Looking for a ball.

[WallyG]

Hey guys.  I'm fairly new to regular bowling and I am looking into purchasing my own ball.  I have no clue what to get since there are so many choices out there, but I do need to get to work on my spin, so what do you guys suggest.  I was eying a storm dark thunder, but any help would be much appreciated.  Oh, and any suggestions on shoes would be appreciated also.

Edited on 4/23/2007 2:05 AM

[shelley]

Most any entry-level ball will work, you could even go up to some of the mid-priced balls without running into trouble.

The Brunswick's Power Groove, Storm's Tropicals, Roto-grip's Planet line, Ebonite's Element line all have excellent balls for a modest price.  The Planets and Elements have several choices of covers while the Grooves and Tropicals are pretty much reactive pearls, but they're all fine balls, you won't go wrong with any of them.  

Personally, the Roto-grips are very appealing to me.

SH

[revTrex]

Second the Roto Grip Planet line...great bang for your buck!  I love my Saturn to death.

Another option, though not as likely, would be to look into a Visionary Ogre.  A bit more expensive, yes (around $10 more on most online stores), but a lot more hook potential.  Great, all-around ball.


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I am the University of Virginia's Bowling Team.  After all, one All-American is all you need.

[WallyG]

Well, my price range is getting into the mid $200's because of my tax return, so any ball recommendations in that range would be fine.
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http://myspace.com/darkwalt

[dizzyfugu]

Wally, it is not a matter of price tag on the ball, but the player who is to use the ball's potential for his/her game.

If you have $200 at hand (lucky you), I'd, as a beginner, still invest in aen an entry level ball and proper hand measurement. If there's some money left over, I'd rather spend it on some coaching than on a high end ball, which might fall with drilling into the $200 realm. But the latter makes IMHO not much sense.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the FAQ section

[Injury]

If I had it to do over again...I would go with a bit cheaper entry level ball than what I went with and get a spare ball to go along with it.

Starting out you are still learning what works for you, feel, how to throw it, what lane conditions do to it etc. After you get going with an entry level ball you will have an easier time deciding on the next ball what you want to see and how your hand works (speed and revs etc) to really know what you want.

I went the getting a bit too much ball route, and still need to get a spare ball and I'm 2 other strike balls beyond my first one. I seemingly keep coming in short on the spare ball money with whatever new ball I may want, when I could have easily went with a moderately priced entry level ball + spare ball back then and still have that straight shooter working. Most apparent when I hit up new houses that I don't know the conditions in, my spare game goes to crap.

Also bear in mind your first ball tends to take the most abuse (depending on lane conditions some houses more than others). All balls get dinged up, but the first ball always seems to be the worst as it spends a good chunk of it's time in gutters while you are learning.

[WallyG]

Truthfully, i'm not much of a beginner.  I do have some old shoes and a straight ball which I have been using for five months now, but now I want to get to work on a curve.  I already have a tutor in mind, so I just need a good ball is all.


Edited on 4/23/2007 2:31 AM

[Danes07]

Definately don't start with a high performance ball.  Go with something in Storms Tropical Line, Columbia's Scout Line, Brunswicks Power Groove, or Roto Grips Planet Line...all are entry level balls but they are excellent equipment.

If you feel the need to spend a little more money and go with something above entry level, go with a mid-range ball.  My Brunswick BVP Punisher works extremely well and cost under $100 dollars.  Going a bit older, most of Columbia's Messengers, like the Ti Pearl (Black and Gold) were great balls.  Most of the manufacturers have wonderful mid-range equipment that will give you great performance for less money than you'd spend on a top of the line ball and not need yet.
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University at Albany 2007
    -Let's Go Danes-

[charlest]

quote:Truthfully, i'm not much of a beginner.  I do have some old shoes and a straight ball which I have been using for five months now, but now I want to get to work on a curve.  I already have a tutor in mind, so I just need a good ball is all.


Edited on 4/23/2007 2:31 AM

If you have a tutor in mind, you also need to know what kind of oil pattern (really the oil amount) on which you bowl. This is to determine how strong a ball to buy. For instance in the Roto-Grip Planet line, there's a pearl, the Mercury, and a solid, the Saturn. The Saturn is for heavier (not heavy) oil and the Mercury is for lighter oil. Solids generally handle more oil than pearls which skid further.

You should start your lessons using the ball you have; then let the tutor tell you how strong a ball you need depending on how you throw the ball and how much oil you will be bowling on in your league. Do NOT gauge how strong a ball you need on the oil you see in open bowling.

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

[WallyG]

Yeah, i've been looking at solid balls because the lanes I usually play at have super heavy oil.  However, a few of my friends play with pearls there.  I do have to keep in mind that I will need a ball that is in between pearl and solid because I will probably be switching to a new place because my lanes are on the verge of getting torn down.
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http://myspace.com/darkwalt

[mainzer]

Tropical Storm, Tornado Warning, Groove, Scout any of those would be good starters
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Mainzerpower

[WallyG]

Can anybody tell me what the pin distance and top weight on a ball mean?
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http://myspace.com/darkwalt

[bigz]

pm sent
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BIGZ-
BIG ON THE LANEZ!

GO STEELERS!!

[canesrock82]

Wally,
I'm in the same spot as you and I emailed the Hammer rep and he told me to go with the Black Widow. I have heard nothing but great things about this ball and the rep said it's a great ball for any level of bowler.

I'll be getting one in the next few weeks.

[shelley]

If your shoes are pretty old, you might consider investing in some newer shoes.  Many shops have a ball/bag/shoe combo for beginners.  You could also get your plastic ball plugged and redrilled for a fingertip grip if it isn't already.

SH