Returning after 20 year hiatus, need comparison advice

[valanthekayland]

Hello everyone.  I was an active bowler 2-4 times a week for 15 years.  I was never great, but ok at a near 160 average...16 pound, finger tip, moderate hook.  I stopped when I moved away as a junior in college.

I'm now returning to bowling with friends and will eventually be subbing in a league before joining full time.  I'm looking into new balls, however, everything has changed so drastically since I've been away I have no point of reference for how newer balls act compared to my old ones.  I live in a small city in Montana with one bowling alley...so needless to say I don't have a ton of faith in what the local pro shop may say...hence why I'm here.

Before I stopped bowling I used an AMF Sumo (circa 1992) and an original red hammer (non-pearl, dull matte type finish) all spec'd out of the box manufacture.  I'm hoping someone might have an idea on a specific ball today...that might act in a similar fashion to those balls.  I've looked at tons of sites like bowlingball.com etc and have found excellent comparison tools and have a good feeling on how balls today differ from each other.  However, since I have ZERO point of reference to how anything today acts compared to a solid urethane ball from 92'...I don't have a starting point.

I'm looking for a ball that at a minimum would move similar to those with preferably a little more hook and definitely more finish potential.  I liked the look of several Motiv balls as well as the Radical Yeti Untamed, however, without that starting point of reference...I have no idea if I'm looking at something that is way too much ball...or not enough.  Unfortunately I can't provide drilling settings etc...as I have no idea what they are/were back then.  I know how to bowl, but the knowledge of things like PaP, pin length, etc etc, elude me.  Thank you ahead of time for anyone that might have advice.

[JohnP]

Those two balls were both urethane, any reactive resin ball will hook more than they did.  Urethane balls are available today, but my suggestion is to start with an entry level reactive resin ball to get a feel for modern equipment.  I'll give you three to pick from, Columbia Freeze, Brunswick Strike King, and Ebonite Cyclone.  The Cyclone is my personal favorite but they're all good.  -  JohnP

[BigBaller]

If i was in your shoes i would start with a lower price point ball. Freeze or something similar. And i would start out with a straight up label drill. Not knowing anything about your bowling anything i would start simple until you figure out what is going on.

Little town montana still has wood lanes that are torn up. I've spent a lot of time in little town montana. I lost a lot of good habits in the small town of deer lodge.

[St. Croix]

I completely agree with Big Baller and John on The Columbia Freeze. I bought a Freeze when Columbia first issued it, and I have not been sorry. You will generally get a smooth continuous arc that is very predictable. The Freeze is also a good value for the $$$.

[tommyboy74]

I am going to echo what everyone else has said so far.  I would start with a lower price point as you will want to get a feel for what today's equipment will do. In addition to the Strike King, Cyclone, Freeze, a few other balls in this class can include the Roto Grip Scream, Roto Grip Shout and Storm Lights Out.

Also, don't be afraid to try any of the brands that are out there today as there is a lot of good equipment to choose from.  I personally throw Storm and Roto Grip, and love their equipment (switched from Columbia 300 and Brunswick).  However, you can find great equipment with any of the manufacturers available today.

Here are the major companies today:
Storm:  Storm, Roto Grip, AZO
Brunswick:  Brunswick, DV8, Radical
900 Global: 900 Global, AMF
Ebonite:  Ebonite, Track, Hammer, Columbia 300
Lord Field: Lord Field, LaneMasters
Motiv Bowling:  Motiv

Then, there are the independent companies that are poured by one of the major companies:
Seismic: Seismic (poured by 900 Global)
Lane #1: Lane #1 (poured by 900 Global)
Jet Bowling:  Jet (now poured by Ebonite)
VBP: Visionary (in-house)
MoRich:  MoRich (poured by Brunswick but may be closing due to Mo Pinel joining Phil Cardinale at Radical)
Elite: Not sure who pours them

I think that covers almost every make out there.

With a lot of choices, whatever you do, going with a lower price point and a label drill is the best way to start.  From there, a pro shop will be able to determine the other things such as PAP, etc.

[Impending Doom]

Agreed with everything said here. Allow me to put in of the most underrated lines in bowling, the Hook! series from 900 Global. I can't believe they can sell that ball for that little amount of money.

[valanthekayland]

thank you all for the information...I'll keep all suggestions in mind.  One of the balls I was currently looking at was a polished hybrid reactive with a flare potential of 3+...and I just didn't know if that would work or not.  I want a ball with at least equal to hook of my old ones and preferably more and I didn't want to accidently under do it.

[Armourboy]

Pretty much any of the newer low price point balls will out perform anything you have rolled before. Depending on your ball speed and the amount of revs, etc. they can be anything from lighter oil balls to medium oil balls.

How it will exactly perform will be slightly different for every person so its hard to say just exactly how they will look to you. If I had to guess I would say they will hook way more than you think they will, entry level doesn't always mean weak anymore.

Ebonite Cyclone, Hammer Arson Low Flare, Columbia 300 Freeze, 900 Global Hook, Hammer Cobalt Vibe, Storm Lights Out, Roto Grip Rumble and Scream, the Brunswick Strike King, and the DV8 Misfits are all great balls to begin with imo.

That is the case for two reason. 1.) If they don't hook enough then you still have a ball  to go to when you do find lighter oil. 2.) If it doesn't hook enough you aren't out all that much money and then you can start moving up the ladder to find what you are looking for.

While reactions haven't changed a ton since the end of 90's or start of the 2000's, they have changed dramatically since the Urethane of the early 90's.

[JohnP]

If you don't get the reaction you want, don't be afraid to change the surface of the ball.  Sandpaper is your friend.  --  JohnP

[Constantine]

Before deciding on a ball, I'd talk to your buddies about the lane surface and volume of oil that your small house is putting out. I don't know much about Montana, but some of small town centers I've seen don't get too much center traffic, so they have gone with soft overlays on old wood lanes, as opposed to the harder synthetic lanes most bigger centers use these days.  If your center combines softer lanes with lower oil volumes, your ball choice will need to be much different and your old stuff may still work fine once cleaned and polished up.  (assuming it still fits..hands change over time)

One thing you should notice that is much different than 20 years ago is the shape of the hook.  Your old urethane balls, with their big cores, were designed to have a big arc.  Many, if not most, modern balls are designed to go further down the lane and flip more.

Another thing that has changed is average ball weight.  Back in the 80's almost everybody I knew threw 16 lb equipment as the heavier ball made a difference.  Now almost everybody is throwing 15 or 14.  The balls react so strongly the weight isn't wanted.  Most bowlers prefer the extra speed and revs they can put on a lighter ball.

In general, I think your "polished hybrid with a 3" flare potential" is likely a good start for you.

good luck!

[robertbrowder]

You can look into Radical's EZ Use line which consists of :
Torrid Elite (Pearl)
Torrid Affair (Solid)
and the new Grease Monkey (Hybrid)

[Ratt_bowling]

After my experience at a Demo day, I would ask the pro shop guy about a coaching session.  See if he has any used balls you could try out during that coaching session.  He may be able to help you try out some things to make you more comfortable about a purchase.

I'm pretty ignorant about buying bowling balls but I got a lot of help from some coaches at the Demo day and maybe you could get some help too.