So going to my first Nationals ever and after the sticker shock of airline fares from Philly, I'm not looking forward to paying to check in my ball bags and still lug them through the airport.  Has anyone used the ball shipping service being promoted on USBC or mailed their equipment to the hotel themselves?

its like $25 if you do it that way if you take 2 balls and carry it on its free

+ 1. Depending on how many balls your taking, I flew SouthWest out of LGA. bags fly free. Used a 3 ball tote and its not a bad haul from baggage claim to shuttle bus in Reno.

Thanks Jorge.  I have a fed ex account so may send them to the hotel

I flew southwest and carried two 2 ball totes on with no problem.

I have shipped my balls out just about every way possible. I now use the bowling ball express all the time. I take 2 balls in a tote on the plane with me as carry on. These are normally my most preferred balls to use on the lanes that year along with my IT thumbs. That just in case something happens with the shipping of my other balls. I mail a 4 ball box through Bowling Ball Express directly to the Stadium. From the Philly Area to Bowling Ball Express a 4 ball box is $83.00 one way. 2 balls is $60.00. Team up with another bowler and each send two balls. The balls go directly to the Stadium. The process is very easy to use. Go to Open Championships under tournaments on bowl.com and bowling ball express. You will be able to fill out the forms and print a mailing label for your box. Just drop it off at a UPS drop point. You can place your balls in a 2 ball tote in the box. Our guys like to roll the BJ and BTM the day prior to the Team event. So we pick the balls up from Ball Express, bowl return and put them in lockers overnight and they are in the stadium for the 2 days of events. After the minors we bowl the 40 framer. Return and mail the balls out. Fairly easy. I used to mail directly to the hotels through Fedex many years ago. Depending on the hotel you could end up paying a fee for handling and storage holding at the hotel. Ask first.  you can check your roller bag as luggage, but they will go through the entire bag. Balls have been know to end up rolling across the tarmac!!! Baggage handling forgets to correctly zip up or close up the bags. Anything you do not want to lose should not be in the bags. My roller gets checked as luggage no balls and the tote is with me in the plane with the two balls. I place my shoes and tape in my regular suitcase. 6 balls because of the other tourneys. 40 framer is a friendly house shot. We bowl the BJ and BTM first to try and get rid of house swings. The BTM has been using the National Pattern for years but different lane surface. The BJ is using a National Pattern for the first time.

Bowling balls in your carry on are strictly up to the discretion of the individual airport security guards and not the airline itself.  You are allowed 22lbs on most flights, but I have been denied a bowling ball in my carry on as the guard felt it may be a dangerous projectile. 
I've found no better solution than bringing 2x 3ball totes, putting your clothes in a small duffel bag and bringing a backpack for your shoes/accessories.

I have heard of stories regarding security but have been fortunate never to have come across someone in security deciding what is carry on for a particular Airline. The Airlines identify what they accept as carry on. My work life required me to fly frequently for more than 25 years and I have been able to work through the policy changes as they occurred. I have carried on a two ball tote every year for more than 18 years. Any questions regarding what you would like to carry on can be answered by addressing it directly with your Airline before you travel. I know two years ago one in our group checked the bag only to arrive in Reno and one ball looked like it had been rolled across concrete! It was a loss.