New UK Bowler

[Zeon]

I started bowling in september, been bowling every week since. Best score was 189,  usually score around 130 - 150 in most games.

Now I thought it was about time I bought a ball, if i want to progress further and this is my question.

Originally I was looking at getting a Polyester ball, like an Ebonite Maxim or something similar. But as i play more, i realised i should learn how to hook, and i've been lead to believe that polyester is no good for getting any hook. So i was toying with the idea of getting a entry level Reactive, such as the power groove.

I would like some suggestions on what to do. Theres not much in the way of Pro shops over here, and i'm worried that if i go and talk to the guy in the pro shop hes just going to fob me off with the most expensive ball!!

As i've never tried to hook it before, isit worth just buying a Polyester one, experimenting with that and then upgrading to a reactive one later?

Any advice would be apreciated  

[JohnP]

Zeon -- Read the posts in this thread, it covers the subject pretty well.

http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=66853&ForumID=27&CategoryID=5

--JohnP

[Deeb]

You can expect to pay £80-£90 for a Power Groove / Tornado / other entry level reactive. And about £50-60 for a plastic ball.

I was in a similar situation when I started and im glad I went with the reactive. It will take some getting used to, but definatly worth it.
 
Where in England are you based? I've used 3-4 pro-shops in the midlands so can reccomend one if your close by.

[Zeon]

I'm at Uni in plymouth, but based in Bristol. Will be getting the ball from a pro shop in the Bristol Hollywood bowl...

Question about the reactive... isit still possible to bowl straight, or isit going to start hooking straight away? I'm worried if i get a reactive ball i won't be able to bowl well at all...

[JohnP]

Zeon --

quote:Question about the reactive... isit still possible to bowl straight, or isit going to start hooking straight away? I'm worried if i get a reactive ball i won't be able to bowl well at all...

No ball will force a hook reaction unless the bowler releases the ball with a hook-causing release.  The reactive ball will result in more hook when the hook release is used, but will still go straight if you keep the fingers straight behind the ball.  In fact, a reactive ball will even back up if a back up release is used.  --  JohnP

[Zeon]

Thanks for the advice - I think i'm going to go for a reactive, and start to learn how to hook.

[Zeon]

Bought a Brunswick Monster today, had it fingertip drilled after the advice from the pro....and wow what a difference, starting to learn to hook is superb fun.

Unfortunatly after only 6 games there are 2 very nasty wide scratches and one small deep scratch.... appears my local bowling centre couldn't care less about the state of their machinary.

[looseleftie]

Hey Zeon, just wondering what the UK is like in regards to bowling and its popularity as a game/sport within the wider comminity? Many centre around there, strong league participation, or is like my centre (in AUS), slowly dropping league bowlers?
Tell me if I'm being nosy!!!
See ya Looseleftie

[Zeon]

As far as I can tell theres a very small bowling community around. most bowling places cater for the recreational bowler only. Theres 3 bowling alleys in Bristol, only one of which has a pro shop and I believe they run a league there. Apparently in recent years bowling has made a comeback to Bristol, something i will explore over the summer hopefully...

Asfar as Where i am based now (plymouth) the cetnre I bowl at is very much based towards the recreational bowler, no pro shops or anything. Also most people that go there are complete d***s... the amount of grief I get playing with my own ball. Everytime you play a shot thats not perfect they start laughing.... hmmm fun...

Got try outs for my University bowling squad tonight, we've got a competiton against the other UK uni's coming up in Feb... I should make the team as theres only afew people going for places. Doubt i'll be hook bowling though, can;t get it consistant enough yet!!