Bo-Fish Bowling News the Positive Source for Bowling Worldwide

Ask Bob by Bob Korth

Article Archive #8

• August 1, 2008
• July 1, 2008
• June 1, 2008
• May 1, 2008

August 1, 2008

Q. Is there a place on the web where I might find some video on bowling? Release, axis presession, and the weight block movement while the ball is rolling.

A. Yes there is a place on the web. This is from Ireland written in English and the video is good. There are many other interesting videos' there as well. You can find it at the web site; www.ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/kennmelvin/kVideo.htm

Q. I was on the Storm web site and I saw a section for fragrance. What is this? Are they actually making bowling balls that smell nice?

A. Storm has been putting different fragrances in bowling balls for a few years now. Some people think they smell much better that the chemical smell. Some purists think it is a bad idea. They do smell better than the chemicals but sometimes the fragrance is a little overpowering. Having the smell in the ball does not affect performance. Storm is the only company putting out bowling balls that smell like berries and mints.

Q. I don't bowl in the summer. Now it's August and I have to think about the new season. What do you do in August to get your game back in shape for start of the new season?

A. I like to begin with two or three games my first session the first week of August. As with any practice I work more on spares and I don't care about score. Then wait until the second week of August go back and work harder on your timing and first ball shots. Still shoot all of your spares this is the most important part of your game. Take it a little easy your first couple of times out. You don't want to injure yourself going all out in the beginning. Remember to stretch out good before bowling you will be using muscles you haven't used in awhile. The next two weeks of August you can become more aggressive with your approach and ball speed. Up your practice to two or three times a week and to four to six games. This will have you in great shape for the beginning of the league season.

July 1, 2008

Q. The question I have for you concerns thumb fit. How is the thumb supposed to really fit the thumbhole? Is there supposed to be a "sucking" sound as you take your thumb out because when I was fitted for my ball the pro shop driller said that's a good sound. Also I've been reading a lot of articles and have read that you shouldn't grab at all during your swing. I notice that sometimes my thumb gets stuck as I release but that could be due to poor fit or poor release. I also notice that the back of my thumb is getting squeezed against the thumbhole and it leaves a mark and that's probably bad thing. I'm thinking about going to another pro shop for a second opinion about the fit or maybe just try the Magic Carpet product. I really want to get better and have some consistency in my game. I would like to get some lessons but that's out of my price range.

A. The sucking sound in the thumb is not a good thing. Most of us do things like vent holes or the Magic Carpet to prevent suction. You should not feel that you have to squeeze the ball to hang on. Your thumb should not hang up in the ball. You are right it could be either fit or release. It sounds like you need some help with grip if you are getting a mark on the back of your thumb. This is caused by squeezing, too long a span or improper grip pressure. Lessons would be of great help to you they are not as expensive as you think. You should be able to get a series of lessons for about the same amount as a new ball. The lessons will last much longer. I would find another pro shop find an IBPSIA shop if there is one in your area. If you are interested in the Magic Carpet e-mail me at askbob@clearwire.net and I will send you my address so you can order them. They cost $20.00 for 10 Carpets.

Q. I am going to get a new ball but I am confused on how to order it. I hear pin in and pin out this is a Greek to me. Help?

A. If you throw a full roller get the pin in ball. For most of us who throw a ¾ roller get the pin out ball. There are many more drilling patters that can be used with a pin out ball. Try to keep top weight down to around 1 to 3 ounces if possible. Again this opens up many more drilling options. If you aren't sure about the kind of roll you have on the ball. Look at your ball track these are the scratches on the ball where it rolls. If they are in between the thumb and fingers this is a full roller. The track is outside the thumbhole on the ¾ roller.

Q. I just had a ball drilled at my local pro shop. I mentioned to the pro shop man what kind of reaction I was trying to achieve. I picked up the ball and I was shocked to see not only the regular 3 holes for my grip but also a huge hole in the side. I did not ask for this hole to be put in the ball. When I asked what this hole was for I was told it was a weight hole. What is a weight hole and what's it for?

A. To help the ball get certain roll characteristics the ball driller sometimes has to drill the ball off center. When the ball is drilled off center this can leave too much side weight in the ball and it won't pass USBC specifications. So a weight hole is placed in the ball to bring it back into the legal range. USBC allows for the ball to have 3 ounces of top weight and only one ounce of side weight either side. It also may only have one ounce of thumb weight or finger weight. The size of the weight hole is determined by how much weight needs to be taken out to make it legal. Only one weight hole is allowed. The weight hole does not hurt the ball.

June 1, 2008

Q. If you wish to bowl "cross lane", shooting a ten pin should you make a straight down the lane approach and alter your swing or walk at an angle and maintain your swing?

A. Altering your swing would be very inconsistent. You should turn slightly toward the target, shoulders open. Then walk slightly toward the target. Just a board or two you want to maintain as much of the angle as possible. This will keep your arm-swing in line with the target.

Q. I have been bowling in a league for 5 years now. My average is 158 and I was asked to bowl in our state tournament this year. It sounds like fun but I don't bowl that well to try a tournament. What is your opinion?

A. State and City tournaments are a great way to see what tournament competition is all about. Most State and City tournaments keep bowlers in their own average division so your ability does not matter. You are not going to have to compete against bowlers that are much better than you. Everyone has a chance in these tournaments and in the case of State tournaments it is a fun weekend out of town. It gives you a small taste of what it's like to go to the USBC National tournament at a much lower cost. Go for it.

Q. Gas prices have ruined my plans for a great vacation this summer. So I plan on improving my game. Where should I start?

A. Many of us are in this same boat but as luck would have it summer time is the best time to work on your game. In most areas summer is less busy in the bowling centers and pro shops. So I would start with your equipment. Take all of your equipment into the pro shop for an evaluation of what you have now and what you might need to fill holes in your arsenal. This is a great time to get your existing arsenal cleaned and resurfaced and your grip checked for any adjustments that might need to be made. Then sign up for a series of lessons. Bowlers seem to think this game is easy and we don't need lessons. Not true, this game is not as easy as the pros make it look. There is always more to be learned and lesson's generally cost less than a new ball. Remember a ball can last a season but a lesson lasts a lifetime. Finally put those lessons into practice, practice and more practice. Ask at your center if they might have a summer time rate. Some centers lower the lineage price or sell a 50 or 100 game card that can save you a bundle. PS don't forget to shoot at your spares. Spares are the fastest way to improve your game. Ron DeGrote a bowling instructor in Las Vegas gave me this tip. Double your practice dollar by shooting your spares first and your strike ball second. Ron's motto is no one has ever won anything getting strikes in practice except less shots.

May 1, 2008

Q. I have been bowling in a house for the last two years that have wood lanes. Next season I am also going to bowl in a center with synthetic lanes. Can you tell me the difference I am going to see? With regards to reaction and breakdown.

A. This all depends on the condition of the wood lanes you bowl on. But the biggest difference is that on wood lanes the ball generally hooks earlier because of the deterioration of the heads. The lay down area of the lanes are called the heads and on wood they are usually beat up. This causes early hook or roll. On synthetics this area is harder and so the ball can get through the head area easier. So you may feel like the ball wants to squirt through the heads. Sometimes this makes you have to square up more on the synthetics.

As for breakdown on wood lanes the breakdown is usually quicker and more severe, especially in the head area. The ball will hook sooner and you think the oil is carrying down. It really is not. What happens is the early hook causes the ball to lose energy and so it seems as though the ball is not finishing. It feels like carry down but it is really roll out. Synthetics hold the shot longer and breakdown slower and more even. You will get some carry down on synthetics.

Q. Can I get a polished finish on a ball without using ball polish?

A. Yes you can there are 2 different ways to polish a ball. You can use whatever grade of Abralon or Scotch Brite or sandpaper 400, 600, 800,1000 or higher. You can then polish over that with any of the bowling ball company products out there. This will give you a polished surface to get the ball through the heads and it will have some teeth so that it will react on the dry. If you want to delay the hook even more try polishing with say 4000 Abralon. Start with 2000 grit then take it up to 4000. The ball will look like you put a high glaze on it with ball polish. It is much more smooth and will go longer. This works with the same principal as polishing rocks in a tumbler. They come out shiny but with no polish.

Q. I'm a righty who has become quite proficient in throwing a reverse hook in addition to my conventional release. My object is to "Knock em down" any way I can. What issues or problems do you see throwing a reverse hook, even as a primary ball? Boy, do the guys ever give me grief until I beat them.

A. I have no problem with it. I have seen a few very good back-up ball bowlers. In effect you are left-handed if you can generate the revs necessary to do the job. This gives you the advantage if especially if you can master both sides of the lane. On good right-handed shots go that way but if the shot is better on the left you have the option of the back up ball. I say more power to you. I would not care what others say as long as I was winning. Personally I tried bowling both right and left-handed years ago and I did average 200 with both hands. But today that is not as much of an advantage. Because in most leagues and tournaments you cannot switch hands back and forth by rule. In your case you would just be right-handed with the reaction of both hands. A great advantage for some split conversions and even some spares.

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