Please help me I need a new ball!

[Theaveragebowler1]

I am on my fourth week of bowling and so far I have purchased three balls.  My average is about 150 right now.  I don’t feel like I have found my go to ball yet.  I have a Rotogrip Halo that I normally start the night with on a fresh oiled house shot. It only last about 5 to 12 frames before I have to go to a less aggressive ball.  It is way too much ball for me and I wish I wouldn’t have purchased it.  The next ball I go to is my black widow black and gold.  This is the main ball I use right now.  I like the ball for the most part and it gets the job done but I feel like I could find something a little better.  I also have an ebonite maxim plastic ball that I use for some spares.  I am looking for a ball that will compliment the others I have.  I really want something that is my go to.  I want to get one more ball what are your suggestions?

[BowlingForDonuts]

I am on my fourth week of bowling and so far I have purchased three balls.  My average is about 150 right now.  I don’t feel like I have found my go to ball yet.  I have a Rotogrip Halo that I normally start the night with on a fresh oiled house shot. It only last about 5 to 12 frames before I have to go to a less aggressive ball.  It is way too much ball for me and I wish I wouldn’t have purchased it.  The next ball I go to is my black widow black and gold.  This is the main ball I use right now.  I like the ball for the most part and it gets the job done but I feel like I could find something a little better.  I also have an ebonite maxim plastic ball that I use for some spares.  I am looking for a ball that will compliment the others I have.  I really want something that is my go to.  I want to get one more ball what are your suggestions?

It does suck making the mistake of buying an oiler as beginner and most of us of had to learn the hard way but if you continuing bowling and bowl tournaments you may someday think totally different about the Halo.  Others would probably want to get your bowling stats and conditions and lanes you bowl on before making a recommendation but just shooting from the cuff staying with Storm and Hammer you probably want to get a good symmetric benchmark step down ball to go under your Widow.  In those two families I can personally recommend the Hy-Road and IQ Tour from Storm and though I don't own the Gamebreaker 2 from Ebonite (Ebonite owns Hammer) its legendary for good reason.  The Hy-Road is a bit longer and more angular than the IQ Tour but both are great versatile balls.  Finally though its Motiv I am always quick to recommend the Venom Shock which I also own.  All those balls are considered house shot killers.  If you bowl on wood lanes or in houses with less oil you might even drop down further to something like Rotogrip (owned by Storm) Hustle Ink or one of the Hammer Vibe balls (edit: as people wiser than me say below these are your best bet).  Staffers on here will be sure to give you recommendations but those are mine and have zero vested interest in any of those companies.  Just these are the balls that seem to work the best for the most people on house shot.  A versatile symmetric middle of the road ball (ie benchmark) is something every arsenal needs.

[thedjs]

I am on my fourth week of bowling and so far I have purchased three balls.  My average is about 150 right now.  I don’t feel like I have found my go to ball yet.  I have a Rotogrip Halo that I normally start the night with on a fresh oiled house shot. It only last about 5 to 12 frames before I have to go to a less aggressive ball.  It is way too much ball for me and I wish I wouldn’t have purchased it.  The next ball I go to is my black widow black and gold.  This is the main ball I use right now.  I like the ball for the most part and it gets the job done but I feel like I could find something a little better.  I also have an ebonite maxim plastic ball that I use for some spares.  I am looking for a ball that will compliment the others I have.  I really want something that is my go to.  I want to get one more ball what are your suggestions?

It's hard to go wrong with the Ebonite Gamebreaker series.  The new GB-3 and GB-3 Pearl should be a good "go to ball" for most house conditions.  The Hammer Vibe is excellent when the lanes are a little on the drier side or even the lighter level of medium.  If you run into really dry lanes, then you might want to look at the Track Spare + or the Hammer Widow Spare.  Check and see if there is going to be an Ebonite Demo. day somewhere in your area.  Then you could get a chance to try out the new GB balls and made a better decision.

Hope this helps.

[amyers2002]

The best advice I can give is to quit purchasing balls for awhile. You've only been bowling a few weeks but have a start on building an arsenal already. You really haven't been bowling long enough to get a feel for your own style or make decision on where you want to play yet. Personally this early on I wouldn't have even developed the ability to move around on the lanes yet.

Long term you may want to add a more medium to lower end piece to your collection but really at this point you should be more worrying about how your throwing and not what your throwing.

[milorafferty]

As a new bowler, buying a ball is a tough road. Almost all the "popular" balls are going to be to strong for your ability, including the two you mentioned. This of it this way, would you buy a new Corvette or Ferrari for a new driver? Of course not, a new driver needs something that will keep them out of trouble, like a base level Honda Civic.

So, if you really want to buy a new ball, get yourself a Hammer Vibe(choose any of the current ones), Ebonite Cyclone, Storm Match Up or Tropical, Brunswick Twist or Rhino, Motiv Freestyle etc. Something in that price point. You are looking for a ball that is $100 or less before drilling.

Learn to repeat your shots and to pick up spares. Bowling will be a lot more fun and as you become a more skilled bowler, you will become aware of the equipment needed to fill out your bag(if any).

[Impending Doom]

Just a question... What is your average?

[BowlingForDonuts]

I am on my fourth week of bowling and so far I have purchased three balls.  My average is about 150 right now.  I don’t feel like I have found my go to ball yet.  I have a Rotogrip Halo that I normally start the night with on a fresh oiled house shot. It only last about 5 to 12 frames before I have to go to a less aggressive ball.  It is way too much ball for me and I wish I wouldn’t have purchased it.  The next ball I go to is my black widow black and gold.  This is the main ball I use right now.  I like the ball for the most part and it gets the job done but I feel like I could find something a little better.  I also have an ebonite maxim plastic ball that I use for some spares.  I am looking for a ball that will compliment the others I have.  I really want something that is my go to.  I want to get one more ball what are your suggestions?

It's hard to go wrong with the Ebonite Gamebreaker series.  The new GB-3 and GB-3 Pearl should be a good "go to ball" for most house conditions.  The Hammer Vibe is excellent when the lanes are a little on the drier side or even the lighter level of medium.  If you run into really dry lanes, then you might want to look at the Track Spare + or the Hammer Widow Spare.  Check and see if there is going to be an Ebonite Demo. day somewhere in your area.  Then you could get a chance to try out the new GB balls and made a better decision.

Hope this helps.

Yep only avoided mentioning GB3 as he has the heavy to medium heavy covered but forgot about the new pearl.  Might have to get me one eventually.

[Impending Doom]

Ok, I rescind my previous post. You don't need another ball when you're 4 weeks in and averaging 150. You need lessons. You need practice. You need to work on fundamentals.

[charlest]

Ok, I rescind my previous post. You don't need another ball when you're 4 weeks in and averaging 150. You need lessons. You need practice. You need to work on fundamentals.

Yup. A new ball is the least of his worries.

[Theaveragebowler1]

Thank you for all the great feedback!  The GB3 pearl is the ball I was thinking about getting so it is great that it came up several times.  That makes me confident in purchasing it.  I am taking lessons and I plan to continue to do so.  I’ll keep the Halo in my back pocket for later on down the road.  I am working hard to improve my game I appreciate all the support. 

[BowlingForDonuts]

Ok, I rescind my previous post. You don't need another ball when you're 4 weeks in and averaging 150. You need lessons. You need practice. You need to work on fundamentals.

Yup. A new ball is the least of his worries.

+1.  Will leave my post up but wise words indeed.  Also if you don't have your own shoes yet get those before you worry about another ball.

[leftybowler70]

One of my previous pro shop owner I went once told me that there is no such thing as a ‘Magic Ball’.   Best advise I was ever given, and to work on all aspects of my game, then let equipment fall into place.

Has worked for me ever since.

[billdozer]

Buy an entry level ball and learn to play different parts or the lane will it.

Like a hustle ink or a onyx vibe. It was slot between your bw blackgold and ypur plastic.

You could bring this up to you PSO too, he could take the halo to 4k or even polish it so you can use it. 

Just saying that s what I would do.

The last strong ball I bought was a roto grip critical and I have about 10 games on it. It just rips the pattern wide open. No Assym solids or pearls for me...

[JazlarVonSteich]

Lessons definitely, but I would still recommend getting an entry level ball. Use that and the spare ball only until you're consistent enough to pull the big boys out. Or maybe at that point, add a benchmark type ball before making your way back to the aggressive stuff. Then you'll have a nice rounded arsenal.