I have a wide array of equipment in my bag.  I usually drill each ball in our line and when I find the ones that I really like, I tend to drill two or three of the same ball with different drills.

My three favorite drills are:

Pin above the ring finger with a medium size hole about six inches over.  This allows me to get the ball down the lane and still have continuation on the back-end.  This is about a 4 to 4 ½ inch pin for me.

Pin under my ring finger with a medium size hole about six inches over.  This allows my ball to read the front and middle part of the lane with a smooth arc affect into the pocket.  This is about a 4 to 4 ½ inch pin for me.

Pin next to my ring finger without a hole.  This gives me a nice mid-lane roll with a smooth arc affect into the pins.  This is the ball I like to throw first when practicing because it gives me a good read of the lane.  With the smooth reaction, I can then decide whether I need something stronger or weaker.  This is a 3 ½ inch pin from my axis.

Surface:

If you know me at all as a bowler, or have ever bowled with me, I am the surface scotch-brite queen.  I still have the scotch-brite pads in my bag for surface adjustment. 

Gray pad – 1000 grit
Green pad – 600-800 grit
Burgundy pad – 320-400 grit

I usually touch the surfaces of all my bowling balls.  The factory shine for me is a little to long on the lane, so I touch it lightly with a green pad.  This allows the ball to pick up a roll without having to really change ball speed to much.When I am adjusting the surface I am looking for one thing.  My ball needs to read the middle part of the lane, (from 25 feet to 30 feet on the lane) for me to find the reaction I want.  Mid-lane roll for me is critical because of my roll.  I like to see my ball roll and stop on the back-end.  If  I create this look, I can then change my hand position or change the surface again to get the reaction I want on the back-end.

Yes, Del and Rick Benoit are really trying hard to get me to use the abralon pads more, but boy, I am really old school in some of my thinking.

Favorites: (in no special order)

Fury – Clean through the front part of the lane with an arc affect back-end.  I use this ball on heavy to medium oil lane conditions..
Fury Pearl – Gets down the lane with a sharp hook into the pins.  I use this ball when the front part of the lane is hooking.
Absolute Inferno – An even rolling pearl ball.  Good mid-lane roll with and arc into the pins.  I use this ball on medium oil to dryer lane conditions. 
Strike Zone – One of my favorites.  Clean through the front with mid-lane roll and a heavier arc affect into the pins.  I use this on medium to dry lane conditions.
Twisted Fury – This comes into play when you need length down the lane with continuation on the back-end.  Easy to change the surface on this ball to change where it rolls.
Total Inferno – My earliest rolling ball.  When there is a lot of oil in the front and middle part of the lane, I use the Total.  I can read the reaction, keep the ball in play and it gives me the arc affect on the back-end I like.  Once this ball starts to read to early, I know it is time to change balls.
Wizard – Even rolling ball throughout the lane.  Good read the lane ball.
Punisher – Gives me the most length with with a heavy arc into the back-end.  Used for dry lane conditions.
Target Zone (can’t go anywhere without my plastic ball) – My spare ball.  I don’t leave home without it.

Use your practice to the best of your ability.  Don’t feel like you have to bowl for two hours to say you did it.  Sometimes the best practice is for 30 minutes.  Constructive practice is better than just going throught the motions to get the time in.  Also, when you are bowling well, you may not need as much time practicing, but the short practices is what keeps you sharp.

Now, with all my traveling, I practice three days a week, bowl in one league and try and bowl as many weekend tournaments as I can.  I go to the gym three days a week and still emphasize on my legs and cardio.

If you keep yourself in shape, and keep up with your equipment and physical game, longevity can be your friend.  That’s one of the greatest things about our sport, is that you can go it at 6 or 60.