INDEX

Equipment Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]   [121-140]  [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] Chuck May 30, 2003 Blenheim NJ Hi Walter Ray, I have a question in reference to your bowling ball. First, do you find that a 15 or 16 pound ball gives you better carry ? Second, what drilling do you use on your ball for medium to heavy oil ? Third, what type of ball do you find best for the same conditions ? Thanks for any advice you can offer. Chuck Fletcher Hi Chuck, I went to 15 pounds a few years ago and I really haven't noticed much difference in my carry. I tend to use drillings with the pin at 1 to 2 o'clock. I would use either a dull particle ball if the lanes had a lot of oil or a reactive ball if I wanted more hook on the back end. But I throw the ball different than most other pros. Atchara May 21, 2003 Thailand Hi i would like to know what is difference between using grip or not using grip and u comment give me. I hope that u know me because i speak english a little Thank you Hi Atchara, I am not sure about your question. But it sounds like it is either the type of grip or using finger grips. Most pros use a finger tip grip so that they can get more rotation on the ball. Soft finger grips are an option to get a better feel on the ball as opposed to the hard ball. I hope this answers your question. Brian May 14, 2003 Waco TX What is a good ball/surface and layout for the E2 pattern? If I swing it a board or two I leave the 2-8-10 and if I am down and in I leave the 3-6-10. Sometimes I get a little scared of the gutter and I pull it a board and it's on the nose and if I push it out it never makes it back all the way. The middle of the lane is pretty much out of play. Help. Congratulations on a fantastic year! Brian Hi Brian, You are getting a different read from the E2 pattern than I do! When I get the ball out and it doesn't go in the channel, it will usually hook too much and go through the beak. Conversely, sometimes when I tug the ball on that pattern it will go a bit light as it doesn't hit the dry part of the lane as hard. However, if I tug the ball a bit more then it will hook through the nose. The center of the lane is more difficult on that pattern as a miss in either direction will have the ball go in that direction. I really can't say what ball surface and layout is good for that pattern for you as I don't know how you throw the ball and it will very from lane to lane and house. I don't particularly care for the 'E' pattern, but I can usually figure out how to get some strikes on it. I usually play a medium to slow hook on it going between the 2nd and 3rd arrow with a break point that is at around 2 at 35 - 40 feet. My problem is that when I throw the ball slower I don't seem to have the carry that I would really like to have. Most of the straighter players will go straight up 4 or 5, but I can't seem to figure that angle out on that pattern. Steve May 7, 2003 Grand Rapids MI I've always admired how straight you throw the ball and still carry so well. Three year ago I discovered that by drilling a ball with the pin under the ring finger that I could carry very well while still throwing a fairly straight ball. I got my average into the 220's by doing this....but thats under normal oiled conditions. When I run into lanes where the conditions cause the ball to hook earlier than usual I'm at a loss. The ball has a mind of it's own. I'm thinking of drilling a ball with the pin directly above the ring finger to make it go longer but thats just a thought. I don't want to drill up a lot of balls to find what I need because that is a lot of $$$. I was wondering what you thought a going pin setup would be?? Hi Steve, A lot of pros use a drilling with the pin over their fingers to tame their hooks down. I don't normally have that problem. I think what you call "normal" lane conditions is in reality very easy, so you can miss left and right and the ball guided to the pocket. When you get to a difficult lane condition and you miss right, the ball goes right and when you miss left, the ball goes left. I think you would have more success if you practiced on the tougher lane condition because you would realize when you threw a bad shot which would require better shot making. When I practice on a "house shot" I try to play away from the track area where the shot is. By practicing on a tougher part of the lane, I get a better idea of whether I am making good shots or not since playing "the track" will sometimes compensate for a less than perfect execution. Good luck and keep at it! Martin May 5, 2003 Phoenix AZ I have been thru hundreds of web sites looking up bowling balls, and i am exhausted. I have one question. I throw with speed, i currently use a Pantera with 2.5 top. Its fine for dry to medium oil. I average 202. My biggest problem is long oil, the Pantera will skid, and the Swamp Monster does nothing for me due to my speed. I am not a cranker, i use the ten line, with minor adjustments with my feet left or right, or up or back. Its just that half dozen times a year when they oil heavy and long that i am loosing my mind. I know its difficult without seeing me bowl however can you reccomend a ball for me. Most of my teammates say that we have a similar style, as far as where i stand and my approach to the line. Can you assit me, i greatly appreciate it. Marty Hi Marty, I'm sorry but I really don't know what bowling balls that I can recommend. I am not familiar with the bowling balls which you are using. However, you could ask your local pro shop operator which balls (s)he may recommend. It sounds like you would like a dull particle ball, but that is only a guess. Good luck. Nanette May 2, 2003 St. Augustine FL When bowling with a fingertipped strike ball, is it better to have your spare ball fingertipped as well or should you have it drilled convintional grip? Hi Nanette, It would be easier to drill your spare ball with the same grip as your strike ball. However a conventional grip would go straighter than a finger tip grip and would add to the spare ball going straighter. It is strictly a matter of what "works best" for you. All of my equipment is drilled that same. That is what works for me! Scott April 27, 2003 Rohnert Park CA Dear Walter Ray Williams Jr, Congratulations on your tying of Earl Anthony's legendary mark as I know it must be very gratifying for you to have accomplished goals on the same plateau as the bowler you feel is the best ever. I hope you plan on defending it HARD because my MAIN man, PDW is coming to challenge next season! My question for you is what Bowling Shoe company represents you and which do you wear while playing? I was also hoping you might know which Bowling Shoe Pete Weber uses as it is not widely publicized, nor does he have a website. I would like to buy a few new pairs and this info I have been scouring the planet for. THANKS VERY MUCH AND BEST OF LUCK, Scott P.S. - LOVE THE ODOR EATERS SPARE BALL Hi Scott, I don't endorse any bowling shoe company and I don't believe that Pete does either. Since I don't like to give any extra free advertisement I hope you understand when I don't tell you which shoes we use. There are many different types of shoes out there and you should find the ones that feel the best for you as well as give you a consistent slide. How they feel on your feet is much more important (I believe) than buying a pair of shoes "just because" a pro wears them! Barry April 15, 2003 Lake Worth FL I noticed that on your "Reports Section", you list the numbers of the balls you used that tournament. Is there a way we can tell what balls they are and the weights of them along with the drillings? Is it possible to start a section of your Equipment you use and specs you use on them? Also what are these balls you have listed, Low Particle Ball(2085)-Medium particle ball(4026)- and Reactive ball(4543)? They were balls that you used on conditions that i struggled on and i thought maybe i could see what the difference was in your drillings and equipment is compared to what i used. Needless to say i could never map my game off of yours, but i could get a good idea of equipment use and setup that some of the best use, compared to what i am throwing currently.... Also, Being that i see you from time to time in tournaments in the South, i was wondering if you had a chance to see some of my shots i make and are able to advise me on some layouts for my ball equipment that i use? I have been steadily improving this year and just haven't found that drilling pattern that fits my style "to a tee" like i have in my league equipment. Thank you Barry Staley Jr See Ya in Ft. Pierce,Fl Hi Barry, When I get around to it, I take a picture of the balls and my webmaster substitutes the pictures of the balls for the number that I have supplied. I am not that picky about how balls are drilled and don't keep track of the weights in the balls. But if the picture is on the website you can see for yourself basically how the ball is drilled. I am not on a staff for any ball company and I don't care to give 'free' advertising to these companies. I hope you understand. As I have stated numerous times, I am not a ball driller, so I don't think that I would be able to give good advice on how to drill a ball. I think that the tougher lane conditions that you see in PBA conditions compared to the typical league conditions are going to give you less room for error and that has to do with the lane conditions more than the ball drilling. But, if you really wanted to pursue that line of thinking I would ask a different pro who is more knowledgeable on drilling for advice on that. Jay April 3, 2003 Bernardsville NJ I am using a Brunswick Pearl Red and Black ball which is a nice ball. I previously used the Monster Scream R ball which was good, too. The only difference is the weight of the ball (15 pounds for the Red and Black; 14 for the Scream R), and to be honest with you, 15 feels quite heavy for me despite the fact that I am large-built. Do you recommend that I use 14 pounds? I heard someone say that I should use 16 for effective result, but all that the 16 pounder did for me was achieve little or almost no desire result. I notice that when I decrease the weight of the ball, my scoring improves. I had considered trying a 13-pounder myself just to see the result. I know it's hard to tell from over there and I am over here, but I want to know if I should use lighter ball if this means more effective consequence for me. I am deaf, and been trying to turn pro for a couple years. I am just experiencing several setbacks, and I hope to focus more energy on my practicing and using better equipment(s) for better outcome(s). My highest average was 195, and I want to move a notch or two upward. I will appreciate any advice from you. I also heard that I should experiment with other manufacturer's balls and not just Brunswick. I am using Brunswick because it's so comfortable to me. Do you recommend that I at least try other manufacturer's ball? Let me know, please, and Walter Ray, you were outstanding this past season. My favorite all time bowler is Earl Anthony, and to be honest with you, I am not actually prepared to see you win title number 42. No, not trying to defend Anthony...merely that it's difficult for me to accept the eventu **NOTE: message was too long for form…if there was more requiring a response please resubmit the missing item(s)** Hi Jay, I am not sure about 14 pound balls, but I don't think there is much difference between 15 and 16 pounds unless you throw the ball very straight. But if 15 pounds is too heavy for you, then use 14. If you are interested in becoming a pro, it takes a lot of practice and hard work. Good luck. There have been a couple of pro bowlers who are deaf. The best is probably Pete Kaczmarczyk who still bowls in tournaments and finished in a tie for 80th at the PBA World championship last month. Good luck. Chris April 2, 2003 Pawtucket RI Hello Mr. Williams, Im a YABA bowler and just started bowling about a year ago. After the first half of the season my avg. was a 145. Since ive tought myself to throw a hook my avg has gone upto a 17 in that league and in a adult child league i avg 204. My question is that i have 6 different bowling balls that i use on different conditions since i have trouble adjusting. Would it be a good idea to cut the amount of balls i use down and concentrate on adjusting or should i stick with what works? Thank you for your time. Hi Chris, It sounds like you are doing great. I would keep those balls around, but it is also a great idea to learn how to make adjustments without the extra balls. Keep working on it. Brenda March 31, 2003 Thaxton VA Hi I would like to ask you a question . I was told that I can not use a 8 lb. bowling ball in the National tournament or state tournament or any tournaments is this so and why ? My husband enjoyed watching Walter Ray bowl , he try not to miss Walter bowling tournaments. Thank You for your time. Brenda Bowling Hi Brenda, I checked out the rules which are located somewhere on the www.bowl.com website. The specific webpage which addresses the weight issue is http://www.bowl.com/bowl/wibc/common/rules/searchable.shtml?file=ch6.shtml#Bowling%20Ball%20-%20Weight,%20Size,%20Markings%20And%20Holes It doesn't have any minimum for a weight of a bowling ball. There are slightly different rules for lighter balls and the static weights of the ball, finger, side and top weight. It looks like your friend is misinformed. Have fun. Roberto March 22, 2003 St. Petersburg FL I was so honored you answered not just one, but two of my questions. After you responded to my original question about equipment I came up with another one. If you were going to get picked up by a ball company which one do you prefer? Has any company approached you yet? Does working with a ball company make you more money? Finally how does the pay structure work with a ball company (i.e. Bowl a 300 on TV, win a tournament, etc.)? Thank you so much for your time. Hi Roberto, I have mainly been using 2 different ball company balls this year. I would also be open to a few other companies if they were interested in me. I haven't had any firm offers yet to be on a staff, but I am talking. Normally being with a ball company should make a player more money as they would get a salary and bonuses for making the TV shows and the like. But if that company doesn't make equipment which is good enough it can hurt a player. It depends on the contract that a player has as to what kind of incentives they would get. Normally a higher profile player would get more money. That seems to be my problem. Companies don't seem to be willing to pay me what the other top bowlers are getting. So in the mean time I use pretty much what I think will work for me. Justin March 17, 2003 South Burlington VT Hey walter i am getting into bowling now i am i am at a 155 ave and i have a flip side whicked ball which is reactive resein and i want you help picking out a good spare ball...can you help me? Hi Justin, Most any plastic ball should be a great spare ball. Tim March 21, 2003 Bristol TN Dear Walter Ray, From every indication the ABC National shot is way in deep. What advice can you give to me for playing this line? I usually like to go right up the boards but i dont think that's going to work. Hi Tim, You could try your normal line, but if that doesn't work then you might have to play that deep inside line. Practice is a good thing. You might even practice standing in front of the ball return. You will probably need to take as few as 2 or 3 steps which would require a bit of a timing change. Keep practicing and good luck. Steve March 13, 2003 Aiken SC Hey how you doin? Just wondering b/c i'm gonna get back into bowling and i know you used to use this. But do they make any more Crush/r's anymore i had the red one and loved it to death and am looking for one again. Do you know anything about it? Thanks Hi Steve, I am sure that Crush/r's are not being made anymore. It was a ball that I had quite a bit of success with. It is probably very difficult to even find one of those balls. Bowling balls have evolved quite a bit in the last 10 years when that was my favorite ball. There are many new balls out there to choose from. Good luck and have fun. Roberto March 12, 2003 St. Petersburg FL I was wondering now that you have proven once again that you are capable of winning and making TV on a consistent basis are you going to get picked up by a ball company? If so do you have a preference. Thanks for your time WR. My personal pick to win PLAYER OF THE YEAR Hi Roberto, Thanks for the compliment. In order for me to get picked up by a ball company, they have to be interested and I have to be happy with an offer. There have been a couple of companies I have been using, but that doesn't mean that another company wouldn't be considered. Bob March 11, 2003 Chittenango NY Hi Walter Ray, I was wondering if you had any experiance or know another PBA player who has with Lane #1 bowling balls . I live close to Syracuse NY which is the home of Lane#1 bowling , Richie Spasato ( owner ) and he has his own line of bowling balls . I have an old ( 10 + years ) black buzz saw of his which I still use today . Im a once a week bowler and carry a 205 + average . Ive had the ball resurfaced twice but am looking for a new one . I see people using his " bomb " ball and looks like it hits like a truck . Just wondering if you have any knowledge on it . Thank you for any input and I am a fan of yours . Loved your quote in the magazine I get through my league , power vs accuracy ... well I have 35 titles with acurracy !!! .... great comment Take care , Bob Skinner Hi Bob, I do know of the Lane#1 ball company. I also know Richie Spasato. However, I don't know anything about the 'Bomb'. Fred March 10, 2003 Brooklyn NY I know that you have stated that you do not endorse any bowling balls due to the lack of a ball contract with any company... However, when I have watched you bowl you always seem to have a shirt with a bowling ball company's name. Is that just a normal practice or a dress code required by the PBA? Thanks and congratulations on a wonderful season..... Hi Fred, Most companies have incentive programs for players who use their balls on TV even if the players don't have a full contract with them. The companies usually require wearing their company logos on the shirt to go with the ball for incentives. If I didn't want to get any money at all from the ball company I could pass on those logos, but I figure that I might as well get something from them even though it isn't as much as if I was on their staff. Nelson March 10, 2003 Dallas GA First off, I would like to congratulate you on winning the PBA World Championship. Great job! I am sure you will be Bowler of the Year. My question is what drilling layout do you prefer? One thing I wish the PBA would do is show the type of equipment the bowlers are using and what drill layout they have chosen. I often notice the pin is directly over the fingers, but can never see where the cg is located. With all the strutting going on today, it is so great to see you let the bowling do the talking. Keep'em rollin' Deadeye! Hi Nelson, I tend to use layouts with the pin at 1 to 2 o'clock. I can't say where the cg normally is, but I generally like to have some positive weights in the ball. However the pin placement is generally a bigger influence in the modern balls rather than the cg. A lot of pros use pins over the fingers to calm down their hook. Shane , March 5, 2003 Hondo TX Dear Walter Ray, Does the type of bowling ball a bowler can use effect pin carry. Will a plastic ball carry and hit just as hard as a reactive ball. I always had the impression that it wouldn't but i dont have any reasons for that belief. Can you help me out any on the subject. Thanks Hi Shane, The type of ball can affect the pin carry, but it also depends on the lane conditions. A plastic ball can strike a lot, but the entry angle and speed of the ball as well as where the ball hits the pins makes a difference. Typically for most players there is a bit too much oil on the lanes these days for a plastic ball to get enough angle to carry as well as the more powerful reactive and particle balls. But with the right lane condition and release, a plastic ball can be very effective. Equipment Q&A  [1-20]   [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]   [101-120]  [121-140]  [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]