What should I do

[big_bg]

I am getting into ten pin and can't decide wether i should get a low end ball i can hook with or wether i should get a white dot learn to throw then use it as a spare ball.

[BornToBowl]

I'd go with a urethane ball. Straight balls are good for spares. But I find a little hook is better for splits. Straight balls are really hard to use to make splits. And once you learn how to control the ball then you're going to be really accurate.


Patrick

[Nails]

Unless you have access to an old cheap urethane ball like a Pearl Hammer, I'd recommend a plastic ball.  Even though plastic is hard to get used to for some people, they go much straighter than urethane.  The newer urethane's in particular can hook quite a bit with even the smallest amount of rotation.
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Telling it like it is.

[big_bg]

Well i throw 15 or 16 because i'm a big guy but thanks anyway. The pro shop said go with a white dot as it's $95 (drilled,including tax in Canadian Dollars) and then move up to a ball that can hook. One ball they do have is the Storm flame (neon orange) which i red reviews on and people are saying that the ball doesn't hook all that much and may be able to use as a spare ball. Or should i get the white dot and then later on buy a super trooper or Groove ball somewhere in that price and quality range.

[Waldorf Salad]

I'm guessing you are currently using a house ball.  Most of these have a conventional grip (fingers go in to second knuckle).  If you just want a ball to fit your hand and are satisfied with a straight ball and conventional grip...  get the plastic ball (white dot).

If you are trying to learn a hook or think you will some day... then I'd recommend a mid-priced ball with a reactive or particle cover.  The cheapest would have reactive/particle covers with weak 3-peice cores and is probably what you'll end up with (brunswick grooves, columbia's scouts, storm's Hit line.  Next level would be reactive/particle balls with symetrical 2-peice cores that have more hook potential.  You don't need the high-end balls with powerful asymetrical cores.

Be wary of getting anything less than a reactive cover for learning to throw a hook.  If you get a urethane or plastic ball and try to hook the ball you are in danger of developing some very bad habits.  You might develop very slow ball speed or just start muscling the ball to get that to hook on today's conditions.

By getting an entry-level ball with a reactive or particle cover you will have something that will hook if you throw it properly.  Get a finger-tip grip to learn a proper hook.  Once you get better you can move up to something more aggressive.

[big_bg]

well i ended u pgetting a super tropper and have learned to hook fairly well now i just have to work on consitency. I will probably end up getting a white dot later on to use as a spare ball.

[dizzyfugu]

Hmmm,

depends on if are already in playing fingertip drilling or conventional grip. If the second is the case, stay with a polyester ball to practice your approach and consitency. It's the basics to step up to hook a ball.

If you are starting to play fingertip, have a trustworthy pro or coach give you advice. In my case I was lucky when I wanted to start with a "better" ball, because I met a very good pro. I got a Brunswick Power Groove Plum Pearl drilled for my hand, but I kept my polyester ball for spares.

I think the Power Grooves are a good beginner's choice, because their shell gives enough hook on medium to dry conditions. And they are not too expensive to start release experiments with...

Do NOT make the mistake to buy a high performance ball, even a used one (EVEN WORSE!). It is important to have a sound technique to build up upon, not the glitz of a fancy ball which might not fit your style or lane conditions. Training and consistency is important. I suppose that after some time, you will step up to lower RG balls and stronger shells. It comes natural, do not hurry.

You can keep your polyester ball, maybe think about re-drilling it for fingertip when you feel comfortable with this release, to keep it as a spare ball especially for corner pins. Should make a sound combo.

But starting out with a polyester ball in the first place should be the best choice.
Hope this helps a bit?

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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe


Edited on 11/22/2004 6:25 AM