Author Topic: Help me select a 2nd ball (Read 2081 times)

Jbultman · « **on:** February 04, 2017, 10:13:54 PM »

I just am getting into bowling, got all my stuff before Christmas. Currently am bowling 9 games a week, a handicap league with some adult friends, a fun league with my kids and a practice session somewhere in there all with ths patterns.

I am a righty two hander, bowling with a Columbia 300 Nitrous pin just above my ring finger. I'm looking to get another ball. I'm tossing back and forth either getting a stronger ball or a plastic spare ball. I have trouble picking up the 6 pin and or 10 pin spares because of my hook. I've been putting my thumb in and try to roll a bit straighter and that has helped a little bit. And who doesn't want a stronger ball?

Suggestions? Help! Currently I stand 10 boards left of center and hit the 3rd arrow to strike. Average is currently 165-170.

Thanks

CoorZero · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2017, 12:56:48 AM »

Go for a spare ball. Covering spares is the best way to start building your game. Stringing strikes on a consistent basis comes later with more experience.

For what it's worth I would recommend a Mix instead of a plastic/polyester ball. They cost a bit more but are much more durable. Well worth it over the long-run.

BallReviews-Removed0385 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2017, 09:37:42 AM »

+1 on the spare ball.

Mine just happens to be an old urethane groove that's polished, and it will outlive me by 50 years (at least).

Jbultman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2017, 02:58:10 PM »

I do think that the spare ball is the way to go after reading comments, and talking to my pro shop. Any suggestions for which one? Or is a plastic ball a plastic ball? How should I have it drilled?

BallReviews-Removed0385 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2017, 02:09:35 AM »

Your pro shop will know how to drill it. I think all plastic are very similar. Pick a color.

The first suggestion of CoorZero on the (Storm) Mix is sound advice. The cost difference is very minimal compared to the durability. Our shop has drilled a ton of them over the past few years.

leftybowler70 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2017, 04:49:35 AM »

Jbultman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2017, 12:14:48 PM »

Thanks guys. What are the thoughts on ploy/plastic ball vs a low/entry level urethane (ex. Storm mix) that won't hook much that can be used for a light oil situations??

SG17 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2017, 12:40:32 PM »

for a spare ball, I personally prefer plastic. I used to throw various urethane balls, like the old pearl blue hammer and more recent balls like the slate blue hammer for spares and I have found even though they were urethane, those balls would react more than I wanted a spare ball to.

I want my spare ball to be as straight as possible; especially on a sport pattern. for example, I have missed 10 pins because the urethane ball grabbed enough to hook past it, instead of rolling straight.

that said; as a new bowler to leagues, an entry level urethane may not be a bad choice; because it could be used for a strike ball when the lane conditions dictate it.

CoorZero · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2017, 01:11:02 PM »

For what it's worth the Mix is definitely closer to a polyester ball than any of the "true" urethane balls. Mine actually grabs a bit less on the back than the White Dots I used to have.

If the intent is to get one to use for both straight spare shots and for strikes in light oil situations that wouldn't be my choice. You're better off going with a Rebel Tank, Purple Hammer, or a Pitch Blue. But those will also grab earlier and hook significantly more than something like a Mix so they're not the greatest for straight spare shots either.

BallReviews-Removed0385 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2017, 03:38:42 PM »

The reason I suggest the Mix is for it's durability. Plastic balls tend to be brittle and chip or crack around thumb holes or fingers when inserts are used.

Any ball will roll straight when rolled end-over-end. Reactive balls don't hook by themselves. They respond to the rotation the bowler puts on them.

(According to the other thread you can discount everything I say here because I'm a staffer. Even if I compliment another company's product.)

Author Topic: Help me select a 2nd ball (Read 2081 times)

Jbultman

Help me select a 2nd ball

CoorZero

Re: Help me select a 2nd ball

BallReviews-Removed0385

Re: Help me select a 2nd ball

Jbultman

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BallReviews-Removed0385

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leftybowler70

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Jbultman

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SG17

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CoorZero

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BallReviews-Removed0385

Re: Help me select a 2nd ball