Apologies if this has been asked before (I don't have time to scroll through 350 pages of archived questions).

Does it matter if the seller throws with the same hand as you when deciding to buy their used bowling ball?

I know that some bowlers want used balls that match up closely to their span (if the ball is not plugged already), so that they can merely plug the thumb or fingers or simply switch out the grips, etc., as opposed to a complete plug and redrill.

My question is more along the lines of oil absorbtion/particle or reactive "death". We all know that the balls absorb oil and they lose effectiveness after a certain number of games. Where does the oil go? Once absorbed, does it stay pretty much in the track area or does it migrate throughout the ball?

If the oil stays in the track area, would it be better for a RH to buy a LH's used ball or vice versa, because their respective track areas wouldn't have oil saturation? Or is that a moot point to consider because the oil migrates throughout the ball?
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You weren't unlucky when you left that corner pin, so shut up about it already!!

Well my knowledge of bowling balls is limited to knowing that they are round and on occasion, go where I want them too.

In the old days I would say it would be better to have bought a lefties ball.  We had real narrow tracks back then.  Now though the way the ball flares, it seems to me it probably doesn’t matter.  You are still going to flare over the other track.

As to where the oil goes, good question.  We still haven’t determined if loss of ball reaction is because of oil buildup or the plasticizers migrating to the surface and plugging the pores.

All my equipment was bought used and I normally buy from people with close to the same span.  As you said, throw in a thumb slug, new grips, $10 later I have a new ball and a built in excuse for bowling bad.  â€œUsed ball”, “wrong drilling for me”

One thing that always puzzled me though, are bowlers really that anal that they keep track of how many games they bowl with each ball?

I could see someone knowing they only used it 3 games, but 50?

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~~~SrK - Have balls, will travel

1st law of combat, "Bullets always have the right of way"