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Author Topic: Bowling dungeon  (Read 3356 times)

Juggernaut

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Bowling dungeon
« on: September 09, 2019, 09:12:49 PM »
Been bowling for many years. Been really really good many years ago, but not so much anymore.

 Have still maintained a 205-210 average only throwing three games a week.

 This year however, an old friend of mine who had a knee replacement a few years back, has asked me to bowl with him. Thing is, the ONLY place we can get to bowl together because of our work schedule is an old dungeon built in 1957.

 It still has the ORIGINAL wood lanes, and the Brunswick “A” pinsetters. The people who are now running it love bowling, but know nearly nothing about it, and have a traveling mechanic that comes by every so often and keeps things running.

 EVERYTHING hooks early if you pitch it at all. You cant go up the boards because it starts early. If you try to swing it, it still starts early. If you back off the release to get it to push, it burns up before it makes the turn.

 Its only three games in, and I had to work hard to get to a 168 avg.   :-[

 Tried everything I could think of, with no really satisfying results.

 Bowling elsewhere is NOT an option.

 Anybody got any experience or ideas?

 Feels like I'm bowling the Petersen every game and should just be chucking a brick at the five pin. In 15 games I've shot one 200 game, and that was throwing right up the track at almost 20 mph with an iq tour pearl, and I just cant throw it like that anymore at my age and talent level. My arm, hand, and legs hurt the whole next day.

HEEEEELLLLLLLP!  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Please?
Learn to laugh, and love, and smile, cause we’re only here for a little while.

 

ignitebowling

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2019, 09:43:18 PM »
Plastic ball with surface up the boards. Try 1000 to start, if not enough go with 500 grit. When playing outside of 2nd arrow usually a great option.

Second option I love is the Columbia Scout that was just discontinued. Pancake weight block with a mild reactive cover. Hooks more then you think it would initially, but is overall super smooth, more consistent reaction then urethane, and can handle surface adjustments well.
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Juggernaut

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2019, 09:52:00 PM »
Plastic ball with surface up the boards. Try 1000 to start, if not enough go with 500 grit. When playing outside of 2nd arrow usually a great option.

Second option I love is the Columbia Scout that was just discontinued. Pancake weight block with a mild reactive cover. Hooks more then you think it would initially, but is overall super smooth, more consistent reaction then urethane, and can handle surface adjustments well.

 That plastic ball need a core?

 Three options out there have one.
Learn to laugh, and love, and smile, cause we’re only here for a little while.

scotts33

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2019, 11:19:52 PM »
Just a comment but I have never understood lots of surface on an early rolling ball where the lane makes it roll early anyway because of lack of conditioner.  Am I wrong?

Weak reactive ie. Scout pancake seems the more logical choice.  But what do I know.   ;) 
Scott

daves123

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2019, 07:57:04 AM »
Hey  juggernaut, sounds like you joined a league at our brickyard. There is a good reason the handicap is based on 190 . In a house where the highest average for the year is 183 for all leagues you got to find a way to keep a positive attitude even more than a ball.
See you there!

ignitebowling

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2019, 08:05:07 AM »
Plastic ball with surface up the boards. Try 1000 to start, if not enough go with 500 grit. When playing outside of 2nd arrow usually a great option.

Second option I love is the Columbia Scout that was just discontinued. Pancake weight block with a mild reactive cover. Hooks more then you think it would initially, but is overall super smooth, more consistent reaction then urethane, and can handle surface adjustments well.

 That plastic ball need a core?

 Three options out there have one.

I have one plastic with and without a core and didnt notice a huge difference.  If you don't have a plastic ball already id go ahead and get one with a core.

Id also recommend using it on spares to take the lanes out of play more. Spares no doubt are a huge factor in scores when striking less.
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ignitebowling

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2019, 08:09:55 AM »
Just a comment but I have never understood lots of surface on an early rolling ball where the lane makes it roll early anyway because of lack of conditioner.  Am I wrong?

Weak reactive ie. Scout pancake seems the more logical choice.  But what do I know.   ;)

Depends on the ball and style. 1000 isnt a lot of surface especially with plastic.

Plastic @1000

Plastic at lane shine
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scotts33

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2019, 08:14:10 AM »
ignite---Unsure of the lane condition and topography of your video but that's still appearing to be synthetic vs. old worn out wood is huge in my experience.  Just my take.
Scott

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2019, 08:22:35 AM »

Polish your spare ball and "suitcase", or totally kill your revs.  I have bowled on old wood lanes and they are very soft with tons of friction.  With minimal oil it complicates it even more, but think "dead hand" and your chances go up...  Good luck!

ignitebowling

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2019, 08:29:05 AM »
ignite---Unsure of the lane condition and topography of your video but that's still appearing to be synthetic vs. old worn out wood is huge in my experience.  Just my take.

Its only suggestions based off of what he said he is bowling on. Polished plastic maybe plenty,  if not try surface. How many people post about adding surface to a ball on here every other week or so. Without video of him bowling or any information at all a scout maybe perfect,  maybe too much. Thats why I added plastic.  Over looked by many on drier conditions and is a great option.
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spmcgivern

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2019, 09:02:23 AM »
Bowling in an old wood house can be difficult.  One other thing to consider is how the down lane reaction is.  The heads may be burnt obviously causing the early reaction.  But sometimes centers will put tons of oil to hope and offset the burned heads which can lead to a lot of carry down.  Especially if everyone is throwing plastic/urethane/stuff that pushes oil.

Just keep this in mind.

tommygn

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2019, 09:41:34 AM »
Because I have run a sport league for the last 15 years or so, my perspective may be a little different. Scores are relative. What is the league average like? Are there bowlers who average 230's, and if so, what are their abilities and how are they playing the lanes? If the high average of the league is only 202, and they look to be, or are a 230+ bowler on pristine conditions, then are you really that far off pace? Point being, maybe just focusing on the fact that you can bowl with your buddy could be enough?
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Juggernaut

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2019, 08:32:00 PM »
Because I have run a sport league for the last 15 years or so, my perspective may be a little different. Scores are relative.

Yes, scores are relative, and no, we’re really not that far off the pace.

Quote
What is the league average like? Are there bowlers who average 230's, and if so, what are their abilities and how are they playing the lanes?

HIGHLY doubtful if there is even anybody with a 200 avg. If so, it isn’t much over.

Quote
If the high average of the league is only 202, and they look to be, or are a 230+ bowler on pristine conditions, then are you really that far off pace? Point being, maybe just focusing on the fact that you can bowl with your buddy could be enough?

Oh, bowling with him is enough. If 180 is going to be max avg for me here, that’s fine, I just don’t want to have to fight the condition to get there. Fighting the condition usually ends up being the frustrating thing, not having a lower average.

 If plastic off the corner is the way to go, and about 180 is my max here, I’m good with that, just not good with the alternative of fighting the condition all night for 36 weeks, and hurting the day after from doing so.

 Bowling league should be fun. If it were a tournament for money, well THAT’S a different story. Im not 30 yrs old anymore, and theres consequences for throwing hard all night now that I didnt have back then, and league bowling for fun isnt worth the pain.
Learn to laugh, and love, and smile, cause we’re only here for a little while.

ignitebowling

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2019, 09:43:32 PM »
Too many house shots these days, especially here locally,  are drier. Like you said it's less bowling and more chunking.  That gets old and isn't fun. Plastic can help.  Here locally are all synthetic. Still miserable, especially for 32 or 36 weeks.
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bcw1969

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Re: Bowling dungeon
« Reply #14 on: September 10, 2019, 10:32:53 PM »
Get a Brunswick crimson Phantom....tame up the cover + polish and put a 250 degree strong backend layout on it........here......"250 degree strong backend" layout
The next layout we will be looking at is the "250 degree strong backend" layout.
 http://wiki.bowlingchat.net/wiki/images/thumb/c/c9/412x250j.JPG/300px-412x250j.JPG

"250 degree strong backend" layout..
This layout calls for the pin to be no further out than 2" from the C.G. so a weighthole will not be needed. The pin height above the midline is to be 1 1/4" and the Pin to PAP distance is to be 4 1/2". The Mass bias is to be placed at 250 degrees. This layout caused a "herky jerk" skid/snap motion that appeared to be over-under in its first testing. What we found out is that when the shot called for a very direct line outside of the first arrow(as it was tested on the Cheetah Pattern), we were able to draw a strong skid-snap reaction and not have the ball hook early in the friction zone. When the shot forces you to play direct and you need an angular motion at the breakpoint, the 250 degree layout was very effective.

Last season I picked up a nib crimson phantom and did just this(because I could not effectively control the break and the lack of oil) . With that ball, drilling and surface, even on the wolf pattern I wasn't getting an overreaction--and actually was underreacting.

There is a 14 pounder currently on ebay here https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Brunswick-Phantom-14-lb-Crimson-Bowling-Ball/362595370487?hash=item546c5e45f7:g:jFQAAOSwjexbkWrU:sc:USPSPriority!33319!US!-1

Brad