New bowler needs advice

[Hoser]

Here's my story. A couple of months ago or so, my Girlfriend asked me if I wanted to start bowling. I said sure! We joined a mixed league with her sister and husband. We got are own balls and shoes after the first night. The center had a special going. Ball, bag, and shoes $99.00. I have a 14lb Target Zone. It was drilled conventional. I was doing OK. 120 average with some good games here and there. My high so far is 179. The only problem was that the grip was causing my middle finger allot of pain. Maybe arthritis in the middle knuckle. It frick'n hurt and would swell. I was at a different house one day talking to the guy in the Pro shop and he said maybe I should try a fingertip grip to help with the pain. I agreed and gave him my ball.

 Well after getting the ball back things have gone to hell in a bucket. The pain is much better but my bowling sucks. I know it takes time to get used to the new grip, but I feel I'm letting my teammates down with my crappy scores. I've been practicing trying to hook the ball. I can even get some good rotation out of it. But, you know what happens when you try to hook a plastic ball on oily synthetic lanes?? Nothing! That's what happens! I'm getting a little frustrated.

The guy at the Pro shop that drilled the fingertip grip said maybe I should try a ball that will hook. He said he has about 60 used balls that are in real good shape. Him and his partner are always tring out different balls and when there done with them they sell them as used. Most only have about 10 games on them and cost about 1/2 what a new one would be. Most are 15 and 16 lbs, but I don't think that would be a problem for me, I'm a big guy. 5'9, 215lbs!

So, my choices are: stick with my plastic ball and hope for the best, get a better ball and see if I can get it to hook and score better, or quit!

Thanks,
Tony

[iommifan]

Take the guy up on his offer and get a used reactive or proactive coverstock ball.

[Hoser]

Well, I weighed all the options and decided to get another ball. I am just learning about all the equipment out there so I depended on the Pro Shop to help me decide on a ball. I told him where I bowled and what I was hoping to get out of it, which was to start to hook the ball, and improve my league scores. The ball he sold me was a Flash Flood by Storm. Used for $90.00. I hadn't heard of it before. He said it will get me to start hooking. He was right. Hooks good on my League nights just after the lanes are oiled and has improved my scores. It doesn't work to well on lanes that are drying up though. Last night, I went to Moonlight Bowling. It was after the Sat. eve. leagues. The first game, the ball worked good. After that, not so well. I think I know what you guys mean by "burning up". It would hook to soon and then didn't have any power left. I need to learn how to make the adjustments when the lanes dry up. Or, get another ball that is good for lighter oil. Last night, even my plastic ball had some hook. Thanks for the advise. I'll keep working on it.

Tony

[a_ak57]

IF the ball is dull, you can try polishing up before you buy another ball.
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- Andy


You have to pity the agnostic dyslexic insomiac, who stays up all night wondering if there really is a dog.