BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: billdozer on April 22, 2014, 10:45:06 PM
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Sorry for the mild rant.
Please state any and all opinions, also please don't offend others...
I have noticed that there are pretty good bowlers who buy bowling balls on a whim....With (imo) no rhyme or reason. The purchase isn't to replace a ball, or complete an arsenal...or even fill a gap. Most of the time it's not even a ball I would even think about bringing to the center (if I were that person)...and we wonder why it doesn't work, they don't score, and it doinks 10 pins all night.
It drives me nuts! I see people buying balls because someone else got it, not because it is logical.
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After getting rid of 10 balls the last two weeks and another 6 in the last year, I realized I was addicted to owning bowling balls. In fact, I had more balls - found several empty boxes, that I had sold going further back.
I actually stood in front of my storage yesterday trying to figure how many balls I've own in the last 5 years and I barely used them....??? Though most were bought dirt (clearance) cheap NIB, or "donated" nib...I own way too much balls.
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They are looking for that "magic pill" that carries everything without the bowler having to change his game whatsoever.
Granted some balls match up with a variety of styles on THS conditions, and that's good. I just wish people would dare to be different once in a while.
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My opinion is to each their own.
When I was on staff I threw every new release.
No longer being on staff I am back to my typical "buy equipment for Nationals" spending.
If others have the money and ability to buy everything under the sun with no understanding of why....more power to them.
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People like new chit and bowling balls are cheaper than golf clubs and cars.
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@xrayjay -- I feel ya. This winter was a bad one because I had to discard 8 balls that cracked all the way around. However, this wasn't even 20% of the # of balls I have. But I'm ok with having the collector gene (even if my wife isn't) - I have a preferred ball manufacturer, and I have 1-2 of most of the balls that they've produced. Have I used all of them? Nope. Will I? Eventually. Do I expect everyone to understand? Not really - in fact there was a discussion in the house where the wife said "I didn't want the balls to crack, I was hoping you'd sell some of them for extra cash." If the person who's married to me and supposedly knows me the best doesn't understand - - I imagine only a small slice of the population would understand and appreciate. But what motivates me is different than most, and that's ok.
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Here we go... *deep breath*
Currently in the bag, is the following.
Network
Darkness
Grip-It
Sure Thing
Dirty Look
At the shop (Not picked up yet because dang it, I'm a busy man!)
King Cobra
Desert Hook
Bank Roll (p+r)
War Eagle(p+r)
Hook Hybrid(p+r)
Going to the shop (when I pick up the stuff that is in the shop)
Black Eagle
Hook Solid
Clutch Pearl
NIB
War Eagle
Break Point Solid
Ncryption Code
Clutch Pearl
Jewel
Bull Whip
Look
Bank Roll
Mamba Hybrid
Green Mamba
(only plan on putting holes in one of those in the near future.)
So, I have reasons that I can justify. I match up well with the SRC and Break/Eagle weightblocks. Other stuff, I got on megaclearance or on eBay. My other hobby is computers, so the amount I COULD spend on hardware PALES in comparision compared to bowling balls. (At least how I justify it)
I do bowl on both house shots and Kegel patterns, along with PBA patterns. I know how to adjust surfaces, hand positions, speed, and can play from the g to 5th arrow. I know what weightblocks roll well, and with the prices I got them for, I can't beat it. 3 years down the road, when I've beaten my Bank Roll to snot, I can know that there's another one that will be waiting for me in the closet.
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I bought the original Black Widow a few years ago, because of what you wrote..."everybody else has it." It turned out to be a bad ball for me. Ever since, I do a lot of research/reading to try & figure out what I want to buy.
There's so many choices now, its confusing if you don't do homework. Even though I do the homework, sometimes I'm still not sure I made the proper choice.
I do think its an addiction, as we've all witnessed bowlers buying a new ball & stop rolling a weapon that they couldn't do anything wrong with.
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People like new chit and bowling balls are cheaper than golf clubs and cars.
HA,HA, HA, HA! lol! I like this....it made me laugh! But that's the size of it basically.
I am a little more discerning, however. When the Black Widow came out, and everybody and their Mother had one of these bad boys, I resisted buying one. I refused to buy one until I got to try it on, and kick the wheels. My buddy had two; one pin up and one pin down.
Tried both and hated both. The damn ball just moved too much for me. their was no "hold" whenever I threw this ball. It always kept migrating left!
And so, now,.....even though I am an acknowledged ball whore, with well over 80 balls in my basement.....I am still a discrete one. I study long and hard before I just run out and buy a ball just because it's popular!
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Sometimes I buy balls just for the hell of it :P
When I find used balls that fit my hand for <$20, Ill buy it just as a "why not" thing. Found a 607 and a 505C for $5 each. Hard not to buy them.
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People like new chit and bowling balls are cheaper than golf clubs and cars.
I study long and hard before I just run out and buy a ball just because it's popular!
I throw 900 Global/AMF. I don't have that problem lol
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People like new chit and bowling balls are cheaper than golf clubs and cars.
Yeah too funny but true! I went through alot of clubs over the years then I fell in love with my Mizzuno's I have now and that was it, I dont even look at clubs anymore. I'm hoping to get there with bowling balls too. Have my bag set and just buy a new ball once or twice a year.
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I'll be the first to admit what half of us really do. We don't buy because of performance, it's because...it's so pretty!
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I try not do that....but I am sure I do, lol.
Most of the time I do it, it is because I want to try a new company or new line. I had heard a lot of good things about Track, so I bought the 811 C/T. It turned out to be a good ball for me. I did some research and thought this would work for me and cover a slight gap in my arsenal. Did I "need" it, no, but I wanted to see if it was as good as people were saying. I did the same with Radical. Bought a Reax for my Sport League shots. Really liked it's reaction and got a Reax Pearl and Yeti. I am now thinking about doing the same with Motiv. But even when doing this, I try to see a spot where I might have a hole. Even if it is very minor (or not there at all, lol) and try to find a ball that fits that area. Right now, my Medium conditions are a little suspect. I like the Reax Pearl for most, but I am thinking of a Venom Shock to fill that perceived gap.
I think others do it, just to do it, because they don't want to miss out on the next "big thing". The Black Widow was such as ball for me....and it turned out to be a nice addition for me. I liked it so much, I even bought a No Mercy.
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I used to fit the description of buying multiple new balls per year when bowling 3 nights per week. This year I purchased a new Track 505c2'to replace a 3 year old ball, I also purchased a Taboo Spare ball for use on dry lanes. I just won a Roto Grip Asylum in a tournament a week ago and I am not sure that I need it. I gave away 6 balls in the last two years and don't plan on building up my stock again as the balls I am using will last me through next season.
Mark :o
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The person you described probably has very little knowledge on the subject of today's bowling balls. Is it the person's fault? Depends on who you discuss with on the subject.
Most bowlers don't know any better. The situation you describe could have a simple answer. Maybe the bowler liked the color or the name and yes most buy it because their friend has one too.
It's all about HP and HR (High Performance and Hook Rating).
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I used to want and buy all the new balls when they are released and have learned my lesson to not do that. Wasted a lot of money on balls that just don't match up to my style. Now I do a lot more research, and like buying a brand new model of car, I wait a little while until I read the reviews and see how people do with them in real life, not from what staffers say. Can't always believe the car salesman. No offense, but you know what I mean. lol
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Placebo effect.
Some people think that new equipment is the only way to stay on top or competitive. They are likely to see a pro bowler with it and then get it in their mind that it will work for them. Think of it like cigarette ads but for bowling. For some it might actually be true as they don't know how to adjust or maintain their equipment.
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I try to not follow the trend that I need one just because I see a dozen of other bowlers using the same ball or I need 10 balls to cover everything. Majority of the time, I'm buying a ball that no one else is using. I look at my game, examine what's working and what's not and then I do my research to find a ball that will best suite my style of bowling. The last two years for me has been a trial and error to see what layouts work for me because my swing has changed drastically. Mainly, it's been due to wrist injuries and concentrating more on accuracy than power. Everyone in my area loves DV8 and Brunswick balls and I've seen many of them getting them because they see the next bowler shooting really good with one. But then complains that the ball isn't doing what they want it to do without looking at their own game first.
I will sometimes tell people that you can have a 20 ball arsenal but if you don't work on mechanics, body motions, reading the lanes and adjusting to change, then you'll be lost.
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I used to want and buy all the new balls when they are released and have learned my lesson to not do that. Wasted a lot of money on balls that just don't match up to my style.
Thought you were writing about me!!
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I can't afford to just go out and buy everything. Every ball I have purchased since 2008 with the Cell Solid has been an arsenal purchase, replacing 16# with 15#.
I remember when the Black Widow came out. It struck me as Hammer's answer to the Vapor Zone, which I had.
I buy only partly on hype, but mostly on research. I bought the IQ Pearl right after it was released, like a bunch did at my center. When the Fusion came out, I did not consider that ball, as it did not fit my arsenal needs. Instead, I got a Supernatural, and the Sync, a ball that only a few have at my center, and none of them have any hand.
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I buy only partly on hype, but mostly on research. I bought the IQ Pearl right after it was released, like a bunch did at my center. When the Fusion came out, I did not consider that ball, as it did not fit my arsenal needs. Instead, I got a Supernatural, and the Sync, a ball that only a few have at my center, and none of them have any hand.
Hey Iowalefty!! Just curious........you bought a SN and a Sync......two balls that are completely at opposite ends of the bowling spectrum. You meant to do that?
From my observations, people with very little hand tend to migrate towards the HP end of the bowling spectrum, buying Defiants, Cells, Gravitys, and Syncs to compensate for having very little hand. I am surprised that no one at your center jumped on the Sync right away, if they indeed are rev challenged.
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I don't buy many balls myself as I only bowl one league a week (also am very frugal, or as my wife says "cheap"). I am very rev dominant and for me to buy the latest "hook in a box" I may as well throw my money out the window while driving down the road. I just bought a LT-48 (first new ball in 4 years) and love it.