I just tried out my new Virtual in league and am initially disappointed. Looking for suggestions to adjust before heading to Nats next weekend. Note that I'm left handed... It's not the same world over there. Layout is pin down, 4.5 x 4 with a PAP of 5x1, with the key almost out to VAL and a small thumb positive weight hole.

Used it on a oily THS shot, compared against a NIB Horizon Solid (just punched that day) and a Cell that's fairly weak and just came out of the hot water bath. Both other balls are 4x4 with pin next to ring and sanded to 1500 with a Valentino pad.

All three performed equally (+/- 1-2 boards), no real difference UNLESS the Virtual was thrown out to the gutter. As expected, it would come all the way back and hit like the proverbial wet noodle, no energy even at 4000 OOB. The Cell would make it back most of the way, and the Horizon couldn't get there. I tried hand-hitting with a 1500 Valentino pad after that with minimal difference.

I know it's pin down, but it was pretty mellow all the way through. Two of my teammates have VG's and they are definite monsters on the right side, night and day to what I saw.

I don't think the fresh THS was too oily for the VG. Although possibly too little oil, the comparative reaction, particulary to the Horizon solid, makes me think not. I do believe it started to wake up a bit after 3 games, but only very little and that's being generous.

My thoughts:

- The obvious "all oilers need friction at the end to react", the pattern was just too long...

- Like my Big B Activator covers, it needs some use before really getting into stride.

- Use the spinner, drop the surface to 1000 Abralon or below, take it to Nats and hope for the best...

Other thoughts?
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Edited on 3/14/2009 10:45 AM

Oh oh. That's what I was afraid of. Sounds exactly what I believe is happening to me. My rev rate is only 250, and I'm pretty sure I don't have the revs to wake this beast up. Damm. Thanks for sharing, you may very well be right.

Other ideas anyone?
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Edited on 3/14/2009 11:11 AM

Covering too many boards with a weak hit is almost a sure sign of a ball that used up all it's energy and has burnt up.  The only people I ever see do well with strong stuff like the Virtual Gravity on the outside of a league shot are either people with no hand, or are at least strongly speed dominant.  Move in a good 10 and 5 with all 3 balls and see if you notice the same reactions.

Many house shots really cover up the differences in balls.  I was looking for a new med/heavy to heavy oil ball a short time ago.  As luck would have it, a friend with a very close span let me throw his new Virtual Gravity and Cell Pearl after league.  To my amazement, both were only a board or two stronger than my old (pearl) Nighthawk M2.  I'm sure these two balls would be much different on either more oil or a flatter shot.

If you're not inside far enough to use the wad of extra oil that often accompanies a THS, the stronger cover might not be apparent.  My BW Bite and the M2 look pretty close to each other at the house I was referencing above.  At the other, with more oil inside, I can get much further inside with the Bite and bank it off the dry further down the lane than I can with the M2.  At the first house, the Bite looks only slightly stronger then the M2.  At the second house, it's easily 5 boards stronger.  On my summer PBA league, the differences were even more apparent.

Don't sweat the THS "test".  When it counts, I'm pretty sure the Virtual Gravity will shine.  4000 is a pretty fine surface, especially for a ball that's clean through the heads like the VG.  For Nationals, you might want the Cell at 1000 so it can be early and rolly, then take the VG down to 2000.  It will be able to handle a bit more oil, but still be longer and more angular than the Cell so you have two different looks.
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Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

Yep drop it too 1k and use it game 1 and 2 of team event, it will work starting it on the edge of the oil line or from a deeper angle keeping it left of 10 board.


Dont love this ball but hey you already bought it over the mega,so why not use it.

I will say this about some of storm more recent equipment..Me and a staffer who will remain nameless have talked numerous times about their stuff being very condition specific.. I'm not gonna say its bad at all because I like the way the roll but it's just certain time some balls seem useless.. I try to tell people the hy-road is one of the most versitle ball they have.. The vg skate at and sign of carrydown or heavier than medium oil at best.. for most people oob.. And with more cover it burns up.. The 2nd dimension alson does the same thing.. That ball like clean backends but with a lil bit of cover it worked wonders..

Thanks for the feedback all. Nj, I'm sure that's true for the outside angle. I'll try it twice more, once with 1000 and then with 600 and some snake oil from Valentino. Let's see if either of those give me a look I like in hope of finding a use for it outside of Nats.

For Nats I like Strider's 2K with a 1K Cell thought....

Thanks again to all.
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Signature? I don't need no stinking signature...

Thanks backswing, appreciate the thoughts.
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Signature? I don't need no stinking signature...

It is my belief that many, many people drill today's strongest balls with pins that are way too strong. I have three VGs and my CLOSEST pin is just under 5 inches.

Then when the ball blows up almost immediately upon hitting dry and does not hit people complain that it has nothing.

The VG is a ball that excels with box surface or a little more surface (depending on your revs/speed/oil volume) in OIL (not swung to 10 boards of dry area). It also does better with weaker pins of at least 5 inches so that it retains energy and transitions more smoothly.

IMO, the box finish shined up is NOT good - it is too long and tough to contro that way. If you want to try it shiny, take it to 1000 first.

But most of all try a WEAKER pin.