BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Snakster on May 27, 2021, 09:17:00 AM
-
It’s been a bit since I’ve been here, but I need a little help and this place never let me down.
Started a summer league with my son at a new house for us (we moved) that is wood lanes. My Squatch hybrid is great game 2 and game 3 (although move to Turmoil 2 Pearl seems necessary at some point game 3.
Where I’m really struggling is a ball to play game 1. Don’t have very many balls these days and my internal options are a bit played out. So I’m not opposed to picking up something new. The squatch hybrid is just a bit too long on the fresh. So I’m looking for some thoughts on a ball that might read a bit earlier on fresh wood lanes with at least some bit of backend pop.
I have been thinking of some classics that are still sold like Motiv venom shock or IQ Tour solid. I’m pretty much brand agnostic these days so any thoughts would be appreciated.
-
It’s been a bit since I’ve been here, but I need a little help and this place never let me down.
Started a summer league with my son at a new house for us (we moved) that is wood lanes. My Squatch hybrid is great game 2 and game 3 (although move to Turmoil 2 Pearl seems necessary at some point game 3.
Where I’m really struggling is a ball to play game 1. Don’t have very many balls these days and my internal options are a bit played out. So I’m not opposed to picking up something new. The squatch hybrid is just a bit too long on the fresh. So I’m looking for some thoughts on a ball that might read a bit earlier on fresh wood lanes with at least some bit of backend pop.
I have been thinking of some classics that are still sold like Motiv venom shock or IQ Tour solid. I’m pretty much brand agnostic these days so any thoughts would be appreciated.
Get the new Gamebreaker 4 from Ebonite. Put a 4 inch pin and 30 degree angle which will allow for some backend motion. The strong cover will help read the oil and the layout will help with continuation on the backend.
-
What about surface on the Squatch Hybrid to use it for games 1-2?
Every Squatch Hybrid I've seen has been on the smoother side, a Knock Out could be an option as something with a little more cover and more torque
-
Get the new Gamebreaker 4 from Ebonite. Put a 4 inch pin and 30 degree angle which will allow for some backend motion. The strong cover will help read the oil and the layout will help with continuation on the backend.
That’s a good thought. I remember really liking the GB3 when I Demo’d it a while back.
What about surface on the Squatch Hybrid to use it for games 1-2?
I’m loathe to mess with the squatch since I really like what I’m getting from it game 2 and into game 3. Half thinking of checking eBay for a squatch solid.
-
I suggest roughing up the Vandal Smash, or the Jackal LE. The Vandal is slightly asymmetric and has a nice "charging into the pocket" motion. The Jackal has a better midlane move for game 1.
Put a 500 grit pad on either of those and strike at will!
Just some suggestions using what you already have.
-
Is the fused too much ball????
I bowled on wood for over 15 years..... It's all pin up pearls...with shine
-
Looks like I need to update my signature, I have none of those anymore.😃
Wish I still had a hyper cell fused. Would be perfect.
-
Hi - We need more information. Exactly what are you seeing in game 1 vs 2 and 3? What is your average, ball speed, traditional vs 2 handed. Do you hook the shot or straight up? Current ball weight. Strikes and spares - Gold Coach Denny
-
Next - When does the center oil the lanes compared to your league play? Is their lane play ahead of you? Gold Coach Denny
-
Hi - We need more information. Exactly what are you seeing in game 1 vs 2 and 3? What is your average, ball speed, traditional vs 2 handed. Do you hook the shot or straight up? Current ball weight. Strikes and spares - Gold Coach Denny
Thanks Denny. As to what the center does, I’ve only been there twice now, so I have no idea.
The only thing I’m seeing is that shiny balls go too long on the fresh pattern, and I’m not consistent enough to hit my mark if I have to go 10-10.
205 after 2 weeks (so this is my wood lane avg since I have never done a league on would lanes before).
Throw around 15mph; traditional; hook; 15 lbs; I use strike ball for spares…flatten hand and throw straight for corner. I’m 54, a Libra and I like hanging out at home with a bottle of wine and a good movie.
All that said, I found a retailer that still had Squatch solid, so I ordered it. If I find a line of balls where I generally like the core, it’s always my first personal option to explore the line further.
-
Hi Snakster - A few more questions. If you look at the lanes a few feet beyond the foul line do you see black wear markings or clean wood? Is the Vandal The HyBrid, Solid, or Pearl. Do you understand the concept of "Dual Angle" ball drill pattern layouts? Have you done any surface changes since you purchased the balls in your arsenal? More to come - Gold Coach Denny
-
The Snakster - The next key topic is, Launch Angle and Accuracy. I believe that you are not using a key alignment tool. I teach all of my athletes the 4 Point Targeting System. Most bowlers only use the 2 Point targeting System. Specifically they use hopefully the starting board on the approach and the lane target. This system is inherent with Launch Angle inaccuracy. The bowler wonders what happened. The 4 Point Targeting System requires that the bowler is aware of 4 key points. These are: Board or half board starting position at set up, the lane target at the dots or between the dots and the arrows, the board target at the break point, and the finish position for the slide foot at the foul line. Any minor error in any of these key check points will change launch angle and reduce scoring. Gold Coach Denny
-
Hi Snakster - A few more questions. If you look at the lanes a few feet beyond the foul line do you see black wear markings or clean wood? Is the Vandal The HyBrid, Solid, or Pearl. Do you understand the concept of "Dual Angle" ball drill pattern layouts? Have you done any surface changes since you purchased the balls in your arsenal? More to come - Gold Coach Denny
Black wear marks.
Yes I know dual angle. It is the original vandal. I’ve added surface to it previously since I did not like it at box. I do play with surface on my equipment. I also like moving on from things if I don’t like them after trying different things with them. Sometimes finish change helps, but sometimes it still doesn’t do it for me. Creed rebellion I’m Luke warm on. The original creed disappointed me a little, probably because I liked the vandal strike so much. Added surface to it and it was a bit better, but still not something I trusted.
Only solid I had was the creed rebellion. I wanted symmetric solid especially for this wood lane. Wanted to try something I haven’t before. I liked the Squatch hybrid, so finding the solid version was a pleasant find. Will probably bet it drilled next weekend. I go to BowlerX B&m store and it’s not as close to me as it used to be. But I suspect my son is going to want to drill has last marvel Pearl for the summer, so we can kill two birds with one stone.
-
The Snakster - The next key topic is, Launch Angle and Accuracy. I believe that you are not using a key alignment tool. I teach all of my athletes the 4 Point Targeting System. Most bowlers only use the 2 Point targeting System. Specifically they use hopefully the starting board on the approach and the lane target. This system is inherent with Launch Angle inaccuracy. The bowler wonders what happened. The 4 Point Targeting System requires that the bowler is aware of 4 key points. These are: Board or half board starting position at set up, the lane target at the dots or between the dots and the arrows, the board target at the break point, and the finish position for the slide foot at the foul line. Any minor error in any of these key check points will change launch angle and reduce scoring. Gold Coach Denny
Yeah my son is much better at that than I am. I am always aware of 1. I don’t use dots for 2 because my understanding is that dots are not standard across lane manufacturers, so I use arrows. I keep a general awareness of 3, but not obsessively so (a weakness I know, but my attention deficit plays in here). For 4 I know I should look down after every shot to see that I’m sliding in the same place every time. I don’t. Because it’s just not in my head at the time.
My son does. This is probably why he’s better than me, but I’ve always taken it a bit more recreationally than he has.
-
Hi Snakster - Thank you for the information. The entire goal of high scoring is energy retention at the pocket. The ball has to Skid, Hook, and Roll on its path to the pocket. The Burned heads of your lanes sucks the energy out of the ball. You have stated that you score better in games 2 and 3. This could be that you have achieved body, muscle, ligaments, and mental warm up. I coach to all of my athletes to do 10 minutes of a mild warm up routine to achieve the Ready State. Not many social bowlers do any type of pre-event warm ups. I suggest the following - 1. Stand with feet slightly apart. 2. Place hands, interlocked, on your chest and softly rotate right and left, 90*, for a 10 count. 3. Extend arms and repeat rotation for a 10 count. 4. Lift arms high above your head and feel the stretch, 25 count. 5. Lean and extend hands arms trying to touch toes, feel the stretch, 25 count. 6. Windmill the right arm for a 10 count, now the left arm. 7. This is extremely important - Stand on one foot and gently swing the free leg and knee around the stable leg, 25 count. Repeat on opposite leg / foot. I stress that you take it easy. You are just getting the muscles and ligaments ready for play. If possible throw 3 Shadow Shots, slowly, on each competitive lane. The goal is Feel! Please note that I have not recommended a new ball at this time. Since you know "Dual Angle" please provide the Dual Angle Layout for each ball. Have a great holiday - Gold Coach Denny
-
I use a solid or hybrid with no polish in game one for control. Start at 500/1000 and work up 2000 3000, 4000 as needed. Second game a pearl off the hood area and move in as needed.
-
Hi Snakster - You have a pretty complete arsenal. If you can provide the Dual Angle layout for each ball I will evaluate. If not just the pin location, Up and how far, Out and how far, down and how far. I have reviewed the engineering for each of your balls. A 170 average athlete throws several strikes per game and makes a few spares. I would believe that your main issue is spare shooting. You need a plastic spare ball. Use for as many spare opportunities as possible. Remember that wood lanes are hooking lanes. Reactive Resin balls are Hooking balls. As you stated you kill the release to flatten the shot out. The resin ball with RG's that you have will want to hook! Respect the engineering of each ball. Happy Memorial Day Holiday! Gold Coach Denny
-
My first recommendation would be a detox to either your Widow, Vandal or Creed followed by a resurface to 3000 grit. If that doesn't work then look into a new ball and yes that GB4 is pretty good (but I warn you that it comes pretty dull out of the box)