I just purchased a $150 ball. That is a significant amount of money to me, especially for a bowling ball. I want my ball to last. However, it doesn't seem like I will get my wish. I bowled 13 games tonight. I have about 60 games on my ball that I bought about two weeks ago; it's trashed. It has about 10 scratches on it; these aren't small scratches. In addition to the scratches, there are small patches where the coverstock has been scraped off. As I have already mentioned, I would like this ball to last for some time. I don't want to buy a new ball every month. What should I do about this? I'm quite discouraged.

I'm bowling on synthetic lanes. It may be the ball returns, but I think it has something to do with the ball being jumbled around in the mess of pins.

After 60 games, 95%+ of the balls being sold will show definite signs of a track and other wear and tear, especially if this is the only ball you use. Old wood lanes will affect a ball more than synthetics. Old synthetics will affect a ball more than new ones. Ball returns from the back of the pinsetter to the underground path to the lifter mechanism can all affect a ball, some more, some less.

About the only way to reduce this wear is to use a plastic ball as a spare ball on all spares, as a lot of people do. Using your strike ball as a spare ball is definitely one way to reduce its life expectancy.

All resin and particle balls are in the same general hardness range, 72-75, with a very few in the 76-78 range. Most plastic balls are slightly harder, and since they spin/skid (as opposed to roll) most of the way down the lane, they wear less than resin.

You can also try plain urethane balls; they will generally wear better than resin balls.
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"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."