Bought a new ball only to end up hating it

[Peri]

I got the Hammer Nail last summer and have been forcing myself to bowl with it. I still don't like it. I haven't been bowling very long and wonder if this is common? After the last league game when I did not come anywhere near my average, didn't even break 100, I cleaned it and put it on the shelf. I went back to my old ball and have been doing marginally better.

My work schedule has changed a bit so I am really tired on league night. I am not sure if I am falsely accusing the new ball when I am just tired, but honestly it does not seem to hit the pins as hard as the old ball. They are both the same weight and drilled the same, but when I miss throw, miss my mark, etc. the old ball seems to knock over more pins and it does not like the gutter as well as the new one does. Anyway, how common is it to buy a ball and then not really like it. I am thinking of donating it to the youth league. Old Blue seems to work better for me at this time. The hubby is not thrilled with the decision to go back to Old Blue.

[noeymc]

can you post a video and do you hook it or throw straight ?

[AZBowla]

For me at least, I found I was putting some pretty high expectations on my new ball when I got it. I did decently with my old ball and thought the key to getting higher scores was a fancy new reactive ball. Now I'm learning that the lane conditions I bowl on the most aren't really conducive for the ball I got - don't get me wrong, I love it and I think it'll be perfect for league play, but for regular open bowling, it's not the right ball. Fortunately I also have a plastic ball that I will get drilled identical to my new reactive that I can use when the lanes are dry. So lane conditions will also play a factor into whether or not you can increase your average or not. I say don't give up on the new ball just yet. If it's the ball I'm thinking it is, bowlingball.com says it's for medium-dry lanes. Does your league use more oil than that? Maybe that's why it's ending up in the gutter more - it's not getting the friction it needs to grab onto the lane. You may find that towards that last game of the night, the Hammer Nail will work better than Old Blue does (whatever ball that is - you didn't say so there's no way to know for sure) because the lanes have broken down enough by then.

I'm still learning about this stuff though, so I'd also wait for more experienced folks to chime in, but I don't think you want to give away your new ball just yet. I'm pretty sure your hubby would REALLY not like that idea.

[75lockwood]

when you got this new ball was it drilled by the same proshop? different pro shops can tend to drill differently, the layout from the first ball may fit your style better than the new one. if possible posting pictures of both balls side by side (the layout of the holes) as well as a video of yourself throwing each one it could us better understand the situation and as such provide less generic answers lol

Don't donate it yet!

[Zothen]

Peri can you be more specific as to what the ball is or is'nt doing? Example is it hitting light in the pocket,going brooklyn,skiding down lane and breaking to late,etc.

What is your typical house shot(38' oil christmas tree or other pattern)ask where you bowl. Also is your leagu at 6pm or 9pm?

Have you tried twiking the coverstock? Example taking surface to 1000 abralon and see if that gives you more traction.

Zothen

[Keithalw]

I can honestly say that I never gotten a ball and then not liked it. I have though gotten a ball I wanted and basicly had to learn where to throw it though being I might get a differnt layout or that ball might move just a little more differnt than the other... I would just play with it some

[billf]

If I remember correctly this is a 12 pound ball and you throw a straight ball, correct? If my memory is accurate, it's possible the new ball has a generic core, the old ball a better core and thereby driving through the pins better. When you have the opportunity to answer some of our questions I will try to get more specific for you. By the way, what was your old ball?
As for it being common to not like a new ball, I know a college player that has gone through more balls the last five years than most will in a lifetime. The best part of that was a lot of people got balls with less than twenty games on them for a fraction of the price of a new ball.

[75lockwood]

If I remember correctly this is a 12 pound ball and you throw a straight ball, correct? If my memory is accurate, it's possible the new ball has a generic core, the old ball a better core and thereby driving through the pins better. When you have the opportunity to answer some of our questions I will try to get more specific for you. By the way, what was your old ball?
As for it being common to not like a new ball, I know a college player that has gone through more balls the last five years than most will in a lifetime. The best part of that was a lot of people got balls with less than twenty games on them for a fraction of the price of a new ball.

Where can i get one of these balls?

[billf]

Ben, I can't recall of the top of my head but there is a manufacturer that doesn't use a generic core at 12 pounds. Either that or I'm too old to recall correctly.

[75lockwood]

Ben, I can't recall of the top of my head but there is a manufacturer that doesn't use a generic core at 12 pounds. Either that or I'm too old to recall correctly.

I meant one of the
balls with less than twenty games on them for a fraction of the price of a new ball. :D

[billf]

I will PM you next time he has one for sale. I got my Hy-Road off him for $20 and it only had 30 games on it total. He sold an original Hell Raiser for $50 with five games on it. He sold a Victory Road that was so new he hadn't even finished paying the pro shop for it. Sold that for the balance, $40.

[75lockwood]

I will PM you next time he has one for sale. I got my Hy-Road off him for $20 and it only had 30 games on it total. He sold an original Hell Raiser for $50 with five games on it. He sold a Victory Road that was so new he hadn't even finished paying the pro shop for it. Sold that for the balance, $40.

Wow, this guy seems a little strange, i can see wanting to try different equipment but this is a little extreme lol

[Ball99999]

I have pretty much hated my dv8 misfit the months I've had it.

I have adjusted my game and will come at it fresh and see if I like it. It can hit hard though.

[noeymc]

bill ill buy bowling balls from him =D

[GoodGorilla]

Yes! I bought a Brunswick massive damage for my first ball. I hated it so much, I stopped using it, and bought a new ball and got it drilled at a new location. My new balls are great!

[Peri]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all your responses. Worked late last night and am just checking back in. My old ball is a Brunswick Columbia 300 - I think it is pretty old, it is blue (hence the name Old Blue). I bought it used for $20 at a pro-shop when I was moving from a 10lb ball up to a 12lb ball. I have always seemed to bowl well with that ball. I bowl pretty straight, I stand with right foot on the 15 board and my mark is between the 10 and 9 board. My ball will hold that spot right up to about 3/4's of the way down then curve in usually hitting either the 2 pin or the 3 pin. Both balls were drilled the same, the pin point marker thing right in the middle between thumb and fingers. I think Old Blue is a little heavier than the Nail, although they are both rated at 12lbs. Both balls seem to do the same thing, sometimes the Nail curves a little sooner, and when that happens I move a board or so over with my feet. The Nail just seems to hit softer and leaves more pins. If I hit dead on the 2 pin or 3 pin I get more strikes with the old blue ball than with the Nail. The ball speed if fairly slow. The lanes are usually oiled, I think 3 times a week, they are usually kind of medium oily on Wed. night when we bowl. The lanes set aside for league play are usually in better condition than the other lanes, the other lanes tend to be more dry. When we practice we try to practice on lanes that are closer to the condition of the lanes we bowl on during league.

[Zothen]

@Peri-I would suggest taking the ball surface to 2000 without polish and see if that helps grab the lane more.

Zothen