Buying a bowling ball

[fustercluck]

Been wanting to get a new bowling ball for a long time. I got the money now and am ready to get one. I just don't what's the best way to go about getting one. I need to talk with someone who can help me out, and someone who isn't just going to try and sell me the most expensive ball. I don't know where to find this person - There's only 3 local Bowling Alleys, and I don't know anyone in any of the pro shops. What I do know is they all seem to overcharge like mad.

I've been using a ball I got at a yard sale (basically) a few years ago, it fits pretty well but wasn't made for me specifically. Plus it's a ball from the 80s, so it's kinda dated.

I have no idea what I want really, besides a fingertip ball, probably 15 lbs, and most likely a 'reactive' coverstock. I've talked to a couple of people in the shops but not sure if they knew what they were talking about or if they just happened to be working there. Both of them recommended a ball for me, without offering to watch me bowl. It seems like someone who knew what they were doing would offer to watch me bowl first so they could better recommend a ball. I bowl a hook ball.

Right now I'm pretty inconsistent when it comes to bowling. One week I'll bowl 220, next week I'll struggle to get to 100. Sometimes my ball will hook way too early, and sometimes it won't hook at all. I need a ball that isn't so affected by lane conditions is my guess. Anyways...too much information - Anyone have some advice? Should I even consider buying a ball from a proshop since the markups are ridiculous? When are the pro shops usually open?

 

[chusteczka]

Originally posted by: ropeadope
...
I've been using a ball I got at a yard sale (basically) a few years ago, it fits pretty well but wasn't made for me specifically. Plus it's a ball from the 80s, so it's kinda dated. ...

Be glad your ball is not from the 70's. Those had little mirrors attached.

 

[pyonir]

I bought mine in a pro shop of an alley. I was lucky that the guy that worked there had been doing it for over 30 years. He had me throw a ball slow and easy right there in the pro shop...and determined the best ball (my first one) for my throwing style. Holes were drilled perfectly...and i was happy. Sure, i paid a bit more than if i ordered the ball online...but i got it on sale anyway and got top notch service.

Are you in a league at all? If so, ask some of the bowlers that have been throwing for a while...see where they get theirs drilled or buy theirs from. Get recommendations. When i was in Phoenix, they had a huge store in town just for bowling equipment. The guys there were awesome too. Go to one of the alley's on league night and just see if you can talk to the league president or someone on their board. Getting recommendations or referrals is the best way IMO.

 

[OdiN]

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/...ferno_Bowling_Ball.htm

That's what I would recommend.

Dunno if that would be a good ball for you though, you should speak to someone at a pro shop and have them watch you bowl.

But drilling is more important than the ball. A proper ball can be drilled to work with the way you bowl. Buddies is a great pro shop and I shop there, good service. I would probably have it drilled locally though.

 

[fustercluck]

I'm not in a league. Buying a bowling ball is like buying golf clubs I imagine. What works really well for someone else may not work well for me. So it doesn't seem like buying a ball off of recommendation alone would be a good idea. Need to find a pro to watch me bowl first. How I can find a pro, I don't know

 

[OdiN]

You don't need to have anyone watch you bowl.

What you mainly need to know is what type of lanes you bowl on (wood or synthetic) and what the oil conditiona typically are. With that, you can pick a ball based on how much you want to hook or not, to fit those conditions. It can be drilled for the rest.

 

[Fritzo]

Get a pink 12 pounder. You'll impress all the guys.

 

[fustercluck]

Thanks for the "buddies" site, cool that they show videos of a lot of the balls they sell.

Are proshops usually open during the day or night? Open on the weekends at all? I guess it probably differs somewhat place to place.

 

[Chryso]

Originally posted by: chusteczka

Originally posted by: ropeadope
...
I've been using a ball I got at a yard sale (basically) a few years ago, it fits pretty well but wasn't made for me specifically. Plus it's a ball from the 80s, so it's kinda dated. ...

Be glad your ball is not from the 70's. Those had little mirrors attached.

LOL! I have a ball from the 70s. It is silvery gray.

 

[banksh0t]

Wow, i was just going to search for a post about bowling balls. Wondering if anyone had any recommendations on balls. I think I've narrowed it down to two balls, the http://www.bowling.com/products/columbia-rival.htm or the http://www.bowling.com/product...r-raw-hammer-anger.htm
I spoke with the guy at the pro shop at my alley said that these balls would be great for the price they are at. About the pro shop workers watching you bowl, they usually do that after you pick a ball and before you drill it. They can drill it different ways depending on how you throw your ball.

Also being inconsistent does not really come from your ball, usually its your formal. If your changing your formal or approach everyone you go up the lane then it really doesn't matter what type of ball your throwing.

Hope this helps.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

ideally you'll want two balls, one for the first throw (the strike ball) which is usually of reactive resin, and the second is the spare ball for more control.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
ideally you'll want two balls, one for the first throw (the strike ball) which is usually of reactive resin, and the second is the spare ball for more control.

If I get a really good strike ball I won't need a spare ball, right? - Endless 300 games coming up! (also...random thought...it would be cool to get a "300" ball with the saying "THIS IS SPARTA!" on it....Ok maybe it wouldn't be so cool, but funny none the less).

I figure I could use my old (current ball) for a pickup ball, or use one of the alley balls.

I also have the Hammer Anger Raw on my list of things that looked good.

 

[fustercluck]

Still seems like there is no good way to get a bowling ball. But, I suppose they can do a lot with drilling. I'll try and go to some of the proshops this week and see if I can get any good info. Otherwise maybe I'll just buy one online and hope it works out...don't like the sound of that though =/

 

[banksh0t]

I plan on buying the Hammer Anger Raw this coming weekend. I'll be buying it from http://www.bowling.com/ and once i get it i plan on taking it down to my local proshop and getting them to drill it for me. Thats what I've done before and it has worked out in the past for me. Good Luck.

 

[troytime]

what is your hook style?
down and in?
belly hook?

how many boards does your ball move?

there are many different variations of balls and the way they're drilled

my advice is to buy a used ball (reactive or proactive)
get it drilled for your span and grip

then practice with it
once you know more about what you WANT the ball to do, it'll be easier to pick a ball

i used to bowl at least 4 nights a week, carried a 203 average
owned over 20 bowling balls at one time

i have a 15lb hammer syntactive sledge i'll sell ya cheap
i rolled my first 700 series with it, but now it's just collecting dust

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: troytime
what is your hook style?
down and in?
belly hook?

how many boards does your ball move?

I don't know any of that stuff - Probably changes all the time with me.

I'll definitely check out the used balls first, though there's only one place locally that sells used balls.

 

[McCarthy]

Do like I did in early teen league. Find a house ball that suites you and hide it somewhere on the premises so you can always have it.
Ok, that probably doesn't work unless you live in as small a town as I did.

Had my own balls, had them redrilled as I grew and that chipped up old house ball still gave me my best games. No pro here obviously, (163 average at 13 though) and haven't bowled for years, but still believing in the ball (weird, yeah, but sports often involve confidence through myth) and being comfortable with it are more important that seeking higher scores through science, IMO. At least at the casual level. I'm sure most bowlers can tell you about people they know who get their ball redone or get a new one every few months and actually get worse over time. "A poor carpenter blames his tools" kinda thing.

Sounds like a new ball is waiting to find a home in your bag, but it also sounds like you need good old fashioned practice with your score swings.

And dammit, now I want to go bowling!

 

[bleuiko]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo
ideally you'll want two balls...

I started laughing right around there... I'm so immature. *cough* Okay, back to the bowling ball matter.