Q. When drilling a weight hole what is meant by the ball driller when he say's he is drilling the hole in the thumb or finger quadrant?

A. Draw intersecting lines on a ball with one line going between the thumb and fingers the other line through the middle of the thumb and between the fingers. This divides the ball into four quarters or sections each section is a quadrant or quarter. If the hole is drilled in the section where the fingers are this is the finger quadrant. If drilled in the section down by the thumb this is the thumb quadrant.

Q. I have a tendency to grip the ball to hard during the approach. I know that isn't a good thing but what does it cause and how can I stop this bad habit?

A. Gripping the ball to hard can make for an inconsistent release point. It can also cause bad carry especially corner pins. To correct this
problem first go to your pro shop and make sure the pitches in your ball are correct for you. Too much reverse pitch in the thumb can make the ball hard to hang on to. This causes you to squeeze the ball to hang on to it. If the pitches are correct then give this a try. Just before you start to the line squeeze the ball hard then relax your hand and go to the line. This first makes you think about relaxing the hand and because you have already squeezed the ball you usually won't squeeze it again.

Q. I have been bowling for years and have several quality bowling balls to choose from for each league This has led to confusion on my behalf as to which ball to take to which house. Most of the time my selection is hit or miss. I have finally decided to reduce my bowling inventory and go with the balls that will cover all the lane conditions that I encounter weekly. I bowl 5 leagues a week 4 separate houses. I have searched the web, attempting to find information regard what should be the prerequisite for a bowling ball arsenal. I plan on using 6 balls for lane conditions that range from dry to medium-to-heavy oil conditions. I am a tweener bowler, not much hand turn in the ball, just attempting to come up the back. What I have read confuses me. Some articles say the RG and Differential of the ball should be the primary factor in selecting ball for an arsenal. Others say cover stock. With this in mind, I am requesting your advice. My balls are mainly Storm balls with an Ebonite Big One and Columbia TI Low RG thrown in. Can you advise me on a possible solution to my quandary?

A. The cover has more to do with ball reaction than pin placement. Pin
placement does affect reaction but to a lesser degree that the cover. You want to try and match the pin and cover to the condition. I can't tell you where to put the pin exactly because everyone is different but as a stroker you will probably want to keep the pin around the ring finger. I would say in our western areas probably 3 balls on the lower rg side. Two with the pin above the ring finger one with a matte finish and one polished. One with the cg in the label and the pin just outside the ring finger and a little above, keep this one polished it will go longer and finish in a hard arc. The other with the cg kicked out toward your positive axis point. This one with a matte finish will start earlier and just arc. On the other low rg ball have it lightly polished the cg out toward the positive axis and the pin under the ring finger this will give an earlier roll and give a good midlane read. Then I would have 2 higher rg balls again one polished and one matte finish you could just keep them simple cg in the label and pin out side the ring finger. The polished one for dry lanes the matte finish for medium lanes or lanes that are too snappy. Your last ball a spare ball we all need a spare ball. These are just suggestions for a better idea see your pro shop. I am sure they call look at your present arsenal and help you select from them and add what you might need or adjust the covers on what you have to do the things I have outlined. You shouldn't have to invest in all new equipment
right away.

To Ask Bob a question write to this publication or to askbob@clearwire