Hi, I started gaining an interest in bowling about 3 months ago, but I've been used to bowling for years now. I was averaging 130-135 with house balls before I bought my first ball. Now I average about 165-170, bowl 2-3 times a week (getting my body used to it first). I have a Power Groove and a Hot Rod (both conventional). My questions are:
1. Any recommendations for drillers/pro shops within 100 miles of Memphis, Tennessee? I know there are 3-4 pro shops in Memphis, but not sure which has the most experience and stuff. The one I go to now seems decent, but the drillers are only in their mid 20s, and I'm not sure if they are experienced, good, etc.
2. The times during which I bowl is usually from 3-6pm weekdays (I bowl by myself or sometimes with a friend with about the same average), and cosmic bowling with friends on the weekends (Memphis is boring, so everyone goes bowling). I like using the Hot Rod when the lanes are still nice and about medium oil in the daytime or after leagues, but I also want a ball that I can actually use during the cosmic bowling sessions (prolly messier lanes, lighter oil?). My comfort zone is between the 1st/2nd arrow, 2nd arrow, and between the 2nd/3rd arrow, so I guess you could say I play outside lines. I dont get much revs dued to my conventional grip and still getting used to a drilled 12 lb ball (I was used to a 10 lb house ball). I dont get as much lifts and revs with the 12 lb ball as I do with the 10 lb ball, but I figured it would be better in the long run to get my hand used to heavier ball (I weigh 135). Should I keep practicing with the 12 lb or should I go down to 11? I'm looking for recommendations for balls in my comfort zone and for I guess medium/light oils and the cosmic bowling oil (i am not sure what it is). I am also thinking of getting the new balls drilled fingertip so I can get more revs. Good idea?
3. What ball should I get if I want to practice deeper in, say 4th-5th arrow (right handed).
4. It seems harder to get my thumb out with the new drilled balls than the house balls, I'm not sure if I'm just not used to a heavier drilled ball, my release, or just the thumb hole size.
Thanks.