@ cowboybowler:
Yup, if you are going to take bowling serious, it is the best thing to consult a TRUSTWORTHY pro shop. Make some research on the web or ask some players with own balls at your local bowling alley where they got theirs and if they were content with the drilling and advice.
A good pro shop owner is very valuable and should not urge you to buy "this special ball" with the dust coating... just for beginners.
For the first ball you buy (depending on your experience) I would recommend a simple polyester ball with conventional grip first. It will give you a proper feeling for a ball that fits you hand and should improve your score. Take one at one pound heavier than the house balls you play with, it should be a good match.
If you are going for a fingertip drilling and I would recommend having a good approach and technique for this "step"), I you play a good entry ball I would recommend a new, simple reactive ball. A friend of mine started with a polished Brunswick Groove Reactive, and this is a ball with a very good price/effect ratio, well for dry to medium oiled lane conditions. Other manufacturers have similar balls, ask your dealer for advice. It should also be drilled for you hand and heavier than your regular house balls. I would not go for a used ball - have a proper start when you change your bowling style.
With training and help from experienced players (ask somebody trustworthy to watch your delivery, or join a training group) your game should improve with regular playing, when it could be about time to settle for a more sophisticated ball, more center-heavy (and probably even heavier, found out myself that I grew very fast out of my starting weights). Here a pro can help, too. This can be more easily a used one, replugged, but should only be the second step.
Additionally, a new fingertip drilled spare ball should come in now, so that you have a two-ball set for most of the thinkable conditions.
Keep trying! Hope this helps?
