My first real discussion with a pro shop owner

[unclemantis]

On my way back from meeting with a client of mine I figured I would reroute myself and visit the local pro shop.

I walked in and was greeted as I walked in the door with a hello and asking if I needed help with anything. The owner was in the process of drilling a ball.

I looked around a short while and was amazed at the wide selection of balls. I asked if I could pick his brain and he said sure. I told him about my history, my accident and how I am back in the game. I told him about my experiences in 2 of the local houses and what I am currently using. Weight of ball, type, where I stand at each house and my experiences.

He recommended the Hammer Nail. I asked him if he watches me bowl or if he wants to see the oil pattern and he was actually against that. He told me that it would be a FALSE READ since I KNEW that I was being video taped or being watched.

He also told me that when I am ready to just come in and the fitting process takes about 45 minutes.

Overall I got a very good impression from him. My only concern right now is, was he just being a very good sales man and why would he want to push the Hammer Nail on me? He has been in business for over 20 years and he deals with a lot of pros that come in to so is he just very knowledgeable?

I am going to go get fitted tomorrow.

Thoughts before I blow $145 (all inclusive)?

You all know my story from the other posts. (Right bill? :) )

[bowl1820]

Overall I got a very good impression from him. My only concern right now is, was he just being a very good sales man and why would he want to push the Hammer Nail on me? He has been in business for over 20 years and he deals with a lot of pros that come in to so is he just very knowledgeable?

You gave him your info and he recommended a ball, the Hammer Nail. Why do you feel he's "Pushing" it on you? Did you want or were interested in something else?

[unclemantis]

On my way home with my new Hammer. Will let you all know how my first games go

[cane]

Good luck! 145 otd looks like a pretty fair price.

[vikingbowler88]

Congrats on the new ball!!!

[billf]

That was a fair price. My only concern is how he determined your PAP. Granted, if it's off only a slight amount it won't really matter but if he is off by 1/2"-1" it could really alter the affect. As for his recommendation, he knows the houses you bowl in better than we do.

Anxiously awaiting the results :cool:

[unclemantis]

Just got done with a little Practice.
Bowled a 201, 131, 160, 155, 145 for a 792 series!

The ball is very forgiving!

[scottymoney]

Just got done with a little Practice.
Bowled a 201, 131, 160, 155, 145 for a 792 series!

The ball is very forgiving!

A series only consists of 3 games.

[Zothen]

Not true! Sport leagues consist of 4 game series.

Zothen

[unclemantis]

These where PRACTICE :)

[75lockwood]

A Series is a relative term, the majority of leagues bowl 3 games which is why everyone thinks a series is 3 games, but you can have a 3 game series, 4 game series, or even 30 games series if you wanted to lol

[scottymoney]

Ok yeah sport leagues may consist of 4 games, sorry about that. It may just be practice but was hoping to get the point acrossed that when someone talks about a series they normally are talking about 3 games. Telling someone you shot a 792 series they would immediately think you averaged around 265 for 3 games. Very impressive!

[UBowling]

I don't understand why a pro shop operator would be against seeing you bowl. Yes you may be nervous about being watched or taped, but muscle memory is muscle memory and it is very difficult to change it so if you threw the ball a little different it would be very minute and almost impossible to tell. Seems a bit odd to me and like Bill mentioned, how would you determine the PAP to get a good layout if you don't watch the release and measure fresh oil rings?

[swingset]

I don't understand why a pro shop operator would be against seeing you bowl. Yes you may be nervous about being watched or taped, but muscle memory is muscle memory and it is very difficult to change it so if you threw the ball a little different it would be very minute and almost impossible to tell. Seems a bit odd to me and like Bill mentioned, how would you determine the PAP to get a good layout if you don't watch the release and measure fresh oil rings?

The answer is he's guessing if he doesn't see you bowl and measure. Might guess right, but he's still guessing.

There's only two possibilities that account for this. 1. He's lazy and doesn't want to take the time or 2. He doesn't know what he's doing.

Has to be one or the other.

[unclemantis]

The answer is he's guessing if he doesn't see you bowl and measure. Might guess right, but he's still guessing.

There's only two possibilities that account for this. 1. He's lazy and doesn't want to take the time or 2. He doesn't know what he's doing.

Has to be one or the other.

Well either way my average went up big time!