FOXFIRE'S BOWLERS EDUCATION
For nearly three decades I have been educating myself, and bringing that education to my bowlers. I am a Silver Level Certified Coach, and enjoy seeing bowlers improve. On this page I will periodically add tips, links, and information that can be used by anyone wanting to increase their knowledge of the sport. I will attempt to post on a regular basis, however if you have a question about the sport please feel free to write me at FoxfDan at aol.com
WHY DO THE LANE CONDITIONS CHANGE SO FAST?
Once upon a time (in the early 90’s and before) bowling balls had a small weightblock on one side of the ball to compensate for the weight taken out for fingerholes. When rolled; these balls would get one line of oil, in the bowler track (shown below as the closest line to the thumb hole). The ball would roll over and over that same line. On the first few rotations it would fill up with oil, and then carry the oil until it reached the dry part of the lane, then depositing it after exiting the applied oil.
The good part was, that as it dried up the front, it left oil at the back to compensate. Lanes did change, but didn’t so much dry up, as moved the oil around. On the down side, these balls took several rotations to wipe off the accumulated oil on the back of the lane before they could get traction, and slowly transition into a hook. So along came the dynamic core balls.
Dynamic refers to the dynamic imbalance that causes the flare shown below. The common misconception is that “Flare” is a side effect of the ball leaning into the pins, it is however the main cause for the aggressive move. This type of ball flares creating multiple tracks, taking up oil on every rotation, until it reaches the dry portion of the lane, at which point it doesn’t have to wipe the oil off to get traction, it is riding on dry ball except for the tiny Bowtie. On the good side, the ball will snap much more agressively. On the bad, these balls take six to ten times more oil off the lanes. They don’t plow it down the lane, they erase it, and take the oil all the way back to the bowlers towels.
Technology does offer great opportunity, but as usual; not without a cost.
If you want to know about contributing factors, and suggestions see my bowlers tip about the Second Arrow on our web site: http://foxfirelanes.com/TIPS.html
See you on the lanes Dan Simril, USA Certified Silver Level Coach
Past Tips: