Hi, I just found this site - it looks great.

I've been a casual bowler (maybe 5-6 trips to a bowling alley per year) for many years.  I never really studied bowling but I enjoy it, and I've never owned a ball or bowling shoes; I just rent them when I play and try to find a ball without too many dents.  

I always assumed a curving ball was for more advanced bowlers and until this week had no clue that oil on lanes even existed.  Mostly I just throw a deliberate, pretty slow, but fairly smooth straight ball.  My average is probably about 145-150 but I once bowled several times in the same week and had a 197.  A few times I've had 5 strikes in a row.  My ball just goes straight for the pocket; on a decent game I might get 3-4 or more strikes with one or two accidently coming on the opposite side (a Brooklyn?).  My straight shot comes in pretty handy when trying to hit spares.  Last data, point - I'm not that strong (old shoulder injury) so I like to bowl with a 12 lb ball (don't laugh too much .  

Anyway, I spent some time doing some research on the web and discovered the whole notion of oil, the need for a curving ball, etc.  After considering various balls I discovered the original Fury, and then the new Fury Pearl.  (Like others here I have a bit of soft spot/preference for Brunswick.)

So, if I were to buy a 12lb Fury Pearl, the questions are:

1. Will it still go straight when I play my regular straight shot?

2. What are the chances I could learn to throw and control a curve?  (My understanding is that the Fury Pearl will curve later, with a less of a big arc, than the original Fury - true?)

3. Will the Fury Pearl be ok under various conditions (dry, medium, oil) - keeping in mind that I'll probably try to roll it straight until I figure out how to throw a curve?  (The place I'm most likely to bowl tends to be  medium to oily.)

4. Given that I'm buying my first ball (and it might be overkill but I unless it will hurt my game I figure I can "grow into it"), what is the recommended hole drilling configuration?  (Whatever you folks recommend I probably won't understand completely (or at all?) but I'll pass it along to the person who drills the holes.)  I'd like something that will give me decent control with a modest/moderate but usable curve.

5. On the Brunswick web site is a spec sheet:

http://www.brunswickbowling.com/uploads/1N/qJ/1NqJY0DZntqWttWzX6nbWQ/Ball-dynamics-all-weights-Jun07.pdf

- This spec sheet seems to show that the core used in the 12 and 13 lb balls is different than the core used in the 14, 15, and 16 lb balls.  Maybe this is a reason not consider the Fury Pearl?  Any idea what the difference in "performance" would be with the different shape of the core on the 12 and 13 lb balls?  

I read somewhere that a rental ball plays 2 lbs heavier than a purchased ball but I have hard time believing that; for 1 lb more I might move to a 13 lb to get the better core but I'm can't imagine being happy with a 14 lb ball.  (With rental balls I've tried all the weights and 12 lb is the max before I feel like I'm fighting the ball.)  Maybe even with the lesser core technology the 12 lb Fury Pearl would still be ok, or not?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help with these questions.

 

Edited on 8/19/2007 9:50 PM

Hi Again,

A couple new questions, please/thanks:

1. Given my objective of getting a ball that will help me learn to throw a hook, do you recommend conventional finger holes or the finger tip holes.  I imagine the finger tip holes are preferred but I'm a little concerned about twisting all the dials at once and having to learn to bowl all over again (I realize it's probably not a big deal). What do you think:  conventional or finger tip?

2. Insert grips or no insert grips?

Thanks again for any advice.

It is always nice to see new people who are interested in learning the sport of bowling.  I believe you are wise to come here seeking advice, as many of the users here are very well-respected in the bowling world.

I am just a nobody house bowler, but as someone who went through the process of learning about ball fit and equipment by trial and error without any real help in person, I think I can help a little.

First, I believe that a properly-fitted ball will in fact allow you to throw a heavier ball, as has been mentioned.  If you feel most comfortable with a 12 pound house ball, you should have ZERO trouble with a properly-fitted 13 pound custom ball.  You have to squeeze so hard to hold on to those house balls, that once you slip your hand into your new ball it will feel like it fits like a glove once you get used to it.  You shouldn't have to squeeze so hard, and squeezing is what makes a ball feel heavier.  This assumes your pro-shop operator is competent when he drills your new ball.

Second, you mentioned that as you experiment you want to get the ball that will allow you to see what is possible once you get the hang of it.  I feel that getting an entry-level ball such as the Power Grooves isn't necessarily a bad idea, but you will be limited later on.  If you are planning on only making one purchase for a long while, then I would go ahead and spend the extra dough to get something with a higher upside.  This will allow you to do what you do now, without changing anything, and get similar results.  You can then begin to experiment and adjust.  I think a high performance ball like the Fury Pearl will provide more feedback when you make changes than will a ball that is designed to be less dynamic such as the Groove.  That should make it easier to learn what works for you and what doesn't.

Third, go with the fingertip drilling with grips- this will give you the ability to maximize whatever revolutions you put on the ball, whether it be a lot or a little.  You can always change your wrist position at release to tweak your ball reaction if needed.  For example you can allow your wrist to be broken at release if you want the ball to go straight, or you can leave it cocked, angled, or cupped if you want to throw with more revs.  Changes in wrist position will be easier with a fingertip drilling, in my opinion.

Fourth, never forget, from this day forward, that you are talking to a whole bunch of bowling ball junkies, aka ball whores, who have experimented with all kinds of different bowling balls.  Myself included.  If you hang around here long enough, it is just a matter of time!

Sorry for the lengthy post, but hope it was of some help.
--------------------
~SprayNpray

-formerly known as SawFreak

Thanks - I'm going to go for the fingertip layout; can you please describe what you mean by "safer" (regarding the grips?).  Also, I've determined that perhaps 90%+ serious hooking bowlers go with the fingertip hole layout; is the grip adoption that high too among highend bowlers?  Thanks again