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Author Topic: Ball advice for my Father  (Read 765 times)

Alto101

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Ball advice for my Father
« on: February 02, 2004, 08:22:49 PM »
My father is 65 years old and has not bowled in about 10-20 years.  He has only owned rubber balls during his lifetime....(I don't think that I have ever even seen a rubber ball  When he was younger he did bowl leagues and averaged close to 200.  I have not seen him bowl but he describes his style as playing a slight swing shot with a very aggressive upward release in order to generate lift which is how he got the ball to hook.  

He wants to get back into the sport and needs help.  Since he developed such as strong release during the rubber days, I don't know how much he will be able to change his style.  I want to purchase a ball for him that will allow him to take advantage of the newer technology but doesn't require him to relearn how to bowl.  He is used to throwing 16lb balls but he and I talked it over and I explained to him that for most people 15lb balls will produce better results. He wanted to drop down to 15lbs due to his age, but was afraid of the loss of carry.

Also, for you wise people who are on the older side, can you offer him any advice about how to approach the sport of bowling in the year 2004?  I am too young to know anything but the current game, but I have read about significant changes to lane surface, oil laydown, ball technology, and everything else.

He and I both appreciate any advice that you could offer.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

tenpinspro

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Re: Ball advice for my Father
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2004, 12:34:47 PM »
Hi Ryan,

I get this a lot in the shop.  The balls I tend to suggest the most are the ones with a mild to weak resin coverstock.  I don't recommend getting him a hook monster as that may be too much ball and too hard to control.  The balls I have in mind are the Col Scouts, Bruns Grooves, or even the Track Dry Heat.  Assuming his speed will have decreased to some degree, these balls will help keep him in play a little easier without going overboard in hook.  I also recommend in making sure he can even handle a 15lb ball, hopefully your shop has the span ball in which the the weights can be adjusted.  A 14lb is still not bad either because I'm assuming this is for recreation and exercise, not prepping for the senior tour.  Hope this helps and feel free to contact me directly if you need any further assistance.
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Rick Leong
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Girlscout

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Re: Ball advice for my Father
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2004, 04:23:33 PM »
Alto,  glad to hear your Dad wants to bowl again.
  Why don't you check out the senior leagues and
drop by,  your Dad will see all styles out there.
If he had a 200 average way back, when that took a lot
of skill, it won't take him long to get back in to it.
 By the way 65 is not old! My husband is 70 and still
rolls a 16# Columbia Beast.Kills me the stuff he gets away
with throwing straight and fast.  
 Bowl Happy, GS