I’m bowling at a different house this year and I’m having trouble with the oil pattern they are using.  I’ve heard it described as a wet/dry condition.  The oil in the center of the lane seems to go down to about 35-40 feet and is about 5 boards wide on either side of the center.  The oil then seems to tapers back in length as you approach the gutter where I’d guess it is only 20 feet long.  The backends are clean and dry.

I started the year throwing my Trauma ER (drilled with Storm’s #2 layout 4.25 inch Pin to PAP, MB is touching the left side of the thumb hole.)  

I would stand at about 30 with my mark being around 10-12 at the arrows.  The ball reacted well but what looked like good pocket hits resulted in consistent 4-9 splits, the solid 4 or 9 pin and the occasional big split.

I pulled my Sledgehammer out of the closet which is drilled with the pin above the finger holes and the MB about an inch right of the thumb hole.  (It doesn’t fit very well any more because the guy that now drills my equipment shorten my span, but I can still throw it.)

With this ball I stand at about 25 with my mark being around 7-5 at the arrows.  This works great for most of the first game while the backends remain clean.  But then I start seeing the appearance of the weak 10 and the weak 7 with the 5-7 split thrown in for good measure.  

I’m guessing this is due to some carrydown after the first game.  It doesn’t seem to get any worst the rest of the night but strikes become more of a “What did I do wrong to get that strike?” and the 10 pin becomes my brother-in-law. (It won’t leave me alone.)  

I would like to get a new ball drilled like the Sledgehammer but with my current shorten span.  I was thinking of Visionary’s new Solid AMB Centaur.

My concerns are that I’ll still fight the carrydown.  

Would placing the MB position differently (more left or right) aid with the carrydown problem?

Would the Bronze AMB Centaur be a better choice with its pearlized cover and/or some other drilling layout?

I’m open to suggestions, but I really want to try Visionary equipment.


Thanks for any help you can provide.
My profile has my stats.

--------------------
Why can't it be as easy as 1-2-3???

I've seen the Hot Rod SS thrown by several friends and it's sneaky strong,but very controllable. I'd like to suggest an arc drill to take advantage of the cover/core combo,but still give you an easy to read reaction.
--------------------
Chris
 Lane#1--nothing else hits like 'em.