well there isn't any info on your bowling style so it's a little hard to tell from this standpoint and say what's the problem.  It could be a number of factors that add up, if you have slow ball speed the ball will probably burn up on you and it will just hit flat in the pocket, the same thing would happen if there's not enough oil for a particle bowling ball.  Particle bowling balls tend to distribute their energy throughout the entire lane have and because of that, it results in that arcing motion that is so common in particle bowling balls.  It also depends on what type of particle ball it was and if it had a high or low particle load, so what 2 particle bowling balls were they?  Because there are some particle bowling balls that get decent length and have more backend (for example the new Depth Charge by Storm).

Particle bowling balls have super condensed particle within their coverstock that allow it to grab the lane more/sooner.  One of the first particle bowling balls I threw was the original Icon by Columbia 300, it got decent length for me because I think it was a light load particle and I had it polished.  It depends if the bowling ball is a light or heavy load particle bowling ball.

Not to worry, you're not the only one in bowling who doesn't like particle balls. Particle balls for me are condition specific. Used on the right shot they do what they are designed to do for most bowlers...Not all balls are made for all bowlers. I like some of the DynoThane balls a bunch more than some of the others. Their design fits my game and style,..others don't match up as well. That's why we make more than one kind. Trial and error, research, and watching bowlers like you should help you find the type of equipment best suited for your game...
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www.dynothane.com

Check out the post for more on Particle balls:


http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=59281&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5

i would say that dyno thane balls are pretty versitile balls as a whole,  i use my black on about every condition.  and i score really well.  i just picked up the new vendetta pearl on tuesday,  i am excited to post my opinion after a few weeks of practice.  gotta let the cover break in to make a fair judgment of it.
but as for balls being condition specific,  well thats true to a point, they are manufactured for a certain type of condition, but i am not gonna go out and buy a ball for a certain type of condition,thats a waste of money.  i might run into a certain condition maybe once or twice a year. thats not worth the money.  
the only balls that i havent figured out is the particle balls.  i tried everything from a high gloss to very dull.  i cant get consistency out of any particles.  they lose alot of energy getting to the pocket.  its probably me, i am about to give up on them and stay with the reactives. at least they use their energy at the pocket.
if you have any suggestiions on what i should do with the particles let me know