Equipment decisions based on your game—not on selling you another bowling ball
Is Your Equipment Helping…or Holding You Back?
One of the most common questions bowlers ask is:
“What bowling ball should I buy next?”
The truth is…
The answer is almost always “It depends.”
It depends on:
- how you throw the ball
- your PAP
- your speed
- your rev rate
- the bowling balls you already own
- the lane conditions you bowl on
- what kind of ball motion you’re trying to create
Buying another bowling ball without considering those factors often leads to duplicate reactions, wasted money, and frustration.
That’s where I can help.
Rather than recommending equipment based on what’s popular or what’s sitting on a shelf, I evaluate your game and build an equipment plan that makes sense for you.
Whether you eventually purchase a ball through me or another pro shop, you’ll leave knowing exactly why that recommendation was made.
Equipment Consultation
Perfect for bowlers who…
- aren’t sure what ball to buy
- think they have overlap
- are building an arsenal
- want layout advice
- are switching styles
- simply have questions
During the consultation we’ll:
- Watch you bowl
- Measure PAP
- Review your current equipment
- Discuss layouts
- Recommend surfaces
- Identify arsenal gaps
- Recommend future purchases
- Answer equipment questions
Arsenal Strategy Session
Bring every bowling ball you own.
We’ll determine:
✓ Which balls overlap
✓ Which ones deserve a surface change
✓ Which layouts still make sense
✓ What type of motion you’re missing
✓ Which ball should be next
You’ll leave with a plan—not guesses.
PAP Measurement & Layout Planning
Includes:
- PAP measurement
- Layout recommendations
- Storm 2LS
- Dual Angle
- Pin Buffer
- Surface recommendations
Take the information to any pro shop—or have me perform the work when available.
Ball Drilling (Select Clients)
Available on a limited basis.
Services include:
- Finger drilling
- Finger inserts
- Layout implementation
- Layout transfers
- Static fitting
Limited by current equipment capabilities.
Surface Adjustments
Change how your bowling ball reacts without buying another one.
Available services:
- Surface changes
- Sanding
- Polish removal
- Finish adjustments
- Surface recommendations
Many bowlers are surprised how much difference the correct surface can make.
Oil Extraction Treatment
Over time, bowling balls absorb lane oil, reducing their overall performance.
An oil extraction treatment helps remove absorbed oil from the coverstock and is often paired with a fresh surface adjustment to restore a more consistent reaction.
Why Work With Me?
Coaching Meets Equipment Knowledge
Most pro shops focus on drilling bowling balls.
Most coaches focus on improving your physical game.
I combine both.
Because I coach bowlers first, my recommendations aren’t based on selling equipment—they’re based on helping you build an arsenal that complements your style, your goals, and the conditions you actually bowl on.
Whether you need one new bowling ball or simply want to get more out of the equipment you already own, my goal is to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
Credentials
- USBC Silver Certified Coach
- IPBSIA Certified
- Varsity High School Bowling Coach
- Tournament bowler
- Hundreds of bowlers coached
- Extensive experience analyzing ball motion, layouts, and lane play
FAQ
- Do I really need another bowling ball?
- Not always.
- Sometimes a bowling ball simply needs an oil extraction treatment and a fresh surface adjustment to restore its performance. Other times, the issue isn’t the ball at all—it’s a small change in your physical game or body mechanics.
- Before spending money on new equipment, it’s worth making sure you’re getting the most out of the bowling balls you already own.
- How many bowling balls should I own?
- That depends on your bowling goals.
- If you’re bowling league once a week and just having fun, one or two bowling balls may be all you ever need.
- If you’re competing in tournaments or bowling on a variety of lane conditions, building a larger arsenal can give you more options and help you stay competitive.
- The goal isn’t to own more bowling balls—it’s to own the right bowling balls.
- Can changing the surface make my bowling ball hook more?
- Changing the surface can significantly change how your bowling ball reacts.
- A rougher surface generally allows the ball to read the lane earlier, while a smoother or polished surface allows it to skid farther before changing direction.
- Rather than thinking of it as “more hook” or “less hook,” it’s more accurate to think about where and how the ball hooks.
- What is PAP?
- PAP stands for Positive Axis Point.
- It’s the point around which your bowling ball rotates as it travels down the lane. Every bowler has a unique PAP, and knowing yours allows layouts to be customized specifically for your release.
- Measuring your PAP is one of the most important steps in creating layouts that match your game.
- What’s the difference between a layout and a bowling ball?
- The bowling ball itself determines the overall motion through its core design and coverstock.
- The layout determines how that ball is oriented to your PAP and influences how the ball transitions through the lane.
- Think of it this way:
- The bowling ball provides the potential.
- The layout fine-tunes how that potential is used.
- Can two bowling balls with the same layout react differently?
- Absolutely.
- Two different bowling balls with the exact same layout can produce very different ball reactions because the coverstock and core design have a much greater influence on motion than the layout alone.
- The layout fine-tunes the reaction, but the bowling ball itself is still the biggest factor.
- Is a new bowling ball better than changing the surface on my current one?
- Not necessarily.
- In many cases, a simple surface adjustment can produce the reaction you’re looking for without purchasing another bowling ball.
- A new ball also comes with a learning curve, while adjusting the surface on a ball you already know can often be a quicker and more affordable solution.
- Should I use 2LS or Dual Angle or Storm’s Arc layout system?
- The best layout system depends primarily on your bowling style.
- 2LS is designed for two-handed bowlers and one-handed bowlers who don’t use a thumb.
- Dual Angle and Storm’s ARC Layout System are designed for traditional one-handed bowlers who use a thumb.
- The good news is that Dual Angle and Storm’s ARC are simply different methods of describing the same end result. Both systems can produce identical layouts and ball reactions when used correctly.
- How often should I remove oil from my bowling ball?
- I recommend wiping your bowling ball off after every shot and using an approved bowling ball cleaner after every bowling session.
- For oil extraction, a good general guideline is every 60–100 games, depending on how often you bowl and how much oil your bowling center uses.
- Regular maintenance helps your equipment perform more consistently and extends the life of the coverstock.
- Can you recommend a bowling ball even if I buy it somewhere else?
- Absolutely.
- I’m a bowling coach first and foremost.
- My goal is to help you make informed equipment decisions based on your game, not to sell you a bowling ball.
- Whether you purchase your equipment through me, another pro shop, or an online retailer, I’m happy to help you choose equipment that fits your style and your goals.
- Do you sell bowling balls?
- I don’t operate a traditional retail pro shop with bowling balls on display.
- However, I can often order bowling balls for clients after we’ve discussed what best fits their game.
- Depending on distributor pricing and current promotions, I may be able to offer competitive pricing—and if I can save you money, I absolutely will. If another retailer or pro shop has the better deal, I’ll tell you that too.
- Whether you purchase the ball through me or somewhere else, my goal is the same: helping you get the right equipment for your game.