INDEX

Equipment Equipment Q&A  [21-40]   [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]   [121-140]  [141-160]  [161-180]  [181-200]  [201-220]  [221-240]  [241-260]   [261-280]  [281-300]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]   [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440] Jerry Seattle WA Hi Walter, my question is to the drill patters that people generally use on tour. I was wondering if you could tell as to which layout is commonly used during the first game, when the lanes have just been oiled. Hope you can answer it. Thank you, and I hope you kick ass with Hammer like you did with Brunswick. I'm looking forward to a showdown between you and Parker Bohn in a final somwhere next season. Thank you. Hi Jerry, Unfortunately you are asking the wrong person. I don't pay that much attention to the drillings of other players or myself. It also depends on how long the oil pattern is as to what drilling layouts the guys might use. A short pattern is going to suggest a different ball than a long pattern. Joe Racine WI Comments: Dear Walter, Wanted to know if you have thrown the new Blue Hammer 2001 yet? If so, how does it compare to the Black Hammer 2001? Does it hook more/finish harder? I'm hoping it does what it says it does. Is FAB coming out with a spare ball soon? Good luck next year!!! As of right now I haven't thrown the 2001 Blue Hammer. But I will in about a week. I have a couple of regionals May 4-6 and May 11-13 in which I should be able to give these new balls a test. Faball is supposed to be coming out with a new plastic ball (spare), but I don't know when it will be released. Thanks. Jeff Troy OH Comments: Dear Walter Ray You've been my favorite professional bowler and here's hoping you can continue your incredible success in the PBA for many more years. Despite the numerous bowling balls all professional bowlers use, which ball is currently your "number one" choice in tournament competition? I currently use an El Nino, which has been an excellent ball for me. What ball would you recommend for someone who depends more on accuracy than power - sort of like you? Thank you, and best of luck! Hi Jeff, If I was limited to just one ball I would pick the 2001 Black Hammer. But I have a large selection to choose from and every ball has something is does a little bit different. I haven't yet thrown the 2001 Blue Hammer, but from the reports that I hear it should be a great ball also. I hope this helps. Mike Daly City CA Comments: Hi Walter! Just have a question regarding a switch from Brunswick to Faball. I've just been getting back into bowling after a brief respite due to a shoulder injury. I found two "Rhinos" in Las Vegas, the two bowling balls responsible for helping me to a 205+ average in the early 90's. I'm now totally lost with them, because although I know how to split boards, adjust to different conditions and deliver the ball accordingly, it's just not the same..... The new Zones would just overpower those lanes! If there is a type of Faball product (particle or reactive urethane?) that would assist me with the new heavier oil, which shows up on practice and league conditions at the bowling center I practice at, please advise. I deliver the ball either straight/moderate speed from the right side with some loft, play the inside about 25-30 quick to the pocket, or a big sweeping hook from about 10left to the 5 right, then back to the pocket (versatility due to the Cobrawrister I wear). Hi Mike, It is really hard to say what ball would be best for you having never seen you bowl or the lane conditions which you normally bowl on. But I could safely recommend a versatile ball like the 2001 Black Hammer which also has a new cousin in the 2001 Blue. These balls are particle covers in nature which should allow you to shine or dull them to get significantly different reactions. But usually one ball just doesn't cut it any more. You might need to get a good reactive ball also. I have really come to like the Spike, but there are other good balls also. Jeff Warrior AL Comments: Walter, I am an engineer and a bowler by hobby. I have read that you have a degree in physics and your senior thesis provided a computer model that calculates a bowling ball's physical properties. I understand the ball specs and the physics involved with their design. I also understand the different aspects of a bowler's release and how that will affect the ball's reaction. Can you tell me what your rpm, axis rotation, and typical ball speed is on your strike ball? I am using info I got from the Ebonite webpage to determine mine; I would like to see how mine compares to yours, so I can correct problems I might have with my release. I think mine will be approximately 300+ rpm, 35-45 degrees axis rotation, and 16-18 mph.p.s. I enjoy your website! Thanks, Jeff Stovall Hi Jeff, I haven't checked lately and I don't have the figures imprinted on my brain as they aren't overly impressive. But I think my rpm's are about 300 - 350, not sure about my axis (that can change based on what I am trying to do, and my speed goes from about 15 to 18 depending on how soft or hard I am trying to throw the ball. I think that the biggest thing to work on is being able to duplicate your release with a fair amount of accuracy. Having 700 rpm's won't do you any good if you can't keep the ball within a board or so (unless you bowl on soft conditions) at your target point. Comparing your release to mine might be a starting point, but remember that everybody is different and being able to learn how to play all parts of the lane with different amounts of hook might be a better goal to work on. Good luck. Joe Racine WI Comments: Hey Walter, Which balls from Hammer are you using the most? When you say that you are using the Spike like you did at Bermuda was it the Spike resin or Spike HPT? Also have you tried the new Blue Hammer 2001 yet? If so, what do you think? Have you ever tried the Violet & Violet Pearl? I hear Hammer is discontinuing a lot of their balls. Are more new ones on the way? After a pretty solid year are you happy with your new company? Are you helping with the intro of any new balls/reactions you're looking for? Will you bring any other former Brunswick staffers onto the Hammer staff like Steve Jaros? You have helped the Faball name, others should be able to see that they are making waves in the industry. Good luck in all the regionals and next year!! Keep Hammerin' the pins!!! Thanks for the great website!!! Hi Joe, The Spike I have been using the most has been the reactive one. I liked the look of the Spike HPT but it didn't seem to work very well on the tour conditions. I haven't bowled since my last regional in Palm Coast so I haven't yet thrown the new Blue 2001. But I hear that great scores are being put up with it so I am looking forward to using it in my next regional in Rocky Mount, NC in a few weeks. I have tried the Violet balls, but unfortunately I was bit overwhelmed with the many balls to chose from when I started using the Hammer equipment and never really gave those balls a lot of play. I don't know which balls Hammer is discontinuing, but I am sure that it will be balls that weren't selling that much any more. So far I am pretty happy with Faball. They are a true bowling company as opposed to the other company I was with where many of their top management don't really bowl. As of right now I haven't really been a big input on Faball's equipment since it takes a while to design and then produce a ball, but I have few ideas and hopefully they will be good ones. But I am more of a bowler even though I did study Physics in college. I don't know if Faball is looking to expand its staff, but I know that Steve Jaros did throw some of their equipment. Thanks. Walter Ray Andy Mount Prospect IL   Comments: I have seen you bowl a lot and I tape them so I can watch you whenever I want. First what kind of ball do you use for your strike shot? I use a stomp and it hooks from the one board and comes in light, still getting a strike. Have you used a different ball that hooks a little bit more than the one you use now, if you did or did not can you help me out and which one you would use? Hi Andy, This year on tour I mainly used a 2001 and a reaper while also using a 4D HPT, Spike HPT and a 4D reactive. In the last 3 regionals I have bowled in I have used a 2001, 4D HPT and a Spike as my main strike balls. The 4D HPT hooks the most of these balls with the Spike being a very aggressive ball for the back end. The 2001 is more of a mellow ball compared to these others, but I did use it to win the PBA National Championship. Players will use different balls for their strike shots depending on how the lanes are playing, which line they are playing and what kind of reaction they are looking for. I tend to like the extreme balls, but a ball like the 2001 is a great all around ball. Ladd New York City New York Noticed your drill layout used in the Patraglia Open posted on another site as a pin down, hole down in your HPC. Curious if this tracked over your finger or thumb slightly? I also have a high track (5 3/4,1/2 up) and would like to try this layout but fear tracking over any holes. Was the extra hole cg, and pin lined up with a finger hole to prevent tracking over any holes? Many ThanX, Ladd Hi Ladd, That drilling for the JP Open didn't cause my ball to track over my thumb or fingers (if I remember correctly). You might want to ask Rick Benoit, he would probably remember better than I. Your other questions would also be better answered by Rick also. I am not a ball driller. He has a website that you can send him a message. The website is www.1Opinion.com. David Comments: Walter: Does that hammer 2001 ball go longer than any ball you've used so far, as far as reactive resin type balls go, and is it really good for dry lanes that bite too hard in the backend and send the ball to the headpin? David Hi David, The 2001 doesn't go longer than any reactive type ball basically because it isn't a reactive ball. It has a combination surface (I believe, I am not a salesman) of reactive and particles. It is a great all around ball. It has a very dense weight block, which you can do a lot with. As far as dry lanes, it depends on how you throw the ball. Hard, straight? Did you polish the ball? If you hook the ball a lot this might not be the best ball or dry lanes. But it depends on the player. Good luck. Bradley Irving Texas Hey WRW!! Congrats sir..Just some basic questions if you don't mind :) Fav layout? How do you like the high flaring balls of Hammer now (ie. Spike, Spike HPT) compared to the early rolling med. flareballs of Bruns.? Ok, I suppose just 2 questions are all I have for you.. Once again, CONGRATULATIONS.. great bowling Hi Bradley, As in a previous answer I don't really have a favorite layout. I like the high flaring balls, but for some reason just haven't been able to find a shot for them. Maybe this last tournament in Burlington, NC might have been the time for it, but after a unimpressive first game and bad start on the 2nd game I went to a Reaper and then the last game of the block I just for the heck of it decided the Spike again and it gave me a great look and a 247 game. It is really hard to compare balls which you have thrown months ago on totally different lane conditions to balls you are using today. A true test would be balls drilled out of the box, shined together etc, and then bowled in competition (practice doesn't always give you a true read). But so far I like them, if they would just figure out a way to get rid of those pesky 10 pins (those other balls weren't able to do that either)! Connie    Feb, 2001 San Jose California Hi Walter!Congrat's on winning last week! Noticed your ball said "2001" but couldn't tell what kind it is - it looked like it rolled pretty straight & got a heckuva lot of pin action. What kind is it & do you think it would work better for me than my Zone (I still throw a really straight ball)? Paige & Billy Sue have done a great job on your website!TC - Connie Hi Connie, Thanks. That was a 2001 Black Hammer. I throw it straight compared to almost everybody on tour. I did get some pretty good pin action with it on TV in Toledo. If you still throw the ball really straight I am not sure how much different a newer ball is going to make, but if I were you I would make my next ball purchase a Faball (Hammer) product instead of that other company! I am sure the webmasters appreciate your comments. Mike   Feb, 2001 Bay City MI Hi Walter, congratulations on the PBA National win. I saw you win in BAy City in 1998. Was looking forward to the pro's being here last year but with the PBA cutbacks they didn't have a stop here. Do you think the tour will return to BAy Lanes? My style is similar to yours, more forward roll and down and in. I track high 5 1/2 over 1/2 up. Do you have any favorite drillings you use? I'm sure you will do good with Hammer, I dont think the name on the ball is as important as the person rolling it. Hope to see you in Bay City in the future. Hi, The PBA is looking to expand on the schedule that we have had in the last year or so, so if John Mazza and Bill Strike are willing to have us back in Bay City then I am sure that we will. You might have to go the Faball website to see if Jeff Mark has put up any drilling layouts for my ball. I actually try to keep out of that department as much as possible. Usually I have pins from 12 o'clock to about 3. Other than that I am not very picky and if Jeff drilled me something way different I would throw it and then decide if it might work. We might be able to put some pictures of ball layouts on this website. Tom   Jan, 2001 Tulsa OK Do you think that part of your carrying problems is related to the change to the Hammer line of equipment? In other words, you are getting a different look down the lanes with the Hammer equipment. Thanks Tom Hi Tom, It is hard to say what the problem is right now. I think a lot of it is not playing the lane conditions the way that I should. My old equipment might have given me similar results, but I am still trying to get a better idea of how each of these balls are going to react. I might also not be throwing the ball as well as I need to be, so I have a put in a couple of days practice which I normally wouldn't do. Rick   Jan, 2001 Cincinnati OH Hi there Paige, and Walter. I have been following your game extensively for YEARS, And may I say you are the man. Say, When are you coming to Cincinnati? Also, I'm switching from Brunswick to Hammer balls. Faballs gain. Which of the Hammer balls do you like for med. to heavy oil? That will be the first of many. Once again, congrats on your new contract, and looking forward to occaisionally e mailing you. Oh, I wont ask what your bedtime clothes are. Say Hi to Nick Vogelgsang if you see him, I know him well. Take Care..rickykingpin Hi Rick, I don't know when I will be coming to Cincinnati any time soon, but I am planning on pitching horseshoes in Greenville, OH around the 4th of July. Since I didn't bowl well the first two weeks I am not sure which balls to recommend. I thought I was going to like the particles balls Faball made (4D HPT & Spike HPT), but for some reason things haven't worked the way I want yet. Besides, I would ask your local pro shop operator who has seen you bowl and knows the type of lane conditions you are more likely to bowl on. The 2001 looks like a very promising ball and I am planning on giving it a better look this week. I apprediate your support. Ladd   Jan, 2001 Subject: tech talk    Great detailed tour report, sorry we will not be seeing you on ESPN this week. Do not want to sound greedy but is there any tech info you can share regarding your drill layouts for the new Hammers you used? How does the Hammer equipment compare or differ with Brunswick's for your type of game? Thanx, Good Luck! Ladd Pobuda Hi Ladd, As mentioned in other responses I am not real particular about ball drillings, but I think that we have started with similar layouts as what I was using in Brunswick stuff. Pins between 1 and 3. I'll try and get some ball drilling info for you who are really interested. Rocky Castro Valley, CA Comments: I have learned that you have now joined the staff of Faball, manufacturers of Hammer balls. I know that you have been a long-time Brunswick staffer. What happened there? Did you have a falling out with Brunswick or did you think it wa time to move on or was it a pure business decision. I am sure a lot of your followers want to know the story behind the move. Thanks for all these years of good bowling. Hi Rocky, I did have a pretty good relationship with Brunswick for 5 years. I was very disappointed that they chose not to offer me any kind of a contract for this year. They made some major cutbacks, and I don't like the 'new' direction that they are taking. My contract with Faball is for one year (so far) and I am enthusiastic about being with their company. They are like a large family. Basically all of the employees are bowlers (most are very good). I think that their heart is a little more into it. Hopefully Faball and myself will be a match that is beneficial to us both. Josh   Jan, 2001 Mt. Airy, NC Comments: Hey Walter Ray I just got a new Storm Orange Flame. Is there any kind of drilling pattern that you can give me that will make it hook from the 1st bourd right into the pocket? Hi Josh, I am not very skilled in regards to ball lay-out and drilling. You will need to ask your pro shop operator as he will have a better idea than I do. Especially since he will know your game. By the way, you should be getting Faball products such as the 2001 Hammer! Sorry I wasn't much help. John   Jan, 2001 River Grove, IL Comments: I was wondering, since Walter Ray has been throwing plastic equipment at his spares for years, and Hammer currently does not have a plastic ball, what will Walter be using at his spares? Hi John, I am using a pink hammer for my spares. Faball is currently in the process of producing a plastic ball. Hopefully I won't need these 'spare' balls much. Ballman Holly MI Comments: I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you how glad I am that youhave singed with Faball now my favorite player is now throwing my favorite equipment. i know thwt fab is not as big as brunswick but I think that thierballs are just as good if not better therefore you will do well as always because I know you can score well with any brand of ball so good luck in theyear 2001 look forward to seeing you on tv every weekand hopefuly you will bep.o.y. by the way nice sight thankyou ballman Hi Ballman! Thanks for taking the time to write. I am very excited about my new relationship with Hammer. I believe they have wonderful equipment and am looking forward to using it. Hopefully, this will be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship Rob   Jan 2001 Moses Lake Wa Comments: Hi Paige! This is sooo cool! Walter is my favorite bowler of all time.Anyway I was wondering what happened with Brunswick. I heard they were goingthrough hard times and were getting rid of their pro staff. Any truth to this? What a loss for them! I hope he likes Hammer. I remember when Norm Duke switched to Hammer a few years back.( My second favorite bowler!) It wasn't to good for him. The only Hammer ball I really liked were the old blue and Burgandy urethanes. I bought a Sledgehammer Syntactive that was a total piece! I've heard the new Hammer 2001 is a great ball though. How long is Walter obligated to Hammer for? Best of luck to you and Walter in 2001! Thanks-Rob Paige Replies: Hello Rob and thanks for writing. I am sure happy that you enjoyed the site. We have some great ideas bouncing around and hope it will just keep getting better and better. Walter Ray and Brunswick did part company as of December 31. I am not privy to their financial situation, but we were told they were doing some major cutbacks. Unfortunately, they felt that Walter Ray was someone they could afford to lose. It sure didn't make any sense to us…but we weren't making the decision. I believe that Walter Ray's new association with Hammer is going to be a good one for everyone involved. I know that he is very excited about it and will do his best for them. This is the first year of what we hope will be a long and successful relationship with them. Jeff     January 6, 2001 Waynesburg PA Comments: Walter, I just wanted to thank you for the target zone you gave me in Erie. Since then my 10 pin shooting percentage has jumped from 7 out of 10 to more to like 19 out of 20 thus my average has greatly improved from 184 to 203. Also I am planning on going to the tournament at Stonehedge this year if they go back. Would you be interested in having a caddy if the tour schedules another stop there? Thanks again and good luck with Hammer Jeff Sanders Hi Jeff! Congrats on your spare making. Many times younger pros don't realize how important the ability to make spares really is. Caddies are usually taken care of at the bowling center. But if you contact them, they will probably work with you. Equipment Q&A  [21-40]   [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]   [121-140]  [141-160]  [161-180]  [181-200]  [201-220]  [221-240]  [241-260]   [261-280]  [281-300]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]   [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440]