CFT 2.5 The chemistry was uniquely designed to have shaped molecular structures that produce a high coefficient of friction. Because of the shape of the molecule, when the ball goes into rolling friction, which occurs at the back part of the lane, slippage is eliminated and the ball will give you maximum entry and carry. Core: I-Block – The new I-Block core was engineered specifically for the CFT 2.5 coverstock to create maximum forgiveness, strong angles along with versatile drilling layouts.

Ball Motion: With its 4000-grit micro pad finish, the C-(System) 2.5 will provide good length with a strong continuous backend reaction that matches up on medium to oily lane conditions for a wide range of bowling styles.

Reaction Setup: The C-(System) 2.5 can be drilled using the standard drilling techniques developed for asymmetric bowling balls. After more than 18 months of research, development, and extensive lab and field tests, Brunswick is proud to introduce the new C-(System) 2.5 bowling ball, developed in close collaboration with Hall of Fame bowler Carmen Salvino.

In addition to being a legendary bowler, Salvino conducts scientific research and holds multiple patents related to bowling ball design. This new line of performance bowling balls features Chemical Friction Technology (CFT).

As Salvino explains, “The coverstock was chemically designed to have shaped molecular structures that produce a high coefficient of friction. Because of the shape of the molecule, when the ball goes into rolling friction, which occurs at the back part of the lane, slippage is eliminated and the ball will give you the maximum entry and carry.

This is the advantage of chemical friction versus mechanical friction.” “The chemistry is versatile enough that even if sanded or polished, it will not change the shape of the molecule. That is the uniqueness of this chemistry.” The Chemical Friction Technology in the new C-(System) 2.5 is a difference you can feel!

High Performance

- Coverstock: CFT (Chemical Friction Technology) 2.5 Reactive

- Color: 2-Color Pearl Red/Blue

- Hardness: 75-76

- Factory Finish: 4000-grit Micro Pad

- Weight Block: (14-16#) I-Block Two-component Asymmetrical Core

- RG max: 2.570

- RG int: 2.553

- RG min: 2.520

- RG diff: 0.050

- RG asym: 0.017

- Average RG: 4.4 of 10

- Hook Potential: 155 (Scale 10-175)

- Length: 105 (Scale 25-235)

- Typical Breakpoint Shape: 90 Angular (Scale Smooth Arc 10-Angular 100)

- Flare Potential: 0.050 High (Scale Low 0.00-High 0.060)

- Recommended Lane Condition: Medium-Oily

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15lb Brunswick C System 25 Bowling Ball

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	C (System)2.5 List Price: $249.99
	Brunswick Bowling Balls. After more than 18 months of research development and extensive lab and field tests Brunswick is proud to introduce the new CSystem 2.5 bowling ball developed in close collaboration with Hall of Fame bowler Carmen Salvino...

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It's pretty evident that most people think that getting the bowling strikes is the major goal in bowling.. They are always looking for the strikes and get excited the more they make. And trust me, I am no different than the majority. As long as I have been bowling, I still get a thrill seeing that bowling ball mow those pins down in a clean sweep. It is an empowering feeling!

When we think of strikes we think of them as being the top score, ten points and also they give you that added bonus of the total points you score on the next two throws. One other positive purpose of a strike is that once you strike you don't have to worry about missing picking up a spare or worry about getting a split.

Nothing wrong with that. One of the attractions of bowling is the social aspect. But if you're making idle chit-chat, sharing gossip, comparing stock market portfolios, discussing business concerns or complaining about your boss, that's not going to improve your average. If, like me, you're in this to be the best that you can be, then you're squandering a valuable resource.

Socialize all you want with your league buddies, but talk about their game rather than their favorite television shows. Talk to the better bowlers about how they test for conditions and other variables.

Wear your bowling shoes even in practice sessions. It is okay to rent from the bowling shops also, but it is better to get suited to your own pair in preparation for your competitions or other future games.

You can easily choose from any of the brands available because they don't have that much difference in terms of quality and style. What is important is that they fit you comfortably.

Remember to inform the sales person whether your dominant hand. Also choose the size just right for your feet. It is best to try and fit it so you would feel if it is comfortable enough for you.

I learned an important lesson last season from one of the best bowlers in our league. You need to let the more laid-back, quiet people know that you truly value their input. Make it clear that you're not the type who resents constructive criticism.

I'm a good 30 pins under where I want to be average-wise. I know the best way to get where I'm going is to take direction from better bowlers. This one night I was having a terrible time, missing all my strikes and spares, making adjustments that weren't helping. I was way below my average and at my wit's end.

Half-way through the third and final game, a high-roller on the competing team saw my frustration and offered a well-intended observation. "I hate to say anything, but all night you've been dropping your shoulder and not following through." I couldn't believe it! It was a total newbie mistake. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and said: "Now you tell me!"

His reply was a real eye-opener. He said he never says anything because he learned to bowl from his dad, who would critique his game and give him pointers. He said it drove him nuts to the point that he almost quit the sport a number of times.

Now I had been bowling in the same league with this fellow for six years or more. I thought we had become pretty good buds, but I had no idea why he never uttered a comment or helpful hint. I figured he saw me as the competition and wanted to keep his edge. Turns out he was being considerate. He thought I'd be insulted.

Since then, he has become my go-to guy when I'm having a bad night. He still doesn't offer advice to anyone else. But I get all the help I need simply because I let him know what a high value I place on anything he can offer.

Life and becoming a better bowler can be so simple sometimes

Resource Author Francisco Rodriguez Higueras
Trabajar desde casa es fácil si sabes cómo
Todo sobre Juegos Mario para gente que le gusta jugar
Encontrar un Trabajo – Empleo es fácil si sabe dónde buscar

"I go out there and urge my bowlers to give 200 percent every day. I've always focused on the bowlers, and when they gave me this gift it made it clear how much my coaching meant to them personally".

The bowlers and their parents wanted to give the coach a fun present that was very personal. However, with hectic schedules, the bowlers and their parents knew that the group gift would have to be simple for everyone to contribute to.

The CD the coach received is called LifeOnRecord.

Team mom, Gloria Schmidt, got the idea when her husband gave her a LifeOnRecord CD as a special birthday gift.

The process is simple: friends and family call a toll-free number and are directed to record a favorite memory, wish, or story. There’s no limit on the number of callers that can phone-in or on the total number of recordings you receive. The recordings can be downloaded for free using iTunes so that you can make your own CD, or LifeOnRecord can create a keepsake CD with a personalized label and metal case. An unlimited plan with free download capability into iTunes costs $49.99, or an unlimited plan with a keepsake CD costs $74.98.

It is a unique, affordable service that allows you to create a highly personal gift with ease.

"The bowlers and their families that gave me this gift mean a lot to me, and this is the perfect way for me to remember them and their impact after my coaching days are over. The mom who organized and put this together is my hero".

If you'd like to be a hero to your loved one, you can purchase LifeOnRecord and give them a unique birthday group present.

Many of these gifts can be personalized with names of individuals or teams.  Lots of leagues have Christmas parties/potlucks along with a gift exchange the last night of bowling before Christmas and any of these gift items would be great for the gift exchange.  There are a variety of items very reasonably priced as most leagues have a monetary limit on the gift giving.

In the spring, bowling leagues quite often have a banquet for the end of bowling with awards given out.  This would be a good time to give small gifts as a remembrance of the good times bowling.

Remember all of your bowling friends and teammates at this Holiday Season!!

Numerous bowlers like the 4 step approach because it helps them have a nice smooth, coordinated way and the time to perfect their release of their ball at the proper rhythm.

Many bowlers readily like changing over to a four-step approach after they first try it. Attend a bowling instructional session with a good instructor, and you will hear: “out for one, down for two, back for three and then slide!”

This approach is very comfortable, you will use a small amount of effort to get the full amount of results.

Now lets look at step one in this delivery with 4 steps. This step is the push away step with your right foot (if you are right handed)  and where the phrase comes in that is, “Out for one”. To this step one is the push away.

With the push away step you should also launch the ball forward and a little to your right (if you are right handed), to allow room to do the step 2 and your pendulum type swing for your arm. You you don't push the ball a little to the right you will collide with your right leg as you take step 2.

As you take step number 2, your left hand should be taken off the ball. This is done very quickly for the most part, but can vary. Sometimes bowlers remove their left hand as they do the push away step, or a moment before the full step is done. Just don't leave the left hand touching your ball going into the step number 2. That could create you a problem.

Your ball should do a swing like a pendulum during the step number 2. don't ever force this. Let your ball's weight do the work.

“Back for three, and then slide.” After you finish the slide your left foot needs to be about 3 inches back from the foul line. Don't try too hard to make long strides, the fact is that short strides usually work best.

For every bowler, the number 3 step should have the ball in a total back swing. At this point if you have made any mistakes it is most likely too late to correct them, you are committed. Actually after you began the push away is the point where it is too late.

For step number 4 this is the slide step and your ball moves quite easily forward, due to the ball's weight doing the swing. Here again do not force the ball.

Be certain to lean forward when you do your slide, and keep you right foot far enough back to balance yourself, and also it can act as a brake to your slide when needed. As you finish your slide you should find the left foot at least 3 inches in back of the foul line.

Changing to four steps from three, you need to remember that your steps need to be like you are walking.

No need to force your strides into long ones; the fact is, that the strides that are short are more advantageous. You will discover, that a few bowling places have shorter approaches to work with, so the shorter strides help in these cases.

One other thing that is very important with your approach, no matter what number of steps you take, is the fact that you need to keep the right arm right next to your side. Your elbow should practically rub against your side.

Bowlers need to practice their approach, they will not go back to another after they do!

To Discover the Many Bowling Tips and Tricks to Make You an Expert Bowler

Visit: http://www.bowlingtips.org/

The sport is even more affordable when you own your own bowlingball. That means that a night of bowling will only cost you the lane rental. What cheaper way is there to have fun?

Plus, owning your own bowling ball makes the sport that much more exciting. Who likes to use a plain old alley ball? Your ball speaks with style. It shows off your character. You want it to stand out in the gang.

Forget the sporting good store when buying a ball. Sure, it’s always fun to hit the bowling ball section and handle a few shiny balls, but you’ll find much better deals on the Internet. You enjoy a buyer’s market of bowling merchandise on the web. You can always find the lowest deals, not to mention the greatest selection.

Buying a special someone their own ball is a great way to get them to understand your love of the sport. It’s a great way to share the enjoyment of the sport, and perfect for getting the whole family involved.

Bowling is truly a family sport because everyone can get involved. Little children can enjoy the sport of bowling with special bumpers. Families can compete and have fun. Bowling has something for everyone to enjoy, the die hards as well as young children who just want in on the action.

Make bowling your sport. It’s great to relax and enjoy a game with friendly competition. Really, the ideal competitor is yourself as you strive to beat your top rank.

Other activities will be available such as coaching clinics, bowling parties, etc.  during National Bowling Week,  August 29, 2009 through September 5, 2009.

Go out and have fun!!!

Team bowling shirts come in all colors, styles, and sizes.  They range from the t-shirt with every picture and comment imaginable to the traditional looking bowling shirts which were very popular in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

Whether you choose a shirt like Charlie from Two and Half Men or The Sopranos, or the simplier t-shirt, you'll be right in style.

The retro bowling shirts from earlier days are all the rage.  Two shades of the same color, contrasting colors, solid colors, etc. with button down front and collar are very popular.

T-shirts can give your team a zippy image with all the fun they represent.

So get yourself a bowling shirt and have fun!

There are leagues for beginners including people who have never bowled before as well as leagues for experienced bowlers.  Some of the many leagues are for seniors, juniors, men, women, men and women mixed, scratch, etc.  There are leagues that bowl during the day as well as evening and even some late night leagues.

The bowling alley has balls and shoes for rent and some have pro shops where balls and shoes can be purchased if desired.

Just give the bowling alley a call or stop by.  They have leagues who are looking for individual bowlers as well as teams.

Happy bowling!!

Ever since Bowlersparadise made waves by becoming one of the first online bowling shops in 1999, sites on the web have been clambering all over themselves to get their piece of the digital pie. This means huge discounts for bowlers looking for cheap bowling balls. Forget the sporting goods shop. It’s a thing of the past, little more than a museum, a good chance to look and handle the merchandise. Let’s face it, you’ll find the same quality bowling balls online for much cheaper, usually for half as less than the store.

Bowlersparadise isn’t the only online shop lobbing values like strikes down the lane. There are plenty of others, some with even greater rebates. Online shops can afford to offer their equipment at close to wholesale prices. In fact, you can usually spend the same for a ball as the sporting goods pay from the wholesaler. Skip the middleman. Get your cheap bowling balls online from the source, and reap huge savings.

In fact, you’ll find a wider selection through the Internet, especially those one-of-a-kind bowling balls that light up the lane with absolute glamour. Shining like diamonds, like magical orbs of light, these bowling balls almost seem to come from another planet. Bowling balls are all about fashion. Find that sleek, magical ball of your dreams. Make people remember you when you’ve bowled that perfect game.

Choose your own ball from the brand or model of your dreams. Customize it to fit your unique desires and bowling style. Nobody bowls like you, so design yourself a ball like no one else’s. Choose the weight that’s perfect for you; align the core to your ideal specifications. When you customize your own bowling ball, you’re building your own dream. Let it be as glamorous as a crystal ball; let it turn heads as it rolls and glows down the lane.

Choose the bowling ball you’ve always wanted. The choice is up to you. Your ideal ball is out there somewhere on the Internet. With discounts competing for your business, you’ll pay far less than you would in a sporting goods store. With these discounted alternatives, your bowling ball dream can be far more affordable. Be flashy like the pros without breaking your budget. Online shopping puts wholesale merchandise at your fingertips like that very next spare.

Fashion or function is always up for discussion. In bowling, you need it all. There are times you need toshow off the fashion and let everyone know who you are. Other times, you need equipment that functions and delivers the ball exactly where you need it, time and time again.

When it comes to a bowlingball, you need a little bit of both fashion and function. When you need to turn heads, clear bowling balls are the best. They’re mesmerizing as they glide and glow down the bowling alley, turning heads with their hypnotic magic. people will never forget it.

Of course, nobody will ever forget your score if you play the entire game with a clear bowling ball, either. In fact, they might even suggest you bowl with the lane bumpers they put up for the kids. Because clear bowling balls have no core, they can suffer in performance. Play the entire game with a clear bowlingball, and you’ll pretty much look like an idiot.

Form does suffer from the fashion of a clear bowling ball. Without a core, the ball’s tougher to handle, even if you’re an experienced bowler. It handles the lane a little unpredictably, which can cause your game to suffer if you use it for the entire night.

But the fashion is hard to resist. You can get a variety of things embedded in a clear ball. Imagine a rose, a skull and crossbones, a lucky die or even a favorite shot glass flashing deep in the center of your ball as you roll it down the lane.

A clear ball is best when played at the critical moment, when you’re picking up the spare to knock down the last pin that makes you a hero. That’s when you want the eyes of the crowd following your every motion. Set up the game with a typical ball; knock it down with a clear bowling ball. When you’re looking to make an impression, clear balls shine like diamonds, lighting up the lane with the sparkle of jewels.

Of course bowling would be rather simple if the only thing one needed to do to obtain strikes was to throw the ball.  Unfortunately there is no more chance of that than there is of coming across a naturally blue dog!  It is not far from true that each lane is unique.  Although it is not entirely true one often discovers that a pair of lanes do differ.

In bowling lingo some lanes you play run out of the window.  You discover that instead of having difficulty hooking the ball you end up with too much hook.  On the other hand you might encounter a lane that holds the ball.  Instead of being able to have much hook you end up having problems getting the ball to come up in the pocket.

When it comes to the way lanes may differ these are the ones that are most often encountered, however there will be ones that hook appropriately so that it is perfect for you.  Of course you need to bear in mind that a lane that is perfect for you might not necessarily be so for your teammates, so if they are not enjoying as much success as you are you should not give them a difficult time.

Depending on what type of lane that a bowler is bowling on he or she is able to govern their standard delivery in a way that is natural to them.  Therefore, no matter what lane you are bowling from the first ball you bowl should be delivered from your normal position.  You need only move once you have seen the way the ball moves, not before.  The most basic rule for moving is:

You should move slightly to the left, assuming you are a right-handed bowler but still use the same spot as before, however this move is made only if the ball is coming up too fast or is crossing over.

This would be necessary on lanes one would describe as too slow.

When spot bowling you need to take the spot down lane from which the ball breaks toward the pocket into account.  In most cases this occurs around two thirds of the distance down the lane and is definitely not as far to look as the number one pin.

You need to imagine a line drawn from where you take your stance all the way down the lane, depending on how much your ball breaks.  From the spot where the ball breaks, you then move to the foul line and release the ball so that it rolls over your spot.  Although some bowlers find that this spot is too far down the lane, others find it to be rather beneficial to their game.

When you are playing on so-called fast lanes it can be helpful to move a bit to the right of your usual spot.  This is necessary if your ball does not reach the number one, or head, pin.

You might find that the method used by more experienced bowlers is the one for you.

In this method you do not need to move to the left on a slow lane, instead you move the spot you have chosen a bit to the right and begin from the same place on your approach.

Also, if you are on a fast lane you move the spot a bit to the left and proceed as above.

If you find that there is too much hook you might find that moving the spot slightly to the right, instead of your position, is more suitable for you.

Remember not to make any big moves whether of your position or of your spot.  One board can have a significant effect.

If you bowl in unfavorable conditions often it will aid you in learning how the ball will perform.  You know you are a pro when releasing just one ball lets you know what the proper adjustment to make is.

Finally, in order to find the strike pocket you can change your ball’s speed.  If your ball does not reach the head pin slow the speed, or, alternatively, increase it if your ball keeps crossing the lane.

It is necessary to mention that this method is not in line with basic bowling rules which call for the bowler to master a smooth delivery and not to change it.

The more experience you have the more capable you will be of not only reading your lane but also of making the correct adjustments.

If you want to play better and amaze your fellow bowlers you will love the hints and bowling tips you will find at http://www.bowlingtips.org

The surface material of the ball is probably the most critical aspect to consider in purchasing a bowling ball.  This determines the friction on the lane as  the ball travels down the lane.  More friction gives more hook.

Following are the different types:

Polyurethane or plastic--Great for beginners.  Has the least friction.  Fairly inexpensive and easy to control.

Urethane--Gives better pin action than plastic and has more hook.

Reactive--Called this since the ball reacts to the lane surfact.  Good pin action and hook.

Particle--Designed for maximum friction and maximum reaction to the oil on the lanes.  Good for bowling with a high  speed ball.  This ball has minute particles added to the surface which has a grabbing effect on the lanes.

Whatever type of bowler you are, having the right ball is very important.

A large group of bowlers have chosen over the years to use a 4-step delivery, it gives them and nicely coordinated approach that allows them to have the correct rhythm to perfect their release.

A few bowlers use other approaches, but most bowlers love converting to a four-step approach after discovering it possibilities. Enroll in a class on bowling and you will hear the instructor say, “Out on 1, down on 2, back on 3 and then slide!”

You will discover this approach accomplishes the height of results with minimum effort.

Lets examine this step one of the four-step approach. You need to push away in this step and that is what is meant by: “Out on 1”. This will cover the push away.

You should know that during the push away your ball needs to be placed forward and a tad to the right so you have enough room to do your step number 2, and your swing that should be pendulum-like of your arm. If this is not done you will slam into your right leg on your step number 2.

During doing your step number 2, the left hand (for right-handers) should be removed from the ball. Sometimes this is immediate but it does vary. A lot of bowlers do this during the push away or just before the max is attained. The left hand should never be left on the ball during step number 2. You will invite trouble.

For the second step your ball does and pendulum-type swing. Don’t push it though. Make the weight of the ball do your work for you.

“Back on 3, and then slide.” When you finish your slide, you left foot is required to be at a distance of 3 inches behind the foul line. Don’t push yourself to make long-type strides the short ones will benefit you more.

With every bowlers, the third step should fine the ball in a complete back swing. This is where now that you cannot correct anything you have done wrong, you are fully invested at this point. Actually you are from the push away.

Your slide is your 4th step, in the slide your ball moves quite easily forward, and the weight helps the swing. Don’t force the ball the weight will do the work.

During this slide bend your body forward, and keep your right leg behind you mainly for balance, but it can also be a brake to halt your slide. When you have stopped sliding be about 3 inches behind the foul line.

With moving from the 3-step delivery method to the 4-step delivery method, remember your steps should be as if you are just walking.

Do not ever push your strides to be long ones, regular short strides are more useful here. Some lanes have limited approach areas for you to move in so stick to short strides.

It is important that you keep your right arm at your side, regardless of the number of steps you are utilizing in your approach. Your elbow really needs to be rubbing on your side.

Once the bowlers practices this approach they will never go back to another!

The leagues are only about 10 weeks long and it is a good opportunity to test out a new sport.

The atmosphere is more relaxed during the summer and you can check the alley and lanes out before fall league starts.  It's also a good time to practice for the upcoming leagues.

Give your local bowling alley a call and sign up!

She bowls twice a week at home and average 120.

She is impressive by anyone's standards.

Storm Products, Inc. Silver Level Coaching Staff Members

Brigham City, UT– Storm Products, Inc. manufacturer of high performance bowling equipment is pleased to announce the Silver Level Certification of several staff members.

Recently fourteen sales and staff members from Storm attended a 3-day conference to complete all the requirements for USBC Silver Level Coaching. This advanced level training taught our staff member such skills as:

· Building a bowling arsenal

· Advanced lane adjustment

· Video Analysis

· Matching ball surfaces to lane conditions

“Coaching is an integral part of Storm Products. We are proud to have all of our sales staff and many of our pro staff as certified USBC Silver Level Coaches.” said VP of Sales and Marketing Hank Boomershine.

Those successfully completing this training are:

Dave Symes                                                    Hank Boomershine

Roger Noordhoek                                           Tim Mack

Ernest Goedicke                                             Tyler Jensen

Peter Somoff                                                  Chris Sand

Victor Marion                                                 Jim Callahan

Wes Pye                                                          Lee Upp

Wes Malott                                                     Ralph Solan

About Storm Products Inc.

Storm Products Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high performance bowling equipment, featuring the Storm and Roto Grip brand names. For more information please visit stormbowling.com

2009 Storm USBC Silver Level Coaches
Bowling Ball Video Reviews and Tips
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The proper bowling shoes are absolutely necessary to becoming a consistently great thrower. The “proper shoes” means not only shoes that fit well – as well as any other athletic shoe – but also shoes that are suited to the lanes that are being played. Finding the right balance of slip and grip is what will make timing the release of the ball so much easier, as the slip and grip features of the shoe consistently grip the lane in the same way. Many bowlers love Dexter bowling shoes because that company produces a wide variety of shoes that are suited to different styles of footwork and -- to some extent – unique flooring conditions in individual lanes.

As far as bowling ball go, ball selection requires consideration of a number of factors. Most in the know consider Hammer bowling balls to offer the most options to suit any bowling style. First, a ball should be beautiful and representative of their owners’ personalities. Second, they should be the correct weight for the bowler using them – heavier for those wanting more force and who have the strength to throw them, and lighter for those who aren’t as strong, who want maximum control of the ball. Third, the exterior of the ball should be specific to the flooring of the lane. Finding the right balance of friction and slickness is important, since friction helps with accuracy but hurts spin and velocity. Finally, and perhaps most important, is the shape and density of the core. A denser core will result in greater spin, while a less dense core will result in a more balanced rotation. Cores can be shaped to be heavier on the top or on one side to provide that little extra weight that will get the ball really spinning.

Optimal bowling shoes and bowling balls transform good bowlers into great ones Dexter bowling shoes and Hammer bowling balls and accessories provide the most options to bowlers of all skill levels and styles that are usable on any lane.

If you throw on the outside area, the ball hooks toward the pocket.  If you throw toward  the center of the lane, the oil keeps the ball headed toward the pocket.

Occasionally the opposite happens where the oil is more on the outside so an adjustment would be necessary.

Sometimes the entire width of the lane will be oily,  an adjustment would need to be made for this.

Aim for the arrows instead of the pins for better accuracy.  The arrows are located a ways out on the lane.  Rolling the ball over the arrows will take some foot adjustment at each arrow.  The adjustment should be to the right for the futherest arrow to the right.  Move slightly to the left for the next arrow going left toward the center and left again slightly for the next arrow to the left and etc.  There are also dots at the approach which may be used the same way as the arrows.

There are team events as well as singles and doubles.  This tournament brings in  approximately $40 million for the town of Reno.

There are differences in bowling balls that are not always obvious.

The surface  roughness of a ball determines whether it will hook in the oil and also how much direction change there is.  Some balls have a cover that has surface spikes that are far apart which creates a lot of ball motion.  Plastic balls which have less ball motion have surface spikes that are much closer together.

  Effective in April, 2009, manufacturers of bowling balls will be required to use certain specifications for the surace of bowling balls they produce.

  The ball is swung with both hands on one side of the body.  Only the fingers or fingers and thumb of one hand are inserted in the ball and the ball is supported with the other hand.

At the release time, the top hand comes away and the follow through is with the gripping hand.  More hook and power is generated this way.  Is USBC okay with this method for league play and tournaments?

Bowling alleys were checked in California, South Carolina, Maryland, and Texas.  Some regular items available at most establishments were pizza, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos, fries, nachos, chicken, etc.

There was also food typical of the local area such as Cuban Rueben in Miami and pulled pork sandwiches in Atlanta.

Also found on some menus was calimari, sushi, and lobster kebabs. Some of the newer alleys feature dejays, dance floors, plasma tvs as well as billiards and video games.

There are also all kinds of drinks available including beer, wine, mixed drinks, soda, and coffee.

This is certainly different than Laverne and Shirley and Al Bundy experienced. From a personal view, eating at the establishment while bowling is very relaxing.

This is the Brunswick Flame Viz-A-Ball which is a very hot bowling ball that will get you noticed. The ball is covered in flames and has been finished in a high gloss polish.

Brunswick Flame Viz-A-Ball
Bowling Ball Video Reviews and Tips

The new Magic from Ebonite is out in early February 2009. Good for medium to heavy oil conditions this is the latest ball in their platinum performance series.

Magic from Ebonite, a high performance ball featuring the new Magic Symmetric Mass Bias core and FLEXOL REACTIVE coverstock. This powerful combination performs long and strong down the lane with a skid/flip ball reaction. Without a doubt, the Ebonite Magic will provide the winning formula for bowlers looking for reliable length and backend.

When you bowl to win, you know what works. Introducing the Magic, the latest high performance ball
from Ebonite. Great length. Strong backend. Game after game. Your own magic formula for winning.

Ebonite Magic Video Ball Review
Bowling Ball Video Reviews and Tips
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If you are a great bowler then you might want to stand out in the bowling alley and you can do just that with this Brunswick white Viz-A-Ball. The coverstock is made of polyester and the ball is finished with a high gloss polish.

Brunswick White Viz-A-Ball New
Bowling Ball Video Reviews and Tips

The person on the right is allowed to go first if two bowlers approach the line at the same time.

It is not permissable to jeer or make comments while a person is bowling.

Bowlers are expected to remain in the settee area while someone else is bowling.

There are some other rules pertaining to league bowling of which the following are a few:

The members of the team must join the American Bowling Congress.

Each team member pays a predetermined fee each week, which pays for bowling and a small secretarial fee.

The secretary computes all of the statistics and team standings.

Each team pays a sponsor fee at the beginning of the year.

The bowling year consists of a predetermined number of weeks.

Substitutes are allowed as long as they follow the same rules as the general team members.

Each league will have league officers elected by other team members. These officers handle any disputes, business, etc.

A basic wrist guard has a piece of metal on the back while the more elaborate wrist guard has some adjustment and can also cover an entire finger. Be sure that the fit is right whichever wrist guard you select.

The follow through on the release of the ball is very important. Release the ball with the “thumb the nose” action. This eliminates crossing over the body as the ball comes off the hand.

Bowling gloves are meant to provide greater grip, just like most athletic gloves. Bowling gloves are also sold to bowling enthusiasts as the casual player don't really need gloves to play.

Gloves are there to provide a better grip to the ball since most times, sweaty hands can cause a ball to slip. They are made of various materials including leather and synthetics.

There are also bowling gloves available that have magnets sewn into them, since magnets are known to improve circulation, relieve pain and swelling, speed up the healing process and increase range of motion.

Bowling wrist supports and bowling gloves can not only help your game, but in cases of an injury, they can really help healing and prevent further damage to muscles and joints.

Bowling roundup: Carle Place boys top Oyster Bay, 2-1 Newsday, NY - 6 hours ago Freshman Jason Tavares rolled a 241 in Game 1 of a 606 series to lead Carle Place to a 737-484, 691-562, 630-634 win over Oyster Bay yesterday. ...

Bowling roundup: Carle Place boys top Oyster Bay, 2-1 - Newsday

The Gravity Shift offers the strongest ball reaction in the Shift series to date.

Pin to PAP(5 1/8" over 1/8" up) - 5 5/8"

Mass Bias Position - 3" right of thumb
CG Placement - center of grip
Balance Hole - none

Surface Preparation - Box Finish (1500 grit polished)

What I Was Looking For In This Ball Layout:
This layout was intended to give me much needed skid through the heads and mid lane with a very angular motion on the back part of the lane. I have used this layout before on Storm Dual Density cores and it tends to roll very strong for me. The Cover/Core combo on the Gravity Shift looked perfect to try this layout again.

What I Ended Up With in the Ball and Layout:
Exactly what I wanted. I do not know that this is really the best ball for me int he first game when the shot is fresh, but when they start to break down and I need to get in and know I can clear the heads smoothly and have the ball make a left from wherever I want this is it.

The ball motion is awesome, the first few times I threw it I was worried. Because of the darker coloring of this pearl cover, the ball looked like it was skating down the lane never to return from the right side. After I got more comfortable with this motion I knew it would come back from any part of the lane I wanted.

The last two weeks I have not thrown this ball until the start of the second game but from there on out I used nothing but the Gravity Shift. It compliments the Attitude Shift better then anything else I have thrown since I drilled my Attitude.

If you are looking for something for medium/medium-heavy oil lanes or something to get through the front and middle part of the lane and have
plenty of energy left for the backend the Storm Gravity Shift should be in your bag.

Bowling is a very interesting sport. It does not require that you be a professional to be able to play this game. However, there are etiquette that should be considered when playing bowling so that bowlers will learn how to properly play the game and enjoy it at the same time.

Here are a few bowling tips that need to be observed all times:

1.The bowler should aware of who bowls first on the lanes. The general rule is that whoever is up first is the first bowler who should play but the players can negotiate on who well bowl first.

2.The bowler should always be ready to bowl. Be prepared to take your turn - no unnecessary delays - the player will need to throw down the ball to the lanes and hit the pins just as soon as he is comfortable.

3.It is important to show respect to other bowlers whether they are your teammates, opponents or even those who are playing in the lanes on either side of you. They should demonstrate sportsmanship at all times and they need to be considerate of the other players.

4.The bowlers should also learn to observe the rules and guidelines set of the game and the bowling alley. Rules are there to keep bowlers safe and create healthy relationship with other bowlers. It is important that these rules be observed at all times.

5.One guideline that should be observed is choosing and using the same ball throughout the game. This is one way of showing respect to other bowlers. It is not appropriate to pick a ball that is already being used by another bowler.

6.Bowlers should allow a healthy competition among players by learning to compete with other players in a friendly way. They should cooperate with teammates by not wasting time during the game and participating eagerly in the game.

7.Cleanliness and neatness is extremely important. Know where to throw the used drinking bottles or other food waste they accumulate. It is not proper to scatter all the leftovers in the lanes - use the trash receptacle. Towels should always be placed in/on their bags if not in use as a courtesy gesture to other players.

These tips are very helpful in observing etiquette in every bowling alley. Bowling should be a venue for enjoyment and fun and observing these tips will allow every bowler to enjoy every game in every bowling alley.

Dark and aggressive, extra bite with a great backend, this is the Black Widow Bite Bowling Ball.

Black Widow Bite Bowling Ball

Increased hitting power and back-end hooking action thanks to reactive coverstocks responding more aggressively to dry lane surfaces.

Brunswick Power Groove Reactive Black and Purple Bowling Ball

Girls' bowling roundup: East Islip sweeps West Islip Newsday, NY - 17 hours ago Plainview JFK 2, Farmingdale 1: Rachel Cooper bowled 221 in Game 3 of a 534 series for Plainview JFK in a 589-618, 579-575, 696-658 win.

Girls' bowling roundup: East Islip sweeps West Islip - Newsday

National bowling group sues NY chapter Houston Chronicle, United States - Dec 3, 2008 2008 AP SYRACUSE, NY — The US Bowling Congress says it has filed a six-count complaint in federal court against its former New York chapter to protect the ...

National bowling group sues NY chapter - Houston Chronicle

I bought a new ball at the beginning of fall season, 2008, and the pro at the shop where I had it drilled put just the smallest of adjustments into the drilling of that part of the hole, and I am actually able to release the ball with somewhat better accuracy.

Now this didn’t turn me into a great bowler overnight but my average seems to be improving and I am attributing it to the adjustment in the drilling of this hole. Now maybe the other members of my team in league bowling won’t throw me off the team.

Now if I can just figure out something for the other aches and pains, maybe I will be a “not too bad” bowler.

Embezzlement scandal throws NY bowlers into gutter Newsday, NY - 1 hour ago The association that represents the nation's bowlers kicked out the New York chapter and its 85000 bowlers over an embezzlement scandal. ...

Embezzlement scandal throws NY bowlers into gutter - Newsday

Wii bowling keeps Fillmore residents active Bennington Banner, VT - 16 hours ago Two teams play every Wednesday afternoon, but bowlers were only practicing the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Members of the Golden Girls said they don't ...

Wii bowling keeps Fillmore residents active - Bennington Banner

Telecasts Schedules Updated for 2008-2009 PBA Season

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Bowling for bookies New York Daily News, NY - 3 hours ago If you had any doubt about the foolishness of the BCS standings, then you should have been convinced on Saturday night during Oklahoma’s 65-21 pounding of ... Bowling After Rivalry Week and an NU Win Wildcat Sports Journal Texas Tech, Oklahoma ready for showdown Rocky Mountain News Texas Tech demise Sooner than later Boston Herald all 1,398 news articles

Bowling for bookies - New York Daily News

Karns City finds bowling right up its alley Leader Times, PA - 3 hours ago By Dan Stefano Three years after first coming into existence, the Karns City bowling club competed in its first match yesterday. ...

Karns City finds bowling right up its alley - Leader Times

Mind Training for Tenpin Bowling - Take your bowling performances and results to the next level with Mental Training - essential info plus a powerful hypnosis / visualization recording, and bonus FREE 12 minute relaxation.

Dramatically Improve Your Bowling Results with Mental Training & Visualization!

• Do you bowl better in practice than competition?
• Are you bowling to your full potential?
• Or are you looking to move to the next level?

Mental training, when added to your regular practice, is proven to ensure you will get the 'edge' on most of your bowling competitors.

Visualization is one of the most powerful mental training techniques available, as it programs your powerful subconscious for success - which is the control center of your bowling, and all bodily movement.

It is the inner computer that stores your years of bowling experience in your memory bank.

Visualization involves relaxing your mind and then vividly imagining bowling at the peak of your ability on the big day.

Mind Training for Tenpin Bowling - Take your bowling performances and results to the next level with Mental Training - essential info plus a powerful hypnosis / visualization recording, and bonus FREE 12 minute relaxation.

Bowling tournament, 5K run boost CFC awareness Kings Bay Periscope, GA - 5 hours ago By Amy Tortoriello , Periscope Staff Running shoes and bowling balls were the theme of the day Oct. 29, as there were two different Combined Federal ...

Bowling tournament, 5K run boost CFC awareness - Kings Bay Periscope

A true bowling shirt is a box cut, short sleeved, with a button up front, pocket, and small collar. Most bowling shirts are very colorful, with panels of different colors, such as black and red. They also have piping along the shoulders.

They are usually made of a cotton/polyester blend. Charlie on the Two and Half Men TV show is fond of wearing bowling shirts for every occasion. Bowling is enjoyed by about 100 million people over several continents.

There are also team shirts which league bowlers favor as they can be customized with the team name, etc. Often referred to as "retro bowling shirts", older bowling shirts from the 40s, 50s, and 60s are very sought after by collectors.

There are many different leagues available such as senior, kids, men, women, mixed, scratch, etc.  There are also leagues such as Reno league, which ends with a trip to Reno and also leagues where each team member receives a ball at the end.  These are only a few of the ones available at different bowling establishments.

The leagues are all governed by rules from USBC such as how handicap is figured, length of league, etc. Each league can have some of their own rules as long as they comply with USBC.

On a set night, the teams bowl against each other.  The leagues are approximately 8 months long and end with a playoff for 1st place. etc.  There are also summer leagues, which are for a shorter time frame.

Each league has officers such as President, Vice President, and Secretary.  The Secretary takes in the money from the bowlers and keep records of all the scores for each evening.

Most leagues start play in early September but there are usually openings during the season as sometimes bowlers leave and some teams do not have a full team.  The number of team members is decided ahead of time by the league such as 3, 4, or 5 members.

It is a good idea to call the local bowling alley and they will know if there are openings on any of the teams.  The friends made from these leagues are great and a good time is had by all. League bowling is just waiting for you to join and have a great time!

Bowling League Trophies and Awards!

Bowling Pin Handpainted Pin $7.95 Bowling Shoe Engravable Plaque $34.95 I Love Bowling Lapel Pin $3.95

Some modifications work well; some do not. The downswing is more stringent in keeping with fundamental technique; a complicated process, it affords little deviation.

Consider: In the downswing, your arms, shoulders, legs and hips all move at the same time, with varying speed and directions in order to set the ball down on a specific board on the lane. Is it any wonder many beginners frequently roll gutter balls?

The key to a successful downswing is found primarily in the transition point between the end of the backswing and the beginning of the downswing. Concentrate on letting the weight of the ball initiate the downswing. If this is done, it affords the best opportunity for the arms, hips and legs to coordinate so as to provide an ideal swing speed, leverage and the correct swing direction. If all the parts move in correct sequence, you will be more consistent.

The downswing movement starts from the ideal position at the top of the backswing. Your best preparation is to create a strong coil with the upper body so there is tension between it and your lower body. This tension allows the weight of the ball to easily drop into the ideal swing on the way down.

Having made a strong coil, you then check out the position of the ball at the top of the swing. The ideal backswing height is determined by the number of steps taken, the spacing of those steps and personal physiology. With these factors in mind, experiment to determine which backswing height best suits your swing, then achieve that height shot after shot. If you fi nd this is a problem, then choose a more appropriate height for your game. Consistency with the height of the backswing is a must.

Another factor to address at the top of the backswing is the ball’s side-to-side location. Ideally, the ball should be behind the elbow of the bowling arm, perhaps even tucked a “dab” behind the body. Also, at this point, the bowling arm is tucked in close to the body. That’s what helps keep your swing on plane. Otherwise, your arm will tend to work away from your body, which often causes your swing to come inside in the delivery, while also causing your hand to “top” the ball.

The challenging part of the initial downward movement is getting the proper sequence of motion between the arms and body. Aside from an ideal swing plane, this leads to good swing leverage. I believe this is made easier if you pause an instant at the top of the backswing to give yourself time to instinctively assemble the many movements that follow. This process should be deliberate and uncontrolled without conscious effort (which takes practice, practice, practice).

Ever notice how your best shots often feel they were made with little effort, while your more aggressive efforts went awry? The problem doesn’t necessarily stem from adding force; it’s a question of where the force was applied. If it is applied at the beginning of the downswing, you’ll likely lack leverage in the delivery. The key to good leverage is to let the swing’s speed build slowly until the point of release, at which time you pour on the power.

Finally, what works for some doesn’t work for all. There are many theories on how the downswing starts. Nelson Burton Jr. often likened it to the “moment of truth” where the second-tolast step shifts into the sliding step. Paul Krumske suggested that everything (arms, legs, hips, feet) start down together. And the great Earl Anthony was very meticulous about having his second-tolast step planted at the exact time the backswing reachedits ultimate and ideal height.

WHILE CLINTON AND OBAMA ARE STILL BUSY TRYING TO GET THE UPPER HAND in their primary campaigns, we here at the Bowlers Journal have the final results of our own meaningful voting that you’re sure to be more interested in.

These results are from our bowling ball ballots to determine the sport’s best products for 2007. We know you can’t stand the suspense, so without any further preamble, the top vote-getter for the coveted Ball of the Year award is the Storm T Road solid.

The T Road was chosen for its user and lane versatility, overall hitting and carry power and its longevity. The T Road encapsulates a medium-high RG symmetric core (2.57) and a Diff (.046) which produces about 5” of track flare potential. Surrounding this core is Storm’s highly successful R2S coverstock.

Runner-up to this year’s choice was the Hammer Black Widow pearl, sister of last year’s winner, the Black Widow solid. Obviously, that lineage helped.

Other winners include the Hammer Cherry Vibe, which was voted Best Value. The Ebonite Gamebreaker was chosen as Most Underrated, while the Ebonite NVS was voted Most Overrated. The Most Attractive choice was Lane Masters’ World Class Particle Pearl.

In the other areas of voting, Storm’s Shift emerged as the head of the class in the pearl particle category. The Quest, produced by Roto Grip, was the voters’ pick for top solid particle. Top choice in the pearl reactive category was the above-mentioned Black Widow pearl, which emerged as a narrow pick over the Brunswick Twisted Fury. The top solid reactive was the Ball of the Year winner, T Road from Storm. Runners-up in this crowded category were the Morich LevRG and the Brunswick Fury.

This month’s latest and greatest ball releases are sure to be in the running for honors in the 2008 voting in their respective categories. Our feature ball, the 900 Global Break pearl, is the first orb to garner a 17 Breakpoint Shape, the highest rating in my two-plus years of testing.

The 17 rating signifies an extremely strong and angular move at the breakpoint. Naturally, this aggressive move is dependent upon the bowler’s release, lane condition and layout choice. The Lane #1 BuzzBomb sets a new standard in total hook as it earned a 58.5 rating.

This ball will give bowlers a strong midlane move with a hard continuous arc in the final 20 feet. Next up is the Counter Strike from Lane Masters. This particle pearl entry is all about control and exceptional pin carry. Last up is the Brunswick Ultra Zone. The Ultra uses a strong Hybrid cover, which surrounds an asymmetric power plant. The Ultra Zone can be the centerpiece of many a ball arsenal.

The setting of these firsts at this time is appropriate, considering we just heard from several readers who were asking for a “key” so they could better understand all the numbers, new and old. We have printed that “legend” in conjunction with our annual Ball Guide, but we hereby comply with that request as part of our regular column, when space permits, to better allow a handy reference point for all the “real world” and other numbers that accompany each month’s reviewed balls. Enjoy.

900 GLOBAL: BREAK PEARL 48 Hook 15.5 Length 17 Breakpoint Shape
	Core Design: The BP (Break Pearl) utilizes the exact same asymmetric core found in the original Break. The RG is moderately low at 2.48, the Diff a hefty .055, and the intermediate mass bias is strong at .024. Testing displayed an average of 5-plus inches of track flare, with the majority occurring downlane. This asymmetric core can definitely create the breakpoint shape you’re looking for. Ask your pro shop professional for help with layout and weight hole location. Dual angle drillings work very well with this core design.
	Coverstock: The BP’s S-70 pearlized cover will surely attract everyone’s attention. Coloring is a wild combo of auburn (orangecopper) and silver pearl, a striking mixture. The finishing process includes an initial sanding with 600 grit followed by a high gloss polishing. This S-70 coverstock will handle most light to medium-heavy oil volumes with ease. We preferred the box finish for a strong back-end move. Abralon surfaces at 1000, 2000 or 4000 muted the angularity noticeably. Response time off friction is quick with box finish.
Manufacturer’s Intent: 900 Global has introduced a fine line-up of products since its inception less than a year ago. Its newest entry is designed to be later and stronger than the original solid reactive Break (black). Is a light load particle sure to follow?
Test Results: Making a skid flip pearl is not extremely difficult, in theory. You just need a coverstock which “hates” oil and “loves” dry. Sounds simple enough, but the tricky part is producing an effective and versatile skid-flip reaction which plays well for varying release types and on a wide spectrum of lane conditions. The BP is one such ball. We had exceptional results on five of our six test patterns with both area and release forgiveness. Pin carry is also an important criterion, and the BP passed with flying colors. The BP was not overly sensitive in the oil, which can cause unpredictability or squirtiness. When encountering friction, the BP gave us a quick and strong response with an admirable continuation through the pin deck. Two of the more surprising attributes of the BP were its ability to read oil transition and handle carry-down. I believe this is a result of the sum of its complete design: cover strength, core design and surface finish.
When to Use: The BP was a striking machine on fresh house or PBA patterns (Viper, Chameleon and Scorpion are the three we bowled on). The BP was also very effective after midlane breakdown. We were able to move inside the pattern and see ample recovery even after relatively heavy carrydown was present. This is not always the case with a pearlized reactive. Our favorite layouts positioned the pin 4.5” to 5.5” from our PAP, either above or below the fingers. Mass bias placement will have an effect on length as well as on breakpoint shape, so see a qualified IBPSIA-certified ball-driller to insure satisfaction.

LANE #1: BUZZBOMB 58.5 Hook 11 Length 15 Breakpoint Shape
	Core Design: The powerhouse inside this hook monster is an all new double-sided Doomsday Bomb-2 symmetric core. The RG is medium at 2.50 and the Diff strong at .054. Testing showed up to 6-plus inches of track flare with our 4” pin and CG drilling with a 1” weight hole below our PAP.
	Coverstock: You want hook? We got hook. Traction abounds with a factory 1000-grit dull surface. The BuzzBomb’s Pure Grip solid reactive cover is an attractive blend of black and purple with neon yellow lettering. Response time off friction is quick with factory finish or polish applied.
Manufacturer’s Intent: Lane #1 President Richie Sposato had this to say: “We tried to come up with a ball that out-hooks all others because that’s what sells the best. I didn’t want a ball that hooked at your feet and just curved to the pocket. I was looking to make a ball for oil that rolled early and heavy in the midlane, and hooked strong and continuous on the backend.” Richie is confident that’s what this ball does. He also confirmed the fact that balls with thinner shell thickness do not become oil saturated more quickly. He stated that the outer core wrap aids in wicking away oil from the coverstock, thereby keeping the shell less saturated.
Test Results: The Buzzbomb has set a new total hook threshold for all others to achieve. The 58.5 total hook was compiled as an average hook rating over six different test patterns, and is reflective of the BuzzBomb with box finish. Sanding the surface with 360 and 500 grits added an additional 3-5 boards of hook. With a polished finish, the BuzzBomb’s Real World numbers would be 54.5 hook, 14.5 length and 15.5 breakpoint shape. Performance was exceptional on all medium to heavy volumes. Longer test patterns, such as the PBA Shark (44’), offered little resistance for the BuzzBomb. Pin carry was above average, and the blurring “rev visual” was vintage Lane #1. This rev look was present for even our lower and medium rev rate testers.
When to Use: The BuzzBomb needs oil in the fronts and midlane to perform appropriately due to the cover and core strength. The core/cover combo gave us a strong arcing motion from all angles on the lane. We saw no skid/flip on any of our patterns. Bowlers with higher rev rates or slower speeds may need to smooth the surface or apply polish to lessen friction in the oil and add length. This ball should match up very well at the USBC Open, as this pattern will play much slicker than most typically see in league play.

LANE MASTERS: COUNTER STRIKE 53 Hook 14 Length 14.5 Breakpoint Shape
	Core Design: The Counter Strike utilizes the same core as the Sure Strike blue pearl. This tall symmetric core boasts an RG of 2.58 and a Diff of .040. The core shape and higher RG help create added length and enliven the downlane move. The differences in motion between the Sure Strike and this entry are quite apparent, though, because of the coverstocks. The Sure Strike is all about an aggressive backend, while the Counter Strike is all about usability and control.
	Coverstock: The Counter Strike’s coloring blend of olive green and white pearl is unique, to say the least. Some will love it and some will hate it, but don’t judge this book by its cover. Judge it by its performance. The base resin is 1000-sanded with a sheen finish applied. The cover has a light amount of particle added, which eliminates over-skid in oil and over-reaction off dry. Response time is moderate off friction.
Manufacturer’s Intent: Lane Masters has produced some fine products, and also offers four distinct pricing categories from which to choose. The Counter Strike is the second entry in the Plus-Performance category. This is its third tier pricing group, following the more expensive Max-Performance and High-Performance categories. Regardless of pricing category, all Lane Masters products perform like premium grade products.
Test Results: Even though the Counter Strike and the earlier reviewed Sure Strike share the same core, the reaction differences are diametrically opposed. The Sure Strike was awarded a 50 hook, 15 length and 16.5 breakpoint shape in real world numbers. It is an excellent aggressive skid-flip ball. Comparatively, the new Counter Strike hooks a few boards more, about a foot or longer sooner, and makes a slower and smoother move off friction. This slower response off friction should not be looked upon as a negative. It simply rolls more evenly, yet still delivers lots of power and carry. Bowlers looking for a urethane-like roll — but with more hook and carry-power — should seriously consider the Counter Strike.
When to Use: The Counter Strike displayed a wider range of use than one would expect from a particle coverstock. The higher RG (2.58) provides later revs and adds some length. The .040 Diff regulates the flare down to 4” or less, thus conserving energy. The 1000-sheen finish also complements the core specs by providing ease through the front 25’ and supplying just enough midlane traction. Bowlers trying to close their angles and go more direct toward their breakpoint should use longer pin distance layouts such as 5” or so. This lessens the track flare even more and also reduces the total hook a few boards. The Counter Strike displayed impressive breakpoint continuation, and pin carry was most impressive. This ball is a sleeper, and those fortunate enough to throw one will know what I mean.

BRUNSWICK: ULTRA ZONE 50 Hook 13.5 Length 15 Breakpoint Shape
	Core Design: The Ultra Zone core is an ultra-low RG (2.45) asymmetric design. The Diff is rated at .048 with a mass bias of .020. Testing showed an average 5” of track flare. This core revs very easily and can be layout-adjusted to create many different reaction looks.
	Coverstock: Blue solid, black solid and silver pearl comprise the Hybrid EnMotion reactive cover of this new Zone. The surface is finished with Brunswick’s rough buff medium gloss polish. Response time off friction is moderately quick. Overall cover strength is designed for medium to heavier volumes.
Manufacturer’s Intent: Brunswick wanted to produce a reaction fit between the Twisted Fury and Blast Zone. The Ultra reacts earlier, hooks more and reads friction slightly slower when compared to the Twisted Fury. Compared to a Blast Zone, the Ultra hooks less, has slightly more length and is slightly more angular during the breakpoint phase.
Test Results: The Ultra Zone has many faces depending on layout and surface choice. The 6” pin above the fingers gave us effortless length, with a smooth move off the friction and great carry. This layout also had a 5.5” mass bias distance and no weight hole. With this layout, the stronger your release, the longer you’ll be able to stay with it as the lanes go through transition. Lower rev rates usually have to put 6” pin distances away once carrydown rears its ugly head. The 3.5 and 4.5” pins reacted much more aggressively off the friction and hooked on average 4-5 boards more. They also recover with more angularity as lanes go through transitional phases of midlane oil depletion and oil carrydown.
When to Use: The cover strength and versatile asymmetric core design will afford many options for all styles of bowlers. This core/cover combo will work on all but the driest or oiliest of conditions. That leaves lots of usability. The real world ratings of 50 hook, 13.5 length and 15 breakpoint shape reinforce the versatility of this product. The Ultra also performed very well on our wet/dry oil patterns as it blended the over/under associated with this pattern, and this was with all three layouts (3.5, 4.5 and 6” pins). As stated above, the longer pin and mass bias distances will create added length and reduce total hook a bit. Bowlers attempting to open up the lane can lay this Zone out with strong pin distances (3.5 to 4.5”) and complement the breakpoint shape with an appropriate mass bias distance and weight hole location. Visit a qualified (IPBSIA certified) pro shop to help insure everything is done properly.

MARCH TEST PARAMETERS:

My guest tester this month was Steve Grabowski of Milwaukee. Steve is an accomplished area bowler with dozens of 300 games and a few 800 series. Steve has a 390 rev rate, 34 degree axis rotation, 12 degree axis tilt and average ball speed of 17 mph. Steve’s axis coordinates are 4 5/8 by 1/2 up. We began testing this month on our wood surface at Classic Lanes in Oak Creek, Wis. We initially bowled on the house pattern, which is a 7-to-1 ratio oiled to 41’. Classic Lanes was our choice for the videotaping segment. Next, we bowled on three PBA patterns: the Chameleon, the Viper and the Shark. From there, we went to Olympic Lanes in Milwaukee, where we bowled on their house pattern and the PBA Chameleon, both oiled to 39’. The surface is Brunswick Anvilane, an older synthetic surface.

LEGEND:

• Hook: 38-45 for light-to-medium oil; 45-50 for med.-to-med./hvy. oil; 50-56 for heavier oil/longer patterns
• Length: 7-11, earlier roll; 11-14, medium length; 14-17, extra length, later roll
• Breakpoint Shape: 10-13 = smooth and arcing; 13-15 = strong arcing; 15-17 = strong arc and/or flip

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

Why are all synthetic approaches so sticky, and what can be done to get some kind of slide on these approaches?

— Stanley Bridgestone, Austin, Texas
Actually, all synthetic approaches are not sticky. The cause of sticky synthetic approaches is high humidity in the bowling center. In centers with very low humidity — those in Las Vegas come to mind — the older-style synthetic approaches can be very slick.

The reason for the stickiness problem is that old-style synthetic approaches have a relatively small humidity range in which the slide is acceptable. The perfect humidity for old-style synthetic approaches is around 45%, with an acceptable slide generated when the humidity is between 38% and 53%.

Wood approaches offer an acceptable slide from around 28% to 60%. In centers with old-style synthetic approaches, the only solution to the problem is to totally control the humidity throughout the building, which is not easy to do in an older bowling center.

Note: I mention “old-style” synthetic approaches because, in recent years, many of the bowling equipment manufacturers have changed their approaches to a textured surface, which gives them a slide characteristic that is more similar to wood approaches. Older synthetic centers can upgrade to this surface.)

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BALL

With all the different bowling balls out there, how does a bowler make the correct selection for his/her game?
— Bobby Plaxton, St. George, Utah
The real question involves selecting the best pro shop operator for your game. Even pro bowlers rely on ball reps to select the proper ball and layout for the bowling condition and the type of game that they employ.

Therefore, I highly recommend that you select a pro shop operator who is familiar with your game and with the centers where you do most of your bowling in. Once you’ve selected a shop operator to do business with, you can rely on his/her expertise in selecting the proper balls and layouts to maximize your potential.

GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START

Where should you hold your ball prior to beginning the pushaway? I have heard many different ideas from many coaches, and really can’t decide what is best.
— Nancy Fellows, New Brunswick, N.J.
While there is no right or wrong here, I prefer a position whereby the ball can be set straight out in front of the middle of the body and then pushed to the right (for a right-handed bowler) so as to be in line with the right shoulder. The reason I employ this type of positioning is to start the ball in line with the intended swing plane, so you do not have to swing the ball around the hips.

As for the height, I will adjust the position based on whether I want to use more speed or less speed with the shot. I hold the ball higher above my waist if I want to throw the ball faster, and lower if I want to throw it slower.

VISUALIZING THE SHOT

How do you target on the lane? Many of my friends say that you should look close to the foul line in order to get the ball down early and read the conditioner pattern.
— Victor Amenta, Gardena, Calif.
I’ve always been a believer in, with the eye’s mind, drawing an imaginary line from the release point to the arrows to the hook point of the ball and finally into the pocket.

You should begin your shot by drawing this imaginary line in your head, and then starting your approach with the vision of the correct shot going down the lane. As for where to target, I have seen bowlers target from the foul line (Glenn “Mr. 900″ Allison is a good example of a bowler who uses that technique) to the arrows, and even some who have lofted the ball past the arrows (remember Robert Smith when he won the PBA’s CLR Classic in Vernon Hills, Ill.?).

One of the greatest bowlers of all time, Johnny Petraglia, will adjust his target based on how much the lanes are hooking — with a more distant target on hooking lanes, and a closer target on lanes that are hooking
only a little.

AN APPROACH GONE ADRIFT

I will be bowling well, and suddenly I’ll miss the pocket to the right, usually resulting in either a washout or a bucket. I think back on those shots and feel like my timing was OK, so I have little idea as to what to correct. Can you give me some help?
— Freddy Garson, Brockton, Mass.
An errant shot like that usually is the result of drifting too far right on the approach. When you make such a shot, try to check where your slide foot ends up near the foul line, and compare it to where the foot usually ends up on good shots.

I have found that I should visualize the ball and swing going to the inside portion of the target. Try that, and it should correct your drifting right problem.

Need help with your game? Hall of Famer Mike McGrath
answers reader questions each month. Send your question
to him c/o Bowlers Journal International, 122 S. Michigan
Ave., Suite 1506, Chicago, IL 60603. You may also e-mail him at
mikempba13@aol.com.

ROLLING A STRIKE IN BOWLING IS MUCH EASIER than hitting a home run, and does not require big muscle prowess. Unlike baseball, what is required of a skilled bowler is a much higher percentage in realizing the ultimate result.

Most professional bowlers today exceed the average of seven strikes per game. Doing so requires repetition; i.e., being able to repeat positive technique at a high percentage. This pertains to all aspects of the game, but where it is most often overlooked by the average bowler concerns the ball grip.

The weight of the ball in the stance should be supported predominantly by the bowling hand. This is automatically accomplished by positioning the ball slightly right of center (right-handers), with the gripping hand supporting the ball from underneath, thus transferring approximately two-thirds of the weight of the ball onto the bowling hand.

Only when lack of strength is a factor would it be in the bowler’s best interest to distribute the weight equally between the hands.

Although there are several pro bowlers who are exceptions, I recommend you assume your grip by putting your fingers into the ball first, then your thumb. This makes it much easier to regulate proper finger and thumb depth.

If you put the thumb in first, there is more probability it will be inserted too deeply, or not deep enough; consequently, the depth of the fingers also will be affected negatively. An exception to this rule is made when a bowler wishes to kill the amount of hook.

By burying the thumb first, the effect of the fingers can be weakened, reducing the torque effect of the release.

A regimen I recommend for assuming the grip would involve the following:

1) insert the fingers first;

2) shift more of the ball’s weight onto the fingers and the right side of the palm;

3) adjust the fingers until they feel comfortable; and

4) insert the thumb.

Regarding the ideal grip, the variation in the size of the digits is of great concern to bowlers, especially the thumb. Changes in temperature, humidity, the use of the hands in the bowling process, and more, all serve to cause swelling or shrinking.

Therefore, determining what size to drill a hole is a “narrowing- down” process which considers several guidelines with regard to what is tight and what is loose. For starters, the fingers should fit more snugly into the ball, while, relatively speaking, the thumb should be looser.

Because it has the task of initiating a right-hander’s release by coming out of the ball first in a left-to-right direction, and because it moves out of the hole more off the backside than off its pad in the release, the thumb cannot afford the luxury of being inserted too securely in the hole.

As a rule, the thumb should be loose enough so it can be turned in the hole without turning the ball itself. Once the thumb clears, the hand’s grasp of the ball is eliminated.

At this point, the snugly-fit fingers are able to apply the bowling torque.

Obviously, hole sizes can be taken to extremes. If the fingers have to be squeezed into the ball, for instance, this could provide resistance when they exit, negatively affecting the release. Indeed, fingers that “hang up” in the release make a repetitive release unlikely.

Likewise, the thumb must exit unimpeded, balanced with the vital need for that digit to provide a secure grip throughout the swing without “crimping” or bending. Between these two extremes lies the happy medium.

The distance between the nearest edge of each fingerhole to the nearest edge of the thumbhole represents the span measurements.

As you might suspect, the span decision is absolutely critical to the grip feel. Basically, there are three span categories: fingertip, semi-fingertip and conventional. A span allowing the fingers to be placed only to the first knuckle is referred to as a fingertip grip.

The use of such a grip normally enhances ball action by allowing more turn and better extension. The extra contact of the hand with the ball surface allows the palm to exert more extension than would normally be applied by the swing alone.

The conventional grip is the most basic, the most secure and most effective in terms of accuracy. In the conventional grip, the fingers are inserted down to the second joint. Having a good portion of the fingers grasping the ball leads to a more secure grip, relaxing the hand throughout the swing.

It’s a subjective decision when a bowler is ready to tackle a wider (fingertip) span. Before attempting its use, the bowler should have developed enough accuracy so that hitting the pocket isn’t a major challenge.

Beyond that, the player should be able to demonstrate the ability to repeat similar ball roll from shot to shot; otherwise, the more effective ball roll derived from a wider span will prove to be of little value, and could leave you worse off than before.

Also, because today’s lane conditions require much more ball speed than before, many bowlers who found it difficult to generate this speed have gone back to the conventional fit with much success because they cut down on an uncontrollable hook, thus enhancing their ability to repeat effective shots.

As one gets further into pitch and offset grip concepts, the artistic nature of ball-drilling becomes more apparent. There are no infallible systems and automatic answers. An advanced grip is a unique creation, attained by utilizing and compromising grip principles to create various effects.

Yet, a ball grip that is a panacea for one bowler could be a nemesis for another. The final judgment on whether a grip is highly effective or something less is dependent on the specific hand that it was created for, and its ability to repetitively deliver effective shots.