The thing that sells me about a ball usually, is what I see from the ball when I see it in person, in terms of how it rolls through the pins, and how much control of the breakpoint it has.  Another things is obviously the area the bowler appears to have, missing outside, or inside.  And of course, combining who's throwing the ball, with the reaction it's giving.  If I'm not watching someone throw it, I'm probably looking for a lower RG, lower differential, unless I'm planning something out of the ordinary for me with the ball.

Hmm, with new equipment, I take a look at the ball recation and the bowler playing it at home lanes. There are players that make ANY ball look great, and others who have gruesome releases - but the overall picture gives a good impression of what a ball can do. There are so many factors involved, that you need different information sources to judge equipment. Reviews are a good source, as well as user videos - but you need to do a lot of legwork for a sensible judgement, and then there is still the question if the ball fits YOUR style and needs. What works for one player must not work another, or at least in the same way.

Anyway, I do not buy a ball because of TV appearances (Which I rarely get to see) or testimonials. Additionally, a high score or series does not tell you anything about a ball. If you are lucky to have a streak of luck, or a sudden matchup of style, lane condition and ball choice (happened to me recently), this high result is hardly to "blame" just on a ball.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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