The New Revenant Bowling Ball from Storm Bowling

                                                                                REVENANT

It’s risen. R3S Pearl is together anew with the Vector Core, but with a fresh veneer and more reaction where it matters most: at the pins. Reacta Gloss is cutting-edge when it comes to surfaces. Using an all-new polishing agent, Reacta Gloss maintains its profile longer and more consistently than any previous Storm polished finish before it. Go ahead. Grip it. You’ll immediately feel a difference to the touch.

The Storm Bolt doesn’t just identify a Storm bowling ball. It represents over three decades of tradition, a commitment to quality, and a promise to always roll better than ever before. The covers are robust. The cores are exact. Because when the scores add up, the thrill of sending all ten back tells you that it’s worth it.

Like the new Premier ball, the Absolute, the Thunder Line adds the new Revenant on January 20th, 2023. 

Available: January, 20th 2023
Fragrance: Bear Claw
Color: Amerthsyt/Black

Storm Introduces The Premier Line Absolute Bowling Ball

      ABSOLUTE™

AN ABSOLUTE UPGRADE

In most cases, an extra slug, or weighted disk, is needed to create enhanced dynamics, but the evenly weighted masses at both ends of the Sentinel Core upgrades this effect more than a single slug ever could. This ensures the Absolute will change direction and continue through the pins better and more consistently. This is the first single-density asymmetric core in the Storm line since the Lucid.

The R&D team has also reduced the amount of weight block mass near the area where the thumb hole is typically placed. The inward angled edges increase the intermediate differential prior to drilling and allows the dynamic integrity to be preserved after drilling because the thumb hole misses the weight block. The extra intermediate differential makes the Absolute respond to friction on the lane more effectively and won’t miss the spot.

Performance happens when bowler and ball work together as one. When the ball becomes an extension of the bowler’s will. That’s performance we measure not on a scoreboard, but in our hearts..The Storm Absolute is 2023's first new PREMIER LINE ball. Expect the Absolute to be available January 20th, 2023.

 

Subject: Time For A New Ball

Questioner: Ed

Subject: Time for a new ball

Date Asked: 2016-09-02 00:34:02

Question:

Hi Warren

I’m a casual bowler and my 10 year old son likes to bowl so we’ve been going to the Brunswick Zone every Saturday. I’ve had an old Eclipse 16 lb ball for many years now and I was told it’s basically a “house ball that a big box store sold”. I don’t remember where I got it, but I just throw it straight hoping to hit the pocket, and maybe I'll attempt to throw a slight hook from time to time.

It's always been a little heavy so I am in the market for a 14 lb ball and since the lanes where I bowl are medium to heavy oil, I wanted to get a ball that would benefit from such lanes. I throw a pretty much straight ball, but would like a ball that would have some “built-in” hook or curve potential; if I ever decided to start throwing one. Could you give me two or three ball recommendations? I've been looking at the Pyramid Dark Path, Path Rising and Blueprint Pearl Project 1.618, the DV8 Grudge Hybrid, and several others. Way too many choices out there!

I've been told by several people to have my ball fingertip drilled, but I'm not sure I can get used to throwing that way. Like I said, I'm just a casual bowler looking for a new ball. I bowled a 233 when I was 12 years old and wish I would've stuck with it! I would say my average now is probably in the 160's. Not that scores matter since I bowl for fun, but it would be nice to start bowling in the 200's again.

I've read reviews and seen terms I never even heard of. "I had my balled drilled 30x4.5x70 with pin above the ring finger". Huh?? Lol!

Which of these would benefit me the most? Or do you have any other recommendations?

ALSO----I have a pair of bowling shoes that, because of the way I approach, stick something awful when I bowl. I had to purchase one of those powder pouches and apply it almost every time I bowl so I don't stick and fall flat on my face. I know there's shoe sole covers out there, but because of the way I bowl, I need the heels to be slippery as well; if not more. Do you know of any shoes out of the box that glide without having to use a cover or a metal brush?

Thanks so much!!

Ed

Thanks!!

Answer:

Ed,

Ball fit is about comfort and a "relaxed" feel. The ball should literally just hang from your hand. An older ball usually reflects older ideas in fit techniques. Modern fitting should vastly improve your feel over the big box store fit ball.  Ball weight should reflect 10% of your body weight, to the max of 16 pounds.

Dropping, if you must, should only be a pound, or you give up some effect that the weight of the ball provides as it hits the pins. Unless there is some physical problem, a two pound drop will be way to easy for you to "over" control. Your swing should be a synergy between you and the ball. Too light and a small adjustment (a manipulation of your swing direction) of only an inch at the point of release, could cause the ball to miss you target, 60 feet latter, by more than a foot!

The formula you saw is from a technique to lay out and drill a ball called Dual Angle Layouts, but the tech talk often makes the customer confused and feeling uneducated. I prefer you know what you're getting. Like a mechanic that throws out a lot of terminology and then wants $1,000.00 for a repair, I feel some service people hide their actual work in complicated explanations that the customer can't possibly understand, or THEY COULD DO THE JOB THEMSELVES!

Your ball options are a little like comparing a first generation Model T automobile and a current car. The technology is so advanced from the previous ball, you are looking at WAY more ball than you need. Your looking to have fun, but bowling balls are tools, to help you have fun. You DO NOT need that much ball. You are not an experienced bowler, so controlling a complicated ball isn't in your skill set, yet. Roll a more basic polyester ball like your old one and you will develop skill through practice and participation. But fit will be HUGELY more important. Find a ball driller that is interested in helping you get better not just sell you an expensive piece of equipment. Have them explain the fit technique and how he does what he does. Ask for some tips.

Shoes should help you slide. Have the potential seller of your new shoes, watch you bowl and suggest options. You may want to alter your current delivery to benefit from more consistent execution. High tech bowling shoes could cost as much or more than the ball, so explain what you need and see if they can suggest something that won't cost a mortgage payment!

Thanks for the questions. Hope this guidance helps. Let me know how it's going.

I've Got a Question: Subject: Drilling

Questioner: Vince

Subject: Drilling

Date Asked: 2016-09-03 23:38:05

Question:

Does ball speed affect the way a professional might drill a ball. I throw down and in @ 14.5mph. Faster my ball slides thru the break, slower breaks too much.

Answer:

Vince,

Professional bowlers are among the most consistent, most accurate players on the planet. They use changes in speed, rotation and tilt to create different ball motions. Often you will see similar layouts in different balls, because they have a favorite starting point, with a variety of ball choices so they can create different ball motions. Different layouts can dramatically effect what a ball can and does do. Speed dominant players might utilize stronger layouts (or rougher coverstocks or both) because their speed overwhelms the lane and they use stronger layouts to help control the environment. Similarly with rev dominant players, weaker layouts utilize less "help" from ball cores and help the rev dominant control their environment.

Ball speed is one of the assets when rolling today's performance balls. Your ball driller SHOULD be aware of your ball speed, rev rate, axis tilt and axis rotation. Some players can only duplicate some of these details consistently. But with no idea what you do, or are prone to do, the layout can influence the ball roll so it's as you've described, too much or too little. Did your driller see you bowl? Identify your Positive Axis Point? How strong a ball do you have? What ball?

Unfortunately, some drillers have favorite layouts or recommended strong layouts that manufacturers detail in the ball boxes, that might be too much for some or create a difficult to control ball motion. Your driller should have the info from watching you bowl to provide the right combination of layout, ball performance, surface preparation, etc. to match up to your expected lane conditions.

Your speed is right in the middle of average, so the lane condition you bowl on seems to be creating too much skid with a little more speed and too much hook with less speed. I'd suggest you talk to the driller and share what's going on and ask if there is something they can do to moderate the reaction you are seeing (maybe a little rougher cover to moderate the over reaction with a little more speed). Sounds like you are using a pearl or shiny hybrid ball.

Are you dialing your speed up or down to try to control the ball? Is it easier to roll a little faster? slower?

Thanks for the question, let me know what you do to resolve the issue.

2023 PBA50 (AND PBA60) NATIONAL TOUR SCHEDULE

The 2023 PBA50 Tour schedule will feature the greatest bowlers in the world aged 50-and-over competing in 12 title events, including five major championships, from early June to the end of August, with a total purse of more than $1 million.

The Professional Bowlers Association also announced fans will be able watch every PBA50 Tour event start-to-finish, livestreamed on BowlTV.

Highlighting the season will be the first-ever PBA50 World Series of Bowling, at JAX60 in Jackson, Mich., July 15-23. The inaugural senior WSOB will feature four title events including the main-event PBA50 World Championship, which will boast a first-place prize of $25,000, the highest on the senior circuit in more than two decades.

Similar to the PBA Tour’s World Series, the PBA50 WSOB will have multiple oil pattern championship stages leading to the World Championship. 

Another exciting addition to the schedule finds the 2023 PBA50 Tour season concluding with the return of the PBA50 Tournament of Champions (TOC), at Orange Bowl Lanes in Lakeland, Fla., Aug. 26-30. Back for the first time this century, the PBA50 TOC and its $15,000 winner’s check will be open to PBA champions over the age of 50 who have won a PBA title of any kind in their careers from the PBA Tour and PBA50 Tour, including PBA and PBA50 Regional Tour titles.

Last season, legendary PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III earned PBA50 Player of the Year honors, winning four titles and leading the Tour in points and earnings.

Lennie Boresch Jr. won the 2022 Senior U.S. Open, and the victory earned the 10-year PBA50 Tour veteran eligibility into the PBA Hall of Fame, based on his senior Tour accomplishments. Boresch was elected to the HOF by vote and will be inducted in March. 

Andres Gomez, the first Colombian to win a PBA Tour title, will cross the age 50 threshold on July 19, and is expected to compete.

In addition to Bohn and Boresch, PBA Hall of Famers Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barnes, Pete Weber, Jason Couch, Amleto Monacelli, Ron Mohr, Tom Baker and Johnny Petraglia once again figure to be regulars on the PBA50 Tour.

Rounding out the major championships on the 2023 PBA50 Tour schedule are the USBC Senior Masters at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas, the Senior U.S. Open at Highland Park Lanes in Greeley, Colo. and the PBA50 Players Championship at Bowl America Dranesville in Virginia. The Players Championship finals and its record-high $20,000 first place prize will be contested on specially-installed lanes at the home of PBA50 player Bill Moore.

Other cities hosting 2023 PBA50 Tour regular events include Hammond, Ind., Morgantown, W.Va., The Villages, Fla., and Fort Myers, Fla.

The PBA50 Tour schedule will also allow for players to participate in the new PBA LBC National Championships at Bowlero Wauwatosa in Milwaukee, Wis. Depending on which division the PBA50 players choose to enter, the National Championships have a $25,000 first-place prize in the Open Classic division, and $5,000 first in the Men’s Senior Classic division. The top three finishers in the Open Classic division and winner of the men’s Senior Classic division will join winners in other divisions earning trips to the FOX Sports presentation of the PBA LBC National Championships Clash, and its $100,000 purse, from Bayside Bowl in Portland, Maine.

The PBA LBC National Championships will run on weekends from June 3-July 17, with June 24-25, July 1-2 and July 8-9 being ideal weekends for the touring PBA50 players to enter.

Two PBA50 Regional events will also be available along the way for touring players, July 24-26 in Wyoming, Mich.; and July 28-30 in Bowling Green, Ohio. Dozens more PBA50 Regionals around the country will be announced soon.

Two PBA60 National Tour events for players age 60-and-over are also on the schedule, including the season-opening USBC Super Senior Classic in Las Vegas, which will kick things off on May 31, prior to the Senior Masters. PBA60 Tour players will also travel to Ohio for the PBA60 Tristan’s T.A.P.S. Memorial Tournament at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl in July.

2023 PBA50 TOUR SCHEDULE RELEASED

May 31-June 4: USBC Super Senior Classic, Sam’s Town, Las Vegas (PBA60)
June 5-11: USBC Senior Masters, Sam’s Town, Las Vegas
June 14-19: Senior US Open, Highland Park Lanes, Greeley, Colo.
July 2-5 (rescheduled from July 4-7): PBA60 Tristan’s T.A.P.S. Memorial Tournament, Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl, Columbus, Ohio (PBA60)
July 10-13: PBA50 South Shore Classic, Olympia Lanes, Hammond, Ind.
July 15-23: PBA50 World Series of Bowling, JAX60, Jackson, Mich.
     July 16, 19: PBA50 Ballard Championship
     July 17, 20: PBA50 Monacelli Championship
     July 18, 21: PBA50 Petraglia Championship
     July 16-23: PBA50 World Championship
July 31 – August 3: PBA50 Morgantown Classic, Suburban Lanes, Morgantown, W.Va.
Aug. 6-10: Bud Moore PBA50 Players Championship, Bowl America Dranesville, Sterling, Va.
Aug. 14-18: PBA50 The Villages Classic, Spanish Springs Lanes, The Villages, Fla.
Aug. 20-23: PBA50 Fort Myers Classic, Lightning Strikes Bowling Lanes, Fort Myers, Fla.
Aug. 26-30: PBA50 Tournament of Champions, Orange Bowl Lanes, Lakeland, Fla.

PBA50 majors are bolded

PBA60 torunaments in RED, majors are italicized 

MOTIV Bowling introduces The New Jackal™ Ambush

The newest predator in the vicious Jackal line, the Jackal™ Ambush will catch opponents off guard with its strength and control of its environment. 

This ultra-strong beast pushes the boundaries of ball motion and hook in oil, providing a smooth and controlled ball motion, even in the heaviest concentrations. The Jackal Ambush allows you to go on the hunt, knowing that you have the strength behind you to dominate. 

The Jackal™ Ambush introduces the release of a brand new cover stock system; Leverage Solid Reactive. Leverage is formulated to be smoother down lane and stronger in the oil than the Coercion cover stock systems previously used for this ball motion. This is the most aggressive and cover stock system ever developed in the MOTIV ball line. 

Paired with this new system is the proven Predator™ V2 core. Used in the legendary Jackal™ Ghost and the Alpha Jackal used by Wesley Low to shoot 900, the Predator V2 is ideal in heavy oil conditions when a high performance, asymmetrical core is necessary. The low RG and high differential give a fast spinning and dynamic core design, capable of huge amounts flare. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

BALL NAME: Jackal™ Ambush 

CONDITION: Heavy Oil 

FINISH: 1000 Grit LSS 

WEIGHTS: 12# - 16# 

15#: RG 2.47 | Max Diff .054 | Int. Diff .015 

CORE: Predator™ V2 BALL 

COLOR: Black/Hunter/Dark Green Solid 

COVER: Leverage™ Solid Reactive 

NEOMARK: Gray/Red Solid 

For more information about MOTIV® Bowling, 

please visit www.motivbowling.com

PBA AND USBC ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP MOVING PBA LIVESTREAMING TO BOWLTV FOR 2023 SEASON

 DECEMBER 1, 2022 PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS ASSOCIATION

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ARLINGTON, Texas – The Professional Bowlers Association and United States Bowling Congress have agreed on a partnership to offer exclusive livestreaming coverage of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate PBA Tour season on BowlTV.

The agreement will include comprehensive coverage of the PBA National Tour, as well as PBA50, PBA Jr. and PBA Regional Tour events. BowlTV’s season coverage will feature all PBA Tour qualifying rounds and championship rounds for five PBA Classic series tournaments. The coverage also will include the entirety of the Roth/Holman PBA Doubles Championship and all PBA50 Tour events.

This agreement brings the PBA Tour, Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour and USBC short-duration tournaments to the same BowlTV livestreaming platform, providing subscribers unprecedented access to top-level bowling with one subscription.

“We are pleased to have all professional bowling come together under the same platform for 2023,” PBA Tour Commissioner Tom Clark said. “BowlTV’s coverage will be tremendous for bowling fans.”

PBA coverage on BowlTV will include multiple channels at each event, so fans can follow their favorite PBA competitors. The broadcasts also will include professional commentary, interviews and analysis featuring top bowling experts.

“We appreciate the PBA partnering with the USBC to create this incredible content offering for bowling,” USBC President Melissa McDaniel said. “This partnership is a big win for all of bowling, including the fans, athletes and USBC members. USBC is committed to making the BowlTV experience outstanding for its subscribers and the PBA.”

BowlTV offers the ability to purchase event tickets, as well as monthly and annual subscriptions. A full 2023 event schedule and updated pricing will be announced later this month.

Go to BOWL.com/BowlTV to learn more about BowlTV. Visit PBA.com for information on the PBA Tour.

Track and DV8 Introduce 2 New Balls Next Month

Track Bowling is excited to announce the Sensor, which adds a new symmetric core design to an already versatile and high-performing line-up. The Regulator core features a new design, yielding a low RG and differential combination. The new Regulator core, paired with DR-6 Pearl, will create easy length and a strong backend reaction. The Sensor was strategically designed to handle medium to drier conditions and to fit just below the Kinetic Black Ice in the line.

The Collision was many players’ go-to ball when they needed an asymmetric ball that moved on the backend. The Brutal Collision is a fantastic follow-up and uses an even stronger reacting base cover, HK22. Adding HK22 to the Collision core and a polished, solid cover creates even more hook and a devastating backend reaction. As promised, HK22 will create more color clarity, and the Brutal Collision is bold and vibrant. This ball will stand out for its look and also its performance on the lanes.

New Bowling Ball Hurts My Hand

Questioner: DaRenda                           Oct 21, 2016                                             

Subject: New bowling ball hurts my hand and would pull me across foul line. 

Question: 
I bought a new bowling ball Saturday and it hurts my fingers, my longest finger has arthritis & a large 1st joint. That spot hurts so bad and has blisters. My thumb rubs on the outside, top part of my nail and rubs the polish off. My first finger which doesn't even go into the ball hurts at the upper outer part of my nail to the point I can't use it. In addition, it won't release and will pull me across the foul line. I feel better and Safer using the house balls!! When I bought it the man that drilled it said it was a "perfect fit". It hurts to use it. I feel like I wasted my money if I'm using house balls instead of the new one I bought. 
 

Answer: DaRenda, 
Take it back. Tell the guy what's going on. Try getting him to watch you roll it to him on the carpet outside the store. If you've not had experience with a proper fit, you will struggle mightily because you have been using a really bad fit in a House Ball. House balls are drilled to fit EVERYONE. Yours is drilled only for you. Adjustments can be made.  
 

House balls demand that you grip them like CRAZY!!! A proper fit means much less grip pressure, eventually to NO GRIP Pressure. But you've taught your muscles to GRIP, GRIP, GRIP using a house ball. You are used to a ball THAT'S WAY TOO LIGHT FOR YOU (most likely). Have the guy walk you through the issues you mentioned and see what adjustments can be made. What weight is the ball? How long have you bowled? Do you want to be better or just tired of tracking down a house ball to use? 
 

Thanks for writing. Let me know what gets done? Thanks, give it a chance, bowl well. 

Question? Contact me at revbowl@gmail.com 

Can I Get Help with Hand Position and Release?

Name: Sam                                                                             Nov 25, 2008 

Subject: Hand position and release

Question: I have problem with my hand position and release. I use wrist support (pro release). How can I practice my hand always in the same position? I release the bowl like hand shake...but not enough spin. How can I improve my game? I had read about 1 o'clock, 10 o'clock positions but I couldn't understand it. Can you help me?

Answer: Sam,

Get a small football, not tiny but regulation is too big unless you have a large hand. Throw the football underhand, to a target. The unique shape of the football will be hard to throw in a tight spiral.

A similar hand action is needed to roll a bowling ball with good rotation. Practice with the football, with and without the Pro Release. Each session should include at least 10 perfect spirals, at least 50 attempts. Work up to 30 perfect spirals. When the non-perfect spirals are few and far between, you've changed your muscle memory, and added the skill needed to roll a bowling ball with better rotation. Impacting spin and rotation with hand action and elbow position is next on the agenda. Let me know when rotation is consistent, also watch ball speed, it should start getting more consistent too. 

On the lanes, isolate the delivery by doing one step drills at your favorite bowl. Stand a couple feet behind the foul line. Set up as if to go into your approach, but don't step. Swing the ball out and down, like in your approach, at the top of your swing push your slide foot toward the foul line, sliding forward, use the same hand rotation you have been practicing to deliver your bowling ball. Again, repeat the practice sessions as above.

Thanks for the questions. Good bowling.

Question? Contact me at revbowl@gmail.com

Finding the Positive Axis Point on a Bowling Ball

Name: Tony                                                                    Aug 9, 2009

Subject: Drilling

Question: How do you find your Positive Axis Point (PAP) on a brand new ball. Mine is 5 1/4 over, 3/8 up.  I'm right handed. I got a new Virtual Energy and I want to set it up myself, it has a 3-3.5 pin 2.78 top weight, 15lbs.2oz.

Answer: Tony,

Your PAP is your PAP (generally). You roll the ball the same (assuming you are somewhat consistent), so the axis should be the same on any ball, but the layout/weight-block influences the ultimate PAP in any particular ball.

I've found the VERY heavy asymmetrical weight-blocks in MoRich equipment (for example) influences my PAP (and I've seen it with customers equipment). Where my PAP USUALLY is 5 5/16 over and 5/16 up, my N'Sane and Sahara have PAP's almost an inch shorter (4 3/4 and 4 9/16 respectively).

What equipment do you roll now? What kind of layouts do you use? What layout do you plan to put into the Storm Virtual Energy? What do you want the ball to do versus what you roll now?

You are setting it up yourself? Why? Will you drill it or are you going to have someone else drill it? Does your driller NOT explain layouts? Please tell me your not a garage driller who doesn't know anything, and plans to learn to drill on the Internet??? Next hobby BRAIN SURGERY??

Just messing with you. Knowing more about the ball and layouts is a good thing.

In my experience, players that get very into layouts assume the ball is the magic wand in bowling (so then you can get a magic layout). But, you could have the best ball, best layout, best lane condition in the world for you (The ultimate MATCH UP) and if you don't roll the ball consistently, you won't score well. So, please fill me in a little on your experience level, how long you've been bowling, ball speed, rev rate and axis tilt, etc.? So I can get an idea of where you're coming from.

Thanks for the question. Let me know more or how the ball works out. Good luck.

Question? Contact me at revbowl@gmail.com

Can You Offer a Ball Recommendation?

Name: Ron                                                                       Mon, Aug 31, 2009

Subject: Bowling Ball

Question: Well my wife bought me a new ball (Hammer Black Widow Venom) 

I was out of bowling for a few years and the ball really doesn't work for me. I throw a strong hook and a fast ball.

The Venom definitely has too much hook as I really cannot control it. I am right handed and if I hit the 1-2 pocket I am lucky because it hooks way left. I have used the ball for about a year now on multiple types of oil surfaces.

I have tried changing my position and speed and everything else but I really just think I need a different ball that will hook much less.

Can you offer a recommendation?

I am a average bowler as a sub in a league.

Just looking for some advice on a ball with less hook than the Venom.

I was possibly considering based on reviews I have read. I am considering the Brunswick Swarm which has a hook of a 105 on a scales of 10 - 175 as compared to the Venom which has a hook of 115 based on a scale of 10-160

Answer: Ron,

First change the surface of the ball from the very shiny out of box (4000) to something that will burn energy off (1000) before the big move down the lane. That should help some. A different layout will also get the ball to roll much milder also. If you want to plug the ball.

Not knowing anything about your rev rate, speed (other than hard), tilt, rotation and lane conditions, its near impossible to suggest a ball. Where do you want to play on the lane? Up the boards? swing the ball a little? point the ball to the pocket? Where do you place your slide foot at set-up? RH or LH? Do you drift? Where does your slide foot finish at the foul line? What is your target on the lane from the set-up described? Do you have a previous ball that you liked? 

How much less would you like the new ball to hook? Hook JUST less or later? Earlier? The Swarm is less ball but I'm not sure how much less you'll need. Yet.

Let me know more and I can get a handle on the situation. Thanks for the question.

Question? Please contact me at revbowl@gmail.com.

BALL SPEED 13.5 EVERYTHING HOOKS TOO MUCH EVEN THE PLASTIC BALLS WITH A CORE. STRAIGHT PLASTIC IS OK BUT DOESNT CARRY. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Questioner: HERB                                 Date Asked: 2017-01-04 

Subject: EQUIPMENT

QUESTION: BALL SPEED 13.5 EVERYTHING HOOKS TOO MUCH EVEN THE PLASTIC BALLS WITH A CORE. STRAIGHT PLASTIC IS OK BUT DOESNT CARRY. WHAT IS A SOLUTION

ANSWER: Herb,

Actual ball speed, are you measuring with a stopwatch or other device? Or from the score console above the lane? (The ball speed provided by lane equipment is notoriously inconsistent/inaccurate.) Also, the scoring system speed measurement occurs around 40 feet downlane. The ball has slowed significantly by then. 

Where are you trying to play? Straight down the lane or more across the center of the lane, out to the gutter and back? When the ball rolls, is the oil on the ball close to the gripping holes (within an inch or two), further away (3 to 4 inches) or more than 5 inches away? Do you bowl on freshly oiled league lane conditions or are you open bowling on your own? What time of the day do you bowl?

When I get a sense of what your ball does, I can suggest some options. What balls have you tried? Ball weight, pin position, finger tip or conventional? Are you bowling on wood or an overlayment? Most centers are synthetic lanes but some of the older houses have some technology that's more "challenging"!

Let me know as much as you can. Not everybody rolls the ball the same, the balls are dramatically different and lane conditions are strange sometimes. Thanks for the question, I look forward to helping you out.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I bowl straight down the boards at times and I swing at times ball speed stays the same. its monitored down lane. oil there is about 10 oil tracks on the resin ball 8 on urethane and 3 on plastic. fresh oil 2 leagues 6pm and 9am. I have 56 balls all types tried almost everything

ANSWER: Herb,

First, if you swing the ball, it covers more boards and would be picked up by the lane devices as rolling slower than straight down the lane trajectory. If I can't get accurate information, I can't really understand what's going on.

That many flare rings suggest a lot of revs. Where are the flare rings in relation to the gripping holes? That will help immensely. What I asked before was: "When the ball rolls, is the oil on the ball close to the gripping holes (within an inch or two), further away (3 to 4 inches) or more than 5 inches away?"

Second, any reactive ball rolled slowly with a ton of revs, with that many flare rings was drilled by someone who has NO IDEA what you do to a ball. You want a low flare layout. Possibly a more understanding ball driller, or more experienced one, would help you better. Where about in the world do you live/bowl?

I am cautious to ask this because I don't want to offend you, but it seems you are searching for a magic bowling ball. Are you drilling all these bowling balls yourself?

Have you ever had bowling lessons or worked with a coach?  Sometimes, balls do wonderful things but they are tools, like a screwdriver or a wrench. If you can't deliver the ball with consistent ball speed and axis tilt and rotation, you will struggle with over-reaction and under-reaction, often in the same game. How long have you been bowling?

Are you a no thumb or two handed bowler (meaning seriously rev dominant)? What do you average? Since carry is an issue, are you good at your spares?

I commend your persistence with 56 balls. Are they all the same weight? What weight ball do you throw? Same fit? You didn't mention the lanes bowled on, I'm hoping you don't bowl on older wood lanes, or wood with a overlayment of soft plastic.

Bowling is not easy, some types of players make it look easy. Getting an accurate idea of what you do, is crucial. Some videos would be helpful. But I'm not a fan of just guessing. But if you can be more complete with answering my questions, you might have a or several balls I'd recommend already! You might just need a different layout.

Thank for the patience and I look forward to hearing back.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have been bowling for 50 years. my ball speed is always 13.5 to 14. the lanes I bowl on are synthetic. the oil lines on the ball start close to the holes but extend 4 to 5 inches away. I have had balls even drilled negative but still go too early. my driller has been drilling my balls for 30 years and is a respected driller. the advent of resin balls and todays oil patterns is when my problems began. now I seem to be relocated to urethane and plastic. it isn't the amount of hook that's the problem, but that they hook too early even with a 4000 finish. I never have under reaction always over reaction. worked with a coach last year he kept telling me too many revs for ball speed. cant get more speed. I have so many balls with so many different layouts none seem to work. averaging 200 with urethane or plastic, but not good enough today.

Answer:

Herb,

Thanks for the follow-up info. Negative in a layout often gets the ball to read the lane VERY early, not a solution, unless you are going for a roll out shot.

Your track flares closer to the gripping holes suggest that you are more up the back of the ball with less axis rotation, meaning the ball will hook earlier and not more boards overall. Does your driller know your Positive Axis Point (PAP)? Does he know the Dual Angle Layout System? Or Storm Layout System?

As a rev dominant guy, your info suggests that your PAP is over more than 5 inches, maybe more.  If this is the case your basic layout should have a pin 5 plus inches from your PAP, maybe MORE and likely the pin below your finger holes. Slower speed suggests that big angles are needed in the layouts (using the Dual Angle System), to compensate. Are the lanes you play on oiled consistently? Because it sounds like using 4000 grit is rolling to soon, maybe there is little or no oil where you prefer to play. Also, your slower speed might suggest a pearl ball (possibly with some surface adjustment to make it less violent in the backend), or shiny hybrid, with a symmetric core would help.

Lastly, some options, drill a mild reactive pearl, with a symmetric core with a big pin (5-6 inches from your PAP), with an 80 degree Drill Angle and 80 degree Vertical Axis Angle. That should get the ball down the lane, if it doesn't hit well change the layout to 80/50 and try again. Or Drill one of the plastic balls with cores, symmetric I hope, with a 5 1/2 - 6 inch pin,  use a 45 degree/80 degree layout and make sure he puts a weight hole on the PSA, to help with carry.

Ball speed could be a key, but if a coach tried to get you to roll the ball faster, and you can't that might be a problem. What did the coach encourage you to do? Try to take your first step short and quick, if you take four steps, first two steps short and quicker if you have a 5 step approach. Increasing your momentum is the easiest way to increase ball speed, and likely easiest way to duplicate the adjustment through out a league set. Always check each shot as you execute (for awhile)! Making this adjustment is easy two, three or four times. Doing it 30 times, will take significant concentration. Changing muscle memory is HARD. Do something 1000 times and you may need 2,3 or 5,000 more to not have to check that you executed properly each time. 

If you have any strong cover, strong asymmetric core balls, you just send them to me. I don't want you to even think about using them again, the lane is just too long for your current game!

If your driller is open to it, let me know, I would like to talk with him about your fit and ideas on how to change your roll, or help with the layout details. Sometimes info passed back and forth gets confusing. I can get a better sense of what you guys have tried, and what he sees from some of the stuff he's drilled.

Or take some vacation days come to Chicago and we can work on your game and your stuff. Thanks for the questions. Let me know more and keep in touch I'd like to hear how things are going. I can use some more nice comments for my testimonials page on my website. Good luck and good bowling. 

Question? Contact me at: revbowl@gmail.com