Many types of bowling balls are available on the market, categorized according to their material and the reaction they are expected to show on the lane. One of these reactions is skid-flipping, and the balls made for this purpose usually come with a pearlized coverstock and a highly glossy finish.
The term skid-flip is often attributed to a bowling ball that has the ability to skid down the lane till the breakpoint and then sharply turn toward the pocket. The most important thing to remember when throwing a skid flip bowling ball is to have a good grip and release.
Not all lanes offer the same conditions for a skid-flip motion. Finding a suitable bowling ball with a special type of coverstock and a shiny finish is also important. Throwing a skid-flip bowling ball correctly takes practice and patience. But once you get the hang of it, it’s a great way to bowl strikes!
There are many different ways to throw a skid flip bowling ball, but the most important thing is to have the proper technique. If you don’t have the proper technique, you won’t be able to throw the ball correctly, and it will end up going in the gutter.
In this article, we will find out the characteristics of a skid-flip bowling ball and how to throw a skid-flip ball like a pro.
What is a Skid Flip Bowling Ball?
A skid flip bowling ball is a type of bowling ball that is designed to provide a high degree of hook potential while also offering a good amount of control. Skid flip bowling balls typically have a symmetrical core design and a pearlized coverstock with a glossy finish.
This type of ball provides a good carry all the way to the backend. Such a ball should only be used when you have a clearly defined breakpoint on the lane. However, the breakpoint doesn’t remain very defined after a couple of games due to transitioning. In such a situation, it wouldn’t be wise to use a skid-flip reaction on the lane.
Be sure to choose a ball with a symmetrical core design if you want to see it skid-flipping on the lane. The weight should be evenly distributed around the center of the ball, which makes it skid more. The skidding action of the ball across the lane helps to create a lot of spins, which can make the ball hook more. It also makes the ball slow down as it travels down the lane.
You might want to read this article: How to Choose a Bowling Ball.
The conventional and the reverse grip can be used to throw a skid-flip ball. If you have found the best skid-flip ball, you can easily spin it using the conventional grip. However, if the ball coverstock is unsuitable for a skid-flip motion, you must use the reverse release method.
When to Throw a Skid-Flip Bowling Ball?
The skid flip action can be a useful tool for bowlers to use in various situations. Understanding when and how to use this action can improve your game and score more strikes.
There are four types of ball motion that all bowling balls exhibit. These are traction, continuous, angular, and straight. Angular motion is when the ball hooks very late and takes a sharp turn once it reaches the breakpoint. This type of motion is desirable when the player needs to open up the lane.
As you must have guessed by now, a skid-flip bowling ball is unsuitable for all lane conditions. Since it will not show any reactions in oil, you would want to use a smoother ball reaction when the lane is heavily oiled.
Check out this article: How to Read Bowling Lane Oil Patterns.
The best situation for using a skid-flip bowling ball is the lane is dry and you need to create more friction. Throwing a skid-flip bowling ball on a fresh tapered house shot or broken-down sports shots is recommended. These conditions offer a larger margin for error; hence, you can use any ball you prefer as long as you know what you’re trying to achieve.
The skidding action of the ball can help create a lot of backspin, which can be helpful for bowlers trying to keep their shots on the fairway. However, remember that this ball is difficult to control on the backswing since you cannot control its direction.
The Best Skid-Flip Bowling Balls
If you want to see skid-flip action on the lane, try to find an angular bowling ball with Aggression Pearl coverstock and preferably a low RG and differential. One ball that fits this description perfectly is Hammer Black Widow Ghost Pearl. It’s a bit expensive, but it is definitely the next big thing in the bowling world.
Motiv Fatal Venom is another skid-flip bowling ball featuring the Gear symmetric core and Infusion Pearl reactive coverstock. It is known to offer the ideal skid-flip action on lightly oiled lane conditions. Both these balls are available in the weight range of 12 to 16 lbs.
If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive option, go for Roto Grip Hyped Pearl, which comes with the HypedTM core and VTC Pearl reactive coverstock.
One of the most expensive angular balls finished at 5000 Grit LSP and offering the best performance on low oil volume, and high friction surface is the Motiv Pride Empire. This ball is for you if you are looking for the maximum length and an aggressive reaction to friction. It features the Dominion core and Propulsion Pearl reactive coverstock.
No matter which ball you choose for experiencing skid-flip action, make sure you go for the right weight to create a desirable backend reaction. Some of these balls can be very expensive because of the technology used in their construction and the fact that they are extremely durable and long-lasting. However, they are worth the price, and once you get the hand of skid-flip motion, you will start enjoying your game tremendously.
