INDEX

Equipment Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]  [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] Mike October 29, 2002 Litte Rock AR Walter Ray, I need help. For a variety of reasons (health included) I quit bowling about 15 years ago (previously I carried 190+ avg). I just restarted and have bowled a grand total of 11 games (133,139,188,190,135,146,167,167,231,204) in open bowling in 2 different houses. I also threw away many points by missing makeable spares due to my timing being off. I get decent carry but have some problem finding a workable line. (Hooking 7-10 boards) I get best results by playing a slight angle from the 5th board, or down and in from the 10th. Now comes my question, I am throwing a 25 year old Columbia 300 White Dot (15lb) and have an old Black Beauty (16) and Black Diamond (16). Everything I read on line tells me I need to update my equipment, but I hesitate to do anything until my game stabilizes, and I don't really know what to buy at this point anyway. I also hesitate to worry too much about carry when I'm still missing single and 2 pin spares. Also, I haven't encountered anything other than light oil so far (this could change in the near future as I am considering joining a league). Any advice would be greatly appreciated because I feel like Rip Van Winkle with all the changes to lanes and equipment in the last few years. Thanks Mike Farris Hi Mike, The balls you are using aren't going to hook very much unless the houses you bowl in put very little oil on the lanes or you really hook the ball. I would invest in one of the inexpensive reactive balls that are in most of the pro shops. You will see a big difference on how much hook you will get. Later you might be able to justify the expense of some of the higher priced balls that are out there. Keep practicing and have fun. Raymond October 28, 2002 Pasadena TX Walter Ray, Have you had a chance to see or throw any of the new Hammer equipment(I know you do not endorse that with which you have no contract with) however I would like to know if you think the new coverstocks and cores will bring hammer back to the glory that it had years ago? Thank you love the website. Raymond Lawrence P.S. You threw the wiked for the finals 2wks ago did you like the way it hit and carried? Hi Raymond, I have no idea about the new Hammer equipment since I haven't thrown any. I am sure that the new people who work for Hammer have ideas they feel will work. I did like the way the ball I used in Vernon Hills, IL hit and carried, but it wasn't enough. Albert October 23, 2002 Brookpark OH I like to throw the ball straight up the boards like you do. I have alot of trouble with freshly oiled lanes like in the first game of the night in the league. I've tried the softest balls and I'm currently using a ball with 3/4 top weight and 3/4 side weight and I still can't get the ball to hook enough. If I went with less top weight and side weight would that make the ball hook sooner? I've heard that top weight makes the ball go further down the lane. I've tried to throw the ball easier but it messes up my timing. I've also tried moving right and throwing the ball but that is almost as difficult as messing with my speed. Straight up for me is standing with my left instep on the 16 board and throwing up the six board, about a ten board difference. when i start moving over to 14 and 12 to thrown up six I really feel crowded and it's really difficult not to pull the ball. My favorite shot is to stand on the 20 board and thrown it 10. It's way too oily to do that. what weights do you use on your balls? Do you mess with your speed? It looks to me like your throwing all out when I've seen you on tv. thank you. continued success to you. Hi Albert, The newer idea of drilling balls is that the pin positions will effect the ball more than the side, finger and top weights. Sometimes what makes the ball hook sooner doesn't allow it to hook as strong on the backend. I would ask your local pro shop driller. He will have a lot more knowledge in this area than I do. I would get a ball that has a lot more surface (sanded) if there is more oil than I would like. Typically this will make the ball hook sooner which means it won't hook as hard on the back end. It sounds like it wouldn't hurt to practice either moving right or slowing your speed down. You may not be comfortable doing this, but with practice it should feel better. Good luck. Ron October 21, 2002 Plainfield IL Walter Ray, I'm a senior regional player. I would love to be able to throw the ball straight off the corner. What type of ball layout do you use when your playing off the gutter? Do you have the pin above the fingers, if so where is the CG? Thanks, and good luck in the future. Ron Sarah Hi Ron, First off it helps to have a lane condition which will allow you to play off of the corner. I don't really change ball drilling layouts when playing outside or inside. I like to use strong drillings with the pin near 1:30. The CG would be so that I have some finger and side weight. I probably do more with my hand position and ball speed to adjust from an outside line to an inside line. Pat October 13, 2002 Palm Bay FL Walter Ray, After seeing you wearing a Columbia 300 shirt on the show (10/13) I have to ask. Are you on the Columbia 300 staff now. I also wonder if you got to throw the Icon 2 this week. I am waiting for it to be made available to the public. Hopefully it will give me the back end reaction I need. If you don't want to discuss your relationship with Columbia at this time I understand. Thanks, Pat PS: Tell Paige that the haircut is not that bad at all. LOL Hi Pat, I do not have a contract with Columbia, but they have given me a 'TV contract' so that if I use their balls and wear their shirts I receive compensation. Several of the ball manufacturers are doing this with some of the players. I did throw the Icon 2 in practice, but unfortunately I didn't have my customized thumb slugs and the ball didn't fit perfectly so I chose to go with the ball I had been using for most of the tournament. Paige is getting used to her haircut, but she really didn't like it when she first got it. I think it looks fine now, but it was pretty short when she came from the hairdresser. VJ October 10, 2002 Antioch CA Good day, WR and Paige: WR, what did you like about Faball equipment? I'm back into bowling after a 20 year layoff and I'm finding that I'm not really impressed by all the high tech equipment on the market now, no manufacturer being singled out; however, I did roll a TiBeast, urethane coverstock with a "titanium" block inside. Nice, even, smooth, no snap. I've decided to go back to urethane and at the most find a urethane particle, if they exist, and re-learn the game. I've bowled the "sport" shot, and quite frankly enjoy it because I have to work for every point, rather than the "gravy" house shot. Much success to you in 2002-2003 season and since we are the same age, I'm looking forward to seeing you on the senior tour when the time comes. vj Osborne Hi VJ, When I was with Faball they had enough different equipment which allowed me to compete on the different lane conditions that we encounter. Some of it was strong particle cover stocks while others had reactive covers. I was disappointed to see them go out of business. On certain lane conditions the new high tech equipment can really be a big help. I am glad to see that you like the challenge of the sport conditions. I am amazed at how many 'good' bowlers like to get their high averages on the easier lane conditions. I hope to be able to bowl on the Senior tour when I get of age, but for now I am still bowling on the regular tour and hopefully showing the young kids a thing or two. Matt September 30, 2002 West Orange NJ Hi Walter and Paige! Hope all is well and everyone enjoyed their summer this year. Walter as a fan of yours and the PBA, I am ANXIOUS to know who's bowling ball you're going to be using this year since Hammer pulled out for a year. I hope you make the right ball choice because with 34 PBA titles under your belt, you're going to be the bowler to beat this year. Can't wait to see you again on TV and hopefully in person this year. Matt Hi Matt, I don't know which bowling balls I will be using this year, but like this last winter I will be using whichever ones that I feel will work. Hopefully I can make the right choices on balls as well as make good shots and play the lanes correctly. I would love to make it to the TV finals many more times, but the competition may be tougher than it has ever been. We will see. Thanks for your kind words. Paul September 19, 2002 Taiwan I'M PAUL IN TAIWAN. I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PBA BOWLER'S GRIP OF BALL CAN YOU TELL ME ? Hi Paul, My grip specs are as follows: middlefinger 1/4 left, 0 forward ringfinger 1/4 right, 0 forward thumb 3/16 right, 0 forward thumb to middle finger - 4 1/2 thumb to ring finger - 4 7/16 I use finger grips which are usually 13 middle and 25 ring in a 31/32 hole and I have a customized thumb grip which fits in a 1 3/8 hole. The thumb grip has a slight amount of tilt built in, but I don't know exactly what it is. I hope this helps. Janet September 2, 2002 New Haven MI Dear Walter: Have you signed on with any ball company as of yet for the new 2002/2003 PBA Season? We are always interested in what Deadeye uses! Thanks Your Fan Jan Hi Jan, I am glad that you are curious as to what ball company I am with. But as of now I am still under no contract with any ball company. Thanks. Jeff September 8, 2002 wcylbt@mail.com Pittsburgh PA Walter Ray, Have a question about the next ball to purchase. I am a big guy with a pretty big ball (6"3" 300lbs.) and my rev rate is between 350-400 with 4-6 flare rings depending on my hand position. My average ball speed has been clocked between 18.5 and 19.0mph. I currently throw MoRich Minotaur- 650 Finish with Tilted Balance Hole Brunswick Danger Zone Pro HPC- Leveraged with High Gloss Ebonite Vortex 2- 35 Degree Drilling with Box Surface Ebonite Matrix Dominator- Leveraged with 800-850 Finish Brunswick Target Zone (you gave it to me in Erie a couple of years ago) Or Ebonite Krypt Keeper (just starting to throw it as I try to retire the TZ before it collects any more serious battle scars.) There are 2 areas of my arsenal I feel I need to address 1. When the HPC isn't enough and My Minotaur is to much 2. When the Dominator is to little and the Vortex 2 is to much? I have looked at numerous balls and have even participated at the Ebonite Demo Days events to try and get a good answer and in turn have found myself still to be searching. I have nothing but respect for your talent and career which is why I ask for your help in this matter. Thank You Jeff Sanders Hi Jeff, I appreciate your asking me to help you with your ball search, but I am unfamiliar with several of the balls that you have. Also, I am not very familiar with all of the new balls out there. I would ask your local pro shop driller as he should have a much better idea. I am sorry, but I hope you understand. Monica August 25, 2002 Gothenburg NE Do you get more hook out of a polished ball or a sanded ball. I have a shock zone and its polished and was wondering if i sanded it if i would get more hook out of it. Hi Monica, Typically, the sanded ball is going to hook earlier than a polished ball. This might have the ball cover more boards, but can also create less angle at the pocket because the rotational energy is used up earlier than later. It depends on your speed that you have also. If you throw the ball slow, a sanded ball might be much worse due to the ball 'rolling out' at which point it won't hook any more. If you bowl on lots of oil or throw the ball firm, sanding the ball might not hurt too much and might help. I would ask your local ball driller what (s)he thinks. Gavin   July 30, 2002 Martnez CA What is the life expectancy of a bowling ball? What are the signs of a ball that needs to put to rest? I hope that doesn't mean that when a ball doesn't do what I want it to its dead. That must mean that all of my balls are dead because I want to strike every roll and I don't. HeHeHe... Had to squeez that in. Good luck on the tour this year Walter Hi Gavin, The life expectancy of a bowling ball varies from pro to pro. I probably use balls longer than a lot of other pros. However, the newer bowling balls of today don't really last as long in that the surface absorbs oil and won't hook as much. The scratches in the ball also will alter the surface and the way it interacts with the lane. Some players use a new ball every block (6 to 9 games), but this is rare. I believe that a ball should be able to be used for 50 to 100 games, but a good resurfacing might restore the ball to its original condition. It would be nice if a ball would strike every time, but they haven't invented that ball yet!! Jamie   July 29, 2002 Strawberry AZ What pound ball do most pro's use? 14-15-16 and do you ever vary the weights?? Thanks Hi Jamie, I would guess that most Pros use 15 or 16 pounds. I don't know of any men who use 14 pounds, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. I do know that at least 1 successful lady pro uses a 14 pound ball. I don't think that a pro would change their weight by more than a few ounces. Rick   July 26, 2002 Cincinnati OH Hi Walter, I see you are warming up your region with those wins. Have to tell you tho I had been watching you for years then I joined the PBA as a Regional player and did compete at Toledo this past Feb. You probably dont remember me but I was standing next to you at our Roll Call in the locker room on Sunday. It was my 1st tournament with PBA and didnt do tooo terrible. But, What a thrill I molded my own game very similar to yours but it was an honor bowling on the same squad with you. Anyways, Have you signed on to any companys pro staff? Just curious, Well Good Luck this fall and hope to chat with you at Toledo in 2003. Take Care, R. Petredis Hi Rick, Thanks for you kind words. At this time I have not made any agreements with any ball companies. But I am talking to several companies Shane   July 22, 2002 Hondo TX Dear Walter Ray, I watched about every telecast in the 1997 bowling season on ABC, and I remember you being a real Brunswick bowling ball buff then, and i always wondered why you swiched bowling ball companys. I was also going to give you props on that great comeback you staged in that game against pete weber in the St.Clair classic on the final telecast for ABC. That was a story book ending for the final telecast on ABC. At the time you were ranked no. 1 in the world and he was ranked no. 2. That was probably one of the better matches i had seen. What is your thoughts on that match. I would greatly apreciate a reply. Hi Shane, It wasn't my choice to switch ball companies. Brunswick dropped me because they were making cuts in their staff and they felt I wasn't contributing enough to their company. I feel that they made a big mistake, but that is the way it goes. The match with Pete Weber was pretty exciting as we were both trying to be the first to reach the $2 million mark. The win was definitely was one of my favorites in that it was the last one on the long running series on ABC and it was against Pete. It turned out that there was a regional tournament at the same bowling center that weekend after the National event and I bowled Pete for the title in the event also and again beat him to go over the $2 million mark. Doris   July 19, 2002 Battleboro NC So can you tell me why my ball works better in the 1-3 pocket than the brooklyn pocket? Iam rolling a 15 pounder and weigh 100plus so could that make a difference? the fall season is about to start back and i am going to get the ICON by COLUMBIA. so do you think that is a good choice i wanna bowl with what you bowl with since i am your number one fan and i mean that from the bottom of my heart. looking forward to seeing you in cary n.c. Thank you very much for your time. Hi Doris, Most pro bowlers like to have the ball enter the pocket so that the ball will drive through to get to the 5 pin. A lot of amateurs seem to think that a 'Brooklyn' strikes better than one in the 'correct' pocket. That could be true for a lighter ball when there is a lot of mixing of the pins when the ball is going away from the head pin. I don't have any stats to back up what all of the pros think, but I would never aim for a cross over hit. You could keep track of your shots in the 1-2 pocket and the 1-3 pocket and how many times it strikes. You should also keep track of your splits as that might make up for the number of strikes. I am unfamiliar with the ICON ball. I am planning on bowling in Cary so you should be able to see what ball(s) I am using. Might be more than one. Peter July 02, 2002 Hawaii Mr. Williams, I had the distinct pleasure of crossing with you in my first PBA regional tournament in Hawaii back in 1997. I am enlisted in the Navy and back in Hawaii again. I have been away from the sport lately due to being out to sea and a nagging wrist injury. I noticed that on a few of the tapes that my wife taped for me, that you were using Faball equipment.. My question is now that Faball is owned by Ebonite will you continue to use their equipment ? I remember when I first started watching bowling, I saw you using Ebonite equipment when I lived in Stockton and bowled at West Lane Bowl and Pacific Ave Bowl. This is not my current E-mail as I am staying with family in northern Cali. I will be leaving in mid July to support Operation Enduring Freedom and my E-mail address if you choose to reply is " email deleted for privacyl" Thanks for your time, Peter Potter ITC(SW/AW) U.S. Navy Hi Peter, I have no contract with any ball company, so if Hammer (Faball does not exist anymore) registers with the PBA anything is possible. Best wishes on your tour of duty. Jon June 18, 2002 Bonita Spring FL I would appreciate any info you could pass on on the custom thumbs I heard you use. Lickstein is in Ft Myers and we would like to find out more. Thanks Hi Jon, The thumbs I use are made from a mold of a thumb hole from a ball I really liked the feel of several years ago. I have my thumb inserts made by "Custom Thumb." Contact is Joe Conigliaro at 800/553-4547 John    June 5, 2002 Naples FL Walter Ray, enjoyed very much the opportunity to bowl vs. you at Cream of the Crop. I dont bowl tour stops or regionals so that was "my" tour event! I think Lisa and I felt very fortunate that you didn't strike in the 10th to beat us, seeing as though youve done it a thousand times before!! Do you think i shouldve had a plastic ball for spares or what?? Good luck in your future events and hope to see you next year at Cream of the crop..... john hough Hi John, I was surprised that you had trouble with those 6-10's. A plastic ball wouldn't be a bad idea. I thought that when I threw the shot in the 10th frame that it would be in the pocket, but it obviously didn't. I must have grabbed it a bit. Nice bowling and I am sure that I'll see you down the road somewhere. Andrew   May 31, 2002 Fort Worth TX My "A" game is to play down and in. When I put my thumb in the ball and lay my fingers over the finger holes, the bottom of the fingers holes is right at my first knuckle. I recently attended a training session at Kegel in FL. They recommended the first knuckle be in the middle or closer to the top of the finger hole. I drilled a ball with that layout. While it felt comfortable, it felt more natural to throw a more arcing curve. If you wouldn't mind divulging the information, I would be interested in knowing where your first knuckle is in relation to the finger holes. Any other information you can provide about your drilling layout, i.e. pitches, finger bridge distance, etc. would be appreciated. I have read in your other replies that you are not a driller. Neither am I, but if you have the numbers available, you don't have to explain every detail. I appreciate your time and assistance. Thank you. Hi Andrew, If I was to lay my fingers over the finger holes after putting my thumb in the thumb hole, my finger knuckles would be near the middle of the finger holes. I don't know the distance of my bridge, but I would guess that it is about 1/4 of an inch. I use 31/32 inch holes for my fingers with ¼ left on the middle finger and 1/4 right on the ring finger. I use a 13/16 oval grip on my middle finger and a 25/32 oval grip on my ring finger. I use a custom thumb molded to an old thumb hole that I really liked. I use a lot of bevel on the inside of my thumb hole. The thickness of the thumb grip is about 1/4 of an inch. The span from the holes before the grips are put in is 4 &1/2 inches for the middle finger and 4 & 7/16 inches for the ring finger. The pitch on my thumb hole is 3/16 to the right. There is some pitch on the thumb grip itself, but I can't remember what it is. I hope this helps. Andy   May 19, 2002 Chicago IL Hi Walter I recently read an article that suggest you develop a pinched nerve on your thumb in the 90's, thus you bevel the thumb hole. I seem to have a similar problem, thus what other adjustments do you do to your equipment? span? Another question is do you attempt to walk straight or walk toward your target Thank You and Best of Luck Hi Andy, I can't remember when, but after one of the summer tours I had a problem with the inside of my thumb leading me to believe that I had pinched some sort of nerve on my thumb. I already had a fair amount of bevel so I decided to increase the bevel I use. The only drawback to a lot of bevel is that your ball might slip out of your hand a bit more. I also use a piece of cork on the inside of the ball to help grip the ball. Other than that I really haven't changed my grip since I started bowling. Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [21-40]  [41-60]   [61-80]  [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]