New Equipment make a difference?

[circlecity]

I just started up bowling again after about a 8 year layoff. I'm using my old Columbia "The Game" ball and am averaging 207 after 3-4 weeks. Do you think updating my equipment will make a big difference?

[Aslan]

I don't know. If I'm averaging 207...I'm keeping that ball until it breaks in half. ;)

[vdubtx]

Circlecity,
If you are averaging 207 with an older ball after an 8 year layoff, then I see no reason to change. What is it that is keeping you from going higher? Missing spares?

You obviously have the skill to make adjustments etc. While new equipment is nice, it does not automatically make your average higher. You will have time needed to adjust and learn what the new ball can/can't do.

[circlecity]

Circlecity,
If you are averaging 207 with an older ball after an 8 year layoff, then I see no reason to change. What is it that is keeping you from going higher? Missing spares?

You obviously have the skill to make adjustments etc. While new equipment is nice, it does not automatically make your average higher. You will have time needed to adjust and learn what the new ball can/can't do.

Spares and just throw a bad shot here and there. I throw a lot of strikes but am getting the 10pin here and there mixed with some splits. I'm probably going to ride this out until xmas. Once I stop making mistakes and see where i end up. I do have my eye on a rotogrip wrecker though. ;)

[circlecity]

I don't know. If I'm averaging 207...I'm keeping that ball until it breaks in half. ;)

You could be right. thx

[vdubtx]

Spares and just throw a bad shot here and there. I throw a lot of strikes but am getting the 10pin here and there mixed with some splits. I'm probably going to ride this out until xmas. Once I stop making mistakes and see where i end up. I do have my eye on a rotogrip wrecker though. ;)
After being off for 8 years you are still working out the kinks. Keep at it and get your accuracy up and you will see that average going up.

Once you feel comfortable with your game, then get into a new ball. The RG Wrecker is a nice ball. Not too aggressive, but enough that you can compete with it. We have a young (Cover your eyes ASLAN) 2 handed bowler in my Tuesday league that uses a Wrecker, couple weeks ago he had an 876 series with it.

[circlecity]

After being off for 8 years you are still working out the kinks. Keep at it and get your accuracy up and you will see that average going up.

Once you feel comfortable with your game, then get into a new ball. The RG Wrecker is a nice ball. Not too aggressive, but enough that you can compete with it. We have a young (Cover your eyes ASLAN) 2 handed bowler in my Tuesday league that uses a Wrecker, couple weeks ago he had an 876 series with it.

I think you nailed it! I appreciate the advice.

[e-tank]

if anything maybe just have it de oiled, resurfaced but other than that id say keep doing what youre doing

[circlecity]

if anything maybe just have it de oiled, resurfaced but other than that id say keep doing what youre doing

Yeah my bowling ball could probably use a cleaning. I will give the bucket wash a go. thanks for the ideas.

[dnhoffman]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[circlecity]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

I hear ya. I think for right now I'm broken and not the ball but I would like to average at least 215+ down the road and am not sure this ball is going to get me there. Time will tell...

[Mike White]

I hear ya. I think for right now I'm broken and not the ball but I would like to average at least 215+ down the road and am not sure this ball is going to get me there. Time will tell...

I'll try and grab some video of your old man. You gotta be able to beat him... Please someone beat him :)

[circlecity]

I know right?? Tava Lanes closes and now he has thrown 8+ 300's and 1 800 series that I know of. I believe he found the Fountain Of Youth.

[Mike White]

I know right?? Tava Lanes closes and now he has thrown 8+ 300's and 1 800 series that I know of. I believe he found the Fountain Of Youth.


300 game 300 5/ 2/2013 Arlington Lanes
11 in a Row 299 2/14/2013 Arlington Lanes
800 series 299,246,279,824 2/14/2013 Arlington Lanes
300 game 300 12/12/2012 Arlington Lanes
800 series 268,300,258,826 12/12/2012 Arlington Lanes
11 in a Row 290 11/28/2012 Arlington Lanes
11 in a Row 290 11/14/2012 Arlington Lanes
300 game 300 3/14/2012 Arlington Lanes
11 in a Row 299 10/18/2011 Arlington Lanes
300 game 300 12/30/2010 Arlington Lanes
11 in a Row 290 10/19/2010 Arlington Lanes
300 game 300 4/ 1/2010 Arlington Lanes
300 game 300 2/ 3/2009 Arlington Lanes
800 series 259,259,289,807 2/12/2008 Arlington Lanes
300 game 300 3/27/2007 Arlington Lanes
11 in a row 297 4/12/2005 Arlington Lanes
300 game 300 9/27/2004 Tava Lanes

[circlecity]

Pretty amazing considering he is 70 now.

[Zaxmazr]

207 avg isn't half bad :)

But in some cases, a brand new ball could potentially increase your avg. Seeing you shoot a 207, you know how to correctly bowl and make adjustments.

[circlecity]

207 avg isn't half bad :)

But in some cases, a brand new ball could potentially increase your avg. Seeing you shoot a 207, you know how to correctly bowl and make adjustments.

After monday I'm down to 204. I'm missing 10 pins and leaving some splits. Gave the ball a bath today. I really need to get out and practice.

[Mike White]

After monday I'm down to 204. I'm missing 10 pins and leaving some splits. Gave the ball a bath today. I really need to get out and practice.

This last Friday I bowled with the mindset.... How would Joe Carpenter play these lanes. I shot 692, carrying 11 of the last 12 shots.

[circlecity]

This last Friday I bowled with the mindset.... How would Joe Carpenter play these lanes. I shot 692, carrying 11 of the last 12 shots.
Maybe I should try that. Last time my parents came to Tennessee this year I took him bowling and he had to use a house ball and shoes. I kicked his butt. hehehhe

[Aslan]

This last Friday I bowled with the mindset.... How would Joe Carpenter play these lanes. I shot 692, carrying 11 of the last 12 shots.

Sometimes when I'm struggling to get hook ...I think about the old timers. I think about back in the day...guys throwing straight balls and getting strikes. Jus settle down, hit your mark, and hit the headpin.

[J Anderson]

Sometimes when I'm struggling to get hook ...I think about the old timers. I think about back in the day...guys throwing straight balls and getting strikes. Jus settle down, hit your mark, and hit the headpin.

I'm sure you meant to write hit the pocket, just hitting the headpin can lead to some very interesting splits.

Seriously, throwing straight means that to get a strike you need to hit dead flush in the pocket. The slightest miss inside will leave a big split, the same margin to the outside and the ball deflects past the five pin often leaving a 5-7 or 5-10 split.

[Aslan]

I'm sure you meant to write hit the pocket, just hitting the headpin can lead to some very interesting splits.

Seriously, throwing straight means that to get a strike you need to hit dead flush in the pocket. The slightest miss inside will leave a big split, the same margin to the outside and the ball deflects past the five pin often leaving a 5-7 or 5-10 split.

No...I meant headpin. First step...hit the head pin...next step...hit the pocket.

And absolutely agree about throwing straight...which I one of the reasons I have such a high opinion of the old timers. You watch some of those old black & white tournaments...those guys had virtually no hook...and they got strikes. They got spares, they got strikes...and they did it with equipment that most alleys would throw out if they found it sitting in a storage room.

And yes, I know how hard it is to strike throwing a straight ball. With my recent struggles on heavy oil synthetic lanes, I've been forced to throw straight at the pocket. You described it perfectly....no room for error.

[Bunny]

I'll try and grab some video of your old man. You gotta be able to beat him... Please someone beat him :)

I'd love to see video of Joe Carpenter the 70 year old bowling sensation!

He sounds totally awesome!!

[JaMau24]

I just started up bowling again after about a 8 year layoff. I'm using my old Columbia "The Game" ball and am averaging 207 after 3-4 weeks. Do you think updating my equipment will make a big difference?

Very much so. It's all up to you if you want to spend the coin though.

[circlecity]

I'd love to see video of Joe Carpenter the 70 year old bowling sensation!

He sounds totally awesome!!

hehehe too funny. If you want to watch him bowl, he throws at arlington lanes in riverside. Not to far from ya. http://www.goarlingtonlanes.com/ I can find out his league schedule if you want.

[circlecity]

Very much so. It's all up to you if you want to spend the coin though.

Yep, will be getting a new ball in a couple months.

[Mike White]

No...I meant headpin. First step...hit the head pin...next step...hit the pocket.

And absolutely agree about throwing straight...which I one of the reasons I have such a high opinion of the old timers. You watch some of those old black & white tournaments...those guys had virtually no hook...and they got strikes. They got spares, they got strikes...and they did it with equipment that most alleys would throw out if they found it sitting in a storage room.

And yes, I know how hard it is to strike throwing a straight ball. With my recent struggles on heavy oil synthetic lanes, I've been forced to throw straight at the pocket. You described it perfectly....no room for error.

Where are you finding heavy oil synthetic lanes?

My customers need to practice on oily conditions to test balls they want for Vegas.

[Mudpuppy]

My opinion - get a new ball. New technology is way better than the old.

[circlecity]

My opinion - get a new ball. New technology is way better than the old.

No doubt. After Monday I can't wait to get something. I was slamming the pocket all night and shot a 640. I think the way I was throwing I should have shot 700+ easy. Heck, I was even picking up most of my 10 pins. :)

[Aslan]

My opinion - get a new ball. New technology is way better than the old.

Does that apply to people or just technology? :rolleyes:

I love technology....but not more than you I see........but still I love technology

[Mike White]

I'd love to see video of Joe Carpenter the 70 year old bowling sensation!

He sounds totally awesome!!

Your wish is granted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyBhXc7TOgY

He was already up in the 10th frame in the 3rd game when I walked out with the camera so I had to start taking the shot quick.

[Mudpuppy]

Does that apply to people or just technology? :rolleyes:

I love technology....but not more than you I see........but still I love technology

I have no idea what that means or what you are asking. I was specifically talking about the bowling ball technology - cover stocks, cores, etc.

[Aslan]

I have no idea what that means or what you are asking. I was specifically talking about the bowling ball technology - cover stocks, cores, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9ERiI1epI4

[circlecity]

I thought I would visit this old thread and put an update. I purchased 3 new bowling balls with 2 as strike balls and one spare ball. I went with the roto-grip wrecker, Roto-grip hyper cell, and the Storm Polar Ice hybrid as my spare ball.

I'm bowling in 2 leagues now and my monday league I'm averaging 210. It's a casual league with not much pressure so I do loose focus from time to time. The other league is the Franklin Superstars. This league I'm averaging 214 after 15 games. One of the best league in the area with some regional pros bowling. The league average is 203 right now, so tons of talent and good bowlers to watch.

I feel the new equipment has really helped out a lot especially the polar ice spare ball. My 10 pin shooting percentage is going up which is probably why my average is as well. The most difficult thing with this league is you have to move quicker than normal because of all the good bowlers playing around the same area.

[MICHAEL]

Guy I bowl with, and is also a ball driller for BP's Pro shop, has a 230 average on our league, and he throws a ball called the OUtlaw. He said its old, I will look it up, but he could have any ball he wanted, but hasn't had the need to he said. He uses it and a spare ball! He has several 300 games, and 800s... his name is Jim,,,, who happens to be my driller, (James) dad!

They are both Fricken great bowlers! 225 depending on which league, into the 230s!

Just looked it up, and his ball is not THAT old, just an older model maybe... (:/