What is the point of a reactive ball?

[ghoul31]

I have a polyester ball and a reactive ball. When either one gets near the pocket they get strikes.


The only difference is I have to play 5 boards to the left with the reactive. And my misses to the left are magnified.


So whats the big deal with these balls?

[noeymc]

my understanding is they hit harder u can get strikes with any ball but the reactive have a better chance of giving u that strikes i may be mistaken but thats how i look at it

[SmilingBowler]

From what I know, its the angle the ball takes to the pocket. A reactive ball can be more consistent once it clears the oil and hooks in, whereas the polyester ball isn't quite as responsive once it reaches the drier part of the lanes in front of the pins.

[CeKnauss]

It all has to do with the coefficient of friction.

Plastic (polyester) balls have a very low coefficient of friction, thus having a very low hook potential. They will hook, but not much. Plastic balls generally don't have a dynamic shaped core either.

Reactive resin bowling balls have coverstocks chemically formulated to have a higher coefficient of friction, thus creating greater hook potentials. Reactive coverstocks are also porous, meaning they will absorb lane conditioner (generally called oil) as they travel down the lane. This allows them to "read" the friction on the lane. You'll hear some Pros mention that lane topology will affect ball motion (to some degree) despite what oil pattern is placed on the lane. In addition, most reactive bowling balls have a dynamic shaped core. According to studies by Mo Pinel and USBC (among others), the coverstock accounts for about 70% of ball motion.

[bowl1820]

I have a polyester ball and a reactive ball. When either one gets near the pocket they get strikes.

The only difference is I have to play 5 boards to the left with the reactive. And my misses to the left are magnified.

So whats the big deal with these balls?

So whats the big deal? Strike Percentage.

The other responses have it basically right.

The higher coefficient of friction the reactive balls have, allow you to generate a greater entry angle which will increase your strike percentage.

A ball entering the pocket at a 6° entry angle has the highest strike percentage, it would be difficult to get a plastic ball to hook in at that angle especially on a oily lane.

Also plastic ball's tend to deflect more when hitting the pins.

Both balls have their Pros & Cons depending on the conditions and how they are used.

[ghoul31]

I can get a polyester ball to hook quite a bit. But that's because I have a slow ball speed.

[unclemantis]

I can get a polyester ball to hook quite a bit. But that's because I have a slow ball speed.

If you get a reactive ball, be prepared to stand on the far lane next to you!

[unclemantis]

I have a polyester ball and a reactive ball. When either one gets near the pocket they get strikes.


The only difference is I have to play 5 boards to the left with the reactive. And my misses to the left are magnified.


So whats the big deal with these balls?

Welcome to the forum!

[e-tank]

I can get a polyester ball to hook quite a bit. But that's because I have a slow ball speed.

i can understand why you question the resin balls as i have a teammate that throws pretty slow and there really is no difference in reaction between her resin ball and her plastic ball. Probably at that slow speed the main difference is the core in that a plastic ball just has a pancake and a resin ball or urethane will have a real core in various shapes. I can tell you though that and higher speeds the plastic balls dont hook much unless the lanes are pretty dry

[scottymoney]

If you get a reactive ball, be prepared to stand on the far lane next to you!

This is false. Unless you choose to stand there you do not need to. Starting position has nothing to do with creating hook, and I have found the more I move left the smaller window I have of striking. Play where you are comfortable but also where you have the highest percentage of striking, in the case of most people you will be standing in the middle around board 15-25 and aiming somewhere around the 2nd arrow.