Hi, thanks for taking the time to read (an reply; if worthy).Please bear with me I am new to this bowling language and am need of help.

I am looking for ball recommendations. I have been looking at ball specifications and reading ball reviews and posts to others and I am getting more confused than ever!

I am a left handed moderate speed(?)(15-16mph)low rev stroker that starts at the 23-25 and aims at the 8 to the 12 board (depending on the house ball and lane condition) and still frequently hitting on the Brooklyn side. The ball behaves more in a steady curve as opposed to an abrupt hook. I have been told that my approach is very consistent.

I am looking to purchase my first ball. It will be my only ball for awhile so I want it to cover as much lane variation as reasonably possible. I bowl in a "fun" recreational league and have been invited to play in a work league as well. As best as I can tell the lanes start (at worst)medium to medium heavy and breaks down from there (never to a bone dry {torched or toasted?} as I read here... there is always an oil track left on the ball... even at the end of league).

I am not concerned with cost. I would rather spend more on one good single ball that will cover the majority of my situations than have multiple balls for different conditions (I have $150+- for one good ball; as opposed to $250 for a couple of Mediocre balls). Nor do I have any brand preferences. I want to buy the best ball that will fit my style and give me a little growing room. I am currently averaging a 134 but will throw better than 170 30 to 40 percent of the time. If I can have my own ball and eliminate that variable of which house ball I am using; I think I can improve my average.

Talking to the pro at one of the local lanes (the only serious pro shop here in town) he is recommending Storm's HotWire. But looking at Storm's statistics I am concerned with the apparent oil demand. Is this going to be too much when the lanes start to dry up? A friend of mine just bought a Storm power Charge and its stats seem to cover a little broader cross section.

Can anybody help clear the air? If you could only buy one ball for all your bowling needs; what would it be?

Thank you so much for any light you can shed.

(I am not sure this is the appropriate forum for this post so I am duplicating it in the Beginners forum. If you respond here please don't waste your time responding a second time there. Thank you again so much!)

Hi Jeeter,

I agree with Mc and Strider,  try a couple of used balls first with different coverstocks so you can have some variation with your equipment before spending the same amount on one new one.  This is why it is important for you to either 1) find someone you can trust and that can give you a honest assesment of your current game or 2) you can try a couple of used balls and start to work on your game from the bottom up...form, approach, release...so on.  I personally recommend to my customers who come to me wanting their 1st fingertip to try it on a old or used ball just to see if they like it or if they can handle it.  There is no sense in spending $250 on something when you're not even sure what it can do for you.  Feel free to contact me directly if you have any further questions..
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Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff

Jeeter: To answer your questions regarding redrilling a bowling ball to fit your span, the answer is yes. You would take the ball to a pro shop and have the driller replug the holes (which usually take 24 hours to set). Once this is done the driller would then measure you up, drill out the ball to best suit what you want the ball to do, and hopefully watch you throw some practice to see how you throw the ball. I would suggest getting a used bowling ball based on the same bowling hand that you throw (usually people on this board let you know if it's a drilled for a right hander or left hander).

Good luck in your pursuits- my Vortex II Particle ball I got from a lefty friend who hated it for $40, I replugged, redrilled and now it's my main go to ball...

Matt

Thank you to everyone that took time to read and reply. You have all helped a great deal. The knowledge and friendliness of everyone on this site is awesome!
Jeeter