Hi,
I'm a high-track stroker/tweener who likes to throw a 14mph, slightly rev-dominant, slight swing on a THS. In recent years, I've moved out and more down-and-in in response to my current house's shot. I've been stuck at about 185 for 3 years now, not being able to string strikes. Spares are not a problem--been bowling since I was 7. Ten years ago, I consistently carried an average around 205. I've always bowled once a week.
My perception of what is different from 10 years ago is that the oil--and perhaps lanes--are different. In particular, the oil seems to move to the backend more, usually resulting is some weird looking shot in the second (sometimes first) game that I'm sure is gonna strike, but it peters out right at the pins. Perhaps this is what I see some bowlers here calling "wiggle."
I can't throw a deep inside shot consistently with my style/current balls--a little tight goes thru the nose, and a little wide washes out. No room at all. My current balls are Morich Mania and Craze. The house shot is on the heavy side of medium and varies toward heavy sometimes. IMO, it caters to the regulars who like to throw gutter to gutter and back and can't adjust to drier, medium conditions.
So, what I think I need is a ball that handles slop on the backend. I can hit the pocket consistently, but the strikes give way to back row pins with the slop, which seems to show up earlier and be slicker than it used to be.
I pick up ten pins with an old Columbia Blue Dot, so I have room for 3 Hammers. I like what I've read about the Cold Blood and the upcoming Absolut Hook. What I can't decide is whether a First Blood makes sense, or something else. The Amp or Absolut Curve seem like possibilities instead of one of the first two I named, and the older Ratchet seems a possibility, as well as the Arson Hybrid.
Any thoughts? Sorry so long.
TIA,
Louis
