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Author Topic: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)  (Read 3847 times)

Juggernaut

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😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« on: February 05, 2017, 05:33:36 AM »
 Been bowling really well this year.  Getting to use my older urethane equipment (which suits my style better usually), playing the shot out closer to the gutter, going more "up and at them", and getting great results.  Had my average all the way up to 216 for the first time in years, and was really having fun.

 Then came the three week Christmas break. I dreaded it, because I tend to slump after a while off, so I made sure to practice plenty, and keep things going.

 Came back and first set was 595. No problem I thought, you'll get them back next week. Then I shot a 572, a 585, a 600, and last night another 572.

 One of the higher scoring bowlers came by the table, and told me he had noticed me "struggling", and came by to share some info. He bowls there a lot, knows some of the lane guys, and told me "they changed the oil over the Christmas break".

 I asked him if it was the pattern, and he said no, just the type of oil.

 Now, as many of you know, I've been using urethane exclusively this season, but it has been working well for me. Now, I can't get a urethane ball to finish through the pin deck to save my life.

 I, honestly, just thought it was me. I'm older now (56), and just figured maybe it had caught up with me. Figured I didn't bowl enough to really be that sharp or deseve that average.

 SO, now here I am. Middle of the season, jacked up average, and the shot that I did it on is gone. I'm costing my team wins, bleeding pins at a terrific rate off my average, have absolutely no clue what to do, and getting so frustrated that I just almost want to quit.

 Why, if it were you, would you wait until the middle of the season to change?

 The center has, so I really have no choice but to do so, but any change I make is really just a blind "shot-in-the-dark" sort of thing.  😔

 Anybody have any constructive advice? I really don't have the money right now to build a mid season "arsenal", but could probably get my hands on a couple IF I knew where to start.
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AlonzoHarris

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2017, 05:53:29 AM »
You need to watch and ask what others equipment is doing now compared to before. I assume it's thicker oil. Try more surface on the urethane first. Then maybe a reactive piece. Being a house shot, a well thought out reactive piece and you'll be fine. Won't need a whole arsenal purchase.
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leftybowler70

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2017, 07:35:01 AM »
Good advise,  I second it....

Juggernaut

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2017, 08:33:42 AM »
You need to watch and ask what others equipment is doing now compared to before. I assume it's thicker oil. Try more surface on the urethane first. Then maybe a reactive piece. Being a house shot, a well thought out reactive piece and you'll be fine. Won't need a whole arsenal purchase.

 Thanks for your help.

 I've already tried adjusting the urethanes surface. Just made it start sooner, which moved me deeper, which negated the surface change, and basically still had the same problem.

 I've got some reactives, but I'm one if those "old guys" that never adapted well to them or the way to throw them correctly. I've had good games and sets at times, but only ever had one that worked week to week like money in the bank, and it was an Inferno. Sadly, it died a long time ago.

 It has effected nearly everyone, but me most if all. 99.9% of the bowlers were already using resin, and that reaction hasn't changed nearly as much, but everyone already knows that urethanes are far more susceptible to oil viscosity that reactives are.

 No sour grapes here, I just wish it hadn't happened. But, since it now has, I need to try to figure it out as quickly, and as cheaply, as possible.

 Already got my reactives out and in the bag now, but they are all 14lbs, and all my urethanes are 15's, so I've been throwing 15's this whole season, and nit sure exactly what effect dropping down a pound so suddenly will do to my timing.  Guess I will find out.

 Would like to finish out at least with a 200 avg if I can salvage that at this point............ 😕
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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2017, 09:20:44 AM »

I'd definitely try some reactives, too.  Assuming they went to a more slippery oil, such as Kegel Ice, I'd also add some surface to maybe 2000 or so to keep the reaction more smooth.  If needed you can go lower, but 2000 is a good starting place.

Don't worry about the 14 lb. ball changing your timing.  My spare ball has been 14 for years while the rest is 15 lbs.  and it doesn't affect it one bit for me.  As long as you don't change your mechanics you should be fine.  The trouble some guys have is when they think about it, then feel like they should throw it faster, and then they change their timing...  Just roll it the same way.

six pack

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2017, 09:32:20 AM »
if you are trying to get a urethane type look from the resin balls I would think you want something low rg low diff. and adjust cover's accordingly. my global X has been fantastic for me @ 4000 and reminds my of my old black Hammer on the fresh. could also keep a urethane in the mix for later in the set.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #6 on: February 05, 2017, 12:45:52 PM »
I don't think you mentioned which urethanes you were using, other than older.  Would a stronger newer urethane like the Crow help?  There are also urethane/reactive blends I believe.  How close to the gutter?  2-3 board?  Can you move closer?
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2017, 12:51:54 PM »
Oh, and in keeping with the topic Why Do They Do It?, our center does this kind of thing all the time.  This season, they just put in new wood pins in the past few weeks, replacing the 7 yr old Twister pins.  Now we have flat bottomed pins to contend with.  :) 

Of course, they didn't replace all 24 lanes at the same time, they started out with one pair, tested it for a couple of weeks, then put in three more pairs for a week, then the rest of the house.
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Good Times Good Times

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2017, 12:54:14 PM »
BTU?
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bcw1969

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2017, 05:05:47 AM »
I can relate to your struggles.....back in the middle of the 08-09 season I had gotten my average up to 219, before then had never been that high that late in a season before(although I had averaged 218 before for a short summer season)...and in January of that year my center changed hands twice in about a month and the shot dramatically changed, and once it did I was a lost cause.  Like you, what I had been doing up to that point was tailor made for the conditions that were out there. All I can say is don't give up and keep searching for a solution.

Brad

Juggernaut

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2017, 09:13:07 AM »
 Thanks again guy for your help and your suggestions.

 MI2AZ,  the urethanes I have been using are a black hammer from 1987, a red pearl hammer from 1988, and an ebonite nitro from 1991.

 Just as I have tried surface adjustments, I have tried moving in further, out further, forward, backwards. Basically everything I could think of. I can still find the pocket, but the balls just will not finish through the pins like before when I do.  I don't think a modern, flaring urethane would help much either. I would end up having to play a swing shot with it to get it to roll, and everybody knows that trying to use the outsides to make up for the backend reaction just doesn't work. You either have a reaction, or you don't, and right now, I don't.

 Good times Good times,

  Yes, I have considered the BTU, to the point that I have private messaged someone with personal experience with it to get the true lowdown on that ball. It is definitely on my radar, I just want to make sure I do this right, because with my finances, I probably only get one chance at this right now, and don't want to mess it up, you know what I mean?


 I've been in this situation before, and it is just very frustrating to find myself here again, trying to make sense of why it always seems to work against me. I honestly cannot remember one of these midseason changes that ever helped me, but several that have hurt me. Guess I should be used to it by now..................😕
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bcw1969

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2017, 03:54:22 PM »
Have no fear EBAY is here.......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LANE-1-BULLET-15-0-lb-bowling-ball-/122339617985?hash=item1c7c026cc1:g:vkUAAOSwT~9WiCx-

A 15 pound Lane #1 Bullet...very mild reactive...I actually use mine as my spare ball when I need one.  Should allow you to play the lanes similar to what you had been doing, but with the hit & carry of a reactive. Actually this ball hits very hard.

Brad

SG17

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2017, 04:20:23 PM »
as for why did they change oils, there can be a simple explanation.

Perhaps they ran out of the oil used in the first half and couldn't get it anymore and were forced to start using something different.

Pinbuster

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Re: 😞 Guess I have to start from scratch (Why do they do it?)
« Reply #13 on: February 07, 2017, 05:40:22 PM »
I believe anyone who has bowled over an extended period has experienced this. Sometimes it helps your scoring, sometimes it hurts your scoring.

It could be a change in oil, lane pattern, new pins, weather, and in the old days if they refinished the lanes or drug a new coat of finish on wood lanes.

It is one of the things somewhat unique to bowling is how small changes in the environment can make someone from a hero to a zero or visa versa.

The truly skilled bowlers games will not suffer as much with the changes and will adapt their games to the environment. But even the best have conditions that favor their games.