I bowled on very heavy league oil in open games, after oil the dry both lanes. I put tape on my thumb at the ball, and threw as chanker. I can't hook the ball at far right side cuz heavy oil doesn't hook at all such as shark or us open.

My guess: This was my 1st time to bowl on shark oil on lane.

Have you been bowl in open games of very heavy league oil?

Paul, yes I have bowled on practice with heavier oil patterns. In fact, I did this intentionally all Summer. A house near me lays out the PBA patterns for practice 1 night a week, and I took advantage of it. Bowled 6 games per week on them, and learned a lot. It was much different bowling without the pressures of league. I took my time. Studied the ball reaction. And, tried my best to learn to read the lanes. I actually think this helped.

Paul the key to playing heavy oil is to just play straighter to the pocket. Trying to hook the ball to combat the oil is a waste of time and just makes the ball hook uncontrollable if it hooks at all, where if you just aimed straight for the pocket at least the ball would be in the pocket.

Lots of times. Usually in tournaments though. The LAST thing I do though is try to throw it like a cranker. I move my body, adjust the height of my ball at the beginning stance and adjust my targetting depth. Last thing I'd do is change my release or try to throw the ball harder or softer. Those two physical issues are very difficult to repeat without a ton of experience.

One thing you have to let go is your view of how the ball gets to the pocket. On heavier oil the ball will have a straighter ball path. On drier lanes the ball will have a more fish hook ball path. You cannot be stuck on either one. You have to go with what's there and what gets your ball to the pocket and then what gets your ball carrying.

Erin

Hey Jim.

Care to tell me why most crankers do better on these patterns then strokers and tweeners? I have always consider the longer patterns to favorite the crankers. I don't think most of them are playing straight but trying to ride the wall of the outside oil since it is broken down fast if every cranker is using the same path to the pocket.

Even so I think some of the success could be the pin placement in the inside the ball.

Looking toward your thought?