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Author Topic: Need advice on buying a new ball!  (Read 1615 times)

Roll2Win

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Need advice on buying a new ball!
« on: June 14, 2011, 09:54:47 PM »
 
 I'll probably cross post this to another forum, so you might see it elsewhere.  I'm not a millionaire, so I can't afford a ten ball arsenal. I'm in the market for a dry lane ball that won't break the bank and still hit hard.  I've been thinking about a Tropical Heat or a 300C and would appreciate any comments on them or advice on any others.    

  I have a Mission and a Freeze, I bought the Freeze for drier lane conditions.  I've been scoring well in one house with it, but it is surprisingly a much stronger ball than I expected on the dry condition I see sometimes.  One thing that is hurting me is my slow ball speed, and I've been trying to work on that.   I am a senior bowler with arthritis in my bowling hand, so that doesn't help matters either.  

 So what say the gurus out there??

 
 A fourbagger by any other name is still a fourbagger.  Get it right or flunk bowling 101.  
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Need advice on buying a new ball!
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2011, 07:21:31 AM »
If you prefer a reactive piece, both RX-1 balls from Motiv are a good choice. They both have a true core, but with a high RG and a lower RG differential. I have the solid one and also got it as a very light condition ball - therefore I had it drilled up very weak, pin at 5.25" from PAP (above the bridge for me), CG in the palm, 0.5" towards PAP to create some side weight. I have rather slow speed and medium revs, so length and over-reaction is an issue for me.

From the core side, the ball is now truly harmless, maybe only 1" of flare. It is for me great to play between 1st and 2nd arrow down the lane, and it even hooks with some back end once things truly dry up. Only issues I had was that I had to learn how to play it (= aggressively, with thehand well behand the ball so it gets into a roll) and I had to tweak the surface, because OOB the orange ball had too much traction, so I added some Trizact rubbing compound. Now I have a winner - similar strong as my old Pure Hammer, but less overall hook and with a sharper breakpoint. More info under my lengthy RX-1 Solid review.

 

As a dry lane ball, I'd recommend the silver (pearl) ball - but this is IMHO a valid option. And probably on sale, since it seems to be discontinued?

 

Tropical Storm will probably have a cover that's more aggressive to the dry - good ball, but IMHO too jumpy for what you are looking for. Maybe a Slingshot from Brunswick is your ticket, too. PK17 is rather mild, and its low RG diff. core keeps the breakpoint and overall hook rather mild. Cannot tell anything about the 300C, though.


DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section
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DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

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Re: Need advice on buying a new ball!
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2011, 07:30:52 AM »

The Urethane Avalanche pearl is by far the best I've ever used on drier conditions. A Slingshot drilled pin down is a second choice, but not nearly as good. Why? Any ball with a reactive cover is going to respond much faster to the friction, which makes it difficult, especially with slower speeds.

The Urethane Avalanche will hook, but reads the lane differently because of it's cover. Control and carry are it's strengths. Good luck with your decision.

 

 


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.
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charlest

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Re: Need advice on buying a new ball!
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2011, 07:34:38 AM »
Yes, The Freeze can be much stronger than anticipated. It is very definitely NOT a dry lanes or light oil ball at all.
 
There are any number of good light oil balls on the market right now. The 300C is one and should fit below the Freeze nicely.  The Tropical Heat is NOT a light oil ball. It is closer in oil handling to the Freeze but unlike the Freeze there are 3 different coverstocks in the Heat line: pearl, solid/pearl combo, and a solid. In any case, it's an alternative to the Freeze, not a complement.
 
The Tropical Storm is closer to the 300C but it can have a flippy reaction as opposed to the 300C, which is generally more even in its reaction. The newer tropical Breeze is more even reacting . Other candidates are the Brunswick Slingshot, Motiv Sliver Recon RX-1. Some that have been recently discontinued are Hammer Red/Purple Backlash, Ebonite Hardball, Brunswick Avalanche Slide, Motiv Orange Recon RX-1.
 
If you're really worried about your slower speed, then the best choices among resin balls are the Slingshot, the Tropical Breeze, & the Silver Recon. Possibly more help for that problem is the great choice of urethanes and pearl urethanes currently available: Brunswick Avalanche Urethane, Seismic Desperado and the Storm Natural Pearl urethane are all pearls. Solid Urethanes: Storm 's Natural, Hammer's Blue Hammer, Roto-Grip's Grenade.
Among those my favorites, mostly because of my slower than average ball speed, are the Slingshot, Avalanche Urethane, and the Orange Recon. 

"None are so blind as those who will not see."

 
 
Edited by charlest on 6/15/2011 at 7:36 AM
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

Roll2Win

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Re: Need advice on buying a new ball!
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2011, 06:49:45 PM »
 
 Thanks to everyone for all of your comments and recommendations! Now I have several balls to seriously consider. Non-resin urethane balls were mentioned and for some reason hadn't even thought about them.

  The drier condition that I was referring to is not a burnt or toast type of condition.  It is a rather dry THS, but my Mission and Freeze are just a little too much for it sometimes.  I'm just looking for something a little bit weaker, and I'm glad to see that there are a lot of good balls out there that should fit.    

 I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Track 300C, Brunswick Slingshot, or the Ebonite Cyclone that someone else has recommended.   They all seem to be good balls and relatively inexpensive.  I'll check with my pro shop and see what they have in stock in a 14#.  

 Thanks again!

 
 A fourbagger by any other name is still a fourbagger.  Get it right or flunk bowling 101.  
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qstick777

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Re: Need advice on buying a new ball!
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2011, 08:14:34 AM »
you could look at the new 900Global Wisdom.....designed for senior bowlers with slower ball speeds.
 
 
It's a new release, and the s65 cover suggests it may be a little strong on dry conditions, but still may be worth a look.
 
 
 
 
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