First Bowling Ball [Archive] - BowlingBoards.com

mjoyce

10-07-2013, 04:33 PM

Hey everyone. This is my first post. I've done some research on here but the search for "First Bowling Ball" and "Entry level ball" don't quite get me where I want to be so I thought I'd ask directly.

Ok, so let me preface this: This is my third year bowling in a league. It's not very competitive but there are a handfull of decent bowlers and a couple good ones. Also there are some bad ones...

Anyway I'm currently about a 130 average and I typically bowl anywhere from 130-160 with a 14lb house ball on synthetic lanes. I'm going to talk to the pro shop about what the oil conditions are on our normal league day to get a better idea.

I throw a 'straight' ball. I use the quotes because I dont necissarily throw straight my natural throw has a little bit of right to left into the pocket.

I want to get my own ball and learn to throw a hook. But looking online at balls has me confused. I'd like to get something I could use for a while. Whatever I get I want to get fingertip drilled. And I don't want to wind up with something that's too much to start with. Should I look at something like a Tropical Storm or a Strike King?

What other balls might you suggest.

A friend I bowl with who's one of the better bowlers in our league recommended getting something with a symetrical weight and pearl finish. But when I search bowlingball.com I find many balls and I just really don't know how to narrow it down.

I'm sure that after speaking with the pro shop I might have more of an idea. I just thought I would reach out here first for help as I don't want to get in over my head on my first ball

Thanks in advance

Perrin

10-07-2013, 04:45 PM

Mudpuppy

10-07-2013, 04:56 PM

You have exactly the right Idea

Strike king, Tropical Storm, Misfit pearl, Cyclone, Ascent.

Those are your basic entry level balls. I am sure I am leaving out some manufacturers.

Start with one of those. :)

welcome to the boards

Agreed - start with a beginner's hook ball that is a step up from the house ball or plastic entry level ball - level II. Drilled for your hand and a beginning hook. Any good pro shop should be able to set you up. Somewhere in the $100 range drilled with finger tips. The beginning hook should be hand flat as you start the approach and end up like you are shaking someone's hand.

J Anderson

10-07-2013, 05:15 PM

As your friend suggested anything with a symmetrical core would be good for you as they seem to be more forgiving of inconsistent releases. I'm just getting used to throwing a ball with a pearl finish, and I don't bowl at the same center that you do so I don't know how well a pearl will work for you.

The Storm tropical line and what ever preceded the Strike King for Brunswick have a good reputation as entry level balls.

If you're throwing a 14 pound house ball with no problems I would suggest trying 15 pounds for your own ball. Having it drilled to fit your hand will make it as easy to hold as the lighter house ball.

Being new to fingertip grips you won't really have a positive axis point to measure before they drill the ball for you. You don't have to get caught up ball layouts, pin up, pin down, dual angle, none of that stuff will make any difference for right now.

Some drillers will even have a lane turned on for you when you get the ball and will give you five or ten minutes of watching you, making suggestions and also making sure the grip feels good to you when you start throwing it.

mjoyce

10-07-2013, 06:32 PM

Thank you all for the suggestions I appreciate it

dnhoffman

10-07-2013, 11:07 PM

Welcome And thanks for asking the question!

Everyone here has given you great advice, a Storm Tropical Breeze is a great choice I encourage newer bowlers towards for their first fingertip ball.

Make sure you work with a pro shop who is IBPSIA certified! http://www.ibpsia.com

This will ensure your driller knows how to fit you properly and make your experience a positive one.

Please ask around here with any questions you might have!

Bunny

10-07-2013, 11:18 PM

Columbia Freeze is a great choice as well. A guy in league had a new one that is cool. It looks pretty sweet rolling down the lane. And, it's a pearl which tend to be more forgiving.

Another guy throws one and it slams the pins hard. I was surprised by how hard it hits.

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-balls/Columbia300/10809/Freeze-Pearl-Blue-Orange-Green.html?lf=otherInCategory

Terrier

10-08-2013, 02:23 AM

Wow, lots of good advice given already. I'd second the Columbia300 Freeze to your list of recommendations. Whether you choose the pearl, hybrid, or "regular" version is something the pro shop and your better league bowlers can help you to decide. I own the hybrid and think it outperforms its price point quite well.

I know you're going to do this already, but let me emphasize knowing whether your league's oil is considered light/medium/heavy. It's no fun to throw a ball designed for light amount of oil on a heavy pattern. You won't know if the oil or your developing technique is keeping the ball from hooking (speaking from personal experience). As long as your ball choice generally matches to the volume of oil, you should get a lot of use out of your first ball as you learn to throw a hook. Good luck!

noeymc

10-08-2013, 04:21 AM

brusnwick sling shot is the best out there if u ask me =D its what i got my buddy to start with and he still throws it

mjoyce

10-08-2013, 11:31 AM

mjoyce

10-11-2013, 09:58 PM

So I think I've narrowed it down and I'm leaning towards the Columbia 300 freeze. It looks sweet and has a ton of good reviews on this site and others. But I'm also interested in the blue hammer and the tropical breeze. I haven't made it to the alley yet but I'm going tomorrow and I'm going to see what the shop has to offer and compare the pricing against buying online.

dnhoffman

10-12-2013, 10:44 AM

Freeze and breeze are both good choices. Breeze has a scent on it though (free air freshened for the car).

mjoyce

10-12-2013, 03:16 PM

And I'm at the pro shop getting a dv8 misfit woo

dnhoffman

10-12-2013, 05:36 PM

Hope you like it!

mjoyce

10-12-2013, 06:01 PM

I'm a pretty big fan so far. I probably would have paid less buying the ball online but it was pretty nice to just be there and see the ball in person, have it drilled, and then I got to throw 2 games with it to make sure the drilling was good for me.

The first game was awful to be honest but I'm going from throwing a house ball straight to throwing a finger tip grip ball with a hook. But once I was able to start hitting the mark and letting the ball do the work I improved. I shot a 140 my second game. My current league average is a 128 so I was pretty pleased with my second game with the ball. I think with more practice and once I'm used to throwing the hook I'll improve. I did go with 15lbs and it feels perfect.

It is pink as all hell but I don't mind the color at all I think it's pretty sweet looking to be honest.

mjoyce

10-12-2013, 06:14 PM

Oh and I forgot to mention. Found out that my old 12lb ebonite gyro pretty much fits my fiance's hand perfectly so she got a new ball today too :) well new to her. I wish I could post a photo of my ball but the site isn't really letting me do that. So here's a link...http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/10234011723_814cedfdc9_m.jpg

dnhoffman

10-13-2013, 04:06 PM

Glad you like it, happy bowling!

Zaxmazr

10-21-2013, 09:57 AM

And I'm at the pro shop getting a dv8 misfit woo

Nice! DV8 has an awesome selection! Glad you like it!

mjoyce

10-21-2013, 10:40 AM

I do really like the ball. Didn't fare so well in leagues Friday but I blame this on consistency. I'm learning to throw a hook and sometimes I don't consistently hit my mark. But I did bowl a 233 with it Sunday practicing which is almost 100 pins over my average. So I'll take that as progress.