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Ball Review


NO HOLES BARRED


BY VERNON PETERSON. { Vernon.Peterson@kegel.net }


WITH A NEWbowling season just around the corner, it’s time for bowlers of all abilities to consider adding to their arsenals.The key is to identify a “hole” in your ball collection’s capabilities, and with the help of a qualified ball driller, fill it with an appropriate piece of equipment. With that in mind, this edition of Bowlers Journal


interactive features no less than 19 reviews of balls that are new to the marketplace. Read the reviews carefully, as they provide the information needed for you and your ball driller to make the best possible decisions.


Each month, BowlersJournal interactive will reprint the BJ ball review.


THE SKINNY ON THE LATEST AND GREATEST


METHODOLOGY The Bowlers Journal International Ball Motion Potential chart is designed to help bowlers un- derstand which lane conditions are best suited for the most recently introduced bowling balls in the marketplace. Placement positions on the chart are based on the “out of box” surface from the manufacturer. Surface adjustments can impact a ball’s performance and, thus, its position on the chart. The chart’s horizontal axis displays a ball’s


approximate total hook in the presence of oil. While some coverstocks may have similar maximum, dry lane, or coefficient-of-friction measurements, their ability to traction in oil can vary significantly.


Balls with minimal hook potential are


placed on the far left side of the chart. Balls offering a moderate degree of hook are placed in the chart’s middle section. Balls with the greatest hook potential in heavy oil are placed on the right side of the chart. The chart’s vertical axis displays a ball’s


breakpoint shape. Balls offering more skip/ snap reaction are placed higher on the chart. Balls offering a smoother, more arcing motion are placed lower on the chart. Chart placements are based on testing by


BJI ball reviewer Vernon Peterson, selected bowlers with varying release styles, CATS results, PBA player input, and discussions with ball company representatives.


HOOK POTENTIAL 35-45: Balls with lower total hook ranges, best suited for lighter oil concentrations. Players with slower speeds or higher rev rates may also prefer balls in this range for medium oil applications. 45-51: Balls with medium hook ability, best


suited for the vast majority of “typical house shots” and some lower-volume Sport patterns. This hook range should be represented by the “centerpiece” ball in most arsenals.


51-60+: Balls with greater total hook, de- signed for heavier oil volumes. Players with higher speeds or lower rev rates, who need added lane traction, may also prefer balls in this range.


LENGTH RATINGS 8-12: Earlier rolling balls that read the lane sooner. These products generally come facto- ry-sanded with lower grit surfaces, and match up well with speed-dominant styles and those bowling on longer patterns. 12-15: Medium-length balls that produce easier length through the midlane. Good for most house shots and medium-volume Sport patterns. 15-19+: Balls offering extra length for those


bowling on lighter oil concentrations. Also beneficial for slower speed players, or those with higher rev rates needing added push downlane.


BREAKPOINT SHAPE 10-13: Slower-response balls that read the friction areas more gradually. This range may include balls with a urethane or mild reactive cover, designed for a smooth arc to the pocket. Can also help those with higher rev rates con- trol motion and also can match up well from outside angles of attack. 13-15: Balls rated for slightly stronger and quicker reactions when encountering friction areas (as when the ball leaves the oil pattern). This range offers a balance of control and back-end angularity. 15-18+: Balls that respond more quickly and aggressively to friction areas. This range can help those with less hand action create more angularity near the pocket. Also pre- ferred when playing deeper inside angles, which generally require more entry angle for above-average pin carry.


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