Looking To Get Back Into Bowling

[Nater43]

Hi everyone.

It's been a few years since I've been in a league. College has eaten up my time and I just let bowling fall to the side. I'd like to get back into it, and I'd like your help in choosing a new ball. Currently I have a 15lb Hammer Black Widow as my only ball, and I'm looking to replace it. I enjoyed the Black Widow, and really had no complaints with it, but it's showing its age.

Keep in mind that I'll use this ball for most everything, at least for now. I'm a lefty, and when I was still in league had a steady ~200 average throwing just the Black Widow. As far as budget, I'm open to what's out there, but don't want to go overboard.

Thanks for your help.

[BrunsMike]

Honestly that Hammer Black Widow is still a very competitive ball even today. In my Wednesday night league there's 6 guys who still use a Black Widow or Black Widow Pearl. If you wanted to get back into bowling it really wouldn't cost you all that much.

Maybe new shoes and possibly a redrilling once you have your hand checked for proper fit. Now if you want something new that's another story. I'm a Storm brand user, I would suggest a Lights Out but that's just me lol.

[Nater43]

Honestly that Hammer Black Widow is still a very competitive ball even today. In my Wednesday night league there's 6 guys who still use a Black Widow or Black Widow Pearl. If you wanted to get back into bowling it really wouldn't cost you all that much.

Maybe new shoes and possibly a redrilling once you have your hand checked for proper fit. Now if you want something new that's another story. I'm a Storm brand user, I would suggest a Lights Out but that's just me lol.

I'd be fine keeping my Black Widow, its just really beat up at this point. Not sure its worth putting money into to get it potentially get it fixed.

[tommyboy74]

It may not be as much as you may be thinking.  The Black Widow is still used by some people in leagues up here and it's still effective.  All you may need is just a resurfacing/oil extraction and that will cost less than a new ball.

I have thrown Hammer before but really like what Storm and Roto Grip have out right now.  Both of those lines are IMO the most complete line of balls you will find today.  The Roto Grip Disturbed is a very tough ball to beat, especially on flatter patterns.  On the lower end, the Storm Frantic really gives you a ton of versatility on light and most medium/flatter patterns.  Much more than advertised.

[Nater43]

Well I went out today and threw 6 games. Not the greatest idea, as I was pretty drained after 4 games. Having not bowled for a while (about a year and a half), it's going to take some time to get back in the swing of things. Over the 6 games I averaged 190.

I've been told that the Storm Lucid would be a good fit for me. Do you have any opinion on that ball? 

[tommyboy74]

That's actually pretty good for not having bowled in some time.

The Storm Lucid is actually a pretty good pearl on medium-heavy conditions.  The core/cover design made it heavier rolling in the back, which can be a nice reaction to have.  There are 2 people that throw it in my league on Wednesdays and it works out well. 

IMO, you may be better off with the Defiant Soul for a high performance ball.  That ball has a good hybrid cover and the core is designed to be very driller friendly.  It's easier to make the reaction be  skid/snap or earlier rolling because of that.  There are people that throw that in my league as well and those balls get used more due to the versatility. 

[vkowalski1970]

+1 defiant soul!