What Ball should I purchase

[813 Stylz]

I'm new to bowling and I usually try and bowl 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hrs at at time. I bowl with a plastic house ball 14 using my finger tips and either thumb in or thumb out depending on what 14 is available. I have been able to hook the house the plastic ball by watching a lot of YouTube how to videos. I have my form and follow through down pretty well. The lanes I bowl on are new and very wet what else should I expect from a new alley here in Florida. I'm looking for a great hooking ball with as low maint as possible. I was looking at the Hammer Sauce and the Hammer No-Mercy am I on the right track with looking at these type of balls?

[abrown]

no not if your looking for low maint. the more high end balls no matter what brand you go with need to be cleaned after every use to prevent that word that people like to throw out there (ball death) as far as what ball would be best for ya that not for someone that has never seen you bowl to anwser go to the pro shop at the bowling alley and if he really is a good one hell want to see you bowl and then discuse what kind of ball would be best for you to look into buying unless he's one of those i'll sale ya the 250 dollar ball that will make you better guys if your hooking the house ball first off there is not alot of oil and second you wouldnt need a really high dollar ball

[813 Stylz]

Thanks for the help. I have talked to the pro shop guy before I guess I will continue to ask him. What dose cleaning a ball consists off? I have seen the machines at the lanes that you put your ball into. But what all is need to take care of the ball? I hope I'm not asking to many question I'm just curios about the sport and want to get some things cleared up before I reach in the the back pocket. Finger grips etc..... whats a good starter kit

[dizzyfugu]

Honestly, if you are into hooking the ball but have no experience with a reactive piece altogether, you better invest the money in an entry level ball and a coach. The entry lavel ball will be much easier to handle for you, will be easier to maintain (do NOT put a recative into a wax polish machine!) and the coach will get your release right, esp. with your first fingertip ball.

Think: do you want to hook the ball with skill, or just toss a high end piece and look... ridiculous

Good luck, though!
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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[Charles]

If you look,you can get a good low game high end ball on here that has barely been used. Example.I have 2 barely used Lane #1 Tsunami H2O Buzzsaws and a Lane#1 Solid Uranium for sale and they have Brunswick solid reactive coverstocks on them which are very durable since they are pre-Mexico factory. You can get something like this for like $65 shipped to you for the Tsunami or $55 for the Solid Uranium.or keep looking and maybe find something else. I am just saying, there are high end balls if you want to experiment. Good luck.

[813 Stylz]

I went to the Pro shop and had a talk with the guy, and my friend that I bowl with was sold a ball, shoes, and a bag for 200.00 something. He was sold a Hammer Vison 14lb for 129.00. His bowling style is a little different than my own he stands more towards the center or to the right and the ball rides the edge of the gutter then hooks into the pocket. My style is I start way left and hit almost the same target on release and grab more boards going into the pocket. The Pro shop guy wanted to sell me either the 14lb Hammer Sauce for 199.00 or he had a couple of Hammer no Mercy's 15lb on sale for 145.00. All his prices included drilling if I bought a ball from some where else he would charge me 50.00 to get it drilled. Its that a good price for a ball to be drilled? I can find the Hammer Sauce on the net for 100.00 to 130.00 some with shipping. I'm just looking for some friendly info here

Edited on 11/6/2008 7:28 AM

[JohnP]

$145 drilled is a good price for the No Mercy, and my customers that have bought it have been well pleased.  Snap it up unless you can't throw a 15 lb'er.  --  JohnP

[surface_solutions]

Ok here it is....
1.) If you mind is set on getting into a finger tip ball get a power grove, tornado, tropical storm...Hard surface reactives, easy to control easy to maintain.

2.) MAKE SURE YOUR PROSHOP OPERATOR FITS YOU CORRECTLY!!!!!!!You can't out bowl a bad fit.

3.) This is the most important, go see a coach.  You don't have to go every week, or for hours at a time, just take one day go see someone and get some tips.  Make sure to take notes.  A good coach will have some sort of literature with pics to help you get the hang of things.

I am sorry to hear that you are throwing the ball without a thumb.  Despite a couple of international guys have done VERY, VERY well not using a thumb and utilizing the "two hand delivery",  I have to advise against it.  It will cause timing and consistence issues later on as your game develops.

[sherm390]

hey I have to agree with the above poster about what ball to start with...the tropical storm is a great starter ball....it's not the best ball for hook(on oil) but it will let u control your shot better...which any new bowler needs...once u get to a certain level(which you'll know) then u can move up to the high dollar more hooking stuff...

my gf started this summer bowling with a plastic ball hoping for a 100 gm...after we bought the Lime Tropical Storm she bowled a 238 a couple wks later(about a 140 avg now)...she had never thrown a hook before we bought the ball...I was coaching her so if u can def get someone to give u some pointers...hope that helps...
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Bowling is FUN....until u lose...