MoRich Bowling Ball Drilling -- Gradient Line Balance Hole Technique (Updated Jul 2009)

Please note that the following reading is not for the faint of heart and will REQUIRE several readings to understand what's being presented! A good understanding of the DUAL ANGLE DRILLING TECHNIQUE™ is a strong prerequisite. The end result is that the combination of using both the DUAL ANGLE DRILLING TECHNIQUE™ and the GRADIENT LINE BALANCE HOLE™ will redesign ball drilling as we know it today. We welcome you to join us in this new frontier!

GRADIENT LINE BALANCE HOLE™ (Download PDF document)

Time Line

Not that long ago balance or weight holes were strictly thought of as a drilling technique to keep side weights legal (ball balance) as well as helping to control a ball's movement to the pocket. As technology advances, drilling techniques need to change as well. MoRich is pleased to announce the next step in ball drilling --The GRADIENT LINE BALANCE HOLE™. Developed by MoRich with analytical support provided by Steve Freshour, combining this technique with Dual Angle  provides the ball driller with an easy, effective and accurate method of choosing the best layout and balance hole location to match every bowler to every lane condition.

This technique continues with that learned in the DUAL ANGLE DRILLING TECHNIQUE where we now focus on the placement, size, and depth of the balance hole and its effect on the ball.

The following statement is rather important so please read it a few times.

The GRADIENT LINE BALANCE HOLE™ works accurately in conjunction with the DUAL ANGLE DRILLING TECHNIQUE™ for ALL bowling balls. Using longer-pinned balls (pins-out 3 to 5 ½ inches) makes the gradient line balance hole easier to place. Longer-pinned balls will result in the CG being below the midline and therefore eliminating problems with excessive finger weights after drilling.

Definition

What's a gradient line? It's simply the line drawn from the Positive Axis Point (PAP) to the Preferred Spin Axis (PSA).  Notice that there are only 4 equally distant locations along each line. The first (P1) is always on the PAP, the fourth (P4) is always on the PSA, and the second (P2) and third (P3) are equal distant from each other as well as to their respective PAP or PSA points. The shorter the distant between the PAP and PSA, the shorter the distance between P1, P2, P3, and P4 and  when the distance between the PAP and PSA is longer, the distance between P1, P2, P3, and P4 will also be longer.  Let's get a better visual using the pictures below.

Notice the pin placement, its angle between P1 and P4, and the closeness of P4 to the thumbhole! This later factor is very important as we move along.

Why are we so concerned with the placement of a balance hole? Well because it has the ability to reduce or enhance a ball's potential in coordination with its drilling. Bowlers rarely want to change lines, hand positions, let alone balls. Bowlers are fickle athletes who like what they like and rarely like change. How many times has someone approached you and asked to have the next ball behave exactly like the old one that's several years old and out-of-style according to today's technology? This technique now provides you with an alternative to better match equipment to a bowler's style and needs while restoring a bowler's confidence in newer equipment.

Sounds rather simple, but now it's time to dive into the numbers!

Let's start with the first picture where we're using a 3⅜ X 4½ layout using a 40° drilling angle. Keep an eye on how the numbers (especially the Total Diff) change as the hole location changes.

So what's the bottom line with all of these numbers? P1 placements reduce the dynamics of the ball by almost 20%. P2 placements are so minute in changing the dynamics that its almost the same as if the hole weren't drilled. And the need for a P2 if nothing changes -- to keep side weight within USBC regulations! P3 placements increase ball dynamics by 20% and P4 placements increase ball dynamics by 40%!

Hmmm so before we go much further, can you see how you might be able to adjust a bowler's preferred ball so that it can behave differently without much change required of the bowler?

Let's move to the second picture where we're using a 5 X 4½ layout using a 55° drilling angle.

See how the trend continues? And now let's move to the third picture where we're using a 2¼ X 6 layout using a 70° drilling angle.

RECAP

Now let's recap by comparing the Total Diffs in terms of percentage increase and decrease with this particular ball whose undrilled total diff is 0.048. Notice how the ball's dynamics weaken as the angles increase for balance holes placed at P1 (PAP) and how they strengthen with reference to placement at either P3 or P4.

Conclusion

The numbers simply prove that in coordination with the drilling layout, placement of the balance hole is rather simple and generates a significant amount of impact on the final product. Armed with this new information, matching bowlers to equipment to lane conditions becomes much easier! The bottom line -- it makes sense!