Ball Selection (for the millionth time)

[wrstdude]

All right, I've been bowling recreationally for some time now. I even went out and bought a ball(an Angle Evolution) about 2 years ago to try and improve my game-but I very rarely use it...maybe a little too much hook on the dry surfaces that I tend to bowl on. I usually bowl late in the evening w/ friends after leagues are over. I'd like to start getting into league play as I think I could do pretty well if I got serious w/ it (I'm aware that's a very subjective view).

I ALWAYS beat my friends and generally beat the guys next to us who have 3 or 4 balls and look very professional in their approach and gear. My friends and I bowl for free Steak 'n Shake...if you bowl a 200 you get free Steak n' Shake. I can only think of a couple of times where I haven't eaten for free (and that's using house balls). I have a high game of 256 (about the 3rd time I used the Evolution) and I've probably got an average of 160 bowling in between my legs which I usually do the last game of the night (I've bowled a 182 between the legs before)

I'm a cranker I think (wrist bent w/ a lot of spin), not much backswing and I generally adjust where I stand depending on the lane conditions and the condition of house ball I'm using...sooooooo....is this enough information for some advice on a good ball to choose...or should I stick to drinking while bowling and just having fun? Thanks in advance to those who respond and if you have any more questions I'll do my best to answer.

Paul

[smitty8288]

if you want to get serious about bowling i would look into what people call a beginner ball which is usually a dry lane ball and actually practice with it. keep track of your average, strike percentage, what spares you picked up and missed. that whole thing. then next year definitely sign up for a league. from what you say may be a scratch league to help improve your game. also the dry lane ball during league may also be a spare ball when using your evolution. any other questions give me a messages i will get back to you.

[azguy]

Picking a ball is very subjective. The lanes, the grip, a lot of different things. But, and I'm sure people will disagree here, I'd start out with a Columbia Super Trooper, EGO...Ebonite Ice, or Fire....Storm Big Hit, Razor Wire. That's just my 2 cents worth. Good Luck and remember,,,,unless you plan to pay the bills with bowling....It's A Game....Have fun !
--------------------
AZ Guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net

[charlest]

The best place to get a new ball is, of course, a good pro shop. They can be hard to find. One way is to ask some of those better, higher average guys in leagues. There are 2 main reasons to find a good pro shop & driller. One is to make sure your ball fits properly. That can be very important; bad fitting balls can actually do physical damage to your hand. The second is a good pro shop knows how to evaluate a bowler at any level of expertise and pick a proper set of balls AND to drill them properly for that bowler's use.

We can suggest many balls for you. You seem to need a milder ball than an Evolution for the times you are bowling now. But you should know that conditions can vary immensely in league play from what you see during practice and just-having-a-good-time bowling.  

I'd also suggest that once you get this second ball and try it in your after league fun sessions. Try bringing both balls to a personal practice session, just after the center oils the lanes. Ask the front desk; tell them your plan. I think you'll see a very different bowling experience. If you're still enthusiastic, find a league that looks like fun or interesting to you (visit the center after 6/6:30 PM and/or after 9/9:30 PM; that's starting times for many 1st and 2nd shif leagues) and ask the league secretary if you can substitute for anyone. Having no established average, they usually need you to sub for 3 - 9 games to establish an average for that league.

If you still into it at that point, get into a summer league; they're around 13 weeks long and will give you a taste of league bowling. Summer leagues start forming in April or May. The front desk usually always has flyers or announcements

[wrstdude]

Thanks for the replies. I'll definitely take everyone's advice. I'd just like to be a better bowler. I like being better than the guy next to me who's been doing it for years and I just started (which happens a lot anyway). I think having a ball that is consistent and I can count on doing basically the same thing is just one less variable that I have to deal w/ (ie. house ball, lane conditions, etc.). I think I can easily have an average over 200 if I use something other than a house ball, being that I bowl on average anywhere from 175-215 w/ a house ball.

Anyway, thanks again. I'm assuming most of these beginner balls will still hit harder than a house ball. I throw about 13-15 mph and left to right so I need something that will still hook a little.....again I'm assuming that if I can make a house ball hook, these will be more consistent and hook a little better.

Paul

[charlest]

Some of the best (in my opinion) lighter oil/beginner balls are
- AMF Scamp
- Roto-Grip Sonic Boom
- Brunswick Power Groove reactive pearl
- Columbia Super Trooper, Wild
- Dyno-Thane Crisis
- Visionary Centaur
- Storm Hot Rod
- Ebonite Tornado

Some have more hook, some have less, some have stronger backends, some are more even. All are hard hitting on light oil conditions.

However, It is MOST important that they are fitted correctly and properly  to your hand and are drilled to fit your game, ball speed, and your release. If they are not, you will think you have a bad ball. That is why is so important to find a good pro shop.

One other point:
Don't think you are better than the guy with 3 or 4 balls practicing next to you. You may be but not likely. Good bowlers virtually never practice for score. There are too many other factors that need repetitive execution, other than the strike ball per se. Besides he will rarely face those dry after league oil conditions that you play on. Practice is usually invovling so timing or release or different lines or even plain spare making. For instance, many bowlers will throw their first ball at the 7 pin or 10 pin and then throw their strike ball at the 2nd rack. Of course their scores will be low.

[wrstdude]

Sorry if I sounded egotistical, I've had several guys want to play me for money before so I become sterotypical of most "league bowlers" as arrogant pricks. Two of them I took there money and laughed all the way home-the other guy I didn't play-could tell he was acting like he wasn't any good. This was just me w/ friends and them approaching "us" and offering the challenge to anyone. I'm aware that most guys are good people though as I wouldn't have come on here to ask for any advice.

I'm used to people thinking I'm stuck up because I drive a vette...until they get to know me and I let them drive....it tends to change then

Thanks for the list of balls-that's exactly what I was looking for. I didn't know if I needed to be looking for a brand in particular- a list to pick and choose from is just what the doctor ordered-thanks again.

Paul