UPDATE: Viz-A-Ball to Reactive

[UtahBowler]

Update post at the bottom of this thread.


A little Background: I'm currently using a Viz-A-Ball I received in a 'Learn to bowl / ball league'. I've learned a pretty good release (I think it's somewhere between a stroker, and a cranker) which has allowed me to bowl quite a few 230+ games, and average around 185 (longer oil/oily lane conditions can really tear me up).

My wife and I had a lot of fun in the ball league so we joined another. The manager of the lanes has suggested I step up to a reactive ball to help my consistency when the lanes are oily. He's allowing me to pick out almost any ball in the catalogues...

My style: To hit the pocket, I have to lay the ball down just right of the the 1st arrow (on the right) with a good amount of revs. My ball path starts parallel to the lane. This seems to take some of the midlane oil (league shot) out of play. If it's oily that day, I can't make the pocket with the right energy/angle to get enough strikes. I have a 15-16mph ball speed with a 14lb ball. This is on a mixed synth(heads)/real wood lane. On all wood, I don't have as much trouble, and on all Synthetic I leave a lot of spares.

The Question: I'd like to get a ball with enough grip that I'll be able to make the pocket more often in the oil. I would like to move in a little on approach (bringing the oil into play more?). I would like to step up to a more agressive ball, and then later get something with real guts (for the super oily). Sorry, I don't have the correct vocabulary, or very much info, but I hope you guys can help!

Any recommendations?

Edited on 5/14/2004 5:12 PM

[TheBowlingKid25]

wait you throw a hook with a vis-a-ball?!?! my god how slow do you throw? Theres like a million different balls you could go with. Only having experience with a few, a weaker ball would be something like a Brunswick Monster Slay/R (one of my favorites), or something like a Brunswick Power Groove, or a Columbia Scout reactive.
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15 years and still going strong! 15 years old that is! The names Warrior Princess, Xena..Warrior Princess
AM not A CHICK OF BOWLING but I wanted to be in Manda's clique And why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS! I'd rather blow it over with my storm, and 21mph ball speed on dry shots.

[Constantine]

quote:wait you throw a hook with a vis-a-ball?!?! my god how slow do you throw?

You don't have to be slow to make polyester hook. I'm not a cranker, but I've got a Blue dot that I can hook 20 boards easy on the THS if I start it off in the dry outside like UtahBowler is doing.  In fact, my first trey was with Bluedot playing down & in on the 3 board.
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Good luck & good bowling

[UtahBowler]

Thanks for the quick replies!

It's good to hear a few of the balls I've been looking at mentioned; The Power Groove, Blade Solid, and Monster line in particular. I'll take a look at the other suggestions today and hopefully make up my mind soon.

It sounds like the Power Groove / Urethane might be a little tame for what I want. I would really like to move across the lane and get my target somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd arrows.

I'm currently leaning towards the Bruiser or the Blade.
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UtahBowler

I engineer and stuff.

[UtahBowler]

Alright, it looks like I'm going to get the Monster Bruiser. I'll post a review and specs on my ball after I've had it drilled and rolled a few with it.

Thanks again for all the help!
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UtahBowler

I engineer and stuff.

[UtahBowler]

Had my Monster Bruiser drilled yesterday and bowled a few games on lunch break.

234,203,223 660

I'm pretty stoked since It's such a different monster -excuse the pun- than my plastic is. I think this ball will bring my average up over 200 in the house I play, once I get all of my major timing/balance issues sorted anyhow.

ScoobyDoo + Monster Bruiser = good times

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UtahBowler

I engineer and stuff.

[TheBowlingKid25]

Good, Im glad you found something that works for you. I have a monster bruiser myself, good bang for the buck I have to say, though i wish I could throw it now. haha.
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16 years and still going strong! 16 years old that is! The names Warrior Princess, Xena..Warrior Princess
And why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS!

[TuCkiE]

Hmmm, sorry but can someone explain the difference between a tweener and a stroker? Another question is that I tend to turn the ball instead of lifting it, are there ways to help me change this habit? Any help would be appreciated.
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I love my SlayR.