Pin carry is something that gets talked about often but is not something that is always understood at a technical level. Some bowlers just rely on the randomness of the bowling ball reaction once it collides with the pins. Others just think that the ball decides to go wherever it wants to go regardless of the consistency of the throw.
In this guide we'll go through the essential bits of information concerning pin carry dynamics and provide you with better strategies or approaches to ensure that you are maximizing pin carry potential with every bowling ball you unleash onto the lane.
Pin Carry, Explained
Pin carry, as a concept, has several definitions, but put simply, it is the method in that explains how pins are toppled as a result of either of the following:
Direct contact with the bowling ball is pretty self-explanatory. Whatever the bowling ball physically touches counts as direct contact.
Pin scatter, on the other hand, refers to the knockback of certain pins that came in direct contact which, under ideal situations, will also lead to knocking down even more pins behind or adjacent to them.
Pin carry, therefore, is what you would need to work on to ensure that all pins get knocked down. Sure, hitting pins directly is a more surefire way to get a few points in the frame, but looking to utilize pin scatter will ensure that you have the highest probability of knocking down all 10 pins.
What Leads to Effective Pin Carry
An effective pin carry depends on several aspects. For the sake of discussion, let us talk about the two major aspects: point of entry and point of exit.
Point of entry is quite literally the point at which the bowling ball enters the pin deck (where all 10 pins are stacked).
The most ideal point of entry for right-handed bowlers is through what is called the right-hand pocket, which is the area found between the front-most pin (pin 1) and the pin to its diagonal right (pin 3).
On the other hand (pun intended), the most ideal point of entry for left-handed bowlers is through what is called the left-hand pocket, which is the area found between the front-most pin (pin 1) and the pin to its diagonal left (pin 2).
Studies on the physics of bowling balls have shown that the pockets are the best points of entry (source 1, 2), which is why mastering the hook shot is key to more consistent spares and strikes.
Conversely, the point of exit is the point at which the bowling ball leaves the pin deck, and is indicative of the path the bowling ball took to run through the entire deck.
Opinions may vary, but we suggest working on having your bowling ball slice right through the pin deck, therefore rendering the point of exit as the diagonal opposite of where it entered in the first place.
For right-handed bowlers, the bowling ball should enter through the right-hand pocket and exit through the diagonal left. For left-handed bowlers, the bowling ball should enter through the left-hand pocket and exit through the diagonal right.
How to Increase Pin Carry
There are several useful tips and strategies for increasing pin carry, some quite simple, others a little bit complex. Listed below are our most used tips and strategies.
Increase Bowling Ball Size
Like a wrecking machine, the bigger the ball, the greater the damage, and the faster the day of work would end. Increasing the size (or weight) of your bowling ball will definitely provide you with a greater chance of direct contact with pins and the much-needed pin scatter to knock down the pins far a way from the path taken by the bowling ball.
Work on Angle of Entry
As mentioned earlier, the best point of entry would either be the right-hand pocket (for right-handed bowlers) or the left-hand pocket (for left-handed bowlers). However, there are subtle differences that happen in different angles of entry in the pocket.
If the ball hooks a little bit too late, it may end up deflecting too much to the right. If the ball hooks a little bit too early, it may end up deflecting too much to the left.
The goal is to find the middle ground between the two possibilities in order to ensure that the bowling ball slices right through the pin deck, and causes as much direct contact and pin scatter as possible.
Practice Hook Shots
The truth of the matter is this - straight shots will not provide you with the needed power and consistency to knock down all pins simultaneously. Professional bowlers have said so. Studies have said so. Analytics have said so.
Therefore, the key is to always work on and rely on your hook shots. As you mature more as a player in the sport of bowling, you will learn to treat your hook shots as your bread and butter and your straight shots as your spare shots, in knocking down stubborn bowling pins that are situated in awkward positions.
Choose an Oiled Lane
Lanes that are used up are typically drier or have inconsistent oil patterns. This is especially difficult for right-handed bowlers because the right-hand side of the bowling lane is oftentimes the most travelled upon lane.
If and whenever possible, try to play on a lane that has been barely used in order to have the consistency and the controlled hook potential that an oiled-up lane offers.
Using the Right Ball for Pin Carry
The right bowling ball for pin carry is a reactive resin bowling ball. We recommend this Hammer Black Widow bowling ball in particular:
This 15-pound monster of a bowling ball has a great reaction down the lane and delivers solid performance through its consistent rotations and heavy oil reactions. This ball, however, is for the more experienced, so keep that in mind.
Conclusion
Pin carry is such a fundamental aspect of bowling but is considered to be one of the most overlooked or intentionally ignored aspects of the game, especially when it comes to beginner and intermediate levels of play.
Hopefully, with this quick guide, we have helped you understand the concept of pin carry better and provided you with enough tips to ensure that your strikes will be stringed back-to-back-to-back!