Author Topic: How do I choose a new bowling ball? (Read 3393 times)

Graham · « **on:** December 30, 2009, 01:24:13 PM »

I am currently bowling with a 16-lbs Brunswick Pro Active Zone that I purchased in 1999. I average around 185 in the league I am in, but we have several bowlers who average over 200. I am a right-handed bowler that stands just to the left of the second arrow from the left and aim for the second arrow from the right. While I don't have a huge hook, I usually get decent pin action, even if I hit the pocket right. If I swing my arm to the left my ball usually goes Brooklyn. My bowling seems to be very streaky at times.

I have been looking at getting a new bowling ball for a while, but things have changed in the past ten years since I got my most recent ball. (I had a Beast and Angle before that.) I would like to get something that would provide me with more hook when going into the pocket.

The Virtual Gravity seems to be the ball of choice from the pro shop inside the establishment I bowl at (and it is owned by a PBA Tour member, so I know that the pro shop knows a good deal about equipment). What other balls should I be looking at? Is there any other information you need from me to get a better idea for a ball for me?

Any help would be appreciated. Also, if this is in the wrong section, please feel free to move it to the appropriate area.

ralphiejantz · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2009, 09:47:14 PM »

I can tell you this unless your looking to change your line to the pocket, bowl on super flooded conditons, or extremely long patterns,
or dont throw hardly any ball DO NOT get a virtual gravity if you want to continue to play a down and in shot down the 10 board,

that ball hooks so damn much its crazy,
the only people I have seen throw them down and in are guys that basically fluff the ball down the lane every single shot

if your looking for something to keep your down and in style and bowl on the common "drier" condition look for a low level peformance ball,
something like a Fast from storm, Mars from Roto Grip, Avalanche from Brunswick,
Freeze from Columbia etc.
I just did a Freeze for my brother who plays down and in and it works great for him
he was using a Speed Zone up until this point
todays newer equipment is so much stronger than the older stuff its not even comparable

Graham · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2009, 10:00:56 PM »

quote:
I can tell you this unless your looking to change your line to the pocket, bowl on super flooded conditons, or extremely long patterns,
or dont throw hardly any ball DO NOT get a virtual gravity if you want to continue to play a down and in shot down the 10 board,

that ball hooks so damn much its crazy,
the only people I have seen throw them down and in are guys that basically fluff the ball down the lane every single shot

if your looking for something to keep your down and in style and bowl on the common "drier" condition look for a low level peformance ball,
something like a Fast from storm, Mars from Roto Grip, Avalanche from Brunswick,
Freeze from Columbia etc.
I just did a Freeze for my brother who plays down and in and it works great for him
he was using a Speed Zone up until this point
todays newer equipment is so much stronger than the older stuff its not even comparable

Thanks for the info. Just a bit more clarification, I am not opposed to changing my line, and I feel like I stand so far to the left currently that I would need to change my line with just about any ball I got. I would say that I am more of a Tweener release, so my hook wouldn't be quite as huge as a cranker. Still, I feel like my game could use some improvement if I had a bit more of a hook. I have seen guys struggle with the VG because of the amount of hook it can produce, so that was the reason why I was a bit hesitant to get it, but I still would like something that gives me a bit more hook as it hits the back end of the lane.

I don't know if this is important, but I take a four-step approach and the back inch or two of my right foot hangs off of the lane as I line up for a shot. I couldn't tell you what my ball speed is though.

A friend of mine recommended the Cube. I'm looking into that as well but open to any suggestions.

ralphiejantz · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2009, 10:11:26 PM »

okay now it really depends how far down the lane you want the ball to hook and how much hook you want,
are you looking for something super strong off the break point,
or something mild off the breakpoint,

it would greatly help if I could see you bowl or knew your rev rate, speed, and conditions you bowl on
but if your looking for something with a moderate amount of hook, and a bit later down the lane reaction the Storm Hyroad works well
so does the Nomad from Roto Grip,
Lunatic from 900 Global,
Onyx Vibe from Hammer

these are just a few suggetions to maybe look into or ask your shop questions about
most of these depending on how you throw can me moderate reaction or very very strong,
some of these I use on sport shots, or heavy volume patterns because I get a good amount of reaction from my equipment

if your looking for something stronger than these you will start to go up to things like the Reign from Storm, Bounty Hunter from 900 Global, etc. more stuff in that category

the Virtual Gravity has to be 1 of the strongest hooking balls out there right now, along with the Mutant Cell and other very very high performance equipment
look for something kind of middle of the road peformance wise,
look into some of the stuff I mentioned,
there is so much out there right now in this category thats its tough to list every single one

« **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2009, 10:38:01 AM »

On most house shots you'll probably get better carry with a pearl reactive due to the fact that there is usually plenty of friction. The particle balls (like yours) were designed to create friction earlier on the lane, so they tend to "burn up" or lose hitting power before they reach the pins (unless there is lots of oil on the lane).

I would recommend a Rattler or Wild Thing on house patterns because they will get good length and still have plenty of entry angle and carry at the pins. Best of luck.

--------------------
Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.

LaneHammer20 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2009, 11:04:47 AM »

I am so sick of hearing about a Virtual Gravity. I have seen one person that I can think of that makes this ball look good out of the 3 houses I bowl at.

This ball is not a house shot ball, unless you have zero hand and it still doesn't look good, have seen plenty use it with that style.
--------------------
What is sandbagging???

Bluff · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2009, 11:12:58 AM »

Brunswick Pro Active Zone this ball hooks as much as VG

I say get a CELL while you still can
--------------------
"A man with no skills can be taught. A man with no honor, has nothing."

rvmark · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2009, 12:13:00 PM »

Talk to your pro shop guy and he should be able to hook you up with a ball that can help you with your game. I'd would stay away from a ball like the VG or most of the cells unless you bowl on extremely oily conditions as that is what those balls excel on.

I would look at mid range balls like the
RG Nomad
RG Grand Illusion
900G Lunatic
Hammer Vibes

Good luck,

Mark

Jay · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2009, 01:52:39 PM »

Another vote for the Nomad. Balls in that price range are most likely to suit you better when considering the strong equipment of today. The exception is if your house shot is long and/or heavy, or you don't have much hand or you have lots of speed.
--------------------
Justin
Bowling Boards

TMack · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:31:44 PM »

Rattler all the way !

lenstanles703 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2009, 03:13:19 PM »

Visionary Ogre Solid
--------------------
"We are all one"
Visionary test staff member

Juggernaut · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:13:57 PM »

quote:
How do I choose a new bowling ball?

Eeeny
Meeny
Miiny
Moe.

Good Luck. With all the crap out there these days, you'll need it.
--------------------
Good transactions list in my profile

[THIS SPACE FOR RENT]

leftyinsnellville · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:40:43 PM »

Mutant Cell. Good price, good ball. Doesn't get simpler than that.
--------------------
I wanna be a house hack when I grow up.

http://averagebowlersballreviews.com/

ralphiejantz · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2009, 04:44:55 PM »

quote:
Mutant Cell. Good price, good ball. Doesn't get simpler than that.
--------------------
I wanna be a house hack when I grow up.

http://averagebowlersballreviews.com/

umm if the Virtual Gravity is gonna be to strong so is the Mutant,
that ball is so damn strong is ridiculous,

definately look into the mid performance stuff like mentioned before
Nomads, Vibes, etc.
and talk to your shop about them

if you can play down and in with a Mutant you either have no hand at all or are bowling on a 60ft flooded pattern,
this ball is super super strong,

Graham · « **Reply #14 on:** January 01, 2010, 12:21:52 AM »

I make my spares quite consistently, TYVM. I also never said anything about believing that a new ball would magically increase my average 15 pins.

You know, you could have just not said anything instead of being a prick and not adding anything to the conversation, but maybe your reading comprehension isn't the best.

quote:
Buying a new ball won't magically make your average jump 15 pins. Learn to make spares.

quote:
I am currently bowling with a 16-lbs Brunswick Pro Active Zone that I purchased in 1999. I average around 185 in the league I am in, but we have several bowlers who average over 200.

Author Topic: How do I choose a new bowling ball? (Read 3393 times)

Graham

How do I choose a new bowling ball?

ralphiejantz

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

Graham

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

ralphiejantz

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

LaneHammer20

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

Bluff

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

rvmark

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

Jay

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

TMack

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

lenstanles703

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

Juggernaut

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

leftyinsnellville

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

ralphiejantz

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?

Graham

Re: How do I choose a new bowling ball?