Ball dilemma - dv8 question

[Demoman]

I have had some major poor bowling since I got my new ball (hammer purple taboo) and I have come to the conclusion it's just too much ball for the lanes I bowl at. My options are to get a new medium oil ball, bring my widow out of retirement, or have the taboo played with by the pro shop. I don't think having the taboo sanded is a good idea because it's Basicley doing what it was made to do - hook! I take in a tournament or two every 4 months so it will come in handy at some point. The problem with the widow is the thumb was never right for me and it's a 16lb which was starting to hurt my injured hand and wrist. This leads me to a question - can a ball be made lighter? I know sometimes there are additional holes drilled in balls for hooking reasons that I don't completely understand but does that make balls lighter as I imagine it does? The last choice would be to buy my third ball this year and if it's the choice I will probably get a dv8. My question is of the marauder and madness which would be better for medium oil? Also is the marauder hybrid different from the marauder? I don't want to make the same mistake as I did with the taboo buying to much of a ball for my lanes.

[JaMau24]

First off, the balance hole that is drilled in some balls are drilled to take weight out of the ball and/or to increase/decrease ball reaction, do not take a bunch of weight out of the ball. In other words, yes it takes a little bit of weight out, but not enough to notice and certainly not enough to drop it from 16 to 15 or 14 pounds.

Also, the Marauder will be less reactive than the Marauder Madness (not by much), but that being said, the ball can be drilled to be weaker. If the Taboo purple is way too strong, I'd see if your pro shop guy would plug it and re-drill it to make it less reactive and weak. That may save you the money of having to buy a new ball. If you do buy a new ball, I'd even look into a DV8 Misfit instead of a Marauder or Marauder Madness if you want something much weaker than the Taboo.

[BoomGoesTheDynomite]

In my experience if you want something that "hooks less" go with a ball the is entry to midlevel. These are honestly the best balls for a THS. The best bowling balls I have ever owned were the older hammer vibe's and the hybrid tropical heat. I think most people get too caught up in high performance equipment. You really don't need to spend 200 plus on a ball if you only plan on bowling a house shot. Just my opinion though. That being said I really really want a marauder madness. And I think DV8 recommends the Misfit for medium oil.

[noeymc]

i have the taboo and i was excpect more hook :( damn fast ball speed lol

[UBowling]

The Marauder line of DV8 is pretty strong. The Marauder Madness hooks a ton for a buddy of mine. The Marauder will hook less than the Marauder Madness though/ If you are set on going with DV8, consider getting a Misfit or maybe a Too Reckless.

There are layouts that will tame a ball's hook potential, and having a sanded finish with smoothen out the reaction so it isn't so angular. So you can do a lot with any of the new ball choices you go with.

[Demoman]

Thanks for the feedback. I should have noted that my taboo has a balance hole and was drilled strongly as I asked. This was a mistake I made because I was going from a mid level to performance without knowing what I know now. I'm probably going to go with a marauder because while wanting something with less hook power I also want something that can handle more oil due to bowling different places.

One question I need answered is there different versions of the marauder excluding the madness? On different sites there is a marauder hybrid listed - is it the same ball?

[Davec13]

One question I need answered is there different versions of the marauder excluding the madness? On different sites there is a marauder hybrid listed - is it the same ball?
It's the same ball there was only one marauder until the 31st of last month when the madness was released. They probably just list it that way because it has a hybrid coverstock.

[JaMau24]

Thanks for the feedback. I should have noted that my taboo has a balance hole and was drilled strongly as I asked. This was a mistake I made because I was going from a mid level to performance without knowing what I know now. I'm probably going to go with a marauder because while wanting something with less hook power I also want something that can handle more oil due to bowling different places.

One question I need answered is there different versions of the marauder excluding the madness? On different sites there is a marauder hybrid listed - is it the same ball?

You can have that balance hole plugged, and re-drilled in a place to have the ball react less.

[billf]

The Marauder, the original Marauder, has a hybrid cover stock. Not a solid. Not a pearl. A hybrid combination of the two. Having seen video of you bowling I think the Marauder will work well for you. You shouldn't have to be any further right than the 20. Getting any better at picking up the 7 pin?

[Zothen]

Demoman try adjusting the coverstock to 3000 and see if that helps.

Zothen

[Demoman]

So wow - went to leauge tonight and bowled a 684 with the taboo. Totally thinking I was just in a slump and over thinking everything. The lanes were oil to start and I was hitting the pocket like a maniac. By mid second game they broke down and I moved slightly right and again bowled very well. My wife is in the hospital with some diabetes complications and I almost considered not going tonight. I'm glad I did and I had a bunch of stuff on my mind and in my opinion that helped me just "bowl" and had a over 180 pins over average night shooting me to the top of my class in our centers amd tourney. With all that said its my birthday this month and I'm still going to get a dv8 for myself so thank you all for the suggestions and help!

[billf]

I hope everything turns out well for your wife.

[Demoman]

Thanks billf she will be ok but she needs to be in the hospital for awhile.

[floridanative772]

Congrats on the great series and best wishes to your wife.

[Demoman]

I have been bowling off the charts lately and have not bowled under 200 average since the start of this topic. I however still could not help myself and picked up a madness yesterday. I have not had a chance to both with it yet but can't wait to see how it rolls. I really think my issues were just over thinking the game - ever since that night of league when my wife was in the hospital and I was not thinking about anything else I have been "just Bowling" and on fire.

[billf]

The hell with the ball update. How's your wife doing?
Shows how the worse thing on the lanes is our brains sometimes.

[Demoman]

She's better - back home bitching me up a storm! She's Gained some weight back and just looks better - so much so I can't keep my hands off her haha. As for the dv8 I'm starting a separate thread for that!