Question 1

How much do layouts matter?

Accepted Answer

This is a subject of great and regular debate. Even very experienced bowlers will have difficulty telling the difference between a 4x4x3 and 5x4x3 ball motion on identical balls. You would be right to argue that layouts don't matter if you compared between a variety of middling, versatile drillings. On the other hand, any layout with a Pin to PAP distance below 1.75" or above 5.875" compared to a 3", 4", or 5" pin distance will be extremely obvious, even to bowlers with inconsistent releases.

Extreme layouts like these are almost never recommended by pro shop operators because they want to preserve the versatility of the equipment they are offering you, but once you have several bowling balls, It's my recommendation that you stop aiming for versatility on every further acquisition, and instead aim for differentiation. I find these extreme pin distances very helpful at a local house where the oil is laid out 35 feet and buffed to a 43 foot length as the last 8 feet of that pattern will quickly dissipate and put you in a short-pattern situation. The long-pin layout will be helpful to control the back-end ball reaction on any ball with low undrilled differential and a decently strong coverstock, while the short-pin layout will do the same thing, even on balls with strong cores.

Question 2

What is a Positive Access Point (PAP) ?

Accepted Answer

After bowling for some time and getting experience, likely even within a few months of beginning this sport, you will have a relatively stable point around which your ball tends to rotate upon release. Your ball will regularly come off of your fingers while spinning on an axis which is a certain distance and direction from your fingerholes.

We measure this point from your center of grip, which is the spot between your two fingerholes for a two-finger bowler. A pro-shop operator can help you find the axis point, relative to your fingerholes, by watching you throw a few shots, or by using some other methods and tools. The Positive Access Point is measured as a distance horizontally from the midline between your fingers, in the general direction of your handedness, and then some distance up or down from there. We use a "quarter-scale" to measure these distances on a three-dimensional ball.

Knowing the PAP is essential to tuning your layout. Depending on where you place your fingerholes, and what angle your midline is placed, your ball can be tuned to be released while rotating on an axis that is closer or further from the ball's natural low RG or high RG axis. A PAP placed near either of these axes will product less dramatic hook on the lanes.

Question 3

How are the recommended balls chosen?

Accepted Answer

The recommended balls on the home page are chosen based on any or all of the following factors:

Shelf Appeal
Clarity of Identity / Case of Use
Value Relative to Cover/Core Strength
Tendency to Match Rev-Dominant Bowlers
Honor Scores / Accolades / Preference by Professionals

We recognize that these are entirely subjective factors -- especially shelf appeal. Every ball has a use case, but the recommended equipment is selected with the objective to make a lasting place in your arsenal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do layouts matter?

What is a Positive Access Point (PAP) ?

How are the recommended balls chosen?