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Author Topic: How many balls do we need?  (Read 2558 times)

tenpinspro

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How many balls do we need?
« on: June 07, 2006, 06:38:21 AM »
Interesting topic I thought as jkiser01 asks Clint about how many balls does he need.

For the average league bowler, I'd agree.  A simple arsenal of 4-5 balls picked out correctly 3-5 boards apart should give us 15-25 boards on the lane to use.  That's more then half the lane we'll have to utilize if your game allows you to do so as well.

As for Clint, Ex, achappy, myself and other tournament players, I also see a need for similar surfaces with different layouts needed to "kill" the shot.  I don't mean just to bowl well and average 20 pins above average but to go about 50 over  a game (which is what it takes out here on THS to win a 5,6 or 8 gamer).  The last tourney I bowled I averaged 240 scrtach and came in 5th..lol  My friend who won it went 319 over for 5 games, that's 263 scratch guys...just nuts.  The only difficulty I see in having a very large arsenal is that you really don't have enough time to pick and utilize the "right" ball.  You really have to know your equipment and which ball can offer that proper "carrying" reaction.

On edit: This is why some of you guys will see your league scoring go from 200+ to 160 and back to 200 (hypothetically) with the same ball.  That one ball works well on one particular shot but as we transition, it doesn't carry as well which "is" the main difference in scoring and not scoring.

What are your thoughts?
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Edited on 6/7/2006 2:40 PM
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Mark T. Trgovac

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2006, 02:48:32 PM »
Well I know for me that I bowl some tournements. Yet not as many as carl, clint or you rick. Yet when I go I want to know I have the right ball for the shot just steps away. I really saw it at this last tourny we went to last weekend. I didnt get my hands on the right ball till doubles (witch was last event) but I shot good on it enough to know that what I bring to bowl is the right thing to do.
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Hex017

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2006, 02:59:20 PM »
I really don't see how ANYONE can come up with a certain number. Here.

"How many bowling balls do you really need"?

As many as it takes to win. period.

Some guys would prefer huge arsenals to cover a lot of conditions, but as was pointed out you might not know your arsenal well enough. Some prefer a smaller arsenal and know the exact reaction of each ball in. To each his own. Just my opinion.
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cnimsk

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2006, 03:02:35 PM »
With today's equipment and lane conditions, for an average house bowler to average 200 consistently, I would say a minimum of four bowling balls, three if you can use your dry lane ball as a spare ball. One heavy or heavy/medium, one medium, one light to medium, and a spare ball. In tournaments, you may need more including one really heavy oiler, and one dry lane ball, making for a total of six, five perhaps. That's the way I look at it anyway.

Chuck
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clintdaley

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2006, 03:06:47 PM »
I carry as many in my mind that I need. I never leave anything at home...its a mental thing. I guess if I think I have everything covered or have everything with me, its one thing off my mind....

Clint
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Mark T. Trgovac

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2006, 03:10:05 PM »
Yep cover all the bases. If you dont you get that sence afterward of what if i had this kind of ball or if you have it and didnt bring it you get that what if i would have brought that ball. So there isnt a right answer.
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"The Revolution has started. The sides were drawn, and if you didnt Choose the side ofEvolution you will fall to the power that it has."

and I said "PLEASE, I ONLY WANT TO GET ONE MORE BALL." he responded "THAT WAS WHAT 12 BALLS AGO." I said back "WELL, YA BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT."[/size=4

"Freak Bowling Ball cleaner of the TRACK Revolution."
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nospareball

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2006, 03:37:43 PM »
quote:
With today's equipment and lane conditions, for an average house bowler to average 200 consistently, I would say a minimum of four bowling balls, three if you can use your dry lane ball as a spare ball. One heavy or heavy/medium, one medium, one light to medium, and a spare ball. In tournaments, you may need more including one really heavy oiler, and one dry lane ball, making for a total of six, five perhaps. That's the way I look at it anyway.

Chuck


I averaged 205 and 201 two consecutive years a while back with 1 ball (Ebonite Matrix), and no spare ball.  Granted I only bowled in one house, and the shot rarely changed.  If you can change speeds, revs and hand positions one ball is all you need (plus spare) if the condition doesn't change.

I carry 2 balls now and find that my main ball is used about 80% of the time on a house shot.  The secondary ball gets used when I can't find a change that works, or get frustrated and need to reset my mind.
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dw23

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2006, 04:00:23 PM »
I always carry 7 (2 dull and 5 polished) around to local tournaments since I know the house for the most part and I'm just trying to carry better. When I go to Vegas for long format tournaments or tournaments with multiple days for qualifying I will take 10 to 12 just to give myself as many options as possible.

Thanks,
DW
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WSUstroker

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2006, 04:08:07 PM »
My question to all the bowlers that have plenty of different balls and say they need them, when a particular ball is misbehaving and you want to switch, are you able to go to the bag and grab "the" ball that will work?  Do the majority of people honestly know their game and equipment well enough to make the correct switch when needed?  I see too many bowlers who know when to make a switch, but have no idea what the correct ball is.
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Ramtart

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2006, 04:39:57 PM »
Yeah, good topic Rick.

The same tournament Rick was talking about, I finished right behind Rick and in 6th place Scratch. Darn guy, edged me out in the last game hehe. We also crossed with each other on the same pair.

I brought 5 balls that day and funny thing was I ended up using the same ball for the whole tournament. (With the exception of another ball for spares) Rick I believe made only 1 ball change. (He used the Solution Solid & Machine) (I used an Ebonite One & Track Magic)

But yes, I do agree with having separation within your arsenal and you don't want to bring 4-5 balls that do the same thing or you would be defeating the purpose of changing balls. Rick and others here on the boards have taught me to broaden my arsenal with surface changes & layouts. I thank everyone for that.

For a typical tournament I try to bring 4-5 balls, each with diff characterisitics to try and battle the lane changes. Everyone is different though!

Good topic!
Ram
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Edited on 6/7/2006 4:46 PM
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Leftyhi-trak

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2006, 04:56:18 PM »
For league bowlers. 3 balls max. One that fits the shot and one weaker and one stronger. Covers the gambit of what most league bowlers see in a year. Tournaments probably 8-9 Breakpoint early and late for weak,medium and strong balls. Thats 6 2 exotics for speciality shots and a spare. Surface preparation based upon style and needs.
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Xfest

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2006, 07:52:44 PM »
i say 4 max tenpin - i have 4 - just not using a ten # plastic ball - im giving it away.

my three - they are killer combo -

Machine - Medium Oil (My killer, always shoot my first ball with this)
Scorchin' Inferno - Heavy Oil (never use - does not hit hard at all)
BVP Ambush - Light-Medium Oil (use a spare ball that hooks)
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Brickguy221

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2006, 08:02:14 PM »
Since there are no longer any tournaments around where I live/bowl anymore, plus I never see any heavy oil any more and seldom even medium-heavy, probably a 3 ball arsenal (not counting a plastic ball of some type for RH corner spares) would cover most of my needs.

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Edited on 6/7/2006 7:59 PM
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C-G ProShop-Carl

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #13 on: June 07, 2006, 09:06:43 PM »
As usual, my tag team partner comes up with a wonderful topic.

There is no wrong answer to this topic.....but for me I am generally comfortable 7+. Naturally I usually do not use all of the stuff I bring...but I know what each ball is going to do compared to one of the others. When I go to a tournament that typically has a tough shot I will bring as many as 10-12 balls. There are so many different variables a bowler can face that different layouts on different types of equipment could mean better carry....better angle etc...

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Slopsurprise

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Re: How many balls do we need?
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2006, 03:22:26 PM »
For leagues in 3 different houses I can get it done with 3 balls to use in all 3 houses to be realistic. 90% of the time I only need 1-2 of them but, I like to add a wild card or, have something in my back pocket in case things got changed up with the lane conditions. I usually take 4 becasue I have a 4 ball bag but only use 1-2 of them usually. I have learned how to alter to roll on my ball so, its kind of like I have an arsenal in my hand.
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