Q – Who are the two Finnish born bowlers to win PBA major titles?
A – Mika Koivuniemi (2000 ABC Masters, 2001-02 U.S. Open, 2011 PBA TOC) & Osku Palermaa (2012 PBA World Championships) – These are also the only two Finnish bowlers to win PBA titles

Question of the Week:
Q – Who was the first professional athlete to endorse a major product brand on national TV and when?
A – Watch the next episode

Choose Your Path Contest – Get 2000 likes and win a Choose Your Path Prize Pack
10000 likes on bowlinball.com and have a chance to win 1 – $100 G/C, 2 – $50 G/C, or 4 – $25 G/C good on bowlingball.com

Contest reminder:
bowlingball.com gives away a brand new bowling ball every week of the year. 52 weeks, 52 winners. All you have to do is signup for our contest weekly.
Also through the end of the 2012, there is a separate giveaway just for participating on BowlingBoards.com. Come join the community of bowlers there, discuss equipment, lane conditions, tips, techniques, and more. Every post you make is an entry into a drawing for a brand new bowling ball.

Closing:
Please remember that bowlingball.com is free shipping on every item, every day. No hidden handling fees, no packaging fees, no added insurance fees. The price shown is the price you pay at checkout. No Surprises.

Talk Bowling #103 – Dry Lanes Bowling Ball Suggestions

Episodes 2 Responses »

Jan 282012

Talk Bowling – Episode #103

Question from SGT Wes Phelps:
Q – I have always bowled with conventional drilled holes. What are the advantages and disadvantages with the Finger Tips or Conventional. Thanks for your time and attention.

A – First of all I want to say thank you for what you do for our country. I was going to answer this by email, but I wanted to say this, so I waited

As for the answer, you can watch Talk Bowling episode #12 for a more in depth answer. In short, a finger tip grip will allow you hook and control the bowling ball much more easily.

Question from Phong:

Q – Hello Tony and John!

There are a lot of balls out there which are good for dry lanes. I really need a ball for dry lanes that has a good weight block for more carry. Which ball do you guys use for dry lanes and is it better to use urethane for dry lanes instead of reactive resin. Thanks for the tip!!!

A – You are correct, there are many to choose from. This is really going to depend on how dry. If you are talking about a Saturday morning where the lanes were not oiled from Friday’s leagues and after the youth group has bowled, then you may want a plastic bowling ball. However, you are probably referring to at least a little oil on the lanes, in which case my go to bowling ball is still a Brunswick Slingshot.

Some other suggestions would be the Storm Polar Ice, Storm Tropical Storm

Sponsor:
This weeks episode is brought to you by DV8 Bowling. Check the all new Hell Raiser Revenge from DV8. The Hell Raise Revenge offers easy length through the front and mid-lane with a very quick response to friction on he backend creating a highly angular motion for a matte finish ball that tears through the pins on medium oily to oily lane conditions.

Check out our ball reaction video to see the Revenge in action.

How to contact us
Email us questions@talkbowling.com
Leave a comment on TalkBowling.com
On Twitter we are @TalkBowling

Last Week’s Question of the Week:
Q – On January 8, 2012, two jaw dropping events happened on the PBA telecast. One was Jason Belmonte’s 300, the other was Josh Blanchard’s sticking in his thumb hole and ending up in the gutter. What are your thoughts on how the media covered this event?
We would like to commend Josh’s professional handling of this event and we are also happy to say that he was not seriously injured.

Winner of the bowingball.com T Shirt was Leona Gibbs. Thank you fr participating, we will contact you via Facebook to get all of your informtion.

Question of the Week:
Q – Who are the two Finnish born bowlers to win PBA major titles?
A – Watch the next episode for the answer

Dont forget about our Choose Your Path Contest going on right now. Help Pyramid Bowling get to 1000 likes on Facebook and they will give away your choice of a Path bowling ball, a Path Single Deluxe Tote or Double Roller and your choice of a men’s, woman’s or youth shoe.

Contest reminder:
bowlingball.com gives away a brand new bowling ball every week of the year. 52 weeks, 52 winners. All you have to do is signup for our contest weekly.
Also through the end of the 2012, there is a separate giveaway just for participating on BowlingBoards.com. Come join the community of bowlers there, discuss equipment, lane conditions, tips, techniques, and more. Every post you make is an entry into a drawing for a brand new bowling ball.

Closing:
Please remember that bowlingball.com is free shipping on every item, every day. No hidden handling fees, no packaging fees, no added insurance fees. The price shown is the price you pay at checkout. No Surprises.

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