BallReviews

Equipment Boards => 900 Global => Topic started by: Firied1993 on March 04, 2025, 10:46:48 PM

Title: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: Firied1993 on March 04, 2025, 10:46:48 PM
I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: Jesse James on March 06, 2025, 01:00:52 PM
Layout definitely matters! Surface also matters. Specifically when you're trying to attack a specific condition, layouts matter as well. I know a few PBA bowlers who just put the same favorite layout on all their balls and then adjust according to how the balls themselves differentiate themselves.

However, knowing your PAP and then knowing what layout gives you what result down lane is very important. If I have a very dynamic ball that gives a lot of motion due to the core/cover combination, I'm gonna put longer Pin to PAP layout on it, so it's controllable for me. I'm kind of a stroker. I throw between 12.5-13.5mph but I'm fairly accurate. I'm also rev dominant.

On my dry lane pieces I go with standard leverage layouts so I can be sure to get the ten pin out. There's  nothing more frustrating than getting to the pocket continually only to see a ring ten pin all day long. That's an indication that your ball is coming off the spot too hard and needs to be more gradually slowed down. This can be done with surface; moving into the oil a little more or having a weaker layout. The object for me is always to get that damn ten pin out, since I'm right-handed.

By changing layouts on my balls they become more useful in tournament play and there's fewer chances of me labeling the ball as a dud.

Lately I have been able to use medium oil pieces that I drilled extremely strong, on heavier oil patterns with success. So yes,.......layouts matter immensely.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: TWOHAND834 on March 07, 2025, 08:49:13 AM
I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?

While speed and rev rate matters, the key is whether your rev rate is matched up to your ball speed.  So a bowler with 14 mph ball speed with a 250 rev rate is going to be similar to someone who is 17 mph with 400 rev rate and yet be similar to someone who is 20 mph with a 500 rev rate.  As an example, look at LaVoie and Simonsen on the Tour.  They are nothing alike and yet use pretty much the same equipment on the same oil pattern.  The three types of players are speed dominate players, rev dominate players, and those who are matched.  Two bowlers can have the same ball speed and two totally different rev rates which will require two different types of layouts and potentially not even being able to use the same ball.  Same with rev rates.  They can be similar but if one guy has a 14 ball speed and the other an 18 ball speed, same thing applies.  The two biggest variables when determining balls and layouts is bowler specs and lane condition.  In your case, since both your ball speed and rev rate went up, you shouldnt really have to do much layout wise.  You may just need to tweak the surface of the ball to get your desired ball reaction.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: morpheus on March 08, 2025, 09:46:32 AM
JMHO, but if your rev rate is 450+ I don’t think layouts matter because they naturally create more entry angle and todays game is about carry percentage. Guys with lower rev rates are far more impacted by layouts and at times have to trick the lane just to have a chance like Lavoie using full roller layouts.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: milorafferty on March 08, 2025, 07:45:11 PM
JMHO, but if your rev rate is 450+ I don’t think layouts matter because they naturally create more entry angle and todays game is about carry percentage. Guys with lower rev rates are far more impacted by layouts and at times have to trick the lane just to have a chance like Lavoie using full roller layouts.

Best answer you are going to get.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: J_w73 on March 09, 2025, 03:44:18 PM
I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?

5" pin to PAP is not really that strong, but if your ball is going a bit too long now with your increased speed, just add a bit of surface so the ball will read a bit sooner.  Try surface first, but if you do not like your reaction, try going to a 4" pin to pap.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: ignitebowling on March 09, 2025, 10:26:37 PM
Flare management. Allowing the ball the opportunity to do what is needed while not over flaring or flaring over holes.

Can a ball do all the wrong things and still hook, strike, etc because of the cover stock or condition. Yes. Does that make it a good idea, no.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: Janina12 on March 12, 2025, 08:51:27 PM
I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. (https://fengshuihome.pl/) should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?
Speed and rev rate definitely make a difference. Since you’re throwing faster and with more revs now, it could be worth experimenting with your layout a bit. The pin up layout is solid, but you might find a pin-down or slight tweak works better for your current style.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: Kuba002 on March 16, 2025, 11:56:50 AM
I Have been wanting to ask the question of whether layouts really matter!? i know they are VERY Important to each individual bowler, but does speed and rev rate matter in the equation? i used to roll my ball at 13-14mph and have a rev rate of 200. now i throw at 17.5 with a rev rate of 3-350. (https://fora.warszawa.pl/) i use a pin up 5" layout on all my balls which is considered a strong layout. should i change bowling ball layouts due to my change in speed and revolutions? or does it even matter aside from pin up or down?
With higher speed and rev rate, you might need a different setup for the ball to react right. Pin-up vs. pin-down is one thing, but the overall layout matters too. Might be worth experimenting.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: bullred on March 26, 2025, 06:36:56 PM
old story:   Many many moons ago was taking part in a late night pot game.  10 bucks a game.  Pretty high stakes for the time.  A guy I had noticed watching for awhile asked if he could bowl.  The group said yeah, come on.  He proceeded to take over his shoes left his left sock on, went over and picked up a house ball, put his money up.  Bowled kida bad for a game or two.  Then took his thumb out of ball.  Revs picked up, his game improved, won a game.  I decided then I had seen enough. Begged out, got a beer and sat down to watch.  Some of the old Hustlers had talent beyond belief.   All had one thing in common.  They generally always hit the pocket but generally struck at will.  Some bowled just as well left handed as right handed.  Another thing most had was the ability to change roll on the ball.   But all had one thing in common.  No complicating the game.  Just throw the ball in the pocket.  Watched one in Houston one time at old Diamond bowl,  just palm the ball  Most of the time he didn't even look at how he was holding the ball.  Just threw strikes.  Thes guys never worried about dynamics of the ball.  Jimmie Garcia in San Antonio felt sorry for me one time and switched hands, still beat me   After all this, the moral of the story is learn how to bowl.  Might be surprised as to how many guys throw a ball they re paid to throw.
Title: Re: Whether layouts really matter
Post by: itsallaboutme on March 27, 2025, 10:50:12 AM
Back when 190 was a great average.  Now 240 is a great average and lanes are oiled with a machine that costs as much as a Honda Accord.  The game has evolved.  Layouts matter.