Apr 082011
Talk Bowling – Episode #84
Question from BJ:
Q – I’ve been a loyal customer of bowlingball.com for five years. I always look there first for the latest in ball releases at excellent prices, as well as the most thorough ball guides and comparisons.
The only ball type missing from my arsenal is one that’s designed to handle heavy oil and longer patterns. I was wondering what differences in ball motion and overall reaction there are (if any) between a ball with a symmetric core (Storm Prodigy, Lane #1 Pink Panther) and one with an asymmetric core (RotoGrip Infinite Theory, 900 Global Bank Pearl). Should I take the core shape into account when I choosing a layout, or is it a negligible factor? Are there any other advantages/disadvantages between symmetric and asymmetric cores?
For sake of reference, I’m left-handed, average 190 in two leagues, throw at 14-15mph with about 250rpm. My current arsenal – Brunswick Ultra Zone (asymmetric), Brunswick Rattler (symmetric), Brunswick Avalanche Pearl (symmetric), Tiger-striped Viz-a-Ball (pancake).
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to your insight.
A – There is a difference in bowling ball reaction from Symmetric and Asymmetric cores. Sometimes it is just personal preference, and other times you will want to take it into consideration for a particular lane condition. Symmetric cores tend to be smoother or more predictable on a variety of lane conditions, while asymmetrical core can be stronger or more angular on the backend they can also give varied results depending on conditions and changes in thew release.
As for layouts on these balls you dont need to be so concerned with this but know that there may be limitations when drilling depending on the desired ball motion. Higher performance balls do ten to be asymmetric since they can be made to hook so much. Keep in mind coverstock and surface prep are still very big factors in ball motion. We could take a very strong asymmetric core and put it in a plastic coverstock and it will still go pretty straight.
From the arsenal you mentioned it does sound like you are missing the high performance piece and I would not specifically say you need a symmetric or symmetric. Sounds like you need something that has a higher overall hook rating and a stronger coverstock to help you on heavier volume patterns.
How to contact us
Email us questions@talkbowling.com
Leave a comment on TalkBowling.com
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Last Week’s Question of the Week:
Q – What the name of the first rubber ball ever produced, and what year was it introduced?
A – “Evertrue" 1905
Question of the Week:
Q – Why was the game “ninepin" eventually changed to the tenpin game we know today?
A – Watch the next episode for the answer
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.
Question from BJ:
Q – I’ve been a loyal customer of bowlingball.com for five years. I always look there first for the latest in ball releases at excellent prices, as well as the most thorough ball guides and comparisons.
The only ball type missing from my arsenal is one that’s designed to handle heavy oil and longer patterns. I was wondering what differences in ball motion and overall reaction there are (if any) between a ball with a symmetric core (Storm Prodigy, Lane #1 Pink Panther) and one with an asymmetric core (RotoGrip Infinite Theory, 900 Global Bank Pearl). Should I take the core shape into account when I choosing a layout, or is it a negligible factor? Are there any other advantages/disadvantages between symmetric and asymmetric cores?
For sake of reference, I’m left-handed, average 190 in two leagues, throw at 14-15mph with about 250rpm. My current arsenal – Brunswick Ultra Zone (asymmetric), Brunswick Rattler (symmetric), Brunswick Avalanche Pearl (symmetric), Tiger-striped Viz-a-Ball (pancake).
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to your insight.
A – There is a difference in bowling ball reaction from Symmetric and Asymmetric cores. Sometimes it is just personal preference, and other times you will want to take it into consideration for a particular lane condition. Symmetric cores tend to be smoother or more predictable on a variety of lane conditions, while asymmetrical core can be stronger or more angular on the backend they can also give varied results depending on conditions and changes in thew release.
As for layouts on these balls you dont need to be so concerned with this but know that there may be limitations when drilling depending on the desired ball motion. Higher performance balls do ten to be asymmetric since they can be made to hook so much. Keep in mind coverstock and surface prep are still very big factors in ball motion. We could take a very strong asymmetric core and put it in a plastic coverstock and it will still go pretty straight.
From the arsenal you mentioned it does sound like you are missing the high performance piece and I would not specifically say you need a symmetric or symmetric. Sounds like you need something that has a higher overall hook rating and a stronger coverstock to help you on heavier volume patterns.
How to contact us
Email us questions@talkbowling.com
Leave a comment on TalkBowling.com
On Twitter we are @TalkBowling
Sponsor: ShoeBuy.com.
ShoeBuy.com is the World’s Largest Site for Shoes. They have over 750,000 products from 950 top name brands in all sizes, widths, and colors for men, women, teens and children. ShoeBuy.com customers enjoy free shipping both ways on US orders. TalkBowling viewers can save 10% on their purchase at ShoeBuy.com by entering the promotion code TALK during checkout. Help support us by supporting our sponsors.
Last Week’s Question of the Week:
Q – What the name of the first rubber ball ever produced, and what year was it introduced?
A – “Evertrue" 1905
Question of the Week:
Q – Why was the game “ninepin" eventually changed to the tenpin game we know today?
A – Watch the next episode for the answer
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.
8 Responses to “Talk Bowling #84 – Difference Between Symmetric and Asymmetric Cores”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Answer to question: 🙂
Ninepin bowling attracted a lot of gamblers and they gave bowling a bad name. Because of the gambling a law in Connecticut got approved in 1841 that prohibited people to own ninepin bowling lanes. But people simply got around this law by putting an extra bowling pin on the deck and this meant the start of tenpin bowling.
To answer your question John. I do bowl in the summer, one league, once a week. Still a lot less than 4 times a week, which is my normal season bowling. Also I golf ( All bowlers golf, thats the law of the land)
I take the summer off from league and golf. I still bowl once a week to keep the feel and work on things.
Thanks for answering my question, fellas. And to respond to your smart@$$ comment, Mr. Ruocco, yes, I strike with my Viz-a-Ball. Oddly, I carry the weak 7-pin more often with the Viz than with my higher-end equipment. I can't figure out why for the life of me…
I usually don't bowl in summer leagues, but my local house is running a Team USA Experience doubles league this summer which I want to try. I attempted a PBA Experience league a couple years ago and was thoroughly humiliated. I want to see if I've improved any since then.
Sounds like you have too much angle going in to the headpin with your higher end equipment. This can cause the headpin to wrap around the 7. You don't have that problem with the Viz.
I try to find one league to bowl in the summer. A lot of that is based on how busy my kid's schedules are. Last summer I bolwed in a Youth Adult Scholarship league. My local center offers sereral leagues over the summer.
Yes I bowl during the summer. I bowl on Friday's in a Kegel Experience League, Saturday mornings, and Monday nights just to practice.
I am no expert on this, but I seem to remember reading that assymetrics react to dry on the lanes more quickly and symmetrics react more smoothly.