Being in the pro shop industry, I'm always interested when new products come out.  I was introducted to Lord Field by a friend of mine who had gotten on their staff and said he could apparently get me on board too if I wanted to give it a go.  The brand name itself made me extremely hesitant, and after looking over staffing requirements, it was way more work and cost than it was worth.  Even for the lowest level staffer, the ball prices seemed outrageous, and the requirements for demo days and such didn't come close to making a 20 dollar discount per ball on equipment look enticing.  For a new brand trying to get off the ground, I realize the money has to come from somewhere, but finding a bunch of people that desperate to be able to say they're on staff with someone isn't the way to go. 

I realize the company has been around for a long time, and that the name is what the name is, but realistically it's not marketable at all.  Plus, the ball names themselves and the logo designs are very B quality, not to mention the shelf appeal is worse than Ebonite.  There are staffers in this forum asking other staffers what balls in the line are good for certain oil conditions . . shouldn't you know everything about what the company you're on staff with has to offer?  If you're on staff but you have to ask, "which ball is good for heavy oil?" that's proof that the company just had to take whoever they actually got to fill out an application, and it looks really bad for a company to see a staffer posting "I shot 650 with my new Lord Field, best set I've had in a long time!"  I know a guy who is sponsored by Jet, and his family is really quick to brag about how he's on staff with a ball company, but he's not that good, and none of his family even owns a Jet ball. 

And particle covers?  If enough advances had been made in particle coverstocks to make the pros outweigh the cons, all the major ball manufacturers would be back on the particle bandwagon, but they're not.  I didn't come on to write this to have a laugh and slam a new company with an odd name . . but as someone who could potentially try to get this equipment on the wall at the shop I work at, and who could have been throwing and trying to market this equipment, this brand has zero appeal to me, and if it has zero appeal to me, it will have less to customers.  This concerns me for the future success of the brand.  I can just envision have to talk every single customer through the brand name . . and further the ball name and bland looks, when there's a Brutal Nightmare sitting on the shelf next to it for a competitive or even cheaper price. 

Again, intrigued, but after looking at the numbers and doing the research, there's a lot of factors that will be hard to overcome.  Someone is very welcome to try to change my mind. 

Agree with a lot of the points you make.  I got the application as well but would end up paying more to be on staff than I do to just drill my normal stuff at the proshop.  I'd love to be on staff, but I want to earn it not just pay to play.  Also I think the name "Lord Field" doesn't have a lot of shelf appeal (coming from a guy with a marketing degree), they're is nothing wrong with the name it just isn't catchy in the slightest.  And most of the staffers I know are at least 215+ guys, and I understand the need to get as many of these balls on the lanes as possible... but if the staffers don't know they're equipment that's not a good sign for their reputation on these boards.

Thanks.  And like I said, with bowling as a whole getting smaller and smaller, the last thing I want to do is "attack" a company that could make money for the shop I work at, or sent negativity their way, but sometimes constructive criticism is needed, not to tear down, but to point out areas for improvement.  The videos I've seen don't necessarily impress me, but the equipment performance does look at least on par with the higher profile manufacturers.  However, when the other manufacturers have premium performance with solid marketing and competitive pricing, you just aren't going to get a piece of that pie without being able to offer a more similar product.  Motiv is an example I can think of as a smaller upstart company that's going in the right direction.  And yes, Lord Field is just barely getting started, but it appears to be on the wrong foot, honestly.  I've never heard of any staffer at any level for any company having to pay anywhere close to the money for the equipment they have to pay for Lord Field, and honestly that was the single biggest factor in my decision to pass.  When I can drill any ball at a comparitive price point from another company for the same price as Lord Field charges their staffers without being bound to a contract, that's an issue.  Now I realize it's still a break for guys that don't drill their own stuff, but unless they're on good terms with a local shop, they're going to have to pay for outside drilling, which at least in my area costs more than it would if you bought the ball from the pro shop, which raises the price up to about what they would have to pay for any ball you feel like picking off the wall.  I don't decide what goes on the wall in the shop, but even on staff I'd have a hard time getting this stuff on the wall over a few extra Storm or DV8 balls. 

Why don't they just say your a ball tester for thier product because that's what it is. They want you to pay for a ball at a $20 discount and call it a staff position? I don't understand that or agree at all. I would say no thanks. You are not a "staffer" unless your getting the stuff for free or highly discounted. You also need to KNOW everything about the product your pushing and that's not always the case on this message board.

I agree with you 110%.. Knowing how to punch 3 holes in a ball does not mean you know how to drill a bowling ball..

I get your point on being a "staffer", but the same could be said about the people who say they "know" how to drill in their garage.

Quote from: jkiser01 on March 13, 2013, 04:17:32 PM

Why don't they just say your a ball tester for thier product because that's what it is. They want you to pay for a ball at a $20 discount and call it a staff position? I don't understand that or agree at all. I would say no thanks. You are not a "staffer" unless your getting the stuff for free or highly discounted. You also need to KNOW everything about the product your pushing and that's not always the case on this message board.

Let me first say that I am also part of Lord Field's Amateur Staff. I signed on at the beginning of February. I had learned about the company from my Pro shop owner. He had a guy on staff with the company that left for one reason or another. I looked at all off the information that I could find and liked what I saw online. I talked to a couple of guys that had been able to get their hands on the stuff and they had mixed reviews. Luckily, my local shop had their product in a test format and I was able to get it on the lanes. I was impressed by a couple of the pieces and decided to send in my application. In first talking with Tony Martin, I could tell this was going to be a different experience. He wasn't targeting all 220+ average bowlers for the staff. He was looking for people that would get the product and brand on the lanes. When you are using 190 avg guys, you are bound to get more questions because those guys aren't always the most knowledgeable on all aspects. I myself went out and looked for information on drilling layouts because I never got involved with it much. As for the equipment, I have purchased 5 pieces through the program. I have been very impressed with each. They have a look that is different on the lanes and on the shelf. I wanted to get a variety of their offerings and they do have more than particle. I have 3 particle releases (Korrupt, Heritage, and Judgement (it is a pearl)), a solid reactive (Torment), and a reactive pearl (Exodus Pearl). Are there growing pains, Yes. We do though have a growing community with a mix of averages and styles. There are a lot of questions that are passed from staffer to staffer and I am happy to offer my opinion, if I have one. I also ask a lot of questions. I have been bowling for 15 years. I don't know everything. There is always going to be a more knowledgeable guy and luckily we have some on staff. If you are truly interested, get in touch with Tony. Get a ball on your hand. You'll see

I've been in the bowling business for a lot of years and have drilled since the early 80's and do have a powerhouse mill to do the work! I believe Lord Field makes a quality product and their staff positions are non-exclusive, so you can use your current equipment as you build your Lord Field arsenal. The Exodus line is my favorite and most versatile for me, but I'm liking the Judgement more all the time and did shoot a 268 with it in our city tournament! We had an issue with the lane machine, Kegel Ion, with the squeegee being bad and not removing the cleaner before the oil was applied on top of it! The transfer tubes were bad and we weren't getting enough lane cleaner applied and with the bad spueegee it pushed oil to the pin deck. We had tons of out of ranges and pins did more sliding than falling! That's where the Judgement and the particle load came in handy and why I was able to shoot 268 and a 700 series! Is Lord Field for everybody? That's up to the individual bowler and what they are looking for reaction wise! I use a lot of different company equipment and Lord Field can compete on every level, except a true dry lane ball! They don't have a true dry lane ball and that's where I use a Tropical Breeze! They also don't have a spare ball and that's where my Mickey Viz-a-Ball comes in handy!! lol I do have to say I didn't like the Exodus Iron, but it rolls good for a friend I gave it to. I also not crazy about the Heritage, but I have shot good games with it, but it's not one I get excited about using! I've been leary about the Korrupt and haven't ordered it yet, because of my lack of love for the Heritage! Just my $.02 for what it's worth, Bruce
P.S. And yes I think for staffers like be being in the bowling/pro shop business the price is a little high when I can get other equipment a lot cheaper!

I too am a member of the Lord Field Amateur Staff, and proud to say that I am.  I have been on staff with another bowling company, but after long thought, I chose to leave and become part of Lord Field.  I have thrown balls from all the big companies and would like to let you know, Lord Field can hold their own with all the big companies. The hitting power and consistent roll you get with these balls are amazing.  When you sign your contract, it is a non-exclusive contract.  That being said, I throw Lord Field exclusively, already throwing 6 different balls.  As for discounts, what is the difference if it's not as much as other companies, savings is still a savings, and yes the other company I was on staff with offered discounts too and the prices compare.  The days of tons of free equipment to staffers is over.  Even the big groups are required to pay for a lot of their stuff.

Lord Field has something special going on.  They make you feel like your family and Tony Martin is always willing to hear what you have to say and is always quick to get back to you with an answer to your question or just a kind word.  Do I regret signing on with Lord Field? Not one bit!!!!  I am a 230+ average with multiple 300s and 800s to my credit and know with this new equipment there is more to come.

I think the idea Lord Field has is actually brilliant in a way, look at the amount of balls they have put out at a money making price to all of these "staff" members. They are selling balls to them and getting their balls on the lanes in front of other people and its not costing them anything. From a business stand point, its brilliant, they are getting free marketing at the grassroots level.