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Author Topic: Can drilling layout affect how you track?  (Read 12115 times)

Dan Griffin

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Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« on: February 03, 2016, 10:32:21 AM »
After many years away, I recently started bowling somewhat seriously again. I had a couple of new balls drilled up a few weeks back and noticed something strange.

My main strike ball is a Storm Optimus Solid with the pin about 2" above the ring finger and the CG kicked out a little w/o a balance hole. My spare ball is a just a plastic Brunswick Target Zone drilled label.

I've noticed on my strike ball that my track is much lower than it used to be. Probably starting at least 2" from my finger holes. But, the track on the spare ball is right next to my finger holes like it used to be on all my strike balls.

Could the drilling layout on my Optimus be causing my track to be so much lower? I was always a pretty high track player, so I'm a bit perplexed by this. I don't feel like my release is that much different now than it was before.

 

milorafferty

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2016, 10:40:08 AM »
If you tend to stay behind the ball when you throw spare shots, your track will be higher. I can hear my spare ball rolling over the thumbhole as it goes down the lane.

With your strike ball, you are probably coming around the ball more, which could result in a lower track.
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Dan Griffin

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2016, 10:49:47 AM »
Well, that's the weird thing. I actually release my spare ball with a lot of side rotation. I've never been one to break my wrist and throw end-over-end at spares.

WOWZERS

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2016, 11:01:16 AM »
Pin positions and balance holes CAN and WILL make a difference in where your track is. The lower the pin in relation to your grip (such as a RICO drill which places the pin in the palm). If someone tracks high, this person may have issues tracking over the fingers and/or thumb with that drill as I do. Because I stay behind the ball so long, I usually have to place pins ABOVE my fingers to help lower the track. Basically, the higher the pin in relation to your grip, the lower the track. When looking at drill sheets, some have a "drill safe" zone for higher track players.

When I had drilled some stuff with lower pins and ended up thumping the ball over my fingers and thumb, I would add a thumb quadrant balance hole if a balance hole was not in the ball already. By positioning the balance hole in a specific location in relation to the pin through your grip, you can lower your track without altering the pin location on the ball or your release.

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2016, 11:05:03 AM »

My spare ball tracks high and everything else tracks a little lower.  It's all my doing.

Because I am rotating around (somewhat) my thumb is in the reactive ball a split second longer, causing the lower track. 

I'm doing nothing to the spare ball, and regardless of whether I'm rotating around straight or up the back my thumb clears faster, causing the higher track. 

There are times when I can't release the reactive ball the same way as my spare ball, and I'm convinced that my brain has a "disconnect"  and won't let me.  Sounds like you may have the same "disease". 

I wouldn't worry either.  As long as you can repeat your release and have good reaction you'll find a way to score.

xrayjay

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2016, 11:21:40 AM »
I release the same way for strike and spares.... I tend to thump down the lane with spares, and depending which strike ball I'm using, I tend to edge the thumb or be an inch from the thumb. One ball l'll flare over the thumb always.

The first flare ring by my fingers are very similar with both strike balls and my spare.
also, Sometimes what a person feels at release isn't what they are actually doing. Videos don't lie.

I have to add, both my strike balls have the same layout. The one that flares over the thumb always has a layout 45x5.5x75 which puts the pin below my middle finger.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2016, 11:42:47 AM by xrayjay »
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Gatekeeper

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2016, 11:29:21 AM »
This happens to me too. The explanation I received was that it is not the layout but rather the core which pulls your track down. The spare has no core. That's why you use your spare ball to determine your PAP, because it doesn't alter your natural track.

itsallaboutme

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2016, 11:37:34 AM »
It's the difference in ball construction that causes you to track higher with the plastic ball.

spmcgivern

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2016, 11:41:22 AM »
In theory the first oil ring should be almost identical.  Flare will move the subsequent rotations to different parts of the ball.  The only thing I can think of that would cause a noticeable difference is if the fit of the two balls were different.  But even the two fits would have to be significantly different.

JustRico

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2016, 09:43:46 PM »
EVERY bowling ball had a core it more relates to core strength...the stronger the core the more potential the ball can flare or rotate before actually contacting the lane...another fact is most cannot see the initial flare rings on a bowling ball...unless you track the actual pap off a players hand you cannot assume a pap
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Strapper_Squared

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2016, 10:17:23 AM »
Not to get off topic, but how critical is having the "true" PAP, versus a "close" PAP to a layout?  I would assume this is a relative reference pt. i.e. I have a ball with a longer pin distance compared to another.
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JustRico

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2016, 10:21:49 AM »
If you can place a quarter over desired spot...pin to pap or pap is close enough
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Perfect Approach Pro Shop

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Re: Can drilling layout affect how you track?
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2016, 09:37:26 AM »
     I track close to my thumb (usually 1/4 sometimes first track will hit thumb if I am releasing bad that night) and about 1/2-3/4 form my fingers. For me, RG of the ball will be a decision as to how I drill. I have found that on higher RG balls, my track will be higher than on lower RG balls. When I drill my higher RG equipment, I tend to place the pin below my fingers as it lowers the bowtie and allows the wider part of the flare to move away from the thumb quicker.
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