Author Topic: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares? (Read 4527 times)

FBM357 · « **on:** September 22, 2004, 07:22:37 AM »

It appears a very large percentage of bowlers use plastic balls for spares. How many of you can actually use your 'main' ball as a spare ball by simply altering the position of your wrist? Why not do it more often? (other than added wear and tear on the your main ball)

I've always used my first ball for spares as well. Lately I've been thinking about using plastic, but fear the habit of using my first ball would cause errant shots with the plastic. Big adjustment? What are you thoughts?

Vernon
--------------------
Caring people make a difference!!! All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing

TheBowlingKid25 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:24:12 PM »

It is a HUGE adjustment getting used to plastic, but in the long run it helps. One main problem that you deal with less, is the ball hooking out. Even when you put little/no hand on it, it still rolls and turns some. When you get on tougher conditions, that just isnt gonna cut it, thats when plastic comes in.
--------------------
16 years and still going strong! 16 years old that is!

The names Warrior Princess, Xena..Warrior Princess
And why would I "saw" pins in half, THATS A WASTE OF PINS!

a_ak57 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:46:13 PM »

I throw plastic at my spares. And I use a straight release. Just easier knowing that in case I do put something on the ball, it won't hook and go away. I used to use reactive even for 10s but I found that even straight up the back it had some hook potential.

Like BK said, on something like a sport shot or any difficult condition, it's MUCH easier to take the lane out of play and use plastic than guess where the oil is and use reactive/particle.
--------------------
ANDY
There is doing in not doing what you weren't doing but doing in what you weren't doing to do what you were doing but not doing and doing as well

So don't do it!

SHEET · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:46:39 PM »

I throw a ball thats drilled to go long. I don't own a plastic ball, but I was thinking of picking one up, but it's really not necessary for me.
--------------------
WHAT YOU'RE LEARNING I'M TRYING TO FORGET.

Left-Factor · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:55:09 PM »

Norm Duke doesn't seem to think one is necessary.

I don't use one because, even though it's drilled the same, it still feels different than my strike ball and that's one more distration I don't need (I'm not a very focused bowler).
--------------------
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right.

mumzie · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:59:20 PM »

I use plastic for ALL spares. This is a change I put into place this past summer.
Obviously I think a plastic ball is necessary!

For the most part, it takes transition out of play on spare shots - and also takes most of the lane condition out of play as well.

Once I get lined up for the corners, and a bucket, I'm pretty well good to go for the entire session. Tiny moves may be necessary, but that's it.

That way, I can concentrate on the changing lane conditions that keep me in or out of the pocket, and not using my spare ball at all!!! (since, of course, that is the desired scenario.)

Added on edit -
and - it does REALLY save the wear and tear. I've found my equipment is lasting about half again as long!
--------------------
If winning isn't important,
why do they keep score?
---
Vince Lombardi

Edited on 9/22/2004 3:52 PM

RSalas · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2004, 04:35:01 PM »

quote:
it does REALLY save the wear and tear. I've found my equipment is lasting about half again as long!

Spot on. I used to throw my strike ball at spares, but the center where I bowl has a horrible lane surface. That, and I have a tendency to track over the middle finger on my spare shots. I'd rather crack out a $30 plastic ball than a $150 high-tech ball.
--------------------
Horrid in Doubles, torrid in Singles...
...that's The Curse of Dusty.

srlunatic · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2004, 04:36:34 PM »

Never have had a plastic ball for spares..

Learned back in the old days...(bleeder/lt 48) on covering spares using a weak release...

Haven't had the need to change that in my career as have become very comfy with a "spare" release. Also frees up the bag so have room for another ball rather than a plastic ball.
--------------------
My personal savior is common sense.
How can being so RIGHT be so very WRONG?

Steven · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2004, 04:41:41 PM »

Bowl on PBA or Sport patterns, and the question will answer itself.
--------------------
"You want the truth? -- You can't handle the truth! "

hookem · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2004, 04:56:55 PM »

I agree with Steven 100%

Strike300 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2004, 05:33:36 PM »

Bowl on PBA or Sport patterns, and the question will answer itself.
Majority of pros use em but some dont. Example Patrick Healey Jr.

dirtbikebowler · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2004, 05:38:18 PM »

steven is totalay corect. Hooking ur strike ball will work on ths but on tougher shots its way more consistant to use ur spare ball. i use my spare ball for almsot everything.
--------------------
Tom Kelleys Pro Shop

charlest · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2004, 07:11:55 PM »

quote:
Norm Duke doesn't seem to think one is necessary.

But do you get your $150- $200 -$250 balls for free, like he does??

--------------------
"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."

charlest · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2004, 07:15:17 PM »

I can throw Goliaths, Mayhems, Xtreme Triple Xs and Ultimate Infernos, perfectly straight all freaking day, but why bother?

I can throw a Blue Dot any which way I want and it'll go within 2-4 boards of perfetcly straight til doomsday on 99% of all patterns and lane surfaces,
PLUS
I don't wear out perfectly good resin and particle balls that cost me a ton of money to replace.

Bottom line is practicality!

--------------------
"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."

stanski · « **Reply #14 on:** September 22, 2004, 07:20:55 PM »

For the average house bowler who will not bowl only bowls on ths', there is no need for a spare ball unless you want to save wear on your ball. The second you bowl in more then one house, is the second i feel you should get a spare ball. it is so much harder to adjust to different lanes when throwin spares, even if you think you are throwin dead straight. Personally, i've used a spare ball for about 5 years, and i don't think i would be able to go without it, i'm just so used to using it for everything except buckets. Like some other users said, if you bowl on a sport pattern, you will understand the use of plastic.
--------------------
stanski

Author Topic: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares? (Read 4527 times)

FBM357

Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

TheBowlingKid25

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

a_ak57

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

SHEET

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

Left-Factor

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

mumzie

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

RSalas

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

srlunatic

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

Steven

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

hookem

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

Strike300

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

dirtbikebowler

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

Tom Kelleys Pro Shop

charlest

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

charlest

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?

stanski

Re: Is a plastic ball really necessary for spares?