Freeze for first ball?

[Ratt_bowling]

Went to my closest pro shop, don't know the guy from Adam,  so I just want to check with Board folks about what he suggested.

I think I should mention that the entire store is nothing but EBI family products.  I tell the guy I'm interested in getting my first ball and he recommended the Freeze. 

I was under the impression that he'd want to see me throw a ball before recommending anything, lol shows what I know.  I then tell him I fool around hooking house balls with a no-thumb underhand football style release to see if that made any difference to his recommendation, but he stuck by the Freeze. 

I kept drooling at the Track 400A SE and he said the freeze would fit like a 200 by tracks number system.  Since coming home and reading reviews it sounds like Freeze is stronger than he gave it credit for?

Thanks a bunch folks!

[bowlerzs]

The Freeze is a good recommendation for a first ball based on the fact that it is a great ball for the cost. It would offer you a good starting point while you develop your game and add new equipment later on. It can be strong especially on typical house patterns that have a lot of friction near the gutters. Another ball that could be good would be the Ebonite Cyclone. I do agree that the 400A is one serious piece of eye candy though.

[charlest]

I've thrown the Freeze and a few of the 300s and the Freeze is stronger than any 300 except maybe the new 300C Solid. It is also close to some of the 50xA ("A" for angular). SO I think he may be mistaken.

If this is your first resin ball, the Freeze is not a bad beginner's recommendation, but your style could put you anywhere in the range of bowlers. He should have asked where you bowl, if he has a working knowledge of some of the local centers. While it isn't absolutely essential to watch you bowl, it is a safe idea especially if you've never been there before AND this is your first new ball.

I'd look elsewhere for other suggestions. You can always come back to this guy if he seems like the best choice.

[tommyboy74]

charlest nailed it here.  The Freeze is a good piece to start with and a nice way to build an arsenal.  However, all of the major brands have very good balls that you can start with.  Don't limit yourself to just EBI.  Storm, Roto Grip, Motiv, Brunswick, DV8, 900 Global, AMF, and others all produce good equipment.

A good shop will take the time to find out where you bowl, watch you bowl and then make individual recommendations based on this.  This is so when the ball is drilled, it will be laid out according to your style and what works best for your game.   Good shops will have a good working knowledge of the centers in your area and their lane conditions.

Even the person that drills my arsenal still likes to see me bowl whenever I go with anything new and that is to check if anything has changed.  Plus if I am bowling at a center around here that I haven't been to for a tournament, I can get feedback from my driller on what to use along with surfaces and different lines based on my game.  That's the value of having a relationship with a good pro shop that has that working knowledge.

So I would take the advice of looking at other shops with other suggestions.  Basically measure twice, cut once. 

Also, if you want to provide a general location of where you live, there is a good chance that we can provide feedback on good shops or shops to avoid. 

[Ratt_bowling]

I am in the Huntsville, AL area.  I'm surprised it has 6 alleys for this pop.  My much bigger hometown only had 3 alleys.  A couple months back I had the game of my life, first clean and 225 new high score, at Plamor Lanes.  Since then I've had bowling on the brain and want to improve my whole game.  My ambition is to join a league and experience some competition.

I'm a little OCD so I'd like all my stuff to be the same brand. 

[JohnP]

The Freeze is a good choice for a beginner, as are the Cyclone, Strike King, and others.  I'd stay away from someone that wants to sell you a ball that costs more than around $150 drilled.  But what's more important than the ball choice is the choice of a driller that will give you a good fit.  Look for someone that will watch you throw a few balls before making a recommendation.  Ask the better bowlers in your area where they have their balls drilled.  Good luck and good bowling.  --  JohnP 

[Ratt_bowling]

Visited another Pro Shop.  This guy at this one flipped open a book and pointed to the Ebonite Cyclone.  I then asked him about the drilling and told him how I wanted to throw the ball.  He tried to convince me not to throw that way. 

I don't want to act like I know better than the pro shop guys but how I can I get them to help me find what I want?  Which is basically any good friendly ball with a drilling that may 'suit' my style of throw.

Are there any good shops in Nashville?  I'd drive up there if it meant getting the attention of a proper fitting and customer service.

[The Bowling Pariah]

Ratt,

 Proshops are really caught between trying to help bowlers with their suggestions, while still selling the customer what he wants. SOMETIMES those two things are very different, and the customer may not realize why.

 The shops you went to both suggested great balls as a first ball, as the Freeze and Cyclone are both great entry level stuff. The problem came when the first one didn't watch your style beforehand, and the second even suggested you change your style without even seeing it. A lot of the time, shop guys have their own opinions of what the "right" style consists of, and their well intended bias will sometimes lead them away from their actual goal of getting you in the ball that is right for you. Most of the time, their suggestions ARE well intended, but maybe a bit mis-guided.

 Are you absolutely sure you want to stick to this style of bowling for now? If so, make sure and let them know at the shop that you just want a good ball that fits for now, as you are just starting to want to get a bit more serious at the game, and want your game/style to evolve naturally for now, and may be interested in some coaching at a later date.

 Honestly, they should at least give a look at a couple of shots you throw, just to get an idea of rotation (revs, tilt, and turn) before making any final judgements about how to set up your ball before drilling.

 You also need to decide whether you want a thumb hole in the ball or not, even if you don't use it. This will/can make a big difference in where the finger holes are drilled in relation to the marked points on the ball.

 For what it is worth, I probably wouldn't recommend the 400se right off the bat for you either, but mainly because of price point rather than performance level. The "entry level" balls are usually a bit cheaper, i.e. the Freeze and Cyclone, but the 400se's performance level isn't THAT much higher than either of those balls, and would also make a great first ball choice, as long as you know up front that it will cost more because it isn't marketed as an "entry level" price point ball. I've seen a couple of them (400se) around here already, and the ball seems to be really smooth and strong rolling for both of these guys, and their styles are totally different.

 On a brighter note, good luck and welcome to bowling. It has been a great experience for me, and I have had loads of fun and made many friends because of it. I hope it can be just as great, and just as much fun for you as well.

[St. Croix]

Agree with charlest and tommyboy; I love the Freeze which is my primary ball for most house patterns, but there are other excellent balls in the same class. I like the Freeze because it has pretty good length with a smooth and even arc. I do not consider the Freeze a "weak" ball, but I will defer to the guys with more technical savvy on the strength / weakness issue. The Freeze is also a good value.

Your first ball is obviously an important purchase. Do not be limited to the "nearest" pro shop. Get some recommendations from friends. If there are lanes available (not every pro shop is located inside a bowling establishment), the pro shop operator should ask you to throw a house ball to check your style. You will probably get some tips with the purchase of your ball!

[tommyboy74]

In Tennessee and Alabama, you may want to check out McCorvey's.  I know around the Nashville area, they have a shop in Murfreesboro.

http://www.mccorveysproshop.com/locations-c-58.html?osCsid=56250cb6b196ef63ff86b8f8f59360c6

[LuckyLefty]

Freeze is a very good ball for Entry level or medium to high speed men bowlers for their first balls.

The Cyclone I see as lumbering for many, haven't seen the same results for most as with the Freeze.

The Strike King is a real favorite of mine.  I just bowled a buddy of mine last week as the condition got a little dryer in the heads.  (We are both left handed so often balls like this are for later(more oil on our side for longer).

Our reactions had died from our Virtual Gravity Nano and Mission X.  On a switch to his Freeze and my Strike King we went 255 - 233.  I won't tell which one won. But these are two great light to medium oil bowling balls with punch at the back for a  reasonable cost!

Regards,

Luckylefty
PS I own 3 Freezes, 1 Strike King, and 1 undrilled Cyclone.  I view the Cyclone as a very good ball with good midlane and a rounded backend.  If your house has good strong backends in the league you are in it may work.  For my eyes I view the Strike King and the Freeze as having a little more backend than the Cyclone.