BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Ric Clint on April 26, 2005, 04:05:26 PM
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Here's some of my views on the difference below. I used to bowl in a Wood house, but have since started bowling in 2 other houses which are both Synthetic.
If you see any of my views to be the opposite of what you all see... please reply.
1.) I've noticed that on Wood, the heads and midlane get drier quicker and I can bowl many more games on Synthetic before I notice my ball not getting through the heads clean.
2.) It seems like Wood has more Carrydown. I've noticed on Synthetic that the backends usually get stronger (with no sign of carrydown)... and on Wood, the backends usually get weaker (with plenty of carrdown).
3.) It seems like on Wood, that my ball usually SNAPS more off the dry backend if there's a FRESH shot and clean backends to start out with... where as, on a FRESH shot with clean backends on Synthetics, my ball still seems strong but in a more ARCY fashion instead of the violent snap I get on Wood.
4.) This one is to relate to (1.) above a little bit... After a few games on Wood, I'm having to use something that will get length even through the driest heads because I need all the length I can get and something that is clean... but on Synthetic, I'm having to use something that goes long after it reaches the backend and something that can control the backend snap after a few games has gone by because the backends seem to get stronger.
Is this the same as you see it?
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Well to simply put it, it's all about surface. Wood will always be different then synthetic.
Wood that is well taken care of will perform just as well as synthetics. But well cared for wood is hard to find. usually if you find wood it looks like it should have been resurfaced or replaced many moons ago.
typically wood the backends are harder to clean because wood even when sealed and varnished can still absorb oil and not want to let it go. Usually with wood oil will move around faster, and dry up as it doesn't hold down to the surface.
With synthetics it's a different story. It's easier to maintain and clean. a harder surface with less porsity(sp?) makes things so much easier. Typically backends can be more consistant with synthetics and proper cleaning and stripping. The newer synthetic surfaces can hold oil better than ever before. The newer verisons of Brunswick Anvil prolane, and the new Qubica lane surface are very hard and durable. Usually it's not uncommon for less conditioner to be needed to make things feel as slick. these types produce less friction, so more aggressive balls are needed.
The Amf synthetic is softer and balls can generate more friction and more hook, generally they are also softer, so the lane will absorb the ball's impact better. You can even notice it. It's been proven time and time again that the AMF lane surface is higher scoring. The reason for this in a nut shell is that you can throw the ball just a tad harder and it will have little effect on ball reaction. With the brunswick and lower friction surfaces, it's tougher, usually if you throw the ball a pinch too fast you loose a tiny bit of ball reaction, and get tapped.
Thats my theroy behind it.
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Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shop
Montreal, Quebec.
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Timothy summarizes very well.
Bottom line is wood is softer than synthetics and everything thereafter that you have observed derives from that.
Because it's softer you need more oil to get the same skid. Because you need more oil, balls are more likely to not only pick it up, but also not absorb all of it, but scatter it further down the lane. Thus, carrydown.
Because it's softer, when the backends are clean, a given ball will hook more on the backend becaue it grabs the lane harder from the higher friction.
Synthetics seem to get stronger because the ball is absorbing the smaller amount of oil creating more midlane. When you get more midlane, you get more backend. The heads still have enough oil, because they usually get more to begin with.
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Wood lanes also tear the b'jesus out of your ball to.
I won't bowl on wood lanes anymore, unless I am using a garbage ball.
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WRECKING STICKS SINCE '93
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One of the biggest problems with wood lanes is finding a house that properly maintains their wood lanes.
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quote:
One of the biggest problems with wood lanes is finding a house that properly maintains their wood lanes.
Ok, someone found the bottom line to the real difference. Differences can easily reverse when either is not taken care of properly!