Here is a perfect example of bowling having lost it's proverbial mind.

 This guy just wants to buy a couple of good bowling balls, for himself and his son, that will work for them. Problem is, the current market is 10X over saturated with product, and lane conditions can differ FAR too much from place to place for ANYBODY here to be able to tell him what he needs.

 Hundreds of different balls available, many of which are virtual clones of each other (whether people want to admit it or not), and a vastly under educated system of proshop operators out there who only want to sell you the newest, most expensive piece on the shelf, without being able to properly explain why you need that one.

 When you need to be a rocket scientist, engineer, psychic, and swami, just to end up with a decent ball choice, you are discouraging far more people from getting into bowling than you realize.

 Cryinryan, the truth is that, without a reputable and knowledgable proshop you can trust, that can watch you bowl, and spend the time it takes to make sure exactly what you need and why you need it, buying a new ball can be an exercise in futility.

 In your instance, here is what I would tell you if we were friends. Taking 1/2 day off work and driving 3 hours is going to cost a lot more than the $30 difference in prices that you are looking at. If you are just in it for the fun, go to the local guy that will take the time to work with you, and let him put you in something that will perform more to your liking.

 Now, understand that the world is full of opinions, and coming here to ask advice will get you as many different opinions of what to do as there are people giving the advice.  My advice is no different than anyone else's, so take it for what it's worth.

Thank you guys-- it's not about the $30 bucks that was a passing thought and a way to justify in my own mind making the trip, nothing more and since the pro was trying to sell me a BYTE, top of the line Storm, which is by most people's opinion overkill I though of this from another perspective.

Making it a day with my Son is what was important-- A nice ride, where we can talk and have a good meal- a surprise for him and  something he would remember one day and maybe pass along to his children-- surprise themand spend time with them.

I used to go to my kids grammar schools and take them out for a half day to Chucky Cheese-- becasue parents  don't often get enough time to spend with thier children -- So it had nothing to do with the $30.

Going through this process of learning and becoming in love with a game I once loved again is fun.  But going through this process of deciding the right ball has been daunting at best and left a bad taste in my mouth dealing with the underlying false information and obvious selling based on a price point.

So yes -- I will spend 4-5 quaility hours with my son-- who in two years will not admit I am his father as he develops his own idenity and grows into a man -- more worried about girls then spending time with his father

"Its" -I will tell Tim and Chris you said hello -- thank you for your opinion and understanding of my intentions in life.

Thanks for the good info Jug

 Now, this reply gives me faith in people again. You obviously have your priorities in the correct order, and the 1/2 day spent with him will, undoubtedly, be more than worth it.

 Good luck in your ball search, and don't let all the choices get you down, and always remember that bowling, first and foremost, is supposed to be fun.