INDEX
Equipment
Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [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]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]
  [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440]





James January 10, 2005 Phoenix AZ What do you think of the hammer saw blade and the pure hammer.Good luck next week Hi James, I am unfamiliar with those balls.

James November 28, 2004
Watseka
IL

Dead Eye;
You probably Don't remember me but I was at the World Horseshoe Tournament in Columbus Ohio quite a few years ago. My Father In Law Clifford Baker (Sheldon Illinois) has played against you as long as I can Remember. he introduced me to you after you beat him there.
The question that I have for you is reference to Bowling. I Throw 2 different types of balls with several different approaches depending on Lane conditions. 16lb Storm Eraser PBT for Oily conditions and a 16lb Hammer "the Claw" for Dry Conditions. 3 totally different shots for Three totally different lane conditions. Carrying respective 208, 214,& 218 averages in these different houses with my 1st 300 last December. I would like to get a different ball for the Hammer because of not carrying the pinfall that I think I should. I am leaving a lot of single pins anywhere from the dreaded 7 or 10 pins to solid 8 & 9's and an occasional 5 pin. spare conversion for these single pins are 85%+ which I learned from you spare games are the sucess to better bowling and better averages. Is there a Good ball for the light oil patterns that will finish throu a little more than what the Hammer is doing? I am going to try over the summer in Kankakee Il the 5 pro Shots for a summer League provided by Victory Lanes. I understand that it is a lot different than the regular house shot. any good advise would be Welcomed. by the way Clifford and Linda Baker Told me to tell you and Paige Hello. again Thanks in advance.

Hi James,
The 'Claw' is a urethane ball which is going to go much straighter than reactive or particle balls. I would recommend a 3 piece reactive ball or ask your local ball driller to recommend a ball and drilling which might work good for you to get more hook than the urethane ball. It sounds like you are doing pretty well, but you should be able to pick up over 95% of your single pins. If you leave 4 per game, then a 10% improvement would amount to about 4 pins per game.

Tell Cliff and Linda hi. It has been quite a few years since I have played against him. He was a great player, but for some reason never really got it going at the world.




Bobby November 27, 2004
Thaxton
VA

Hey Walter Ray, love watching you bowl . just make more tv finals . how can i find out your ball drillings ? like your style an the way your ball works . i an 61 and bowl two leauges an d a few tournaments . would like to try your drillings . thanks B B

Hi Bobby,
My drillings are normally with the pins at 1 to 2 o'clock. I have one ball in my current slate of balls that I am using that has the pin under the fingers. However, pin placements aren't universal. I would ask a local pro shop operator for help in that area to match up your roll with the lane conditions you bowl on.



Tom November 27, 2004
Mount Pleasant
TX

I notice that you use quite a bit of bevel in your thumb hole. Is it due to a stretched span, thumb webbing, or does it help you set the base of your thumb in the whole. Over the years, I've moved toward less and bevel. I'm wondering if it was a mistake to move toward slight bevel. Also, what is your opinion of finger grips verses no finger grips. Do you use grips because it helps you adjust to swelling or shrinking fingers, or other reasons?

I know your busy, and I appreciate your time,
Tom Nassar

Hi Tom,
I use a lot of bevel in my thumb because I pinched a nerve many years ago and didn't want to do that again. However, the extra bevel sometimes makes it feel like I am going to drop the ball, so I also use cork inserts. I like using soft finger grips so that I get a good grip with my fingers.



Kevin January 9, 2005

Hi i am 24 years old and i have been bowling for 3 years now and i am considering getting a new ball do u know which one would be a good one to get.
Hi Kevin,
You should probably talk to your local pro shop operator. Never having seen you bowl or know the lane conditions you bowl on, it would be impossible for me to recommend equipment for you. Good luck.



Sai January 8, 2005
Bangalore
India

Hi Walter Ray,
Congratulations on a wonderful season.
I bowl in the league in Bangalore, India, where bowling is picking up pretty well. However, I have turned to hook and find it extremely tough to clear my spares by bowling straight. Part of the problem is my wrist guard . Its not so easily adjustible to get the ball straight and hence the ball hooks its natural course.
I find it hard to bowl without the guard and hence kindly advise better techniques to bowl straight with the guard.
Cheers...
Sai

Hi Sai,
A wrist device is meant to help a person with a weak wrist to hook the ball. If you don't use the wrist device, then it should be much easier to throw the ball straighter. If the wrist device is helping you to naturally throw a hook, then it will be very difficult to throw the ball straight with it on. But if you must use the wrist device, then I would attempt to throw a back up ball which means that your fingers would be closer to your body with your thumb away from the body as you let go. Good luck and have fun.



Matthew January 3, 2005
El Segundo
CA

Greetings Paige and WR...Just one quick question sorry, (didn't feel like going through all the other questions). Hoe many balls do the Professionals bring to qualifying and to match play? I know you can ONLY bring 9 to qualifying then as many as you want to match play (Regional rules). Do the Pro's feel the need to bring that many balls to compete? Thank you...Matt

Hi Matt,
Pros will have as many as 20 or more balls at their disposal for qualifying and match play. Since the tour only has 64 players this season, they dropped the 9 ball rule.



Peggy January 3, 2005
Portsmouth
VA

My seven year was bowling the other night and his bowling ball that he had has for a year broke and cracked in serveral places. What would cause this. I am not sure what kind of ball it is he got it from bowling on a disney league through the bowling alley.Thank you

Hi Peggy,
The ball that broke was probably a plastic ball and if the ball is subjected to heat and cold it will expand and contract. Since the ball is made of several parts, it is possible the expanding and contracting would cause weak spots in the ball and then break apart. I would talk to your local pro shop operator and see if they can get that company to replace the ball for you.



Claudia December 27, 2004
La Habra Heights
CA

Hello Walter Ray,
I started bowling 5 months ago and just got my first ball. A man that runs a pro-shop advised me to have it drilled with a conventional grip. But a bowling coach, who frequently watches how I bowl, suggested I start with the fingertip grip. Although I would like to bowl with more of a hook, I'm not sure if the fingertip grip would be too advanced for me right now. I trust both of them, so I just needed a third opinion. I'd be happy to hear what you think!
Thank you,
Claudia

Hi Claudia,
If you are bowling more than 10 games I week, I would go ahead and drill up a ball with a fingertip grip. It takes a bit more strength originally, but it is easier to throw a hook with a fingertip grip. Good luck.



Ronald December 26, 2004
Portland
IN

Hi Walter Ray, my question is about the thumb insert.i noticed in your photos of your bowlingballs your thumb inserts all look the same do you do anything special to our inserts.i ask because i have always had trouble with my thumb sticking.i cut the end of my thumb almost off and smashed my last joint and now my thumb is little bigger at the end then usual.i adjust my thumb hole with a reaming tool but just can not get my thumb to come out smoothly everytime.any subjustions. thanks ron

Hi Ron,
I use a customized thumb grip which was made out of a favorite ball. It makes if much easier for me to drill new balls as I have a lot of bevel in my thumb hole.



Ryan December 21, 2004
York
PA

I recently switched my equipment to Track. I have the Crunch and the Freak-A-Zoid. I was wondering since you go so straight, if you think Track is a better straight ball company or a hooking company. Thanks. Ryan

Hi Ryan,
Since I don't throw a big hook, I can't say how well Track balls are compared to other companies.




Josh December 16, 2004
Wilmington
IL

Hello ,
My dad has been a fan of yours for many years and he looks forward to seeing you win. My question for you is that I bought a new ball the other day and got it drilled for a custom fit. It is a Storm Fear Factor Particle ball I can't get the darn thing to hook. I'm left handed and I get alot of Rev on the ball, but it only moves maybe 5 boards. People have been telling me to slow down the ball, but I've tried everything and I can't figure it out.If you have any advice for me it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and keep up the good bowling!

Hi Josh,
I would ask the pro shop operator who drilled your ball to help you figure out why this ball doesn't hook as much as think it should. It may be way the ball is drilled or it may be the way you are throwing the ball on those particular lanes. Slowing down should allow the ball to hook more up to a point. It may also be your release.



Mark December 16, 2004
Coshocton
OH

Hi Walter Ray, I have a question and i dont know if you can help me or but i average 200 but my question is i throw the ball about 18 to 20 mph and im not sure on the revs but i have a hard time to get my ball hooking in oil but when they are dry i can do better. is there any advise you can tell me that will help me? Thanks for your time

Hi Mark,
The faster you throw the ball the less it will hook. The more side rotation you get on the ball with a higher rev rate will also help the ball hook. Another factor is friction. Oil creates less friction, so to get the same amount of hook you need to find a ball with a lot more friction. Sanding a ball can help, but it can also make the ball hook less on the back end as it uses it side rotation earlier. You might want to get some lessons on how to hook the ball more. Good luck.



Danny December 13, 2004
Waterford
CT

I have a co-worker who is a leaque bowler (I am guessing 20+ years) and is a follower of Walter Ray JR. He has help me get started in bowling and has given me a lot of advise and contacts for ball drilling and locating coaches for my 14 year old daughter and myself. He loves the sport.

We were talking the other day after I watched a PBA bowling match on TV and talked about all the different balls pro's like Walter must go through. He mention how nice it would be to have an OLD, no longer used "Walter Ray Williams JR." bowling ball. It doesn't need to be autographed, just a ball he once used.

For all he has done for me I would like to buy one of Walters old bolwing balls if that is possble. I think you get ask that a lot but thought I would ask anyway. Please e-mail me if this is possible.

By the way, Walter I hope to watch you on TV when you get your 41st title. Good luck.
Sincerly,
Dan Shea

Hi Dan,
I appreciate your friend wanting one of my old bowling balls. As I get asked for old bowling balls by many people I normally only donate my old bowling balls to charities.


J Brown December 12, 2004
Moores Hill
IN

Reactive bowling balls
I have several of these reative bowling balls and i can`t say i like any of them,bowling on fresh 10x10 shot fresh stripped backend, because once they leave the oil they take off,buy the second game u got to move so far left and throw over 20+ plus if u leave a ten pin it is really tough. so i found by going to a old urethane ball at the start of second game bowling down and in,using a plastic spare ball for the ten pin has really helped me.
I am not the grestest bowler in the world but i do thrive on consistency. i don`t have a particle ball,was wondering whers it would come into play?
thank you

Hi J Brown,
Based on what you told me I don't think that a particle ball is going to help you on the lanes that you bowl on. On different lanes, the reactive and particle ball might be good for you. Good luck.



James December 8, 2004
Islip
NY

Hi, I am 12 ben bowling sences i was 5. I am going to get a new ball i either want the the switch blade or the saw blade. I want a big hook but if the saw blade as a to big of hook on dry lanes i dont know if i want that. What ball do you recomend. Or a different ball that you recomend.

Hi James,
I am not familiar with those bowling balls. Having a big hook can be nice, but in the end you want a ball which will strike. I would ask the advice of your parents and local pro shop operator and good luck.



Russell December 8, 2004
Petal
MS

You have been my favorite PBA bowler for several years now and I respect your opinions tremendously. I also have your video on secrets to better bowling. My question deals with drilling a ball so that it will go straight. I have read your advise and that of others who say to use a different hand position for a straight shot but that has been difficult for me to master, since I have been throwing a hook for so long. I recently read an article by Parker Bohn where he said if you drilled a ball with the pin located between the track and middle finger hole, that the ball would always go straight. Do you agree with this???

Hi Russell,
Some balls when drilled with a pin near the fingers will go much straighter, but not always. I would also use a plastic ball to help it go straighter. Practice is how a person improves their performance. You may need to practice throwing the ball straight so that you are comfortable with it. Good luck.



W.C. December 8, 2004
Beloit
WI

First of all I watch every bowling tournament you participate in, and think you are the best bowler of all time. Here's my question, I stand 4 boards to the left of center board and roll my ball over the third arrow from the right. Depending on lane conditions I might throw it out farther like second arrow. I am currently looking for a new ball and my coach tells me I need a ball with a lot of backend hook. I have decided on a Brunswick Xcel pearl, Track Xception , or a Dyno-thane the thing. Which is right for me?

Hi W.C.,
I don't know how you bowl and I am not very familiar with all of those balls, so my input would not be very valid. It sounds like your coach might have some valid input or your local pro shop operator.



Rick November 14, 2004
Lima
OH

I would like to know the balls you are using on tour? I've enjoyed watching you bowl for many years. Congratulations on your win today. Thanks again your biggest fan!!!!!!!!! rick ebeling

Hi Rick,
Since I don't have a full contract with any ball company I don't feel like I should give free advertisement to any company. I hope you understand. Thanks.



Chris November 9, 2004
Minot
ND

Hello Walter Ray :-)
First off, I am on a Monday night league at North Hill Bowl Minot North Dakota. I played on on a very oily lane surface and I just could not adjust I have two bowling balls one is a urethane ball and all it did the first game was overhook and I was throwing my ball between the 2nd and 3rd arrow and that made the ball really overhook. Then I throw my reactive resin ball the second and third game I throw between the 2nd and 3rd arrow and I get much better results.

My question to you is why does a resin ball react better than a urethane ball under oily conditions?

Hi Chris,
Normally a urethane ball is going to hook less than a reactive ball. A reactive ball will normally add to whatever the lane conditions are. But you still need play the lanes correctly with the ball that you are using. Normally a urethane ball would be better on lanes that hook an extreme amount or are very tough and hook a bit. But everybody is different.



Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [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]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]
  [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440]