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Equipment
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  [121-140]  [141-160]  [161-180  [181-200]  [221-240]  [241-260]
  [261-280]  [281-300]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]
  [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440]





Carl February 23, 2004
McKinney
TX

Walter Ray,
First of all, we watched you bowl at Don Carter West in Dallas last week and was amazed at the high percentage of ten pins you left. Does entry angle into pocket cause this problem? Or does the ball cause this problem? or is it just that round pins and round balls causes strange reactions? Also, I always thought that rack maintenance had a lot to do with 10 pins left standing. What do you think??

Finally, Have you ever written a book on Horseshoe Pitching? If so, how do I get one??
Carl and Sandy Higar

Hi Carl and Sandy,
I do leave a lot of 10 pins, but that is part of the game. Sometimes on certain lanes, I won't leave near as many and at other times I will leave more. I wish I knew the secret, but I haven't found it yet.

I haven't written a book on horseshoe pitching yet.



Earl February 22, 2004
Napoleon
OH

Do you have a particular old bowling ball that you keep in your arsenal and if so what is it? Also, how did you feel when brunswick stopped sponsoring you? and do you presently have a particuilar ball mfg sponsoring you?

Hi Earl,
I thought Brunswick made a huge mistake by dropping me from their staff, especially since they told me right after I won back to back tournaments. I currently have no full ball contract.



Tim February 20, 2004
WarriorOfBlazes
Niles
MI

Hi Walter Ray,
As long as I have been bowling I have always had a dull, or rough ball. Right now I have been out of bowling for a couple of years. I currently own reactive balls and roll generally down and in between 5 and 10. I was averaging around 200. My question is sometimes my ball would react inconsistently on the back end from ball to ball. Do you think that it would be to my advantage to go to a shiny reactive ball when I return to bowling or doesn't the texture have anything to do with the inconsistency? I also have problems on slick alleys, as the ball stays right. Would changing texture add revolutions and help me or not? Thanks, you are the best and I love to watch you beat Weber

Hi Tim,
I don't know why your ball would be inconsistent on the back end unless you have an inconsistent release. A reactive ball might give you a more inconsistent back end, but would be a good ball to have. Sanding a ball won't add rpm's to your ball, but it will give it more revolutions earlier. Polishing a ball may give you more hook on the back end. On slick lanes you probably need to point the ball more.



Joe February 18, 2004
Minneapolis
MN

Which bowling ball company do you like the best and why???

Hi Joe,
No comment. As you might read in other questions I don't have a ball contract and don't like to give "free" advertising.



Don February 17, 2004
Truxton
NY

Hi Walter Ray,
First thanks for your advice in the past,it has been very helpful,and I take what you suggest seriously on the lanes.Quick one for you,I was looking at your gallery of balls that you have.I was a little suprised by some of the drillings that I saw,for example there is a ball on there with the pin right between your fingers.Is this for more length and a smoother backend?I guess what I am asking is what the difference is between that drilling,and lets say one that is right next to your ring finger? etc,etc Thank you,
Don Hinshaw
P.s.Could you offer up some darker shirts?I am a big kid with kids and white stains easily......lol

Hi Don,
When I drill a ball with the pin between the fingers, it normally will go quite a bit straighter. I very seldom use that ball as I hardly ever need a ball to go straighter.

I'll let the people (my wife and mother-in-law) in charge of shirts know about getting darker shirts.



Scott February 17, 2004
Seaford
NY

I am a long time fan of the PBA and have watched you bowl since i could walk, I used to think that you were very nasty and mean but then I realized its just the game face you put on when you bowl on t.v., so you can stay focused. I was wondering what kind of grips you use in your ball's and what your drill specs are, and if there is anything special you do with your specs to get more tilt or less tilt or anything else.
Thanks,
Scott D.

Hi Scott,
My drilling specs are 31/32 holes for the fingers (I use oval finger grips) and a 1 & 3/8 hole for my thumb (I use a customized thumb grip). The pitches on the fingers are 1/4 left for the middle finger and 1/4 right for the ring finger with no forward on either. The thumb hole has 3/16 right with no forward, but there is probably a slightly different pitch on the thumb hole in the grip itself. The span to the middle finger is 4 & 1/2 and 4 & 7/16 to the ring finger. The grips add about 1/4 to 3/8 inch to the spans. My thumb grips have a lot of bevel and I use about 10 pieces of smooth black tape on the back of the grip with a cork insert on the inside.



George February 17, 2004
Chippewa Lake
OH

Dear Walter Ray,
I only have two questions for you. I understand that you do not want to give our free advertisement to a Ball Manufacturer that does not deserve it. But what I was wondering if you could get sponsored by a group which manufacture would you choose??? I seen lately that you have bowling with "Track equipment" would you like to be sponsored by them?
Thank you,
George Sutton

Hi George,
I wouldn't mind being a part of any of the ball companies. But I am not going to sell myself short which are the only proposals that I have received yet.



Kyle February 16, 2004
Naperville
IL

hi, I am 11 years old, and i am about to bowl this teen master tournament next mounth. In st. louis,and right now i am averaging 186. my question is on my spares like 7 pins. i would throw my strike ball and just put alot of revs on the ball, and make it most of the time. but with like the hard shots or like the sport shot i will be bowling on you can't do that cuz of the out of bounce. so i was wondering with my spare ball should i be throwing at a 7 pin straight at it, standing around the 43 board. or do you think i should throw it straight at it around the 30 board and follow through really well to get the ball over there.well thats it! please email me back, i have been really strugling of my spares, and i thought you can help! nice finish at the tournament yesterday i thought you had him !
Kyle

Hi Kyle,
It is hard to believe that at 11 you are averaging 186, but are struggling with your single pin spares. I guess you might be averaging almost 200 if you picked up all of your single pins. I would recommend that you learn to throw a straight ball for most of your spares, especially single pins. I would also advise targeting between the 3rd and 5th arrows for all of your spares. Hooking the ball is fine if you bowl on the same lane conditions all of the time, but if you start bowling in tournaments you will run into different lane conditions and then you won't always be 100% sure where to line up for those spares. Good luck.



Will February 12, 2004
Hollywood
FL

Dear Walter Ray,
I am a Florida boy myself and I was watching you at the US Open and I'd like to know what layout you had on that purple Track ball you were using?

Hi Will,
Most of my balls have the pin around 1 o'clock.



Tim February 9, 2004
Williamston
NC

I am a big fan of Walter Rays and I was wondering what type of ball is he using.
also good luck on going for bowler of the year again

Hi Tim,
Since I don't have a full contract with any ball companies I am not real fond of giving them free endorsements. I hope you understand.




Mike February 4, 2004
VA

Just wondering what is your measurements and pitches, etc.? I was just curious as to what you prefer and what works for you. Thanks

Hi Mike,
My drilling specs are 31/32 holes for the fingers (I use oval finger grips) and a 1 & 3/8 hole for my thumb (I use a customized thumb grip). The pitches on the fingers are 1/4 left for the middle finger and 1/4 right for the ring finger with no forward on either. The thumb hole has 3/16 right with no forward, but there is probably a slightly different pitch on the thumb hole in the grip itself. The span to the middle finger is 4 & 1/2 and 4 & 7/16 to the ring finger. The grips add about 1/4 to 3/8 inch to the spans. My thumb grips have a lot of bevel and I use about 10 pieces of smooth black tape on the back of the grip with a cork insert on the inside.



Jason February 2, 2004
Mesquite
TX

Hi,
You are considered one of the best, if not the best, bowlers of all time. How come a ball company wouldn't want their logo on your chest every weekend? One more question if you have time. I have been bowling for over a year and trying to experiment with different ball layouts, pin placement, etc. Does your new video discuss this?
Thanks, and hopefully see you in Dallas if I can get off work

Hi Jason,
Apparently the ball companies don't feel that pro bowlers are the promotional vehicles that they were years ago and I don't feel like giving my services away for practically nothing.

My current bowling video doesn't go into ball drillings. If we do another, it may.



Tom February 3, 2004
Potomac Falls
VA

Hi Walter Ray,
Huge fan of yours!
Recently moved to Virginia and began looking for a new pro shop. Recently I had a ball drilled with a slighty greater span than I previously had with a little forward pitch on fingers and now zero pitch on thumb..use to have 3/8" inch reverse and slight side pitch on thumb. Grip feels great, but was curious what the impact would be on my rev's and roll etc by switching only my thumb pitch back to a reverse and a little side pitch>

I am a 210 bowler and fast ball speed.
Thanks again and good luck in the U.S. Open
Tom

Hi Tom,
I am not a ball driller and really don't know how different pitches will affect your roll and rev rate. As long as it feels great and you get a consistent release I would keep it. I have changed my grip only slightly since I have been on tour.



Michael January 27, 2004
East
TX

Walter Ray, I loved watching you win the masters...That was awesome, congrats. Can you please tell me what type of ball you were using for the final round.? Another question....What does it cost pros to enter the pba tournaments? I know there is a monthly fee for membership in the pba but what about tournament entry fees?
Thanks,
M.D

Hi Michael,
The type of ball I used to win the Masters was a reactive ball.

Most PBA National tournament entry fees are $500. Regional entry fees are $195. Plus the players need to take care of all of their other expenses; travel, room, board & equipment.



Dan January 26, 2004
Mebane
NC

Hey Walter Ray!
Great win this past weekend.
My question has to do with ball weight. How many pros throw a 15 lb ball on tour and do well?
Have a great one!
Dan

Hi Dan,
I have been using 15 lbs for a few years now and it hasn't seemed to hurt me. I would guess that about half of the pros use 15 lbs and I don't think it has hurt their game.



Richard January 26, 2004
FL
Was very happy to see you using XXXX equipment. Have been using them for 4 years now, of course not on your level. I use the XXXX and XXXX. What got you interested in their equipment and which one was it at the Masters. Saw the show and was really hyped when I saw you come out. Congratulations and continued great luck.

Hi Richard, Thanks for noticing what brand of bowling ball I used last week. However I hope you understand when I don't answer your question completely. I would rather not give advertisement to a company that doesn't feel I deserve a ball contract with them.



Andrew January 22, 2004
Dallas Fort Worth
TX

I am looking for a starting point. I know there are many facets to this subject. I'm looking for the type of reaction you were getting in the Earl Anthony open from the purple ball you were using.

I am getting conflicting advice regarding drilling a ball for longer / heavier oil.

I typically play down and in. My rev rate is 325, axis angle is 35 degrees, and speed is 18 - 19 mph.

Advice #1: Drill a heavy hooking ball to hook early. Short length, weaker back end.

Advice #2: Drill a medium hooking ball to go longer and start hooking at or near the end of oil (38 ft., 37 ft., etc.) Medium to long length, strong back end.

When I threw Lane 1 Black Cherry Bomb on PBA Pattern D (38 feet), the ball wouldn't hook much on the back end. When I slowed it down, it seemed to hook unpredictably. The drilling I have was suggested by the driller. My requirement for this ball was for use on a 38 - 39 foot PBA pattern. On the same pattern, I threw my Lane 1 Cranberry/C, which is drilled to go long, and I had a pretty good shot on Pattern D. Below is a link to an image of the Lane 1 equipment.

http://www.c5corvette.org/images/MiscWebPosting/Bowling/D45J0570.JPG

Both Lane 1 balls have the out of box finish. I left my Black Cherry with a local pro and asked him to prepare the surface using the "Pro Surface" from the book Revolutions 2, page 23. Hoping to increase the back end reaction.

What are your thoughts on drilling a ball for long/heavier oil? Do you believe you should drill the ball to hook early, go longer, etc.?

I appreciate your time and information. Thank you.

Hi Andrew,
I am not much of an expert on ball drilling. Since I throw the ball fairly straight I tend to drill everything so that I can get as much hook on the back end. Guys that have a lot of revs might need to tame their hook down, but I seldom do. It sounds like you have a similar roll as I do, but that is a guess. Good luck.



Jason January 25, 2004
Gainesville
FL

Right now I'm 23 years old and am taking a break from bowling. I'm a student at the University of Florida and am majoring in electrical engineering. I have not bowled seriously for about a couple of years. I am planning on joining a league again next fall semester at "alley katz" lanes here in Gainesville. It will be my last year here at UF and hopefully I can finish my year here successfully in both academics and bowling. I know you are a person of vast knowledge when it comes to both bowling and science, so finally my question is what is it that makes those great bowlers like your self so great? Honestly, I know that it has to be mental! The best athletes in the world I think are also the smartest athletes as well. What things are and aren't going through your head before and after you throw that shot? My biggest weakness I feel is my inconsistency. I have no 300's as of yet and only one 299 game. I want to be able to step up on a pair of lanes and throw a ball in the same manner 12 times in a row with no big differences in speed, position, or mental clarity. How do you do it???

Thanks for your time Walter and hopefully you will keep on bowling for as long as it makes you and your family happy.

Thanks,
JasonJ
P.S.
Hopefully you will cruise by Mr. Anthony's win total and be able to separate yourself from all those other great bowlers, but you have already done that in my book

Hi Jason,
Thanks for the compliments.

It is hard to say exactly what makes a great athlete better than the rest. Myself, I am very competitive and don't really like to lose, but understand that losing is a part competition. It does take a certain amount of dedication and hard work to be great at anything and little bit of ability helps. The mental game might be the toughest part of all of it as nerves can hurt all of us, including myself. But if you have the right outlook, that helps. I want to perform well, but I usually don't think of it as a matter of life or death. You have to be able to accept poor performances. But don't be thinking that you can't succeed, because then you won't.

When in the heat of competing it helps to have only one or two thoughts. I usually am concentrating on my target and trying to follow through.

Good luck.



Mike January 13, 2004
Clinton
NC

WATCHED YOU ON ESPN WIN AT EARL ANTHONY CLASSIC. MY STYLE IS SIMILAR TO YOURS AND I KNOW YOU WERE USING A PHENOM UNLEASHED I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE PIN PLACEMENT A CG PLACEMENT FOR THE BALL YOU USED AND DID YOU USE A WEIGHT HOLE? I LOVE TO PLAY OUT SIDE UP THE BOARDS. I ALSO BOWL ON A SPORTS CONDITION LEAUGE DOING PRETTY GOOD.

Hi Mike,
The ball I used for my win had the pin at around 1 o'clock. It did have a weight hole. I am not sure exactly where the CG is , but probably around 3 o'clock about ½ inch off the center line from the thumb and fingers.



Willie January 11, 2004
Brookhaven
PA

I would first like to say congratulations on your victory at the Eral Anthony Classic. Second of all I have a 15lb fingertip drilled ball and I was wondering is fingertip the best way to get my ball to curve.
Thanks
Willie

Hi Willie,
A fingertip will help you get more rotation on the ball, since your fingers will be in the ball a bit longer than if they were conventional finger holes.




Darin January 12, 2004
Snohomish
WA

what bowling balls do you use now? what weights? I throw he ball somewha like you, usually stand 20 and over 7 or 8 board at arrow while many others are 10-15 boards deeper to start. Also, what can you tell me about reading the 5 different oil patterns? sort of a broad question but what are general characteristics of each one: start point, carry down, adjustments... thank you for your help
congratulations on your gift in Seattle
darin

Hi Darin,
I use 15 pound balls. Since I am not on a paid staff I don't feel like giving free advertisement out. Hope you understand.

The 5 different oil patterns play different for different players and on different surfaces. If you would like to know how I play them, read some of my reports. You can also watch the players on TV to see how they play the different patterns. There isn't always one of two ways to play each pattern.



Adam December 19, 2003
Long Island
NY

Hi Walter Ray. I've been bowling for about a decade, and in that time I've seen league bowling change from an inexpensive challenging sport to an overpriced pasttime. I average 220, but what does that mean anymore anyway. Recently Brian Voss (aka Nostrildeemus) wrote post on PBA.com about how equipment has made league bowling a joke (not his words, but it's true), and it has also damaged the PBA tour in that the individual talent (like Weber, Webb, Holman, Roth, and other players like yourself that can do anything with one ball) has given way to how well the guys in the equipment truck do in drilling the player the right ball for the upcoming block. From what I read on your site you don't seem to care about equipment all that much, with your talent you don't seem to need to, and you have no equipment contract. Voss said it would be difficult for touring pro's to back him into making the PBA tour change its equipment rules (banning urethane additives would be nice,! but anything would be better) because they rely on ball companies for income. Your thoughts on this matter, and any chance you might make a public statement to the PBA about this. I guess I'm hoping the ABC might take notice if the PBA changed. Either way, everyone look at the post at pba.com (High Tech Balls, 9/15/03). Good luck, WRW, appy holidays...

Hi Adam,
I don't pay much attention to much of what is written in the PBA post areas, so I don't check out the posts much. I do know that Brian Voss would like to regulate the bowling balls. Bowling balls are only a part of the problem. I think that the biggest culprit is the lane conditions. If these balls were so powerful, then it wouldn't matter what the lane conditions were, the top players would be able to average 230 or so, but the reality is that on certain lane conditions the best bowlers in the world struggle to average over 210 (watch the BPAA US Open results). But the statement that Brian makes about the ball companies is valid. If the pros were restricted on what they could use but the amateurs weren't, then the pros would get less compensation from the ball companies than they get right now which isn't very much. And why not go back to rubber? The debate would be endless.



James December 23, 2003
Franklinville
NJ

Walter Ray,
Hopefully you can give me some advice. I recently competed in my first regional tournament in Seaford DE. We were bowling on the E3 condition. I throw a down and in shot and my ball would not hook outside of the 10 board. It just kept on sailing right.

My question is that I am looking to get a ball drilled more aggressive so it would break back in that condition. Wanted to know what you thought. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I currently throw a Columbia Throttle, Classic Rock, Flipside WOW, Ti Messanger and Beast. I carry a 225 average. My big problem is that I have 5 balls that do the same thing (or at least different variations of the same thing). That became a problem when I went to Seaford.

Thanks,
Jim Santora

Hi Jim,
I am not a ball driller. I would recommend you talking with your local pro shop operator on what might work best for you. The lane conditions that are used in most PBA conditions normally have a lot more oil on the outside of the lanes than those used in for most leagues. The 'E' pattern can is one that sometimes plays way outside. It is amazing to me how many different balls react similar even though they are supposed to be different. But I don't throw a lot of hook and I think that is part of it. The way the surfaces are might also be part of that. Good luck in your future bowling.



Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]
  [101-120]  [121-140]  [141-160]  [161-180  [181-200]  [221-240]  [241-260]
  [261-280]  [281-300]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]
  [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440]