Is there a minimum or maximum number of balls I should rate on the Data page?

We have done successful Analyses with as few as four balls; however it would be better if you had at least one ball rated at each ratings step (5.0 - 1.0 by half points, or nine balls). With totals lower than that, the results may only indicate which part of a category scale a bowler prefers. In such cases, follow-ups after a few more purchases have shown that we had correctly indicated each bowler's preferences in nearly every category. So if you have owned only a few balls, we can definitely point you in the right direction.

At the other extreme, the more balls you rate the less effect each additional ball has on your Analysis results. So, we recommended that you rate only your most recent 50 balls, as determined by their release date. If you rate many more, we might exclude the oldest ones for you, depending on their age, to ensure the best Analysis results.

What if I have changed my style (speed, axis rotation, revs, etc.) in the past, or am planning to change in the future?  How would this affect my Numbers?

We’ve done a number of Analyses where a bowler told us they had undergone a style change (either by choice or injury.) When this happens, we’ll analyze their data 3 ways - the balls before the change, the balls after the change, and all the balls together. In every instance, 6 or more categories remained completely unchanged when comparing before and after, and some had no changes at all. And when change did occur, it was a very small tweak in a range's limits, or a one position flip-flop in rankings. Not once have we seen anyone swap ends of a scale, or move drastically in ranking positions. This is because it is your perception of how the ball travels down the lane, and how you interpret it as it reads the lane, that determines your dynamic preferences. So even if your change styles, your Numbers remain remarkably constant.

Doesn’t each style - stroker, tweener, cranker - have their own set of generally accepted ball dynamics that are best for them? Why get my Analysis if I already know what style I am?

So far we haven’t done Analyses that were alike for any two bowlers; instead, we've found that major differences can exist in dynamic preferences within very similar style types. For example, in a local league there are three crankers that most anyone would agree are like "peas in a pod." They all play about the same area, throw about the same ball, and average about the same. All three bought their Analysis. Just looking at three categories, one favored high RG and Hook values and low Differential values; the second liked high RG and Differential values and low Hook values; while the third preferred low values in all three categories. None of their category rankings were similar, either. Yet the industry has come to generalize what certain styles prefer - in this case, crankers 'should like' high RG values, low Differential values, and low Hook values. And even though each bowler would agree with 2 out of 3 of these, no one matched up with all three category conclusions. For years each had been advised to use typical "cranker" equipment, which was not their optimal match-up! There's no substitute for knowing your Numbers, no matter what your style.

I owned two balls that were the same model - or - had one ball plugged and re-drilled in a different layout.  I liked one better than the other.  How should I rate this on the Data page?

A good layout cannot overcome a bad ball (for you), but a bad layout can knock down a good ball (for you) a notch or two. Rate the ball you liked better, whether it was two different balls or one that was plugged and re-drilled.  And keep in mind the difference between the two layouts for future reference. 

Is a ball that matches my Numbers in every category the ultimate ball?  Is it the only ball I'd ever need to own?

A ball that works on all conditions doesn't exist. You use your Numbers to buy one really great ball for a certain condition or to assemble an arsenal of really great balls.  Then, no matter what the lane condition, you will have a ball that matches up well with that condition, AND that ball will still have the dynamics you most prefer. Some bowlers are able to find a ball that matches every one of their Numbers, and while it is an excellent ball for them, it isn't that much better than a ball that matches their top 3 or 4 Numbers. This is because as you go lower down your Numbers rankings, each carries less and less importance for you.

What's the difference between Primary and Secondary Numbers in the Analysis?

Twenty years ago, when the lanes changed, you might have adjusted your speed, lift, loft, release, or foot/target positioning in order to stay in the pocket. However, these days many of us simply change equipment, relying on a ball’s different dynamics compared to the ball we just put down to keep on striking.

For example, the lanes change and more length is needed. From their analysis results, we can tell that Bowler A is very comfortable raising RG values, but has difficulty reading the ball when raising Core Torque values. Bowler B is comfortable raising Core Torque, but not lowering Hook. Bowler C is comfortable lowering Hook, not raising RG. In isolation, any of these adjustments will produce the desired effect (check out some very specific and independently generated data about this on the Columbia web site). If our three bowlers know their Numbers, they will have chosen three different ways to make this adjustment when purchasing their equipment. For bowler A, Core Torque is a Primary Number, while RG rates low on their list as a Secondary Number and is a variable they can change as necessary. For Bowler B, Hook is a Primary Number, and Core Torque is not. And for Bowler C, RG is a primary Number, while Hook is not. It can get a lot more complicated, with this scenario played out using many different dynamic option combinations for many different lane conditions. Which bowler are you? You won’t know until you take our equipment survey.

Your data will not only show which individual factors you should and shouldn’t change, but also what combinations will work best when selecting equipment that will be most readable for you. And how well you read the ball affects how easily you can line up, how forgiving you perceive it to be, and ultimately how well you score with it.

How can Numbers balls successfully handle extreme conditions such as very oily and extreme dry?

Once you've identified which balls match your Primary Numbers, their values in your Secondary Numbers categories are used to match up to various lane conditions.  For example, suppose your Primary Numbers were Low RG below 2.500 and Core Torque above 11.0, so all balls you would consider should match these Numbers. However, Hook and Length might be two Secondary Numbers that rank very low in importance for you. The ball meant for oil could then have a high Hook value and a low Length value, whereas the ball meant for dry could have a low Hook value and a high Length value.  The same works for matching up to patterns A though E, and for sport league conditions.

Throughout the site there is not much mention of layout.  I thought that when drilling a ball the layout was the most important thing.

Layout is the most importing thing - AFTER you have chosen the right ball.  Drilling a good layout in a non-Numbers ball won't produce as good a ball for you as putting an inappropriate layout in a ball that matches your Numbers.  And, when you combine a good layout with a Numbers ball, you get a piece of equipment that can’t be beat!  Our whole analysis is about teaching you how to choose the right equipment for you. We'll leave it to you and your pro shop operator to choose the correct layout.

How long will it take to receive my Analysis? Could I also have it mailed to me?

Your Analysis will be processed and sent to the E-mail address you provide within 24 hours once your credit card purchase confirmation hits. It will all be contained in a standard, downloadable, printable .pdf file.  A printed hardcopy version may be ordered for an additional $10, payable either by sending a check to BowlingBallDynamics.com PO Box 988, Largo, FL  33770-0988; or by invoicing your payment to our PayPal account at tom.bowling@knology.net.

How do I go about updating my Match List as new balls are being released?

Your first Match List update is included in your Analysis fee and will automatically be sent to you in about 90 days from your original order date (you may request it earlier.)  Other updates can be obtained by mailing us a check or money order for $5 for each update or update credit (or use our PayPal account).  You can also earn update update credits when you refer us to other bowlers. Just have them enter "referred by" & your name in the 'How did you hear about us' box on the Data page.  We'll record one credit for each paid order we receive in this manner, which you may use at any time to request another update.  Each Match List update will include only those balls released since your Analysis or your last update was generated, so keep in mind that the average number of balls released each month is currently around 10.    

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