Ahhh, the SST6. I also went from Linds (used them for almost 17 years) to the SST6, and what a shock to find that I couldn't slide in these new, expensive shoes. I expected to be able to use them right out of the box like I had with my Linds. I don't think this is asking for too much. Instead, they either stuck or slid too much. I will get to the secret of sliding in them, but first I want to explain what I initially tried, as it sounds like we had similar experiences.
At first I used the standard H5 horseshoe heel and stuck every single time, so I tried the H7, which didn't stick at all and slid WAYYYY too much. I never bothered to try the lower heels (I don't understand how anybody would need more sticking power than the H5 gave you, but since I'm not a "planter" I couldn't understand anyway).
So then I tried varying the soles. The standard #8 sole seemed to work well, but the #6 stopped me dead in my tracks. Somebody gave me a #7 sole and a #10 sole so I tried those, and the #7 stopped me dead in my tracks (kinda surprising -- didn't expect much difference between that and the #8) and the #10 was like ice skating.
Am I correct in assuming that these shoes really appeal to contemporary bowlers who like to plant their foot instead of sliding?
Anyway, how to slide in the #5 heel is this: get some Master Quik-Release tape (it's a super-slick, teflon, clear tape that is used for thumbholes). Take one piece of tape and cut it in half. Take the two halves and put each half of the tape onto the ends of the horseshoes. Really press it down firmly to ensure that it won't come loose. This should cover about the first inch or so of the horseshoe tips. Voila! You should be able to slide just fine now.
I know this sounds ridiculous but it really works. Thanks to Tommy Underwood of Underwood's Bowling Supply for suggesting this to me.
The only problem you may run into is the tape rolling up or becoming loose once in a while and, therefore, needing to be replaced. You'll know because suddenly you'll stick again. Always keep a few extra pieces of Quik Release on hand. This rarely happens, though -- I've been using mine for two years now and it only happened once. You may want to get into the habit of sliding onto the approach with your slide foot as a way of checking your current "slidability". In time you won't even think about it.
Let me know how it works.
John
P.S. After this whole ordeal, I wrote a letter to Dexter complaining about the situation and about the craziness of the solution, while really trying to emphasize how ridiculous it is to put tape on one's shoe in order to slide. I mean, it's not something that Joe Bowler would think to do. I guess they didn't appreciate my letter because they never sent me a response.
Edited on 5/13/2004 3:12 AM
Edited on 5/13/2004 3:13 AM
