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]  [281-300]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]   [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440] Mykel March 20, 2005 Greenville SC Hi Walter Ray, This is a question about bowling ball weights. I am a 53 year old male & still big & strong at 6'3" 225 lbs. I normally use a 16 pound bowling ball & now I find after bowling for about 40 plus years my tendons in my bowling forarm can give me pain at times when I bowl several games. I am a tweener using a finger tip grip with a ball speed between 15 & 17 MPH as conditions dictate. My grip & equipment fit fine as my driller is really good. My pals suggested that I drop to a 15 pound ball to help reduce the wear & tear on my arm. I use modern reactive & particle ball equipment that I keep well maintained. I am a lefty playing an outside line usually around the 5 or 10 board area for my strike line. My question to you is what is the advantage or disadvantage of using a 15 pound ball verses a 16 pound ball as far as today's modern bowling balls are concerned? Will I loose any real hitting power or pin carry etc with the one pound lighter bowling ball? Thanks in advance for helping me out & good luck on the tour this year & for many more years to follow! Hi Mykel, I went to 15 pounds a few years ago, and as straight as I throw the ball I haven't noticed much drop in my performance. I think that about half of the pros are using 15 with the others using 16 pounds. Steven March 5, 2005 Goodland KS Yes I throw the Track rule and I got a track thrash and track freak and super freak. When I throw these balls it don't matter which one I throw I have problem with either leaving the following 7, solid 8, or solid 9 and the 10 pin. I've got my ball drilled with a 4 by 5. I would like to no how to over come this problem any ideals. I like to watch you bowl on TV. I watch you and try to throw my track balls just like you. Last wed. night if I was playing 9 pin no tape I would of had 2 out of 4 games with a 300 that's how bad it's getting. In one game I shoot 8 9 pin counts out of 12 which I struck every ball in the 10th. In another game that I had problems in I shoot 6 of 11 9 pin counts. I even said to myself why don't I just quit bowling because in the last month and a half I've been having this problem. I was throwing a track emb and a revmaster before then I bought the 2 Freaks and they didn't seem to work for me either so then I bought the rule and the thrash with in the last 2 weeks. They don't seem to be working for me either so I really need some ideals. I'm mostly asking how to throw my balls better. thanks Steven Colby Hi Steven, Taps are a very frustrating part of the game. The number of taps that you are leaving may be a function of speed and rotation you impart on the ball. Bowling balls are only so good. If someone tells you that a certain ball will never leave a tap, they are misleading you. You might want to ask your local pro shop operator for some advice on what would help you best besides buying another bowling ball. It sounds like you have bought more than your fair share recently. Brian March 1, 2005 Troy MI I was just wondering if you have tried throwing your bowling ball with and without a thumb slug. If you have tried both, do you see a benefit of having one or not having one? Hi Brian, I use a customized thumb grip. I use a lot of bevel in my thumb and had trouble replicating my thumb hole. So I had one of my favorite bowling ball thumb hole's replicated and use that. It saves me a lot of time in getting my bowling balls worked out. Stephen February 15, 2005 Marietta GA Walter Ray, I have a question about the layout of my ball. I don't know much but i was reading into it and found a layout for a high speed low RPM low track player would be best to break mid lane. My old ball was perfectly drilled for a late hook and worked awesome. My new ball is layed out for a more mid lane hook but i have a problem with it breaking too early. Should I alter my technique or look into fixing or even replacing this new ball. Thanks, Spicher Hi Stephen, I am not a ball driller and really don't know a lot about it. But even if I did, I wouldn't be able to advise you, since I have never seen you throw the ball. I would suggest that you get some help from a local pro or pro-shop owner. Good luck! P. Williams February 15, 2005 Chicago IL I have a question about my bowling ball. It is an older ball that my father gave me when I started bowling and have been using it for the past 15 years. I notice that in some alleys it leave black marks on the lanes. The owner was not pleased. What can I do about it. The ball means a lot to me bacause it was my father's and that is what he used to teach me to bowl. Thanks for your time Hi P, I am surprised that a bowling ball would leave black marks on the lanes. I would go to your local pro shop and ask them about it. It may be that the chemical composition of the ball was altered. If your father's ball means that much to you, then I wouldn't use it and get a new one. Lynn February 13, 2005 Freesoil MI What kind of ball do you use? Hi Lynn, I don't have a full contract with any ball company so I don't like to advertise for any of them. I hope you understand. Guss February 12, 2005 Rock Falls IL I recently purchased a Big Blue Hammer. I've maintained a 200 plus average for over 4 years by basically learning by tips from the PBA tour. My ball seems to have lost some flip, how may I treat the ball to get it to hook the way it once had done? To further help, I stand at the center dot in the approach and roll the ball to the outside of second arrow. Any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Congratulations on tying Earl Anthony and I wish the best in up coming events. Hi Guss, The newer bowling balls absorb oil over time which will tame down their hook. I would ask your local pro shop operator what would be best to get your ball back to its original condition. Thanks, but I haven't yet tied Earl Anthony on the number of titles. JJ February 8, 2005 Las Vegas NV Saw you on tv the other day...i like your shot because it's so easy to be consistent with...what drill patterns do you use for your bowling balls?...thanks Walter Ray Hi JJ, I normally drill my bowling balls with a pin near the 1 to 2 o'clock position. Perry February 7, 2005 Bentonville AZ Hello. I am hoping you can help with this question. I have been emailing the pba but have not got a response. I bowl without my thumb and my question(s)revolve around to how to correctly drill a ball without a thumb hole. I am sure that this is not your area of expertise being that you don't bowl this way,but was hoping you might could point me in the right direction of a website or a pro-shop I could contact for information. I do pretty well with the equipment I have now,but I am pretty sure they aren't quite legal. I want to invest in some new equipment but not before I insure that when they are drilled they will be legal under the definitions listed in the pba rule book. I have read rule 14.4.3 but I am not an expert at ball drilling some I have additional questions.As well even though the ball has to be within 1 ounce in all directions,I am assuming there are multiple ways to drill the ball to get different reactions.Any help would be greatly appreciated or a contact if you know someone who has knowledge of drilling balls without a thumb hole. Thanks and sorry this was so long. Saw the show yesterday ,nice conversion of the big 4..next time out you'll get # 41 Hi Perry, Since there is a 1 ounce limit in all directions of the weight of the ball, you have to be a bit more careful since balls are usually designed with a thumb hole in mind. You need to find a pro shop operator who understands your specific request. I am not a ball driller, so I can't really offer much in that direction. Good luck. Jim February 7, 2005 Franklinville NJ Walter Ray, Tough break losing to Shaefer this weekend. Great job picking up the split!!! Anyhow, I am looking for some assistance in changing up my equipment. I am very interested in finding out how you have some of your balls drilled. I play pretty much down and in with a little more speed than yourself. I don't seem to get the backend reaction that you get and I am looking to make a drastic change in my drillings. I currently have a Columbia Throttle that I am planning on getting redrilled and looking for something that is going to go long but come hard when it hits the back end. Espically when I have to play more of an inside line and swing out. Thanks, Jim Santora Hi Jim, I use a 1 to 2 o'clock drilling in a lot of my bowling balls. The harder you throw a ball, the less it will hook. Even though you may think that we throw the ball very similar, the odds are that we are more different than you think. I would ask a local pro shop operator to help you get the ball to react the way that you want since I am not a ball driller. Tony February 3, 2005 Harbin CHINA Hi, Walter Ray,Your are my favorite bowler. Now I was wondering that what's your favorite ball brand? I want to use the same.I am from china and i don't known where to got the information. thanks and good luck to you in this up coming season. Tony Hi Tony, I am not affiliated with any brand of bowling ball at this time. Kevin January 28, 2005 St. Croix VI Walter Ray, I'm a huge fan of yours. Unfortunately, I've only been to one live TV tournament in either 1995 or 96 in Baltimore that you were in. I have two questions. I believe you are bowling with Track, do you think it time to switch? I know there is plenty of talent in the PBA but to see you have to bowl 6 to 7 games in match play...come on???? Secondly, How are the brackets setup each week? It seems that no matter where you finish; they give you a number #1 seed that seems to put you against whoever is bowling hot that week. (Ex: This week's - you finish 21st for the field of 32 but yet you were seated number #1). Thank!!!! I'm cheering you each week for 41!!!!! Kp Hi Kevin, Players are seeded based on a rolling 20 week point list which goes back to last year. Since about the 3rd tournament of the season I have been # 1 on that list. I have been dropping good tournaments from last year, so I may very well get passed on that list, but hopefully I will continue bowling well so that I am still # 1. The players who are seeded #32 are not always the 'easy' opponents that some people think they might be since there are so many good bowlers. Bruce January 27, 2005 Boston KY Hi, Walter Ray, I really enjoy watching you bowl, especially because of your positive attitude and good sportsmanship. My question deals with cleaning bowling balls. I have read where you suggest sanding or polishing bowling balls to get more or less hook but what about cleaning it? Some have told me that I could use denatured alcohol but some have said that alcohol only works the oil into the surface. Is that true? I have a new Hammer Blade Reactive so what type of cleaner do you recommend for me to use? Keep bowling strikes! Thank you for your time and consideration, Bruce Hi Bruce, I don't clean my bowling balls. However, I will polish them or sand them from time to time. I don't know anything about your bowling ball or cleaners, so I can't recommend a cleaner since I am unfamiliar with them. Nancy January 27, 2005 Belton TX Hi Walter Ray, need your help, I just purchased a new ball, that I can't control. It goes left all the time, I move left and keep going. If I move left anymore I'll be in the next lane. I'm told I'm a full roller(not convinced) I throw the ball over the second arrow(right Handed) and hold my thumb at 10:00 position. What do I need to do to control this ball? I admire you greatly Thanks Hi Nancy, It may be that you ball is too 'strong' for the lane conditions that you bowl on. That ball may need more oil than the place where you bowl at uses. You could polish the ball that should help it go straighter. I would ask the person who drilled the ball for help. They should be able to help you. Bob January 24, 2005 Plano TX Hi, Just saw the Round of 8 Friday in Dallas, great show, wish you were in it. You did autograph a pin for my son, thanks! I have a question about a ball for him. We're looking into getting him a new one. He's almost 13 and currently uses 9 & 10 lb. plastic balls(Columbia 300 and something else). He's 5 ft and about 95 lbs. We'll probably stick with 10 lbs for his new ball. He's got a strong arm (from baseball and bowling), but would an 11 lb be too much for him? I know that's tough to answer without seeing him. Anyway, the question is what ball would you recommend? He wants something that breaks more than his current ones. He'd probably be better off with one that has a fairly symetrical path as opposed to one that snap-hooks late. He isn't using a full fingertip grip yet, but we'll drill this one a little wider. He wants finger inserts, but probably because I use them. He doesn't travel in his league, so he'll be at the same lanes with the exception of an occasional tournament. I appreciate any advice you can offer. Good luck and hope to see you bowl! Bob Davis Hi Bob, Usually it is recommended to use a bowling ball that weighs 1 pound for every 10 pounds of body weight. But that is probably more for starting bowlers. It might not hurt your son to use a ball that will hook more than a plastic ball unless he throws the ball very slow and has a fair amount of side spin. Gilberto January 23, 2005 Fairfax CA Dear Mr. Williams: If it is not too personal, can you give me specific information on your drilling specs, such as the finger and thumb pitches, span etc? The reason I am asking is that I am learning how to fit and drill bowling balls and I am curious as to the specifications used by professionals such as yourself. I understand all hands are different, so this is not to use that as a guideline, but more for my own personal knowledge. I do plan to ask other professional bowlers the same question, and I do promise I will not divulge any of this information, as I have stated, I guess it is to satisfy my own curiosity. I have always admired your game, as it seems so simply elegant in your delivery and release of the ball. Thanks! Gilberto R. Lopez Hi Gilberto, I have requests for my specs all the time. It isn't really a secret. My specs are on my website if you look for them, but here there are: I use finger grips of 13/16 on my middle finger and 25/32 for my ring finger. I also have a molded thumb grip which is a 15/16 hole inside a 1 & 3/8 hole. My span is 4 & 1/2 for my middle finger and 4 & 7/16 for my ring finger. My middle finger has 1/4 left and my ring finger has 1/4 right with no forward pitch. My thumb has 3/16 right with no forward pitch. Since I have grips, the spans are actually a pinch longer. Derek January 22, 2005 Albany OR Hi Walter Ray, I've been using an oval thumb for about 8 months and I have been bowling for about a year. Ever since I started bowling I have always gripped the thumb. I have tried to stop but I feel it is going to slip and i'm afraid to drop it. I know my timing is a little off but fixable. With an oval thumb it is harder to turn the ball also because your thumb turns a little. I've gotten it fixed recently and it fits fine but I still feel I have to grip it. Any tips? Thanks Hi Derek, I am not a ball driller and am not that familiar with an oval thumb. I also feel that I have to grip the ball by 'squeezing'. So I am not sure what would be a fix for you. Maybe a slightly different pitch would help. Jim January 18, 2005 Marshfjield WI Dear WalterRay My name is Jimmy Wagner and I am a bowler myself. The Rose Bowl Lanes has synthetic lanes after they had wooden lanes. What kind of bowing ball can you recommend to me a polyster or urthine bowling bowling on synthetic lanes? How can i approve on the synthetic lanes with a urnthine ball and How can i adjust to the lane condition? Your biggest fan Jim Wagner Hi Jim, The surface of the lanes shouldn't really be as big a factor on what type of ball is best for you, but the amount of oil and its distribution on the lane. Unless the lanes hook and excessive amount the newer reactive or particle balls will probably be the best for you. Since I don't know how you bowl or what local bowling center does to the lanes I can't really suggest any particular type of ball for you. Your local pro shop operator would be better at that than me. Mike January 13, 2005 Thibadoux LA I was wondering if you have ever used strom bowling balls? If so which one's did you use? Did you like the way the balls reacted to your play. Hi Mike, I have used Storm bowling balls in the past, but I don't really remember what they were. I didn't really use them that much. Bill January 13, 2005 Fishkill NY Hey There Walter Ray, Continued Good Luck in the rest of the season and your future season-S !!! Just a general (opinion) query for you .... is it possible with the current level of lane surface technology and varying oil patterns to do "well" on the PBA conditions using a really "old school" ball (like good old fashioned hard rubber)?? Would the really old style equipment be able to overcome the variations in lane conditionss and the break points in the various oil pattern on the lane?? Similar idea ..... how well could one do using a present day plastic "spare" ball for their strike shots in the varying conditions and patterns?? Different question .... what is your general opinion/thoughts on bowlers using a really rough surfaced ball to break down the oil pattern on the lane during practice?? Doing this to set a nice path to the pocket for themselves?? Hope to catch you in person in New Jersy and Long Island next month!! Thanks, Bill DeadEye DieHard Hi Bill, The tour uses so much oil on the lanes these days that rubber and plastic balls would make it very difficult to be as competitive. Also because there is so much oil, some players try to create a little bit of friction by using a very dull ball during there practice sessions during elimination matches. However, most of time, the lanes don't really see that much of change for me in those matches until later in the matches. It is amazing that the players with the higher rev rates seem to change the lanes much quicker and that is usually in the middle of the lanes. 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]  [281-300]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]   [381-400]  [401-420]  [421-440]