BowlVersity Q & A - Bowling Ball Strategies

Through the years, bowlers have asked many questions about their game and about bowling products. Referencing questions presented by visitors reading BowlVersity articles over the years, a series of questions and answers is being introduced beginning with this BowlVersity Q & A - Bowling Ball Strategies.

These questions were presented by 175 and below average bowlers including beginning bowlers, seniors, and youth bowlers.

Here are two questions for this article to get this series underway:

*Q. Because I have only two bowling balls at the present time and am trying to decide if I should buy a new ball or do something to my present bowling balls, what are my options before shelling out money?

*A. If you are uncertain about the design and coverstock type of your present bowling balls, take them to a pro shop and try and learn more about them before making any decision to purchase a new ball.

It is important to not duplicate, or come close to duplicating, a ball you already use when buying a new ball. Your goal is to add a ball which provides a ball reaction presently missing with your existing equipment or change the reaction of your existing bowling balls.

If gaining a good ball reaction is your objective, then it makes sense to alter the surfaces of your present bowling balls with surface texture adjustments trying to get a reaction more closely to what you seek before investing in a new ball.

It may be that a full resurfacing job on your ball will do the trick or perhaps only a slight surface texture alteration will produce a good ball reaction.

As another option, if your present bowling balls over-react and hook too sharply, it may be that adding a balance hole can modify your ball reaction and tame it down to react more predictably than now on lane conditions where you bowl frequently.

If none of these steps helps and if you have discussed your present bowling balls with your pro shop professional, then it might be time to buy a new ball?

*Q. Should I have at least one symmetric bowling ball and one asymmetric ball?

*A. Remember that above all, the coverstock type you choose coupled with the texture and traction this coverstock produces are the main keys in getting a good ball reaction to match with the lane conditions.

Coverstock varieties include solid reactive, shiny reactive, pearl reactive, and hybrid types. Each will provide a varying degree of surface friction and will create different skid length distances on the front end of the lane.

If two ball are drilled identically, or close to it, and both have the same coverstock type and surface texture grit pad preparation, then typically and for most bowlers, a symmetric ball reacts very evenly and predictably producing a controllable ball motion whereas an asymmetric ball produces a more defined and sharper hook motion than does a symmetric ball.



Using a given drilling layout can affect the ball reaction so it is very important to discuss layout strategies with your pro shop professional when buying a new ball or when plugging and redrilling your bowling balls.

As example, a weak layout tames the back end reaction where a strong layout will produce slightly longer skid distance and a more pronounced hook motion for both symmetric and asymmetric bowling ball types.

Having a reliable pro shop pro to work with can help you establish the foundation of an effective equipment arsenal. Try and learn as much as you can about bowling ball construction, coverstocks, ball motion and surface maintenance strategies.

Take an active part in your equipment decisions.