Just back into bowling after a long layoff. I bowl on a weekly league now with a ths. I saw the pro shop and they set me up with a c system maxxed out and a spare ball. I'm bowling better than I ever have with a 208 average so far.  A common theme for me has been my 3rd game being my worst as the lane transitions. Was thinking about adding a slightly weaker ball. How many balls does a ths bowler need in an arsenal?

The pro shop recommended a melee if I want to stay with Brunswick or a storm iq pearl if I'm open to any brand.  What do you think? I think the storm actually has a bigger hook rating than my maxxed out, but maybe the pearl factor causes it to make sense. I'm still learning a lot about all of this.

Easily two balls and a spare ball. The Melee, Strike King, or Ringer Platinum from Brunswick would be great. From Storm I'd step down to a Lights Out or one of the Tropicals.

That gives you a ball to work with for light to medium and medium to heavier oil.

+1 for the melee. Would make a perfect compliment to the maxxed out.

I bowl one house league, I take a lights out and a spare ball. If I could, I'd just take one. But ball damage looms when shooting corner pin spares. Ive busted many a spare ball

I carry 2, one to throw, one to balance out the bag.  If the shot is the same every week, why carry 4? 

League isn't for practice, I can practice if I so choose.  Lol and when you're in brackets, practicing odd lines doesn't get it done . .  I don't like switching balls.  Even if you're familiar with all your equipment, I feel like an adjustment with the ball you're throwing (barring the lanes getting super trashed) will be easier than wasting a shot or two dialing in a new ball.  Obviously this can't be universal, but sometimes you can have too many options. 

Quote from: Gizmo823 on December 10, 2013, 08:20:21 AM

I carry 2, one to throw, one to balance out the bag.  If the shot is the same every week, why carry 4?

If the shots so easy, why not work on shooting different lines to practice for the hard stuff.

A ball change during league is more of a mentality and feel thing for me.  I typically carry 3, but am getting a new 3-4-5 ball option bag this week, so I will probably go with 3 + spare ball for typical league nights

Ah, that explains it.  Lol I'm trying to right the ship as far as brackets go, I'm a bit under breaking even, but my competition is pretty ridiculous.  I shot 770 a couple weeks ago with 244 my last game and won 2 of the 5 finals I was in. 

Quote from: Gizmo823 on December 10, 2013, 10:04:00 AM

League isn't for practice, I can practice if I so choose.  Lol and when you're in brackets, practicing odd lines doesn't get it done . .  I don't like switching balls.  Even if you're familiar with all your equipment, I feel like an adjustment with the ball you're throwing (barring the lanes getting super trashed) will be easier than wasting a shot or two dialing in a new ball.  Obviously this can't be universal, but sometimes you can have too many options. 

Sorry, I was just giving you a hard time   I bowl twice a week on medium old wood, so I tend to see quite a bit of transition and then we often bowl for cash after.  When I bowl and there are not brackets or side games, I almost never change balls.

On a side note, I'm still way up on the year for pots and brackets!

I don't think there is a right or wrong number of balls to bring to league. There are times when I bring my 4-ball roller with the Joey Strap, so I end up with 5 balls. I obviously don't need that many since my house shot is fairly consistent week to week. Still, I like having options, and sometimes it's just fun to pull something different out of the bag from time to time. If I wanted to, I could easily get through a league set with one ball. Still, I don't often do that. Again, I like having different options at my disposal.

Now, as to recommendations, I think two balls would be sufficient for most people, three if you want a dedicated spare ball. Have one for medium to medium-heavy, one for medium to medium-light, and, again, a spare ball if you feel the need. Most house shots are so ingrained that they make different balls react similarly on the lane anyway. Get yourself two entry-level pieces that cover the aforementioned conditions, and you're probably more than good to go on your THS.