How Does the Skid or Flip Bowling Ball Enhance Your Bowling Performance?

Did you know bowling ball motion can be divided into three categories based on their characteristics? One is arching, the second one is early rolling, and the final one is the skid/flip reaction. But what exactly is this particular ball reaction? Does this ball motion benefit you or not?

I don’t see a of people talking bout this specific area of bowling and I bet, many of you have tons of unanswered questions. So if you want to know what is the skid/flip reaction of a ball and what are the skid or flip bowling balls, stay tuned, my friends!

What is a skid flip reaction for a bowling ball?

To help you understand the whole thing thoroughly, let me break it down for you.

Skid Reaction

You can say a bowling ball is skidding when it is sliding instead of rolling down the lane.

Flip Reaction

When a bowling ball flips from one side to the other instead of making a rounded continuation to the pocket, and heads straight toward the pins, the reaction is called flipping.

Skid/Flip Reaction

So what is the skid/flip reaction of a ball then? When your bowling ball’s continuation is long and angular, you can call it a “skid-flip” reaction. This term is commonly used when a bowling ball travels down a certain bowling lane from its release point on the front-end part of the lane to its break point area and then makes a sharp angular change in direction to hook in order to enter into the pocket.

How do you find a Skid/Flip Bowling ball?

Most bowlers when they buy a new bowling ball, generally opt for a ball that can deliver a skid-flip reaction. So how do you identify a skid-flip bowling ball? To recognize a “skid-flip” bowling ball you need to select a bowling ball with the right coverstock and core design, and the cover-core combination should match the properties that are going to produce the skid-flip ball motion. Besides, a ball’s exterior and interior, you should also understand the kind of lane conditions that are best for the said skid-flip motion.

Ball Coverstock

Generally, bowling balls that promote longer skid pattern when it rolls down the lane are ideal for skid-flip reaction. And what kind of ball deliver that long skid pattern? A bowling ball with a pearl or stiff coverstock with a shiny/polished finish (1500 or 2000 Grit) is more prone to ski/flip ball reaction. 

The science behind this is that a shiny pearl coverstock bowling ball doesn’t react on the front end of the lane as fast as a dull or sanded ball in dry lane condition. Bowling balls with pliable or dull surfaces (low grit) and aggressive coverstocks. Tend to react quickly in heavy lane conditions.

Plus, they don’t skid nearly as far as bowling balls with stiff coverstocks and a shiny factory finish. So when you’re planning to have a skid/flip reaction from your bowling ball, choose the right type of coverstock with the right surface finish.

Core Design

Now, the next thing you have to carefully consider is the core design of your bowling ball. You can’t just use any pearl coverstock bowling ball with high shiny polish and expect a skid-flip reaction. The core of your ball controls the hook and length potential.

The higher the Radius of gyration of a bowling ball, the more it is going to give a skid/flip reaction. A high RG bowling ball tends to skid with greater length before it moves on to a strong roll with a higher energy level until it gets to the hook phase at the breakpoint.

So what about the differential? Well, a bowling with a high differential will make the ball hook sharply at the break point to the pocket. These are considered high hook potential bowling balls and are often rated so by the manufacturers. When you use a high differential bowling ball, you wish the ball to recover at the backend after it moves its direction away from the targeted pocket.

Bowling Lane Type/Condition

So what kind of bowling oil pattern is the best for the skid-flip reaction? If you have bowled on a bunch of different bowling oil patterns, you know that, once the lane breaks down, you bowl better. Another thing you might have noticed is that dry lane conditions make your balls hook a bit sooner. So it makes sense when a high RG bowling ball with low surface friction doesn’t react on the front end of the midlane before it transitions at the breakpoint.

The skid-flip reaction is great for playing inside as it opens up the lane after a few games or when the lane is completely broken down. You can use your skid-flip-friendly equipment on shorter patterns as long as they have a strong backend. 

How can you get more skid on your bowling ball?

Besides Besides choosing the right bowling ball for skid-flip reaction, you have to put your bowling techniques in order. The best way to get more skid from your bowling ball is to prevent an early roll and smooth continuation. To do that, you have to adjust your feet position and move them during your approach. Now, here are a few things you should do—

– You gotta use the side of the lane where the oil is highly concentrated. 

– Adjust your spot on the bowling lane laterally.

– Change the speed of your bowling ball when needed.

– Adjust your loft distance 

– You can try out several ball release techniques until you find the one that gives you the most skid.

– Just because it’s a skid-flip ball doesn’t mean it can guarantee the best skid-flip reaction. So try a few bowling balls, and based on your lane condition change them.

– To extend the ball’s skid length, pro bowlers set their spot on the lane and then look 12 to 24 inches further. So how does this sighting help? Well, it helps you enhance the ball’s skid length and lower the possibilities of early hook reactions. When you sight further than you normally do, boost your ball speed a little, and don’t forget to complete your follow-through.

Conclusion

Most bowlers like a bowling ball that can deliver a skid-flip reaction. Who doesn’t like the extra energy down the lane and a more violent reaction? Besides, you get to enjoy a greater angle of entry and as a result, you get to score more strikes than usual. So work on your ball reaction with an appropriate skid or flip bowling ball. Good luck and catch you later, my fellow bowlers!