Why are new bowling balls made constantly and why do we buy them?

[Hammer]

When you think about it how different can you make a bowling ball? They all hook at a certain point after our release. You can change the surface and layout on all of them. It seems that all you would have to do is buy three or four balls for different oil patterns and stick with those. If you bowl on THS patterns all of the time you could probably get away with two balls. One ball to go longer and hook and one to hook sooner when you play deeper through the area with the most oil. If you want throw in a plastic ball for spares or when the THS pattern is really dry or you want to play over the boards between one and five.

Just watch the videos where you can see how a ball you are interested works on a usually THS pattern. Sure bowling balls wear out or crack for some reason so you need a new ball. But do you really need six to ten balls if you don't do tournaments or play on sport oil patterns? All balls are basically the same. Some hook sooner and some hook later. They all do the same thing which is hook. How different can you make that?

[CaptainXeroid]

After watching several ball reaction videos, I was beginning to think the same thing....especially when they show the same bowler throw 2 of the same bowling ball with different layouts. The other thought I had was that saying a ball is "clean through the front of the lane" is advertising fluff much like "mountain grown coffee" or "new and improved".

A few weeks ago I picked up my first 'high performance' ball, a Columbia 300 Vow, and after a few practice sessions I think that plus the White Dot I already have for spares will be plenty for league night.

[sprocket]

To answer your question:

Because we are sheep. That is why.

[Pauley]

Your title aswers the question, because we buy them!

[tccstudent]

The true reason is because is because we are doing what we can to stimulate the economy and we do this by buying new bowling balls

[Hampe]

Most typical league bowlers buy balls for the same reasons. Either they don't take particularly good care of the balls they have (seldom clean/wipe them) and they "die" after a season, or they have a sub-standard release and think that new Ball "X" will give them that hook they aren't getting with their current ball (and somehow they still have the same problem with the new ball). Then there's some people that just want to have something new and shiny in their bag. But really, most people buy new balls for the simple reason that they are relatively affordable. If bowling is your main hobby, investing 150 bucks for a cool new ball isn't exactly going to break the bank. And for a lot of people, plunking down 150 bucks for a new ball is viewed as easier than resurfacing/de-oiling/maintaining the equipment they already have.

[MICHAEL]

Most typical league bowlers buy balls for the same reasons. Either they don't take particularly good care of the balls they have (seldom clean/wipe them) and they "die" after a season, or they have a sub-standard release and think that new Ball "X" will give them that hook they aren't getting with their current ball (and somehow they still have the same problem with the new ball). Then there's some people that just want to have something new and shiny in their bag. But really, most people buy new balls for the simple reason that they are relatively affordable. If bowling is your main hobby, investing 150 bucks for a cool new ball isn't exactly going to break the bank. And for a lot of people, plunking down 150 bucks for a new ball is viewed as easier than resurfacing/de-oiling/maintaining the equipment they already have.

YOU nailed it!! Great reply, and right on! I hope I can convince my son to get a spinner!!! I SWEAR, best money a bowler can spend in regards to bowling! If used every night after league to clean your ball, it will make a huge difference in its longevity!

GREAT points Hampe!!!

[Mike White]

YOU nailed it!! Great reply, and right on! I hope I can convince my son to get a spinner!!! I SWEAR, best money a bowler can spend in regards to bowling! If used every night after league to clean your ball, it will make a huge difference in its longevity!

GREAT points Hampe!!!

Just remember the spinner works on the surface only.

Unless you can turbo charge it (think Tim Allen) so it flings the oil out of the ball.

[tccstudent]

.

Unless you can turbo charge it (think Tim Allen) so it flings the oil out of the ball.

Now we are going to have major safety concerns

[swingset]

It's somewhat rhetorical, because some of us (like me) who are on a budget and not prone to throw my money on something unless it has a tangible benefit, don't buy new balls very often.

If you keep them clean, and a rejuvinate once and a while, there's no reason a modern bowling ball can't last several years...I'm throwing a couple reactives that are over 10 years old and they still move like new.

Frankly, nothing has been done in the last 5-7 years as far as technology...same blocks, same hook potentials, it's all just new colors. It's already to the point that the hook monsters from 5 years ago are still too much for 95% of the conditions I see, and I don't tend to throw the strongest balls anyway...I think most people throw too much ball on not-enough-lane.

I've been buying lightly used balls lately, and most of my arsenal is 2-3 year old balls I bought with low games on them. That's been a great way to build an arsenal, have a lot of options, and experiment without throwing $150 away every few months. I also win them occasionally, which is fine and dandy.

[Aslan]

I have a "wish list" of balls I want...but I also have a list of balls that I'm keeping an eye on that have seen some REAL price reductions. And of the 8 balls undrilled in my closet...ALL of them were balls on that "watch list" where the price got low enough that it seemed like too good of a deal to pass up. EVERY ball in there I got for < $80 shipped. And ALL of them are currently being sold in various places for $98-$178 +/- shipping OR they can't be found.'

I've learned that if you want a good deal on a bowling ball, get one that is 2 years old. After about 2 years, bowling ball wholesalers and retailers start getting rid of that stock and you can get them for 20-75% less than their initial retail price. And thats why I don't get used balls. Why pay even $30 + $25 shipping for a ball that I "might" like and will probably need to spend another $60 to get plugged and re-drilled? When I can get a NIB Pro Level ball from 2012?

Why are they still in my closet and not getting used?
1) I don't need them. I try to put 500 games on a ball before retiring or semi-retiring it. I take care of my equipment and don't need a new ball right now.
2) I prefer to get good at throwing one ball before trying out another. I'm not an "arsenal" bowler...that switches from one ball to the next randomly hoping one of them is magical.
3) $$$- The cost for me is in the drilling, not the ball. Even though I can get NIB balls for a fraction of the cost; the drilling is always gonna run $45 or more. And if I add balls and want to "build a mini-arsenal", now I gotta spend another $50-$179 on a roller bag.

So new ball manufacturers have very little effect on me. I just add em to my wish list. But it's the "watch" list that sucks me dry...I must be like 10% Jewish or something because if I see a bowling ball at 75% discount...I just CAN'T NOT BUY IT! It would be fiscally irresponsible NOT to buy it! Granted...now that I'm at 8....I'm purposely not going to certain sites to check prices...I only have so much closet space and very poor willpower.

[Mudpuppy]

I have a "wish list" of balls I want...but I also have a list of balls that I'm keeping an eye on that have seen some REAL price reductions. And of the 8 balls undrilled in my closet...ALL of them were balls on that "watch list" where the price got low enough that it seemed like too good of a deal to pass up. EVERY ball in there I got for < $80 shipped. And ALL of them are currently being sold in various places for $98-$178 +/- shipping OR they can't be found.'

I've learned that if you want a good deal on a bowling ball, get one that is 2 years old. After about 2 years, bowling ball wholesalers and retailers start getting rid of that stock and you can get them for 20-75% less than their initial retail price. And thats why I don't get used balls. Why pay even $30 + $25 shipping for a ball that I "might" like and will probably need to spend another $60 to get plugged and re-drilled? When I can get a NIB Pro Level ball from 2012?

Why are they still in my closet and not getting used?
1) I don't need them. I try to put 500 games on a ball before retiring or semi-retiring it. I take care of my equipment and don't need a new ball right now.
2) I prefer to get good at throwing one ball before trying out another. I'm not an "arsenal" bowler...that switches from one ball to the next randomly hoping one of them is magical.
3) $$$- The cost for me is in the drilling, not the ball. Even though I can get NIB balls for a fraction of the cost; the drilling is always gonna run $45 or more. And if I add balls and want to "build a mini-arsenal", now I gotta spend another $50-$179 on a roller bag.

So new ball manufacturers have very little effect on me. I just add em to my wish list. But it's the "watch" list that sucks me dry...I must be like 10% Jewish or something because if I see a bowling ball at 75% discount...I just CAN'T NOT BUY IT! It would be fiscally irresponsible NOT to buy it! Granted...now that I'm at 8....I'm purposely not going to certain sites to check prices...I only have so much closet space and very poor willpower.

Too long of a post. You could have just said this:

I have 8 bowling balls in my closet. Right after this season I am going to drill them all identical, learn to bowl 2 handed over summer and drag an arsenal into the alley in the fall of 4-9 balls switching erratically between balls not based on consistency whatsoever.

[Aslan]

Too long of a post. You could have just said this:

I have 8 bowling balls in my closet. Right after this season I am going to drill them all identical, learn to bowl 2 handed over summer and drag an arsenal into the alley in the fall of 4-9 balls switching erratically between balls not based on consistency whatsoever.

As Spock would say, "That would be more logical".

Why doth thou limit my words Oh Puppy of the Mud? Art thou not entertained and mesmorized by my eloquent display of words? Limiting Aslan to 1-2 sentences, is like limiting Iceman to just one random thought. Or limiting Bowl1820 to just one quality reference. Or limiting Hammer to paragraphes only 15 lines in length. Lets not "limit" these people...lets set them FREE!!!

Insert Iceman speech about freedom HERE. Insert Bowl1820 graph on bowling performance plotted against freedom levels HERE. Hammer, please create a 72 line essay on what freedom means to you (and create no paragraph breaks) and insert it HERE.

[Mudpuppy]

As Spock would say, "That would be more logical".

Why doth thou limit my words Oh Puppy of the Mud? Art thou not entertained and mesmorized by my eloquent display of words? Limiting Aslan to 1-2 sentences, is like limiting Iceman to just one random thought. Or limiting Bowl1820 to just one quality reference. Or limiting Hammer to paragraphes only 15 lines in length. Lets not "limit" these people...lets set them FREE!!!

Insert Iceman speech about freedom HERE. Insert Bowl1820 graph on bowling performance plotted against freedom levels HERE. Hammer, please create a 72 line essay on what freedom means to you (and create no paragraph breaks) and insert it HERE.

It is a time management thing for me - I don't have a lot of time everyday and I am entertained by your mad ramblings. I just can't get the gist of it if I can't fully read all 800,036 words of your post. Also, to get you ready to court the hot chicks, it is a matter of continuous improvement. Or, as Kevin Hart would say, SAY IT WITH YOUR CHEST.

[manke]

Most people think a new ball will make them bowl better.

[tccstudent]

I buy a new ball anytime I need an air freshener in my vehicle that way I get to play with a new ball and keep my vehicle smelling good.

[Aslan]

I buy a new ball anytime I need an air freshener in my vehicle that way I get to play with a new ball and keep my vehicle smelling good.

That only works for Storm products and most Storm products are bought by women and children because they are multi-colored and have smells.

Ironically...MEN are most in need of an air freshener...to drown out the fart smell that is imprinted on our upholstery...and real men bowling balls are brands like Brunswick or Track or Hammer. And adolescents are even SMELLIER and their brands are DV8 and Motiv. And then there's REALLY old men...but they are fine with Ebonite and Columbia...because their car is overwhelmed with the smell of Old Spice and Lectric Shave...so no worries.

[tr33frog]

Too long of a post. You could have just said this:

I have 8 bowling balls in my closet. Right after this season I am going to drill them all identical, learn to bowl 2 handed over summer and drag an arsenal into the alley in the fall of 4-9 balls switching erratically between balls not based on consistency whatsoever.

ROFL!!! After watching a couple of his videos, I honestly believe that going two handed for a while might actually improve his one handed bowling.

[Blacksox1]

Some threads that go off topic a bit, I really enjoy ! Thanks go out to those members of the forum, who make my day !

[MICHAEL]

That only works for Storm products and most Storm products are bought by women and children because they are multi-colored and have smells.

Ironically...MEN are most in need of an air freshener...to drown out the fart smell that is imprinted on our upholstery...and real men bowling balls are brands like Brunswick or Track or Hammer. And adolescents are even SMELLIER and their brands are DV8 and Motiv. And then there's REALLY old men...but they are fine with Ebonite and Columbia...because their car is overwhelmed with the smell of Old Spice and Lectric Shave...so no worries.

Wait a minute Aslan!! You have Storm products, I know of one for sure, your Girly Frantic! Your words not mine!
You said women and children! It's not the ball that's Girly, but the man that can't master its potential!!

NEWS FLASH....NEWS FLASH,,, Iceman threw 2 300's in less then 6 months with Storm Balls, Two different Storm balls!

What in the hell is wrong with my OLD SPICE!!! The girl at the register at the local AMF, thinks its smells GREAT!
she is in her early 20's!

But the only one I care about smelling good for is my Valentine Wife bowler! Jason knows, she is my reason for living, bowling, and breathing air!! The reason I workout at the gym, the first person I see in the morning, and the last I see before going to sleep and then dreaming of her.... She is my Alfa, and omega.... Happy V DAY BABY!!

WHAT was this thread about???? lol

[got_a_300]

Nothing wrong with Storm/Air Freshener bowling balls the one
that I won on here last December the Storm Regin On has been
a great ball for me and I'm just now getting it broke in good.

Last night I come up short of an 800 series by just 1 lousy pin and
1 lousy 10 pin cost me a 300 the first game. I had games of 290 a
10 pin in the first frame then a solid 9 pin in the second game for a
279 game and then a 230 the last game as the lanes dried out bad
and I was into the 6th arrow lofting the left gutter cap with it the last
game which wasn't all that bad of a night ending up with a 799 series.

[tccstudent]

Nothing wrong with Storm/Air Freshener bowling balls the one
that I won on here last December the Storm Regin On has been
a great ball for me and I'm just now getting it broke in good.
.

I am really loving the Reign On that I won also.

[Hammer]

Has anyone seen my posted topic anywhere?

[Aslan]

But the only one I care about smelling good for is my Valentine Wife bowler Jason, she is my reason for living, bowling, and breathing air!! The reason I workout at the gym, the first person I see in the morning, and the last I see before going to sleep and then dreaming of her.... She is my Alfa, and omega.... Happy V DAY BABY!!

Whoa. That actually explained 3 questions I had. ENuff said. Well, umm...to each their own. I actually have NO problem with alternative lifestyles.

[Hammer]

Bowling balls keep being made because all of us are programmed to buy new things. Eventually we get tired of what we have now and the desire to get something new over rides our common sense. We see the new bowling balls and maybe we like the color and the name on the ball. We think that this ball will be the one to get me my highest game or first 300 game. The ball manufacturers know this and put stuff out there to entice us. AND WE JUST CAN'T RESIST THE URGE TO SLAP DOWN OUR CREDIT CARD AND SAY I WILL TAKE THAT ONE THERE.

[noeymc]

When you think about it how different can you make a bowling ball? They all hook at a certain point after our release. You can change the surface and layout on all of them. It seems that all you would have to do is buy three or four balls for different oil patterns and stick with those. If you bowl on THS patterns all of the time you could probably get away with two balls. One ball to go longer and hook and one to hook sooner when you play deeper through the area with the most oil. If you want throw in a plastic ball for spares or when the THS pattern is really dry or you want to play over the boards between one and five.

Just watch the videos where you can see how a ball you are interested works on a usually THS pattern. Sure bowling balls wear out or crack for some reason so you need a new ball. But do you really need six to ten balls if you don't do tournaments or play on sport oil patterns? All balls are basically the same. Some hook sooner and some hook later. They all do the same thing which is hook. How different can you make that?

a light oil ball is more then enough for a house shot but when doing tournaments u want somthing that can move on a line u like to play so different level balls work better on different oil

[tccstudent]

a light oil ball is more then enough for a house shot but when doing tournaments u want somthing that can move on a line u like to play so different level balls work better on different oil

That depends on the house I bowl in two houses that are pretty heavy oil and a light oil ball will not be very effective

[Hammer]

I know that you need different balls for different oil patterns and tournaments and sport patterns etc. My point is all balls are all the same. They all hook if you have the right release. So all balls do the same thing. You throw the ball down the alley and it hooks. You can make it do different things by changing your release. Kind of like any other ball you buy. So if you take a heavy oil ball the only thing that will make it different from other heavy oil balls is the layout, surface and your release. But they all hook to the pocket.

[Tinyfxds]

Well hold on a second. With every sport now a days being specialized it's no surprise that the sport of bowling is getting fine tuned as well. There are as many different types of oil patterns/sport shots along with different types of just oil as there are bowling balls. That doesn't even take into consideration the multitude of various releases bowlers have. Yes all these balls hook and yes if you know how to bowl some of these ball will look/have similar ball motion. But there's always that one ball that makes you better, that works perfectly for you and that has the perfect angle into the pocket. And when you've experienced that perfect romance, you will be relentlessly pursuing that next mistress that gives you that warm fuzzy feeling in your stomach. That's why there's so many bowling balls out there.