When I buy a new ball I look for specific characteristics depending on what I want from that ball: for wetter or longer patterns I tend to go after lower RG min, med-high diff and strong core.
For the lighter or shorter patterns I look at the inverse of those.

Sometimes I have a specific reaction shape in mind, but that's pretty rare for me. Best not to let it get too complicated...
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Reporting from England

I check what i need to replace in my aresnal, then i look for the ceapest ball that covers that spot.
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I like my coffee black, just like my metal.
What would Chuck Norris do?
(\ /)
( . .)
c(')(')
Cute Bunny! copy bunny into sig to help him achieve world domination

First, I check to see if there's a gap in my arsenal that needs added on. Then I look at what type of ball motion and coverstock I need based on the conditions I bowl on as well as matching up with RG, differential and MB rating that suits me. One thing that is a must for me is to check out the reviews and opinions from other bowlers with similar styles as me to see what they think of the ball.
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It may also help to know what people are not looking for when choosing new equipment.

For example, while I think it is awesome that some web sites are now incorporating video of a person throwing the ball, watching one person throw strike after strike with the same release and speed on the same line and some unknown pattern from the same camera angle doesn't help much other than to illustrate how it works for that bowler.

A video with three different bowlers, maybe a pure stroker, a tweener, and a cranker throwing shots on a shorter pattern and a longer pattern would better illustrate the ball's performance.

Good ball reaction and strikes will sell balls, but I'd also like to know when a ball obviously isn't going to work well for me.  For you ball companies: that does not mean that you lost a sale. It means I selected another piece of equipment in your lineup.

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J.J. "Waterola Kid" Anderson, the bLowling King  : Kill the back row


Edited on 7/22/2008 5:54 PM

atm i just drill up balls from diff companies to see whats better for myself

later on i'll just stick to one
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When a house bowler misses the mark, misses the break point and strike, for many ppl its called a wallshot. When a pro does that its call adjustment

When a house bowler gets his finger stuck in the ball and fall on the lanes, for many ppl its called lame bowler. When a pro does that its called the Machuga flop! ha i like this one.

The spreadsheet is not meant to choose a ball for someone but more compile the necessary data used when choosing a ball.