INDEX

Equipment Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]   [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] Calvin January 13, 2003 Woodbridge VA I am told that only pro shop owners are allowed to attend ball drilling school, seminars, and clinics. Is this true? Most bowlers may not be interested in attending such claseses, but I am one who believes that it would greatly benefit me. When purchasing a new ball, most of the time a pro shop owner will ask you several questions and then, 90% of the time, drill the ball similarly to a drilling you are already using. Many pro shops are not in bowling centers and the pro shop owner has no idea how you bowl. They rely on your description of your particular style. They are afraid that if a bowler doesn't get a similar reaction to the balls they are already using, the bowler will be unhappy with new ball and unwilling to learn when and under what conditions the new drilling will work. If I better understood drilling layouts, core dynamics, coverstocks, and what effects each would have on various lane conditions based on the way I bowl. I would be better able to decide which balls to buy, what layouts to use based on the house conditions I bowl on, what not to use and when. Can you recommend any ball drilling schools, seminars, or clinics? Hi Calvin, I don't know why any person wouldn't be able to attend any school, clinic or seminar on bowling related topics. Especially if that was the way that you were interested in making a living. Unfortunately I am not familiar with any of the schools, clinics, or seminars, so I can't advise you on that. I would ask some of your fellow bowlers. You might also ask them who they think is a good ball driller. You might even check out the different ball companies to see if they have seminars and such. There information might be a bit biased, but it should still give you some good information. Good luck. Vinny January 6, 2003 Farmingville, Long Island NY Hi Walter Ray - Sorry about that 300 on Sunday, but it was great seeing Duke jump on you! I have a questions regarding your choice of bowling ball each week. I know you don't have an official ball contract, so I would like to know HOW you actually decide which ball to use each week. With no contract, you can probably have the pick of the litter, so to speak. So is it better to NOt have a contract, so you can choose any companies ball? Good luck in the 2nd half Vinny Saladino Hi Vinny, I will usually use a ball that I feel comfortable with depending on the lane conditions. If I feel I need to do something that my current favorite ball might not do, I will look at my selection and pick something that I feel will work. And when a I get new ball it might take me a few weeks or the next block for me to use it. I would rather have a contract with a company. Thanks. Elvin January 27, 2003 Colorado Springs CO Dear Walter Ray, First of all, let me start by saying you're are definitely the best. I have been trying to copy your style for years now, you have a natural figure 8 back swing, meaning you let the ball swing out away from you body in your backswing and then back to your ankle just before release. 2 Questions: 1) What is your most versitale layout do you impart on your bowling balls and 2) What is your drill span and pitches in your thumb and finger holes? Thanks so much in advance... v/R Elvin. Hi Elvin, I am not sure what my most versatile layout is, but the one I use the most is with the pin at about 1 to 1:30. Some have an extra hole, some don't. I don't know why you would need this, but I hope it helps you. 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 is 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. Gene January 22, 2003 Verona PA Mr. Williams lately I am having trouble making the 10 pin. I stand on the 35 board and try to throw between the 3rd and 4th arrows. I throw the ball straight at it but my shot ends up in the channel. Any advice how do you make the 10 pin? Hi Gene, If your ball is going straight and it is going in the channel on your 10 pin spare attempt then you need to move your target left. I don't know by how much. That is something that you need to take a couple of practice games figuring out. Shoot at the 10 pin on your 1st shot and 2nd shot and you should be able to figure out what you need to do. Good luck. Ryan December 31, 2002 Hondo TX I am a manager at a small town 12 lane bowling center and was wondering about the conditions of the bowling centers that pba tounaments are held at. Are there many machine breakdowns during the tournament? I was also curious as to whether your bowling balls get scratched or damaged often durning the many games that are played during a tournament? If you have any personal experiences you would like to share about the many bowling centers you have bowled in during your career, i would love to hear about them. I consider you the greatest bowler of all time, and you are definitely my favorite. Thank you. Hi Ryan, We bowl in a pretty decent variety of bowling centers, but we definitely tend to bowl in nicer bowling centers. We do have breakdowns and problems, but the bowling centers we bowl at usually have good mechanics and the problems aren't too bad. We also have other problems with power issues and computers which they use to keep score at the rounds of 16 and 8 and the TV finals. But they usually manage to get the problems fixed before too long. Jan December 27, 2002 Denton TX We would like to see you and Paige come out with your own line of bowling balls.That way,your fans will know and BUY what you are bowling with. Hi Jan, I wish it was that easy to start up a bowling ball company, but that is a very huge undertaking. Richard December 22, 2002 Southgate MI Could you please give a guide to surface on balls for typical league at taylor lanes? house shot, down the boards player, medium speed, medium revs, average side turn,using shined v2 solid, shined tour power, trauma, x-it,dull boost, having trouble with carry, any help would be appreciated,thanks, happy holidays! Hi Richard, You would do a lot better to ask your local pro about what might work for you at Taylor Lanes. When we bowl there, the PBA oils the lanes and they usually are quite a bit tougher than the league condition you bowl on. Also I have no idea exactly how they oil the lanes there. I am sorry and good luck. Pay attention to what the better bowlers in your leagues are doing. That would be my best guide for anybody anywhere. Gwen December 11, 2002 Eureka CA Walter Ray & Paige I put this under miscellaneous because I have more then 1 comment or question. How come you don't have a contract with a ball company,you are ONE of the TOP bowlers and they are wasting a real good opportunity for them and for you? Do you have any advice for a 192 average bowler that wants to know how to get a mental game? No one here to ask, as you know this is a small town. Only 2 bowling centers now in the area. I have been a fan of your for many years. I met you Walter Ray about 10-15 years ago when you came here. I was the woman that arrived late after you had bowled. Had company from out of town and couldn't get to Harboe Lanes any sooner. You then bowl some pot games. So I got to see you bowl after all. Thank you for that. One last comment, I watched you last Sunday on the telecast and I was VERY UPSET to see someone take a flash picture of you during your bowling. I can't imagine how you felt, although you did make a few comments which I think you should have. You handled it nicer then most people would have. Good Luck in your future bowling. Paige it is nice to see you there with Walter Ray! God bless you both this Holiday Season! Gwen Hi Gwen, I don't have a full contract with any ball company because it seems that none are that interested in me. I have not received any offers and I understand that they don't feel that I am worth as much as I would like to get paid. It is a bit frustrating as I know that there are a few players out there with decent contracts that I would be happy with. I feel that it hurts all the players if the "top" players start signing contracts for a very small amount of money. A mental game is a very personal thing. I think it comes down to being determined and wanting to do well. That would also mean putting in the time it takes to get really good. Learn to have a positive attitude as often as possible. And try to learn something about the lane condition when you aren't doing so well. Good luck. Dominic December 10, 2002 Aurora IL Dear Walter Ray, First of all I would like to say what a bad deal you got on the flash incident. We were watching at home and were all screaming when it happened. What the PBA should do is do what they do on the PGA Tour, NO CAMERAS ALLOWED. Anyway, go get em in the TOC. My question is about my 10 year old son who loves bowling. He averages 147 in his YABA league. His recent series was a 181, 203 & 156. He wants to start throwing a spare ball. I think he should learn how to "flatten out" his spare shooting with the reactive ball he uses now and save the spare ball for later. He watches the PBA telecasts on Sundays and some of the kids in his league use a second ball. He is pretty good at picking up spares now but there is room for improvement. I'm thinking if the second ball works well his average will climb. Is there a right time to start with a second ball? I talked to the pro at our center and he suggested to try the second ball. Others I talk to say to wait a while longer. What are your thoughts. Thanks for your time. GO GET EM WALTER RAY! Dom Hi Dom, I don't know if there is a right answer, but I would suggest him learn how to flatten out his spare shot. If you can afford lots of bowling balls, then a spare ball is a good choice, but that should also be in addition to throwing it straight. The problem also comes about that he is growing and will need a new ball every year or so. Of course he can plug the ball and re-drill them. Good luck to him and it sounds like we might be watching him in about 10 years. Greg December 9, 2002 Oak Park IL Dear Walter Ray: What are the pitches for your thumb hole? Do you like the thumb to be tight, snug or loose? Does your thumb change a lot (I don't recall ever seeing you fuss with tape on TV)? Do you have any advice for someone (me) with a constantly changing thumb? Thanks and continued success to you! Sincerely, Greg Hi Greg, I like my thumbhole to be snug. The pitch on my thumbhole is 3/16 right and 0 forward. However I use a customized thumb insert which probably has a bit of pitch on it's own. The insert that I use is made by "Custom Thumb". There is a link on our site if you are interested in that product. Jay November 27, 2002 Lake Elmo MN Walter Ray, I noticed on the telecasts that you use finger inserts while most others do not. What do you feel the advantage/disadvantages of finger insterts are? Continued success this season. Jay Hi Jay, I use finger inserts which are soft and 'grippy'. I happen to like the softer feel that the grips give me. I think that some pros don't care for grips as they can rip their fingers a bit. I have never really had a problem with that though. At first I was a bit hesitant to try them as I really hung in the ball, but I think I went to slightly loose grips and have liked them ever since. Rick November 20, 2002 Wauseon OH Hi Walter Ray, I live in wauseon i watch you all the time. you know pat and chuck at chuckers bowling alley. my question to you is that i have been using track balls all my life. i have a heavy curve. i just wanted to know the new ball called the fuel, would be more better for me. i throw track elite purple, chuck feels i would do better with this ball. can you tell me if you feel the same. i am used to synthetic lanes from las vegas and you have been to chuckers bowling alley, my biggest promblem is that i can't keep the ball out long enough to hit the pocket i go brooklyn alot no matter what speed or moving over on the lanes chuck feels that having this ball would give me more top heavy to carry further down the lanes thankyou for your time and good luck this weekend. Hi Rick, I am unfamiliar with the Track line of bowling balls. I have no idea what the Fuel is supposed to do. I would say that is almost always better to trust your local pro shop operator. They will do their best to steer you in the right direction since they are interested in your repeat business. You might also ask him about a urethane or plastic ball if you have that much trouble getting the ball to the right side of the head pin. Good luck and tell Chuck & Pat "Hi". Greg November 18, 2002 Muskegon MI Walter Ray, What's up with the new ball , and is it availible to the general public . great bowling in grand rapids ! Hi Greg, The equipment used by myself and other professionals should be readily available in your local pro shop. However, not all pro shops carry all balls because there are so many. I did bowl well in Grand Rapids. Thanks. Lewis November 17, 2002 How did you have that vendetta particle drilled? Could you diagram the drilling. I bought one and didn't like it. Thanks lewis Hi Lewis, I will try and get a picture of that ball on our website. It was drilled very similar to most of my other balls with the pin near the ring finger. I am sorry you didn't like it. I would talk to the pro shop operator who drilled the ball and maybe he can figure out what needs to be done. I haven't really used that particular ball much and for me it goes a bit straighter which is what I needed that day. Tim November 17, 2002 Bristol TN Dear Walter: what do you do with the bowling balls that you dont use anymore. i would be interested in buying one. Hi Tim, I usually donate my old balls to charities. I get asked to sell my old bowling balls all the time or give them away. I don't think that it's fair to the ball companies if I profit from equipment that was given to me free (though we do pay for drilling). I figure that the charities can use the money more than I can. I don't like to give them away either because it makes more sense to me to donate them to charities. Hope you understand. Mary November 16, 2002 New London WI Walter Ray, I am a big fan of yours. I have been throwing Zones for the past 4 years now. I recently purchased the Icon. It is great in med to dry lane conditions. I can not get it to perform in oil. I have a 205 average and it is going down very fast. What would you advise for me to try. I throw a 15.5 pound ball. I have quite a bit of speed. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank-you. Mary Hi Mary, It seems kind of obvious that if your current ball isn't hooking as much in oil as your old balls, then maybe you should try them. Or ask your local pro shop what ball they might recommend for you. Not everybody likes the same stuff. 205 isn't bad, so hang in there. twheeler November 15, 2002 Largo FL Walter Ray, I apparently have been confusing Radius of Gyration, Moment of Inertia, and Center of Gravity when it comes to bowling balls. Too often all of the definitions in bowling magazines (BTM, BJI, etc)are too vague. I know what the terms describe, and that you don't have to COMPLETELY understand them to apply them to ball motion. But I want to know how they are actually figured. With your background in physics, could you recommend some reading that would give me a firm, mathematical understanding of RG and MOI? Thanks Hi, You might want to check out some basic physics book at your local library. Radius of Gyration is the distance at which a hollow sphere would have mass distributed at. Moments of Inertia have to do with mass being distributed from an axis, usually that would be in the center of the object. Imagine a baseball bat with a bowling ball at one end. It would be very difficult to swing it with the ball at the far end of the bat, but a lot easier to swing if you were holding the ball end of the bat. It is the same mass, but the higher moment of inertia is less affected by force. The Center of Gravity is the point in an object which would be considered the center do to the distribution of mass. On a bowling a ball this has a place marked on the surface. This is not really where the CG is as it is very near the geometrical center of the ball, but a projection of where the CG is on the surface. I hope this makes some sense, but any decent basic physics book should be able to explain these terms in more detail. But I think you are right in that you don't need to know these terms, but sometimes it is nice to know what some people are talking about David November 13, 2002 Shalimar FL Hi, I was just curious as to what type of layout you use for your bowling balls. And how many to you carry with you on tour? Thanks in advance, David Hi David, You can check out some of my reports and there are usually pictures of balls that I used with that block. You should be able to see the layout of that particular ball. Dino November 12, 2002 Calgary Canada Hi Walter Ray, I have a question regarding wrist guards. I have been using a wrist guard for 16 years. I recently purchased a reactive ball and now I find I'm having trouble controlling the ball because the wrist guard puts too many revs on the ball. I usually have to stand on 30 and throw 10 to be on the right side of the pocket. Yesterday in my league I was having a heck of a time in my first two games, I had scores of 122,134. The third game I took the wrist guard off and was able to stand on 20 and throw 10 and had a really nice reaction and bowled a 179. By the way my average was a 159 until last night when it dropped to 157. Now my dilemma is do I go back to the wrist guard or should I try bowling without it for a while and see what happens? Thanks very much, Dino Hi Dino, Wrist devices are normally for beginners to help them from breaking their wrist's back. Sometimes they can actually help create a bit more revolutions. Most pros don't use them because they actually will cut back on the revolutions that the pro would get because their wrists are in such a strong position. I would try bowling without the wrist device and see how it goes. If your wrist starts to hurt or you want to start hooking the ball again then start using it again. Good luck. Randy November 11, 2002 Wilmington OH Walter Ray, I have been a fan of yours since I started bowling in the 1990's. At the time you were throwing the Crush/R and tearing up the lanes quite often. Needless to say I ran right out and bought one. To this day I still think that the early reactive equipment from Ebonite was some of the best. I have been looking for an old Crush/R to throw now and as you can imagine they are pretty hard to come by. I did however, buy a Nitro/R2 off of ebay for $20 got it plugged and drilled for $30. Lately it has been my primary ball and it still rolls very well with a good medium arc and strong backend. I would love to hear your thoughts on the equipment that you were throwing back then (Crush/R, Nitro/R and Nitro/R2) and how you feel it compares to the equipment of today. Thanks for being the pro that you are week after week. Still looking for a Crush/R, Randy Hi Randy, I have often joked that I would like to use a Crush/R as it was a very good ball for me. I haven't thrown one in about 8 years and I honestly don't know how it would compare to today's balls, but I would guess that it would go quite a bit straighter than most of today's balls. I have always said to use whatever works even if it isn't always pretty or others don't think it will work. Thanks for the complement George November 5, 2002 Port St. Lucie FL What kind of balls do you use and what is your favorite kind of ball. Hi George, I typically like reactive balls, but I do use particle balls also. Raymond November 11, 2002 Castleton NY WHAT BALL COMPANY ARE YOU BOWLING FOR NOW.ALSO ARE YOU THROWING A 15LB BOWL Hi Raymond, I am not with any ball company. I do use 15 # balls. Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [21-40]  [41-60]   [61-80]  [81-100]   [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]