Looking for one more ball in my arsenal

[JaraTo]

I've been bowling off and on for years but just recently I've started to commit to the sport much like my how my bosses and father do to golf. I've starting to learn about pin, mb, and pap placements and also already own all three widows (just got the bwb & bwp within the last two months, had bws for over a year). I want to be prepared for just about any lane condition out there as I've read this is apart of becoming a more serious bowler.

To describe my current layouts generically, my bws is drilled in " #3 strong layout" w/ pin (next to ring finger) and mb right of my grip. My bwp & bwb are both drilled closer to the label "arc" layout with my bwb pin and mb being slightly closer to my pap, above my ring finger, and bwp above my centerline. I also have a Clear Wolf for dry lane conditions and my spare ball.

I'm thinking for my next ball that I should drill something up that has an earlier roll than my bws but still has something similar to the strong layout. I consider myself a tweener I guess, maybe closer to a stroker depending on conidition, with med revs and a mid track. The one time I did get clocked I think it was in teh 14-16mph range. Any suggestions?

[uberamd]

I would recommend the Elite Black Label for a few reasons. First off, you have all of the widow balls. Second, I have never tried any other Hammer products. Third, the EBL has worked great for me, as a low/med rev speed stroker. It has a nice arc with a semi sharp backend into the pocket. Works great in league and complements my BWS well. Also, at $80, the price is right on it right now.

[slap]

I would recommend the Elite Black Label for a few reasons. First off, you have all of the widow balls. Second, I have never tried any other Hammer products. Third, the EBL has worked great for me, as a low/med rev speed stroker. It has a nice arc with a semi sharp backend into the pocket. Works great in league and complements my BWS well. Also, at $80, the price is right on it right now.

:rolleyes:

To be honest, I don't think you need another ball. Depending on the layouts and surface prep you should be covered for most conditions. IMO at this point your cash would be better spent on lessons with a good coach...

That said, if you really want a ball I understand. I'm a ball hog myself. When building an arsenal what you want is a variety of reaction shapes. Generally speaking, the Widows react downlane. I suggest you consider a ball layed out for a strong midlane reaction. That should give you different look. Of the current Hammers, the NM or the Anger are the obvious choices but I would strongly consider the Blue Vibe, sanded and drilled strong.

[uberamd]

:rolleyes:

To be honest, I don't think you need another ball. Depending on the layouts and surface prep you should be covered for most conditions. IMO at this point your cash would be better spent on lessons with a good coach...

That said, if you really want a ball I understand. I'm a ball hog myself. When building an arsenal what you want is a variety of reaction shapes. Generally speaking, the Widows react downlane. I suggest you consider a ball layed out for a strong midlane reaction. That should give you different look. Of the current Hammers, the NM or the Anger are the obvious choices but I would strongly consider the Blue Vibe, sanded and drilled strong.

I will agree on lessons perhaps. He does have 3 backend balls like you said, so I would suggest any ball that has a midlane reaction, exactly as you said. The only midlane ball I own (since I have only 3) is a EBL. So, while lessons could be good, a midlane ball if he must buy a ball, like you said, would be the definite route to go.

[JaraTo]

Won't really know until tonight when I get the bws refitted because the thumb is loose. I haven't really gotten an opportunity to compare all three but I was kinda having second thoughts about drilling that bwb with the tamer arc layout similar to my bwp.

[agroves]

Won't really know until tonight when I get the bws refitted because the thumb is loose. I haven't really gotten an opportunity to compare all three but I was kinda having second thoughts about drilling that bwb with the tamer arc layout similar to my bwp.

Too loose for tape?

Andrew

[NeoWidow18]

Can you post pics of your layouts? It seems like you have what you need but if you say you need a new ball then post the pics so we can help you better.

[JaraTo]

I'll try to get some up later tonite. Guess I'm just trying to figure out where the bwb fits in the mix. I know it's got the most aggressive coverstock but I just wasn't sure if the tamer layout compared to my bws would have both balls suited for similar conditions. I'll get a better comparison in a practice session tonight. I didn't have my solid last time I bowled in my league. But if the coverstock is about 75% of the reaction like I just read somewhere I probably am set.

[NeoWidow18]

Ok we will be here when you get the pics.

[Sparehater]

How about a spare ball. That would be the best thing u could ever add to ur arsenal.

[JaraTo]

I also have a Clear Wolf for dry lane conditions and my spare ball.

I love that thing... can't believe I found it on Ebay in such good shape. This was the first ball I learned to through hook with years ago. My original one was accidentally through out while I was away at college.

[JaraTo]

Ok, after a long practice session tonight I've realized a couple things and would appreciate any input. I hope the pics of of the pearl and bite are clear enough to see the layouts. MB is left of the thumb near the track for the bwp and outside the track on my bwb. I do realize that these are layed out for a smooth arc/label layout. I didn't get a shot of my bws because once we decided to re-slug it we found that the ball might as well be plugged because the span was off. I got the bws when it first came out from another proshop. I decided to have him change the layout as well which will be MB at 45 deg with the pin just above and to the left of my ring finger. It will also need a balance hole because of the offset of the CG. It was already setup for a strong layout but the MB was right next to my thumb with the pin next to my ring finger.

So after tonight I realized that all my really good games have come on lanes that were broken down. I was having trouble getting my bwb to come back playing over the 10 , yet several games after league play last week i was standing three boards of the center dot and swinging the thing back and even brooklyn sometimes. It seems that my ball speed doesn't match up well with my revs. Even when I consciously try to slow down I'm getting my reaction about a foot (maybe less) late. There happened to be a coach there who complimented me on my approach and release and helped me realize that I wasn't staying behind the ball on my backswing. This was causing me to roll/flare over my thumb hole. I corrected this but still noticed that I wasn't getting the reaction I desired, although I stopped flaring over my thumb.

That being said I was wondering what would be the best option for me. I already told the guy at the proshop to give my bws a 2000 grit finish with the new layout to see how that works out for me. Should I change the finish on my bwp and bwb? Lord knows that my pearl wasn't coming back if my bite barely was.... Should I look to change the layouts on my bwp and bwb to for a stronger motion with the MB on the other side of my thumb? Suggestions?

I feel intelligent now that I know all these terms and what they mean :) Obviously my balls aren't reading the lane early enough, correct?

PS. I threw my best games when I had my Sharp Blade before it cracked. What was the finish on that ball?

[JaraTo]

Someone in another thread suggested that I was burning up, which I suppose makes sense because I noticed that I was still getting alot of flare across my track. What are the solutions for this? Makes sense for my BWB but I think my BWP still may need to come down to a 2000 grit polished as I never really caught anything even outside with it.

[JaraTo]

I think I'm just going to drop both them off today change the layouts to more of a skid/flip. This conserves more energy down the lanes correct? I'm going to take the bwp doing to a 2000 grit polished as well.... From some of the posts it sounds like alot of ppl are really happy with that surface. What's the concept of a ball burning up? Releasing to much of it's energy before it hits the break point right?

[TenPinSniper]

Your best bet is going to get some on lanes from the proshop or a coach.

It will be cheaper than redrilling... your proshop should be able to help with surface adjustment, especially if he has seen you bowl and he located at the center you bowl.

[TenPinSniper]

I threw my best games when I had my Sharp Blade before it cracked. What was the finish on that ball?

The Sharp Blade was Particle and had a surface of 1000 Abralon.

There are some big difference between that and what you roll now. For one the differentials make a big difference.

Blades was .039
Widows is .060
Which is a big difference.
The other thing is the core shape and relation to the coverstock, oh and lets not forget the flip block.

Blades where symmetrical, the Widows are asymmetrical.

Then you have particle vs reactive covers.

Not trying to talk you out of the 1000 Abralon surface change, but just cause you liked it on the Sharp Blade does not equate to the samething on these bowling balls.

[JaraTo]

Thanks for the input. I'll have a talk with the guy at the proshop before we decide what to do. I'm just kicking myself for changing to these arcing layouts when my bws was a strong layout and so was my blade. I understand coaching would be a great idea, yet at the same isn't it sort of a good idea for me to stick with what works first. I'm only averaging around 162 right now but I've been used to throwing balls with that type of motion that since my first reactive. So maybe coaching + the strong layout that I'm used to :) . It's good that I learned about the nuances of throwing a ball with that arcing motion. I just don't think I have the accuracy yet to have consistent games with the layout. But maybe I should go backwards before I try to move forward... if that makes sense. I really do appreciate the input.