Had a long talk and session with the a few bowlers last night after league about
this.....

During league, a few bowlers asked what I was throwing, cause the ball looked
brand new with a super high polish.  I told them it was the Bounty Hunter at
4000abralon and 2 coats of polish.  I was playing around 12 with a slight belly.
They told me that I should dull it and the ball would roll smoother.  That way
I wouldn't have to play so close to the ditch.  I told them if they want to
learn something stay after league and I'll show them.  Here's where the fun
began.

Now myself, I'm a high tracker, alot of revs with ball speed around 16mph.  So,
during the session I asked them about the sanding of the Bounty Hunter, and
what grit it should be and how it would roll.(knowing it hooks already)  Yes,
I played a little mind game with them.  Well, needless to say they all agreed on
1000 to get the smooth roll and play my normal shot around 3rd arrow out to 8.

So, I told them I'll move 20 left of where I was playing in league, throwing the
same 4000/polished Bounty Hunter.  They kinda chuckled.  I proceeded and the
ball was swung out to 10 and came roaring back ripping the rack.  They were
shocked that the ball hooked from there.  Here's were the lesson came....

I told them that the consistent shot in this house is around 10-12.  And in
order to play that shot, I take alot of hand out of the ball.  So, I moved back
20 boards right, played 11 with a slight belly, and flushed all 10.  They were
amazed again, and I tried to explain to them that the lanes are just one aspect
of the game and surface is another along with hand position. With me 90% of the
of the balls tend to be too aggressive/angular, even the week ones.  Which tend
to be more angular because of the legnth they have.

So, I tell them that none of my balls are at factory surface because tweeking
them to what I need is the best choice, especially when the houses dont put down
any oil.  Heck, my wife outhooks most of the men.

Well, I go to the bag and grab the other balls and proceed to stand in different
spots and throw different lines, manipulating the ball and having good success
finding the pocket.  Explaining to them that watching ball reaction on the lane
will help deciding what can be done.  And that sure, sometimes you can do it,
and sometimes you struggle.  And its ok, as long as your open minded to learn,
cause you will get better.  

Needless to say, I told them that the dulling process they advised though, not a
bad idea, wouldnt of helped me.  And if they wanted to expand their game, learn
to manipulate the ball with your hand more.  The covers are so strong nowadays,
that its those surface adjustments, and hand positions that play the biggest
part in ball reaction on the lane.