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Author Topic: Choosing a spare ball  (Read 17172 times)

Stylez777

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Choosing a spare ball
« on: March 14, 2007, 12:23:03 PM »
I never really ever had a spareball before, I always used the same ball for both shots, but my cousin is seriously urging me to get one.  Well if not only to save life on my strike ball but heck if i cannot get accurate with my single pin spares when lanes break down a bit.

So few questions, Can you pick up any ole plastic ball for spares or some better then others?  If i throw a 15lber would i want the same weight in a spare ball or maybe a lb less to get a little bit more speed on the ball?  Also why in the world are plastic balls expensive?  I seen online and in pro shop they going for $100 some of them, anywhere to find a cheap plastic?  thanks in advance
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Currently Throwing :

16lb Brunswick Red Ragging Fuze
15lb Roto Grip Fuel
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strikestriketapped

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2007, 08:25:40 PM »
Pick any plastic ball that you think looks good. bowling.com has good prices as does allstarbowling.com.
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Hammer, Brunswick, and Storm.

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www.stormbowling.com

Edited on 3/14/2007 8:26 PM
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NappyCuts

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2007, 08:31:40 PM »
Just throw the ball straight. It's not that hard if you learn.
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Goof1073

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2007, 08:34:37 PM »
There isn't a ton of difference between plastic balls as they all have fairly hard shells and mainly have pancake weight blocks (with a few exceptions).  The vis-a-balls do tend to hook a little bit more than others from what I've seen.

The weight issue is personally choice.  I have seen plenty of people drop a pound, but in general most stay with the same weight.  I personally wouldn't drop a full pound as it could throw off your natural timing and honestly I don't think throwing the ball harder is going to help get spares.
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-Chris: DJ's Pro Shop : Auburn, MA
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DaveTBH

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2007, 08:42:29 PM »
I like my Storm Baseball.  I like to look cool while throwing spares.
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Current Ave:  199

High game:  300 (2)
High Series:  792 (247-245-300)

FAN BANTER BOWL SPACE BOWL.COM
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BrianCRX90

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2007, 08:43:44 PM »
quote:
Just throw the ball straight. It's not that hard if you learn.


Not everyone has the ability or talent to throw a dead straight ball.I don't use a spare ball and learned to throw a near backup staight ball at corner pins but it took me years and I'm still not perfect otherwise I'd be averaging a good 10 pins higher. I just learned a couple months ago how to shoot 4's and 7's straight as I was tired on difficult lane conditions attempting to hook at them and missing.
I have seen many people attempt to throw plastic balls at corner pins ripping the ball on the downswing. On heavier oil and dry lanes your dead in the water doing this. You can throw your strike ball with a spare ball but one must learn to throw it straighter.
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cnimsk

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2007, 08:48:32 PM »
Any plastic bowling ball will do. Pick one that you like. Ebonite's Maxim series is good, made for spare shooting like the Track's Flaming T, Roto Grip's Spare Tire, Storm's storm balls, a skull ball, donald duck....anything. Just drill it neutral, and make sure you don't have any pitch to your grips. It's what you want and can afford. And they do come in handy. Lots of plastic bowling balls cost in the $50 dollar range and they are easy to drill as well. Most people maintain the same weight as their regular bowling ball, though dropping a pound works as well. Your choice.

Chuck
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laner7pin

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2007, 08:50:13 PM »
Any of the Target Zones, Maxim's or White Dots (assuming ebonite is not axe-ing those) are all going to do the same thing. Hard polyester cover, pancake for a core, drill over the label and it wont hook. Between all 3 companies there are about 25 color combos to choose from (some of which overlap). Big B's Viz-a-balls are another option, a little more expensive and might hook a little more (once it gets a little track on it). If you can find a Blue Dot that ball would go the straightest.

Laner
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Unoffical Brunswick staff 06-07
Viva la Nacion!
Master of the "scary tool" and the On Track "love hole"
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Hogsharley

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2007, 08:57:11 PM »
White Dot's or Maxim's are fine. They can be had for about $50. If you want to be fancy, the Viz-A-Balls can go for over $100. I throw 15#' strike ball and I believe that my spare ball is 13#'s (I found mine on the rack). I had a 15# White Dot and gave it away. You don't need the hitting power of 15 or 16# ball to tap out.
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3 holes of fun!!
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BrianCRX90

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2007, 10:18:08 PM »
I heard that Donald Duck ball is a carry machine
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backswing_aplenty

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2007, 11:58:29 PM »
A used plastic ball would work fine.  As everyone has said any ole' plastic ball will work, but you can also get an old polyester or urethane ball for spares and a backup toast ball.

And for cnimsk; you wrote: "Just drill it neutral, and make sure you don't have any pitch to your grips."  

What do you mean by not having any pitch to your grips?

Just an honest question; I've never heard that before.


*backswing
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*...Got the 5 out clean!

To prove I'm real http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?mp=270&ms=2931&s=2005-2006
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shelley

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Re: Choosing a spare ball
« Reply #11 on: March 15, 2007, 11:11:47 AM »
quote:
And for cnimsk; you wrote: "Just drill it neutral, and make sure you don't have any pitch to your grips."  

What do you mean by not having any pitch to your grips?


Probably to keep you from getting any lift on it.  Pitching the fingers towards the palm gives your fingers something to lift against.  Inserts tend to do that automatically since they've got a small lip on them, for no-inserts you have to actually pitch the hole.

SH
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