Since most people use particle balls on medium-heavy to heavy oil patterns, since most partile balls are dull, and since most people do not take care of their balls, it is easier, when you add up all those factors, why they "lose performance" more quickly than resin balls.

Oil absorption can be a major factor is performance loss; so ALL balls need to be wiped down throuoghly during use and cleaned after each use.

ALL balls will eventually lose performance. When they do, they should be treated to restore them, IF you wish to keep them. All tools need some sort of maintenance to be kept at their maximum utility. Bowling balls are no different.

If you need them and can use them, particle balls can provide a look on the lanes that, more often than not, cannot be duplicated by most resin balls. They do serve their purposes.

By the way, Brunswick's first AND second generation particle balls are proof that particles balls do not necessarily have a shorter lifespan than resin balls. My Riot Zone, a 2nd generation particle ball, now has over 1000 games on it and it has suffered no loss in performance.


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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Some early particles were very soft, hollow glass beads.  When they broke apart, the surface was more smooth than "studded", so there was some loss of performance.  Hitting them with sandpaper just wore down the particles faster.  Pretty much killed the particle-ness of the balls.

Nowadays, the particles are harder and longer lasting.  Apart from what Charlest said about maintenance, they should last as long as any other similar condition ball.

SH