I've read many reviews on different bowling balls and often see the phrase "reads the midlanes well." What does this mean. As far as I know a bowling ball can't "read" anything. Any help would be appreceated.

It means that it will get some friction in the midlane (still in the oil) and therefore be able to give you more room as it crosses from heavier oil to lighter oil.

Lefty,
Thanks for the reply. By "more room" do you mean you can play a wider area of the lane?

Also keep in mind that if a ball gets friction early (in the midlane), its reaction will be more arc-like and less flippy.

If a ball retains all its energy until the back-ends (because it gets no friction in the front and middle part of the lane), it will flip more violently as it hits the dry part.

So if a ball reads the midlane, it will be more controllable than a ball that only reacts in the back-ends.

I mean that you have more mistake room. Your typical house condition has a puddle of oil in the middle and a light amount outside. If the ball can "read" the change in oil volume and get more friction as it crosses that line, it will give you more room for mistakes. Most balls will "read" this difference on a house shot and that's why there's so much mistake room on your typical house condition.

There are also varying degrees of "read" and on various conditions. The ball I'd typically use on a house shot wouldn't read anything on a longer, flatter and heavier pattern.

Balls that read the mid lane are typically very arc-ing and an arcing ball is easier to control then a skid snappy ball. So many people prefer to use an arc-ing mid lane reading ball.

One of the common problems I see with skid snap balls is that they look cool going down the lane. But use them on a condition what already had dry backends and you've created a monster that is incredibly difficult to get to the pocket consistently.

Erin

Lefty,
Thanks for the reply (again). I think I understand it now. I'm now replacing a ball that definitely does not read the midlanes well and does virtually nothing until the back end. I spend most of the game searching for a strike line. Again, thanks for the information.

Depending on the conditions, and the bowler's skill, a skid/snap ball can be better though, just to clarify. A skid/snap ball provides a better entry angle, and more potiental power. HOWEVER! As Erin said, it can be difficult to get to the pocket consistently. She is 100% right! If you are a more advanced bowler however, and can hit the pocket consistantly with this kind of ball, it can be a huge advantage. For the most part however, most beginning bowlers have this kind of ball, and it only hurts them! They have trouble hitting their mark 2 times in a row, how are they going to controll a ball that requires more accuracy?

Anyway, my main point was, while Erin is SOOOO right, I just wanted it to be clear that sometimes the skid/snap ball is worth an extra 15+ pins depending on the bowler, lane surface, and lane conditions. Overall, for most situations and bowlers, the arcing ball is better. Easier to control, and being consistant is much easier.

See just about every new bowler wants the dramatic skid flip they see a lot of bowlers use. Bowlers that have a lot of wrist and hand release. But those balls will only react like that given the release and condition (plus knowing where to put the ball so it will skid/flip). For most people its best to start off being consistent, with a more arc-ing ball which is easier to read and therefore adjust off of.

Erin

RIGHT!