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  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360  [361-380]  [401-420  [421-440] Ian February 26, 2007 Chatham Ontario Canada I understand not wanting to endorse any type of equiptment on the website. (and completely agree with the stance) I havemy ball drilled perfect for myself and a great coach at local pro shop. However, I was hoping to get a bt of feedback on ball choice. I caught the show this past weekend and noticed the line you were throwing is the exact same line I throw (local alley has same oil pattern). I am currently working on getting my game over the 200+ average. Currently I am throwing a STORM Tropical Storm ball. I've managed to manipulate the ball well and am throwing about a 210 average over the past month and a half. I ave been seriously thinking of upgrading the ball I use to get a bit more of a carry threw the pocket to carry tose single pins I leave wuite often. Do you have any suggestions on what kind of ball I should be looking at getting. I was hoping since you threw a similar line this past weeked you might be able to help me. I don't need a single ball maybe even a "few" different balls you like to throw on the "Cheetah" pattern. Thanks in advance for any help you might be. Hi Ian, I am not familiar with Storm bowling balls. I use MoRich bowling balls and lately have really liked the Awesome Revs and Awesome Flip before that. I doubt that your lanes are oiled exactly like we have them oiled on tour, but if they are then that will be better for you in the future. If you figure out how to not leave any corner pins, let me know. I am still trying to figure that out. Nick February 22, 2007 Minneapolis MN I had been tracking oil on my ball one to two revs over my thumb hole. Upon getting a new ball (higher hook) and supposedly having the shop drill finger holes with a different pin position I still am tracking oil over the thumb hole? I have been told that this is not optimal, but I'm convinced it will happen no mater what I will try. Any comments? Hi Nick, The main reason for your ball tracking on your thumb hole is your release. Different drillings will help get the track to move off of the thumb hole, but it may take a slightly different release on your part to get it started off of the thumb hole. It sounds like you need to spin the ball a bit more. Eric February 14, 2007 Las Vegas NV Walter Ray, what do you think of bowling shoes with interchangable soles and heals. Do you ever have any problem with the velcro not sticking? Will pro shops repair them if they do? thanks for your time. Hi Eric, I have been using Dexter shoes with interchangeable soles and heels for over 10 years and have never had a problem with the velcro not sticking. If that did happen I am sure a local pro shop can have them replaced by the company or repaired. Elliott February 1, 2007 Columbus IN Dear Walter Ray, Why do I never see the pba stars using the elite pba balls. Hi Elliott, There are a few PBA bowlers who use Elite bowling balls. Some players have contracts with other companies such as myself with MoRich. Other players are going to use equipment they are more familiar with. Kris January 26, 2007 Is it better to have tight or lose fingertips and is it easyer to get more reves with one or is it the same? Hi Kris, I don't have really tight fingertips. I don't know that either tight or loose would help produce more revs. Getting more revs is more a function of wrist position at the point of release and what the wrist/hand do at the point of release. I tend to keep my wrist very firm and lift through the ball. The power players will go from a cupped wrist position right before release and kick their wrist at the point of release so that it is in what is normally a weak position after the release to get extra revolutions on the ball. This is something that takes a lot of time and practice. Mike January 21, 2007 Plymouth MI I am about a 203-208 avg bowler, but only bowl every other weekend with the Boss(wife) Currently use the Storm fear factor. I basically throw a similar line as you. What is your prefered ball, brand and model. Thank you , Mike Hi Mike, I have been using MoRich bowling balls for quite a while now. I won my last 2 tournaments using the Awesome Flip. I really like the Awesome Revs, and now I recently had success with the Ravage. Steve January 18, 2007 New Orleans LA Walter Ray - I am using my first midlevel Storm ball, a 15 lb. Hot Rod Super Sport, and want to move up to a higher performing and 16 lb.ball. Any suggestions either on equipmentor or how to make a smart purchase? I'd really appreciate it. I am bowling much better now after buying your Faults and Fixes video. Thanks. Hi Steve, I am glad that my video is helping you. A 16 # ball isn't necessary unless you throw the ball really straight. I would ask your local pro shop operator for guidance on what to purchase. They would have a better idea of how you throw the ball and the lane conditions that you will typically see. I use MoRich equipment, so you might ask him which of those balls might work for you. I have had a lot of success with the Awesome Flip and Awesome Revs and recently and old ball, the Ravage. Randy January 17, 2007 Hayward CA Congrats on surpassing the title record. It was well deserved after years of excellence and the hard work of adjusting your game to the conditions time after time. Now the real question - Are you still using "Custom Thumbs"? I needed to order another batch and found that their web site (customthumbs.com) is defunct, and I now have no way to contact them. Do you know if they are still in business? If so, do you have their phone number? Hi Randy, I don't know the status of Custom Thumbs. The PBA passed a rule that grips in the bowling ball need to be product registered. So I have been using a different product where I am making my own grips. Joe ran a pro shop in the Long Island area. You can try www.bowl.com to get info on bowling centers in that area. Jim January 14, 2007 Dayton OH What weight do you roll? Most guys are now throwing 15lbs. I've heard even some moving to 14lbs. I know this is very much a personal choice that depends upon lots of variables - all of which pertain to the individual. However, I'd just like to know if you have an opinion on differences in pin carry between the 14-16lb bowling ball range based on personal experience, or observation/conversations with other bowlers. Thanks, Jim Hi Jim, I have 15 and 16 # bowling balls. I don't think I need the 16 # weight, but a few of the bowling balls I have are older and those weights are easier to find. Normally I use 15. I haven't really noticed that much difference with pin carry. Gil December 7, 2006 Severn MD I notice none of your bowling balls show no brand name. Are the balls you use in competition custom made for you or do you have a preference in manufacturers? Hi Gil, I guess MoRich needs to make their logo a little bit bigger as they are on the bowling balls that I have been using for some time. They balls I use in competition are the same that you can buy at a pro shop. Artie December 6, 2006 Bronx NY hi walter ray, first let me congratulate you on all your accomplishments throughout your career. i have a question, it is about equipment, i mainly use brunswick bowling balls, both the zones and the infernos. im having trouble figuring out which ball i want to use on each oil pattern, i can play a variety of lines from the deepest inside to the extreme outside. i just cant put 2 and 2 together to find the right line to the pocket. any help would be appreciated. thank you. Artie Hi Artie, I don't use Brunswick balls any more, so I can't say what to use and where. Basically you need to pay attention to your ball reaction and make the proper moves accordingly. If the ball seems to be hooking too much, you normally need to move left or get a ball that goes straighter. And likewise, if the ball goes to straight you normally need to move right and or get a ball that hooks more. Left handers would make the opposite moves. Ted December 27, 2006 Sunnyvale CA Hi Walter Ray, Do you use finger grip inserts? If not why? What are your pros and cons about them? thanks Ted Hi Ted, I do use finger grip inserts. I like the softer feel of them. Some players don't like them because they say that the grips tear their fingertips up. Carolyn January 11, 2007 Gadsden AL Do you think it might be time for you to pull a "Patrick Allen" and change ball companies? There must be a ball out there that will take that 10 pin out for you. You seem to be bowling great but you are getting some bad results at some bad times. You should have won last week (against Patrick Allen) He got the right break with his seven pins, the ten pin did you in (AGAIN)You did have a 300. Keep hanging in there and give that ole ten pin the evil eye. I stomp my foot every time you leave it. Maybe it'll go down sometime in a very good place. Hi Carolyn, 10 pins are a part of the game as frustrating as they are. For the most part in Reno, I didn't really leave that many 10 pins, except on TV. I am pretty happy so far using MoRich bowling balls. Vic January 10, 2007 Chicago IL I was surfing your website under equipment and noticed item 8001 where the pin was in the center of your grip can u email me info of when u would use this layout ( I have a ball drilled like that and it seems to roll for me I threw a 240 game on a house shot playing fifth arrow to the ditch and the ball just seemed to roll back to the pocket can u comment Hi Vic, I haven't used that ball in over 3 years. Most of my bowling balls have the pin in the 1 to 2 o'clock area. If I like a bowling ball I will tend to use it a lot. So if you like a certain ball with a certain drilling, go for it. Stephanie December 21, 2006 Factoryville PA Hey Walter Ray! I got a letter in the mail the other day saying that I have been chosen as a People to People Sports Ambassador and I'm going to Austria!! I'm quite nervous because, since my grandpa and my coach know, they'll be after me to do better. (my favorite song is on so if I spell anything wrong that's why) Anyway, I WANT to do better but the pressure will be intense. I emailed you last month about whether I should my messnger or my inferno. You told me that the messenger might be best. And since I did stick with it a I had a 209! Do you think with me possibly going to Austria I should switch to the inferno? It has a lot more action and it might help me. What do you think? Your HUGE Fan, Stephanie Sheridan Hi Stephanie, I think I said that you should use the ball you have the most confidence in. The same applies to any future competition. Congratulations and best wishes to you. Sam December 14, 2006 Virginia Beach VA Hi Walter Ray, I am a 40 yearold man who cant learn new tricks iam useing a 14lb awesome hook ball that not working for me cant get it to hook my speed is about 19.55 cant slow down tryed that one still wont hook iam left handed by the way i dont know if its me or the way the ball is drilled Hi Sam, If you can't learn new things, which isn't easy as we get stuck in our old ways, then it may be tough to get more hook. The other thing is that the lane conditions may have more oil than you would like. I would suggest moving up on the approach and taking a shorter backswing. That will lower your ball speed. Hang in there and try to have fun. Cory December 10, 2006 Dallastown PA I was wondering if you can show your MoRich ball layouts on your site? Hi Cory, I'll try. But I am really good at procrastination! lol Jim November 29, 2006 Middleburg FL Walter Ray, I would like to first thank you for the time and photo that you took with my daughter in September during the Pro-Am In Port StLuice. My question is that I was woundering what weight spare ball do you use? And would you recommend a 1 lb or 2 lb lighter spare ball then your first ball? Thanks for the help and good luck on the tour this year. Hi Jim, I have been using 15 pound equipment for quite a few years except for a few months last year. I then went back to 16 pounds for my strike ball and kept my lighter spare ball. It didn't bother me. It depends on the player. For most spares, a lighter ball isn't a bad thing. The exception is when you have double wood (2-8, 3-9 combinations). Stephanie November 22, 2006 Factoryville PA Hi Walter Ray!! Ok, I have a small problem. I have 2 balls. I have a Messenger and my friend gave me her intense inferno. My coach and my grandpa want me to use my Messenger...which I bowled a 216 with 4 days ago...but my firend's dad wants me to use the inferno. I feel so caught in the middle. Everyone's like..."It's up to yo, Steph. What do you want to do?" I'm confused, and irritated. The messenger is AMAZING! I love it and it's perfect. The inferno is really cool but it has a wicked hook on it. I love both of them. Can you help me? Love, Stephanie Sheridan :-) Hi Stephanie, If you aren't sure what ball to use, then you need to listen to the person you respect the most. Based on your comments it sounds like you like the Messenger. But, it is up to you. Dave November 20, 2006 Long Island New York Hey Walter Ray, It seems like there are a lot of different opinion on Ball Baking. This article seems to suggest the Brunswick is in the process of agreeing that baking as an acceptable form of maintenance and a successful way to bring back the hook used balls. http://www.utahbowling.com/news/brunswick.html Do you think baking a ball works as well as its proponents claim it does? Do any Pros that you know of bake their Bowling Balls? I'd much rather spend $20 to rejuvinate/bake my ball then spend another $200 on a new one. Hope to see you in West Babylon, NY in December. Dave Hi Dave, I don't know that much about 'baking' a bowling ball. I have heard of it, but don't know of any touring pros that use that process. That doesn't mean that none do it. Then again, touring pros normally only have to pay for the drilling of a new bowling ball. You need to ask some other bowlers who have 'baked' their bowling balls. Another thing you can do is sand/polish a bowling ball. But every time you sand a ball, it becomes slightly smaller. Shawn October 26, 2006 Flint MI I just wanted to congratulate you on taking over the number one spot in wins in the history of the pba. although you have always been my number one due to your professionalism and consistantcy. i was wondering if you could email me a picture of your ball from the monumental win in japan. Thanks Shawn Hi Shawn, Thanks. I should have a picture of the ball I used to win the Japan Cup with on my website. 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]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]  [361-380]  [401-420  [421-440]