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Author Topic: same? or different?  (Read 4373 times)

Ragnar

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same? or different?
« on: March 30, 2012, 06:23:10 PM »
I used to drill my equipment with a variety of layouts: Rico, pin-axis, 4x4 stack, whatever.  I also used to have balls from 4 or 5  companies at any given time.  Lately I've gone to pretty much an all Track line-up and have drilled (other than my pancake block spare ball) everything the same - pin over middle finger, MB over from thumb (towards PAP).  So far I've really liked this. 
 
What do you guys do?  and why?


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RSalas

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2012, 06:40:55 PM »
I've gone away from having one company in the bag.  Right now, the arsenal has five pieces from four different manufacturers.  However, I've pretty much stuck to two basic layouts, as I'm seeing enough variation in covers and cover strengths across the brands to differentiate the reactions.

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DON DRAPER

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2012, 12:23:18 AM »
Over the last 15 years I've used the same drilling pattern on ALL my reactive equipment except for my dry lane ball. I concentrate on the balls surface more than anything.


Dave81644

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2012, 11:00:07 PM »
Sticking with Ebonite Brands (Track and Ebonite)
I need to have different layouts.
Pin over the fingers will not work for me on the PBA, tournament or sport patterns I have been seeing.
Maybe I have 2 basic layouts, pin up and pin down
I have been going to a longer pin-pap distance and it has really helped with the control.
 
I used to stick with one layout because I did not understand drillings, angles, surfaces, etc..
I dont pretend to know that much now, but I do know what each piece will do and Im trying to fill in the gaps of my arsenal.
I have some really great people I bowl with in my sport league who are willing to help when asked.
There is lots of info out there to read as well.
Knowledge is power............
 



tommyboy74

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2012, 11:36:14 PM »
I agree with what Dave said.  I also throw mostly Ebonite brands and some Roto Grip and I usually stick with a basic pin up and pin down layout, and only tweak slightly as needed.  Most of what I use is typically 4x4x2 or 4x4x1 with pin above ring finger, pin drilled completely out, or pin to the side.  Of course, that is all done with PAP and low track in mind.

 

The big difference is when I went with my Defiant, I drilled that with a 3-1/2x5x3 layout and pin down.  This has helped me blend out wet/dry and still give me a good controlled reaction in the midlane and backend.  It also has given me better results than when I was throwing my VG Nano and allows me to play different angles longer while making less adjustments.

 

For me, using similar layouts with the different equipment gives me a defined stepdown in what to work with and allows me to judge it well.  The covers and cores make enough difference to allow similar layouts to work.  Of course, I will adjust surfaces as needed depending on the lane condition also.  Here is how it works in my arsenal in order:

Defiant: reads early in midlane with controlled arc motion (strongest in arsenal)

919C: reads later in midlane than the Defiant but still has controlled arc motion

Vital Energy: skid/snap, reads midlane later than the 919C and very angular in the back

505T: reads earlier in midlane than Vital but controlled arc in back

Brick: later midlane read than the 505T but more angular in back (weakest in arsenal)


My Arsenal (as of February 2012)
Heavy Oil:  Roto Grip Defiant: 3000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Track 919C: 3000 AB
Medium-Heavy Oil: Ebonite Vital Energy: 4000 AB

Medium Oil: Track 505T: 4000 AB 

Medium-Light Oil: Hammer Brick: 2000 polished
 
Edited by tommyboy74 on 4/6/2012 at 8:30 PM
Current Ball Arsenal
Heavy:
MOTIV Jackal Legacy
MOTIV Mythic Jackal

Med-Heavy:
MOTIV Trident Odyssey
MOTIV Forge Fire
MOTIV Covert Revolt

Medium:
MOTIV VIP ExJ Sigma
MOTIV Sigma Sting
MOTIV Pride Solid

Medium-Light
MOTIV Venom Shock
MOTIV Tribal Fire

kidlost2000

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2012, 11:56:51 PM »
I try and match the ball up with the condition I'm looking to use it for and find a drill pattern to compliment it.

 

I don't get the biggest hooking ball made and try to find a way to use it on medium to light ect ect.

 

 

I have probably 4 patterns I really like and use most often with slight differences here and there on pin to PAP distances as desired.

 


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Xcessive_Evil

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2012, 08:14:43 PM »
I have stuck with one company as of late.  My layouts are generally the same in terms of being pin up.  As I ball down, there are changes with my drilling angle and pin-pap.  I also change my surfaces to accomodate what the lanes give me.


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Jesse James

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2012, 06:49:01 PM »
From my observations over the last 10-15 years. I have come to realize that, by having most of your equipment drilled the same, and just adjusting the surfaces as needed, you simplify things, and the consistency of your bowling goes UP!

 

I am a bowler who has dabbled in all kinds of drills and suface preps, and because of that, my consistency suffers mightily. I have these huge swings in bowling efficiency. I'll shoot a 531 set in one house and then turn around and shoot 720 in another. And it's not because the shot is any easier, or I am more prepared or anything. I truly believe now it's because in my 5 ball arsenal, I have 5 different drillings that cause me to sometimes have to make 5 different adjustments. Whereas, if I were to simplify things in terms of my favorite drillings, those adjustments would come a lot easier, and also a lot sooner while bowling.

 

Now, having said all that......it still is a nice feeling to go to a tournament and realize, after practice, "oh yeah....I got a ball drilled to handle this condition!" All the while, watching others go through conniptions trying to adjust, just using their basic THS balls.


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dizzyfugu

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2012, 05:53:37 AM »
Using only exclusive stuff has pros and cons. It makes ball choice easier, since a manufacturer/brand provides a certain order of strength and innate reaction characteristics to their balls. But I'd never recommend to just stick with one single layout and transferring it to various balls.

 

There might be a "sweet layout" that works well for you, I guess everyone has that. And for a generic/basi arsenal on medium conditions or THS, this could IMO suffice. But, personally, I'd always check for the desired ball reaction I need, chose an approriate ball as a basis and tune the layout for my needs and the ball's specs, if possible. IMHO, this creates an arsenal with more complementary ball reactions, which are more different from each other. Using different manufacturers for this approach is just part of the equation - and you never know what you find outside of your home pond.


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MrPerfect

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2012, 11:22:46 AM »
For me, at this point I have my game pretty much down to a science in terms of drilling and layouts. Typically, for league and most tournaments I stick to 2 standard drillings and fine tune reactions through surface changes.

 

However, I think there is always a place for different or exoctic drillings given the shot you are facing. Whenever I go to a tournament I always leave a spot open in my bag in case I see something and need to pick up a piece on the fly to more properly take adavantage of what's out there. I will note, that using the above method, I haven't had to pick up a new piece in quite a while.

dizzyfugu

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Re: same? or different?
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2012, 11:57:56 AM »

 



MrPerfect wrote on 20.04.2012 9:22 AM:
For me, at this point I have my game pretty much down to a science in terms of drilling and layouts. Typically, for league and most tournaments I stick to 2 standard drillings and fine tune reactions through surface changes.

However, I think there is always a place for different or exoctic drillings given the shot you are facing. Whenever I go to a tournament I always leave a spot open in my bag in case I see something and need to pick up a piece on the fly to more properly take adavantage of what's out there. I will note, that using the above method, I haven't had to pick up a new piece in quite a while.
Similar here. I have my favorites for the league/tournament bag, and tend add one additional piece as a fall-back option. One very popular piece is a polished Power Groove Particle with a semi-axis layout. It is rather special, but its arcing, rolly movement is very different from anything I'd usually use as 1st choice, and it rounds off my arsenal.

DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
2010/11 Benrather BC Club Champion
Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section
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