First ball

[JT]

I am currently using house balls and would like to purchase my own equipment. I would like to go with a ball that has some hook. How do you have your first ball drillrd if you don't know your PAP?

[noturcuzin]

Go to your pro shop. The shop guy there will measure your hand and determine your PAP for you. Do you know what ball you are getting?
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CHRIS FARLEY:1964-1997  
JOHN CANDY:1950-1994
JOHN BELUSHI:1949-1982  
 
"NO RESPECT, I GET NO RESPECT."-the great Rodney Dangerfield

InSite Bowling Products:2004-2008

[Spider Ball Bowler]

Most likely what will happen is, the proshop guy will guide you in the direction of a ball, and you won't agree, and buy something else.  Then he will drill it up with the "label leverage" drilling, totally disregarding your PAP.

You will leave, throw the ball, and be unhappy....
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Ahhh Disco Biscuits!

[noturcuzin]

quote:Most likely what will happen is, the proshop guy will guide you in the direction of a ball, and you won't agree, and buy something else.  Then he will drill it up with the "label leverage" drilling, totally disregarding your PAP.

You will leave, throw the ball, and be unhappy....
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Ahhh Disco Biscuits!

Spider Ball Bowler is right. JT, make sure you do some homework on drillings and bowling balls before the guy tries to sucker you into something expensive or he recommends a good beginners ball and you don't want it. Also, a drilling that is easy for him(like a label drill)and may not work for you. There are plenty of websites that show drillings, just google it. As for bowling balls, whatever company you want, just go to their website and look up the bowling ball characteristics. Since it is your first ball don't buy some $200 high performance bowling ball unless you really want one(it's your money to spend not ours). Find a nice mid to low priced, mid performance ball from whatever company you want. Good luck to you.
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CHRIS FARLEY:1964-1997  
JOHN CANDY:1950-1994
JOHN BELUSHI:1949-1982  
 
"NO RESPECT, I GET NO RESPECT."-the great Rodney Dangerfield

InSite Bowling Products:2004-2008

[JT]

I was thinking of a T-Road Pearl. If that is too much ball to start with i will go with a Tropical Storm. I have a good local pro shop that i will be dealing with. I am just trying to educate myself a little before i go in there.
I just wasn't understanding how they get my PAP without me throwing the ball then taking measurements. Am i right that all drilling layouts start with knowing your PAP. I have been throwing a 14lb house ball and my ball speed is 19mph. Any suggestions on drill layouts for these balls would be appreciated.

[JT]

Thank you
 This clears up alot. I will probably go with a Tropical Storm if the pro shop agrees based on how i throw the ball, where my game is at, and where i want to take my game. I have no problems using and taking advice from experienced bowlers. I will listen to what they say and build a business relationship of it. I am planning on spending a little money on coaching once i have some time with my own equipment.

[JohnP]

JT -- Since you're using a house ball, I assume that it's drilled conventional and that it doesn't fit you properly.  If you're serious about getting better you should get your new ball drilled fingertip.  So the best the driller is going to be able to do is watch you throw a few balls and get a general idea of where your track will be with the fingertip grip.  I agree with the Tropical Storm, the driller will probably put the pin right and slightly above your ring finger - that's a standard layout when you don't have a PAP location to go by.  The one thing he should check to be sure of is that you aren't a full roller, that changes the layout to avoid flaring into the finger holes.  When you buy your next ball, he will be able to determine your PAP and get more sophisticated with the layout.  --  JohnP

[backswing_aplenty]

As for a first "hook" ball I direct customers to get their favorite color.  There's so many choices out there in the entry level and midrange that choosing based on style is a little tough.

Find a ball in your price range first and then choose one that is visually appealling to you. You're going to be throwing it exclusivly for a bit, make sure you like how it looks.  There's too much else you will be worring about with footwork, release, hook, backswing etc... The pin to PAP measurments will have zero bearing on you learning the game.

The most improtant part of a new ball is working with your Proshop operator about the fit.  If it hurts your hand, let them know, if it's rubbing somewhere, let them know anything.  They may tell you to stop squeezing and that's true but go ahead and ask the questions. I've had too many customers not come back in after they've used their new ball for 6 months and it's torn up their thumb because of squeezing, half-thumbbing it, or improper technique I could have helped them with the 2nd week they tried the ball.

larry m is correct, befriend your proshop operator.


*backswing
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*...Got the 5 out clean!

To prove I'm real 270-2931 http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?mp=270&ms=2931&s=2005-2006

[JohnP]

quote:The most improtant part of a new ball is working with your Proshop operator about the fit. If it hurts your hand, let them know, if it's rubbing somewhere, let them know anything. They may tell you to stop squeezing and that's true but go ahead and ask the questions. I've had too many customers not come back in after they've used their new ball for 6 months and it's torn up their thumb because of squeezing, half-thumbbing it, or improper technique I could have helped them with the 2nd week they tried the ball.

Truer words have never been posted.  --  JohnP

[JT]

Thank you i forgot about fingertip drilling. I wil definately ask about it. I want to start throwing a hook when i get my new ball, right now it seems to do more harm than good when i try to put some spin on a plastic house ball so i have just been bowling straight.

[dizzyfugu]

If you want to step up form conventionally drilled house balls and start hooking the ball, IMHO go to a pro shop with a good rep (ask around among local players, a VERY important issue) and stick with an entry level ball 8and choose the color you like best, there are e.g. Tropical Storms or Power Grooves galore!). If you come from house balls, chances are high that you have never played a ball before that actually fit your hand, so you will surely be able to add 1 or even 2 pounds of weight when you start with a properly fitted fingertip ball.

Besides, I would not worry much about the PAP - in your situation, I am sure any pro shop will leave you with a generic label drilling (which means the center of gravity is in your palm, and the pin anywhere above and moved towards your unknown PAP wherever the ball's specs allow it). It is not the most sophisticated setup, but ideal for a beginner. Knowinmg what a ball setup can do for you is never wrong, but IMHO this decision is still a bit early (unless a pro shop wants to talk you into something ).

You basically do not need a PAP measure for a label setup, the ball will hook in a wide arc, be easy to control, and anything you will need to develop a basic and stable game as well as a PAP that can be exploited in the future with more sophisticated balls to fit your needs.
But I'd suggest this as a second step, and save some money for this occasion or a coach to get the basics right.

Good luck, though.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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[Mike Austin]

JT, there are some good responses by some good people.

I would go with the entry level ball.  Nothing wrong with a Tropical Storm or Power Groove, I've shot 300 with both.

Don't worry about your PAP just yet, you gotta get the ball off your hand the same way twice.  Get the ball fit by a reputable, knowledgable driller, that is the best thing you can do.  Keep a good attitude, open mind, ask questions, that is the best way for the driller to find out what you do or don't know.  If you have problems, tell them, drillers are not mind readers.

One final thing, I know you are getting a new toy, but ease into it.  Don't go bowl 40 games in 2 days.  You will probably tear up your hand, no matter how well the ball is drilled.  Let your hand and body get used to this great new activity!!

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THIS SPACE FOR RENT

[JohnP]

quote:One final thing, I know you are getting a new toy, but ease into it. Don't go bowl 40 games in 2 days. You will probably tear up your hand, no matter how well the ball is drilled. Let your hand and body get used to this great new activity!!

Good point, Mike.  In my younger days I did exactly that, bowled 16 games with a new ball after not bowling for a couple of years and had blood blisters on both of my finger tips.  --  JohnP