First Performance Ball, Eraser Blaze vs. Power Groove

[jll1024]

I can't help but wonder if I made mistake in buying the Eraser, as opposed to any one of the Power Grooves, especially the stronger ones (Proactive and Reactive Sanded).

To start from the beginning:

The house I bowl at is extremely oily...like nothing I've seen before.  I've bowled quite a few times (I'll estimate several dozen) at many different locations, before finding the house I currently bowl at (it has really cheap, early-bird Sunday rates).  So, I'm fairly confident that I can call these lanes 'extremely oily'.  For example, the oil on the floor, before the line, is very slippery and very glossy.  With some exaggeration, one cannot walk around on any part of the floor without slipping and sliding around, as if walking on ice.  It's also the beginning of the day, so no one has used the lane before me.

Doing some research on the web, I saw many, many suggestions for beginners to get a Power Groove.  I had been shooting with my first drilled ball (plastic) and was ready to try a performance ball.  After looking through Brunswick's bowling page, I was fairly excited about getting the black Proactive Power Groove, as it seemed to be just what I needed, and it looked kind of cool.

I went to the shop that I got my plastic ball at, and told the shopkeeper that I was looking for my first performance ball, and that the lanes I bowl on are very oily.  His strongest suggestion was for the Eraser Blaze, $135 for ball and drilling.  He suggested three or four other balls, all around the same price, say between $130 and $150.  I was too much of a coward to ask about the three, different-colored Power Grooves at the other end of the shelf, in the top corner, all with $90 price tags showing.  My roommate came with me, however, and he wasn't at all shy about asking.  The shop owner said they were all good balls, but then reaffirmed his suggestion for a couple of the higher-priced balls.  After being excited about the Power Groove, for some reason, I still got the Eraser Blaze.

Now, it's not like the shop owner tried selling me one of the Storm X balls or some kind of an Inferno or whatever, but still I can't help but wonder if I had been stupid to buy what I did.  I'm not sure if one of the Power Grooves he had was Proactive or Reactive Sanded, but even if he only had non-sanded Reactives, wouldn't this be a better ball to get then the Eraser Blaze?  I've read reviews here and elsewhere, and not one has stated that the EB is a good ball for heavy oil, and many have stated it's a poor ball for heavy oil.  So even if I had gotten a medium-oil Power Groove, I still would have saved myself $45.  I have a very strict budget (I'm a student who can't afford to be in school right now).  

My question, in summary, is: For those who have any kind of experience with the Eraser Blaze and a Power Groove, do you think I wasted my money?

Sorry for the long post, but my concern has been getting stronger and stronger, and after letting it sit for a long while, it has all come gushing out.

[SrKegler]

I'm just a little confused, you talk about how slick it is just before the line and how you cant walk without slipping.

That is not how you decide a lane is heavy oil.  In fact there should not even be any oil where you are talking about.

$135 drilled is not a bad price for the Blaze.  Of course the ball isn't designed for heavy oil, but neither is the other balls mentioned.

Have you tried the ball on the lanes yet?  That is really the only test of whether you made a good purchase or not.

One thing I've also noticed about the Eraser line is the surface needs to be slightly scuffed (for me) for the ball to come alive.

Try it one the lanes, let us know how things went.

I think you'll be surprised at the difference between it and your plastic ball.
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~~~SrK - Have balls, will travel

Spending the kids inheritance one tournament at a time.

[jll1024]

quote:In fact there should not even be any oil where you are talking about.

That was my point.

quote:Have you tried the ball on the lanes yet...I think you'll be surprised at the difference between it and your plastic ball.

Yes.  I've bowled with it maybe five or six times.  Absolutely, there is a difference.  I'm sure there would be a greater difference if I knew how to use it better.

quote:One thing I've also noticed about the Eraser line is the surface needs to be slightly scuffed (for me) for the ball to come alive.

I'm having problems making the ball hook, as well.  What do you use to "scuff" your Erasers?

...

I went back and read through my post and realize my the question I really wanted to ask wasn't made very clear.

Is the Eraser Blase a good beginner's ball?  More specifically, does it compare, in terms of being a ball for beginners, to any Power Groove.

[SrKegler]

The Blaze is a good ball.  Haven't used the Power Groove, so I can't comment.  

What I mean about cracking the surface is hitting the cover with a white scotch brite pad.  Works best with a spinner.  You can hardly tell you are doing anything using the white.  If that doesn't give you the hook you're looking for, have the pro shop use a higher grit.  White is usually around 1200 grit, try taking the surface down to about a 1000 grit.  Keep trying the ball for a few games after each surface modification.

I would recommend the Blaze as a good beginners ball.  Plenty of power, fairly easy to control.

If I had my preference, I would pick it over the Groove, for what it's worth.

Next step is try and find a coach.  Lot easier to learn the mechanics of bowling at the start rather than try and correct flaws later down the road.

Good luck, good scoring.


--------------------
~~~SrK - Have balls, will travel

Spending the kids inheritance one tournament at a time.

[Stjosephkid]

Look, the power groove would greatly benefit your game, but make sure you get the sanded version. Then take the eraser out in a few months and your average will go up.