Bowler: Jeff Ussery
Date: June 3rd, 2006
Coverstock: Big Bang Low-Load Particle Sanded with 1000-grit Abralon
RG: 2.51"
Differential: .054"
Pin to PAP Distance: 5 7/8"
Preferred Spin Axis to PAP Distance: 3 1/2"
Balance Hole: 29/32" x 1 1/2" Deep & 1" Past PAP
Surface Preparation: Box Condition
What I Was Looking For in this Ball and Layout:
Here's a great example of what NOT to do with a brand new bowling ball. I drilled
this ball with no real objective in mind. The aggressiveness of the coverstock
and the high differential of the ball scared me into a weaker pin to PAP distance
than I would normally use. I drilled this ball with only one thing on my mind;
keep it from over-flaring too early.
What I Ended Up With in this Ball and Layout:
The result of drilling a ball without a desired ball reaction is that you really
don't know what you will end up with. Unfortunately for me, not thinking about
the ball layout before throwing some holes in it created an overlapping reaction
in my bag. This Big Time ball clears the head area of the lane better than anything
in my bag right now. The smooth coverstock and weak pin position combine for an
unbelievably low amount of friction in the front part of the lane, and I've yet
to find a lane that I can't get this ball through the front on. I drilled a balance
hole beyond my PAP to try and open up the flare rings a little, but the effect
of this was very minimal.
Here comes mistake number two with my brilliance. I placed the preferred spin
axis of this ball 3 1/2" from my PAP. When combined with all of the front end
skid I created through pin position and ball selection, this PSA location creates
a very medium type of backend reaction. The ball sneaks through the front part
of the lane and then needs an incredible amount of friction in the backend to
get started. If the ball does get into a transition, it does make a very strong
move towards the pocket. With the skid created by step 1, I can really create
some steep entry angles with this PSA location.
The overall hook of my Big Time is significantly less than the One and Big One
balls that were also reviewed on June 3rd. While the surface makes it slightly
stronger than my Overtime, the ball does not have any real purpose for me. The
real issue with this ball lies in the lane conditions we bowl on. I said that
the ball clears the front of the lane extremely clean. This means that I really
can't throw it on slicker heads because it just skates out in the backend. So
I'm really looking for a condition that is slightly broken down in the front of
the lane for this Big Time. I also need an incredible amount of friction in the
backend to get the ball started. In tournament play, far more often than not,
when we see broken down fronts, we see a lot of oil down lane. So again, it's
near impossible for me to match up this ball properly.
In summary, don't drill bowling balls without a purpose in mind. I hope you can
learn from my lesson and keep situations like this from happening to you.
***Our ball reviews are developed from a wide variety of lane conditions, surfaces,
and environments. We are attempting to give you an idea of our overall experience
and findings from a ball. Remember that all bowlers are different in regards to
ball speed, revolutions, axis rotation, and axis tilt. Bowlers will see different
qualities from bowling balls based on these factors. Be sure to also take into
account the bowler's environment (lane surface, oil pattern, etc.) and their expectation
(hook, score, etc.) before drilling a new ball for anybody.
