For the last 2 years I've been struggling with the new lane surface and oil on the Bowlero lanes where I bowl league.  I', 65 years old and my average has gone from a 185 to a 165.  I'm hitting the pocket 9 out of 10 times, leaving an assortment of 1 pin spares or splits.  In one night I'll range from a game in the 130s, to one in the 170s, and one 200+, with a few games this season over 230.  I'm beginning to see that to match my low rev rate tot he lanes I need to throw around 11.5-12mph.  At the lower speed I'm hitting strikes, but if I go over, nothing.  I'm looking for a new ball that will allow me to throw at a comfortable speed of 12-14mph, and still hood and work well with my rev rate.  My specs are

Ball #1:  Hammer Dark Legend, 14#, sanded rough to 360/500 matte*
Ball #2:  Ebonite Warrior, 14#, sanded rough to 180/360 matte*
(If I polish or sand with a higher grit, the ball doesn't break)
Rev Rate:  174
Axis Tilt:  12.9 degrees
Angle of Rotation:  76.9 degrees
Targeting:  Left toe on 12, release at 7, target first arrow

Sir, you're using WAY too much surface. With both balls (Which are strong in their own right) being at 500, the ball is hooking way too early. Just because you have a low rev rate doesn't mean you need tons of surface.

Also, without knowing how the balls are laid out, it could be the layout. Number wise, both are exactly the same (2.50 .056) with the intermediate diff being a bit stronger on the Warrior. Which one rolls best for you?

So, please let us know which ball you like the most, what kind of pins you're leaving, what game you have the most trouble in (I'm betting it's the first game?) and how both are laid out. I have some ideas, but want to hear that info first.

Sir, you're using WAY too much surface. With both balls (Which are strong in their own right) being at 500, the ball is hooking way too early. Just because you have a low rev rate doesn't mean you need tons of surface.

Also, without knowing how the balls are laid out, it could be the layout. Number wise, both are exactly the same (2.50 .056) with the intermediate diff being a bit stronger on the Warrior. Which one rolls best for you?

So, please let us know which ball you like the most, what kind of pins you're leaving, what game you have the most trouble in (I'm betting it's the first game?) and how both are laid out. I have some ideas, but want to hear that info first.

Dang it doom, you posted while I was typing!   


But you were a bit less sarcastic about it. 

Quote from: Impending Doom on January 18, 2019, 08:36:01 AM

Sir, you're using WAY too much surface. With both balls (Which are strong in their own right) being at 500, the ball is hooking way too early. Just because you have a low rev rate doesn't mean you need tons of surface.

Also, without knowing how the balls are laid out, it could be the layout. Number wise, both are exactly the same (2.50 .056) with the intermediate diff being a bit stronger on the Warrior. Which one rolls best for you?

So, please let us know which ball you like the most, what kind of pins you're leaving, what game you have the most trouble in (I'm betting it's the first game?) and how both are laid out. I have some ideas, but want to hear that info first.

Dang it doom, you posted while I was typing!   


But you were a bit less sarcastic about it. 

I'M A NICE PERSON, MILO!!

It's not the ball.  Slow speed/low rev is difficult to help.  Your ball either rolls out or never reads the lane.  Not much in between.  With 75* of rotation it is more than likely never reading the lane, regardless of surface.  My first suggestion is to try a wrist brace such as a mongoose if you don't already wear one, to get your hand into a better position at release.   

For the last 2 years I've been struggling with the new lane surface and oil on the Bowlero lanes where I bowl league.  I', 65 years old and my average has gone from a 185 to a 165.  I'm hitting the pocket 9 out of 10 times, leaving an assortment of 1 pin spares or splits.  In one night I'll range from a game in the 130s, to one in the 170s, and one 200+, with a few games this season over 230.  I'm beginning to see that to match my low rev rate tot he lanes I need to throw around 11.5-12mph.  At the lower speed I'm hitting strikes, but if I go over, nothing.  I'm looking for a new ball that will allow me to throw at a comfortable speed of 12-14mph, and still hood and work well with my rev rate.  My specs are

Ball #1:  Hammer Dark Legend, 14#, sanded rough to 360/500 matte*
Ball #2:  Ebonite Warrior, 14#, sanded rough to 180/360 matte*
(If I polish or sand with a higher grit, the ball doesn't break)
Rev Rate:  174
Axis Tilt:  12.9 degrees
Angle of Rotation:  76.9 degrees
Targeting:  Left toe on 12, release at 7, target first arrow

Sounds to me like you have too much surface. I am 65 and a low speed roller. I generally average between 13.3 and 13.8mph. Because I am rev dominant however, I can always get a ball to turn the corner.

You might want to take one of your pieces back up to about 2000 abralon, and then play straighter......concentrating on your backend reaction and not your midlane reaction. What you're looking for is your ball to come off the pattern and slow down at the right time to carry the ten pin! This may cause you to have to square up more, and will give you a different look for sure; more down and in!

And it's okay to go up the boards occasionally. You might not see hook but your carry would increase.

I am a low speed stroker,  but even at 14 mph I never use anything stronger than 2000 grit surfaces. 

Same as me. I like 2000 polished for my benchmark.

Adding surface for a low rev release is of no benefit unless you have the ball speed to support it.  You have to recognize rollout