While I’ve picked up a few tidbits of information on bowling the most important thing I’ve gotten from this site is a feeling of friendship with several of the posters.

I got the basis of all my bowling knowledge from here.  Then again, I've only been bowling a year, but still.  I did originally come for the reviews, but I almost never read them anymore.
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- Andy


Brunswick....'Nuff said.

*drools*

Brunswick goood, ball roll ball roll!
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Nick Smith ... A.K.A. Les Badderâ„¢
Brunswick -=- PBA 03-05
¡Viva la nación de Brunswick!

I had been bowling in one league or another for nearly 18 years before I became a member of this site.  During this time I knew nothing about the technical side of the balls or drilling.  Before this site I would go into my proshop and basically say this is what I'm looking for and I would rely on my driller to drill a ball based on that.  Even though I may not post a lot I have taken in a ton of knowledge and can go into the proshop and fine tune what I'm looking for and actually know what my driller is talking about.  This site and it's knowledgeable members has benefited my game in so many ways.  One of the best posts I have found has been the Unofficial Ballreviews F.A.Q. which I'm about to bump to the top ( http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=74110&ForumID=16&CategoryID=5 ).  Many thanks to those out there who have helped boost my knowledge in one way or another.

I would also like to add that this site has been a great place to buy, sell and trade equipment so that I could try out a ball or company that I wouldn't normally have had drilled before I became a member (some of which aren't even carried by my proshop).
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...Bowling is my winter job while Golf is my summer passion...

BD

jttfb



Edited on 3/9/2005 4:02 PM

This site has saved me a bunch of money.  If you're considering the purchase of a new piece of equipment for a specific purpose, you can usually find a couple of people here who have thrown the ball considering and at least one ball you already own.  A quick comparison offers a world of knowledge you simply can't find anywhere else.  Equipment seems to rarely do what the manufacturer says it will do.

I've also been turned on to some great equipment, such as the Dyno-Thane Barrage, that I never would have tried without suggestions offered by other BR members.

There are countless little tips and tricks you pick up off the boards.  There are just too many to even attempt listing.

Finally, though we have some great people here who may offer better advice than others, almost everyone is trying to help each other get better or enjoy the game more.  It is also nice to be able to share my knowledge with others who appreciate it (and even those who don't!)
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Kill the back row (or maybe this should read "make your spares, dummy")


Edited on 3/9/2005 4:01 PM

My knowledge about ball layouts, coverstock preparation, laying the groundwork for a proper ball arsenal to have in leagues/tournaments, as well as ways of tackling lane conditions from multiple perspectives has increased 1000 fold since finding out about ballreviews in November of 2003. I think as a result I'm able to walk into a center that I've never bowled in, assess the conditions quickly and pull out the right equipment to at least have a decent look on the lanes. At the time I was first finding out about ballreviews was when my family life was settling in and I was looking to dive more deeply into bowling again, and it's been a wonderful year and a half since discovering the site. I've made many good friends, met some of the posters on the board, and will continue to read the threads and try to post when I can any insights/experiences I may have about the game.

Matt

Very little.  Games are so diverse and opinions on conditons are varied as well.  One person may state oily on a shot that ball "A" excels on and to me that is medium at best.  To many reviews also state I like ball because I shot XXXXX score.   Score rarely affects my review of a ball.

I do read buddiesproshop's reviews and a few others.  Mostly I use BTM and my own experience.

Nod