I think a couple of the other posters have hit it when they say "it doesn't match my game". I think that some balls don't match some bowler's game.
We have customers that are dead set on buying a ball. You try to talk them out of the ball because you just their game and know it isn't going to work for them. The person will buy the ball and they hate the ball.
I think that a pro shop knowing the bowler's game and the bowler doing research on the ball will help eliminate these "DUD's".
A website called
http://www.bowlingballdynamics.com/ does a great job of doing this type of Analysis. I filled out the survey, and he sent me a very detailed set of information on the balls that I like and the balls that I didn't like. Through this I started to realize what differentials I liked, and what coverstocks worked best for me. In his listing, he also give you similiar balls that will match up to your favorites.
We have found that if you watch the Differentials on the balls that you like, there will be a range (say .040-.045, along with coverstock ie. Particle Pearl or Reactive Solid), and when you stay in that range, you find balls that match you better.
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Thanks
Bill
BuddiesProShop.com
"The Place All Bowlers Shop"