Well, since the wizards of smart at the USBC have outlawed weight holes because the two handlers have bent the rules for years, its time I started bending them myself..... my new Idol will be drilled without a weight hole and 3 oz of top and side so it conforms to their awesome new rules.  I am not drilling anything with the intention of having to plug it back up in a year.  It's the stupidest rule I have ever heard of.

Two Handers has nothing to do with the rule changes.

let me rephrase ..... instead of "two-handers" lets call them "no-thumbers"......  and yes they have EVERYTHING to do with the rule changes regarding weight holes and static weights.

Quote from: Luke Rosdahl on May 30, 2018, 03:19:43 PM

I'm not entirely sure what's happening here, if this is serious or trolling and I need to be caught up before I post something and look like an idiot . .  The OP and some of the responses have to be trolling . .

I'm guilty .....

The rule changes just bother me and I felt the need to stir the pot a bit.

The no-thumbers have abused rules regarding equipment for years and now I am supposed to plug up some of my best equipment because they cheated...... it doesn't sit well with me at all.

I am telling the truth that I will not care about the 1oz top and side limits going forward.  I keep good equipment until its not good and that can be 5 years .. maybe more.  I am drilling an Idol and I plan to do the layout I like, that requires a weighthole to keep it legal under the current rule .... well I say heck with that.

The Idol is symmetrical. Put the pin in your favorite spot and move the CG to grip center. It won’t make any difference whatsoever.

Losing the weight hole might make a difference, depending on its location.

A more accurate statement could be the combination of high rev bowlers buying nothing but sponges had a lot to do with the changes.

USBC stated they want to be able to control the degradation of the pattern and these are the rules they feel will do that.  Will have to wait and see.

Maybe they should start will the elimination of the mega-wall shots and deem those illegal. Take away the massive ramp between 15 and 25 that every house pro throws their Sure Lock or Kingpin Max into so they can watch it go sideways at the end of the pattern.  This would force the use of less aggressive equipment, negate the current advantages of the no-thumbers, and bring shot making back ..... but that makes too much sense.

Quote

A more accurate statement could be the combination of high rev bowlers buying nothing but sponges had a lot to do with the changes.

USBC stated they want to be able to control the degradation of the pattern and these are the rules they feel will do that.  Will have to wait and see.

Maybe they should start will the elimination of the mega-wall shots and deem those illegal. Take away the massive ramp between 15 and 25 that every house pro throws their Sure Lock or Kingpin Max into so they can watch it go sideways at the end of the pattern.  This would force the use of less aggressive equipment, negate the current advantages of the no-thumbers, and bring shot making back ..... but that makes too much sense.

I am all for that.  But did you actually expect USBC to make a rule change that affected the proprietors?  Make a rule change that would require USBC to actually work at the local level?

And as you put it, taking away the advantage from one group and giving the advantage to another is fine as long as it is you who has the advantage.  Don't be sour because you can't take advantage of the environment as it is today.

I am curious to know how PSOs feel about this.  If a bowler comes in and purposefully asks for a USBC "illegally-drilled" ball, do you do it?  If said ball is used in USBC sanctioned competition and found to be illegal, what is the affect to the PSO?

I am all for people voting with their money when it comes to USBC.  Don't like the rules then go ahead and don't participate in USBC sanctioned events.  I personally don't see the new rules from making any tangible difference in the future.  My opinion is ball companies will eventually offer asymmetric options for all price/performance points to allow the end user the same effect they have now with balance holes.  The market will change and nothing will change for the performance in the long run.