I've been eyeballing the Obut "Waffle" pattern pointing boules (MATCH 120 RL) and was wondering how much these patterns play in "assisting a good point"

I own Integrale AC (bronze) boules, with the "pineapple" (similar) striations, but the Obut version has much DEEPER striations.

Much like cleats on a football player's shoes, I suspect "deeper striations" get a better ground grip.

Personally, I’ve never noticed any difference on the terrain between a smooth, lightly striped or heavily striped boule. I’m not sure if this is because:
a)I’m not a skilled enough player to notice any difference or
b)There is no difference.

I sometimes play with VMS ‘Tortue’ boules, which also have deep grooves – whilst they are excellent “low-rebound” boules, again I haven’t noticed any difference as far as the grooves are concerned when pointing.

Remember that most of top-of-the-range boules are only manufactured either smooth or with a minimal single stripe pattern and that all the top players seem perfectly happy pointing with these. It’s rare to see heavily striped boules in competitions – I’m sure if they really did offer an advantage, more top pointers would use them.

Regards,

Ray