Another ball advice thread....

[historian]

Getting back into bowling after some time away from the game, and man have I missed it. This past weekend I picked up a Cyclone and I am really enjoying it. However the house shot where I will be doing most of my bowling is too oily for me to handle with the Cyclone. My only requirement is that the ball have a heavier roll as opposed to a skid-snap. So with the information I just gave, give me some recommendations on both a duller surface and pearlized ball that could handle the heavier oil.

Thanks guys.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Mavbe for a step up duller go with the asylum from roto grip. The totally defiant is a stronger pearl from roto grip also. I really like the optimus that jut came out from storm, i think that is my next ball.

[Amyers]

The asylum is a great heavier oil ball. I love mine. I think on the pearl side Maybe try a hybrid with the storm IQ tour Hybrid everybody I know that throws loves it and has a aggressive but even roll.

[bowl1820]

G So with the information I just gave, give me some recommendations on both a duller surface and pearlized ball that could handle the heavier oil.

"duller surface"
First you don't pick a new ball by what surface texture comes on the ball.

Surfaces can easily be changed, that's a option you could try with your Cyclone. Going to a little duller surface, could help on oilier conditions and save on the cost of a new ball.

"Pearlized ball"

Pearls are typically more for medium to dry conditions so not really for heavy oil (Not that you couldn't use one, it would depend on how you choose to play the lanes) . You would generally want a "Solid' or a "Hybrid" coverstock ball for "fresher/heavier" conditions.


With no knowledge of your bowling style, I'd suggest either a solid or hybrid coverstock ball, Symmetrical core with a lower RG.

Some possible-
Storm:
Hy-Road Solid
IQ Tour Edition

Roto Grip:
Asylum
Hyper Cell

Brunswick:
Melee

[fortheloveofbowling]

There are always several shiner surface balls that are for oily lanes. If you have high ball speed then duller is probably better for you but there are options for a ball to cover a lot of boards. Not all balls take surface changes well, that is something you would want to talk to a pro shop operator about when considering doing something like that.

[historian]

There are always several shiner surface balls that are for oily lanes. If you have high ball speed then duller is probably better for you but there are options for a ball to cover a lot of boards. Not all balls take surface changes well, that is something you would want to talk to a pro shop operator about when considering doing something like that.

In the past I didn't mess with the surface much and don't see a lot of reason to start now. I'd rather have multiple balls available to cover the different conditions I anticipate bowling on.

I really like what I have seen online about the Melee Cross. Seems like it would really match up well with my past preferences.

[bowl1820]

In the past I didn't mess with the surface much and don't see a lot of reason to start now.

Making surface adjustments has become a big part of today's game. Many bowlers now carry abrasive pads with them, so that during practice they can adjust the cover to better match the conditions before competition starts.

With the use of surface adjustments you can turn a 4 ball arsenal into a 12 or more ball arsenal.


I'd rather have multiple balls available to cover the different conditions I anticipate bowling on.
Having a arsenal of balls is fine, if your going to be bowling on multiple conditions and/or other houses. But the use of surface adjustments, is still valuable, as you can better fine tune ball reaction to those conditions you are bowling on.


I really like what I have seen online about the Melee Cross. Seems like it would really match up well with my past preferences.

The Melee Cross looks good, it's a Symmetrical Solid with a low RG and high Diff.

[historian]

Spent a good deal of time yesterday looking at vids online. Love what I am seeing out of the Hyper Cell. It has the roll that I was comfortable with in the past. I believe I will be picking one up in a few weeks time.

[Amyers]

Spent a good deal of time yesterday looking at vids online. Love what I am seeing out of the Hyper Cell. It has the roll that I was comfortable with in the past. I believe I will be picking one up in a few weeks time.

The hyper cell is a lot of ball. Unless you are truly bowling on super heavy conditions I wouldn't recommend it. In my opinion the hyper cell is too much for most conditions.

[RobLV1]

Can we all just please STOP this nonsense of developing love affairs with particular bowling balls? One loves the Hyper Cell with his particular style, on a particular lane conditions. Another loves the IQ Tour Fusion. Another loves the Totally Defiant. Ant yet another one loves the Melee Cross. Every bowler's style is different, and every lane condition is different. Why not just break down and learn about bowling balls, so you can decide for yourself? You'll save gobs of money!

[Amyers]

Can we all just please STOP this nonsense of developing love affairs with particular bowling balls? One loves the Hyper Cell with his particular style, on a particular lane conditions. Another loves the IQ Tour Fusion. Another loves the Totally Defiant. Ant yet another one loves the Melee Cross. Every bowler's style is different, and every lane condition is different. Why not just break down and learn about bowling balls, so you can decide for yourself? You'll save gobs of money!

But then what would we talk about? What would we blame for our poor performance?

[Amyers]

Can we all just please STOP this nonsense of developing love affairs with particular bowling balls? One loves the Hyper Cell with his particular style, on a particular lane conditions. Another loves the IQ Tour Fusion. Another loves the Totally Defiant. Ant yet another one loves the Melee Cross. Every bowler's style is different, and every lane condition is different. Why not just break down and learn about bowling balls, so you can decide for yourself? You'll save gobs of money!

I will also say this Rob I know there are all of these numbers can give us some direction Rg, differential, cover stocks. Does that mean that I know how a ball will roll for me from looking at them? No I can get an idea that this ball my roll longer/earlier than another can I really picture that in my head? No I can't. I'm learning from the balls I have about them and my guess will be as I buy a few more I will have a general idea of what does what for me.

Truth is you can get a general idea of strength\length from numbers and how they roll from watching others use it if they have a similar style. Does that mean you can really tell if it works for you. No not really there are two many variables to give an exact answer speed, revs, axis tilt, and conditions used on for exact answers

If you really want to know go buy it and drill it up but it can be interesting to talk about and see what others like and don't like. If your buying a particular ball because I like it or don't or anybody else on here's opinion then you're an idiot but maybe someone says something that makes you think about an aspect of the ball you have not considered.

[MICHAEL]

Can we all just please STOP this nonsense of developing love affairs with particular bowling balls? One loves the Hyper Cell with his particular style, on a particular lane conditions. Another loves the IQ Tour Fusion. Another loves the Totally Defiant. Ant yet another one loves the Melee Cross. Every bowler's style is different, and every lane condition is different. Why not just break down and learn about bowling balls, so you can decide for yourself? You'll save gobs of money!

EASY FOR YOU 2 SAY ROB!!!!! For some of us, the LOVE runs DEEP!! What's money,,, but a tool to buy happiness!!

[RobLV1]

I will also say this Rob I know there are all of these numbers can give us some direction Rg, differential, cover stocks. Does that mean that I know how a ball will roll for me from looking at them? No I can get an idea that this ball my roll longer/earlier than another can I really picture that in my head? No I can't. I'm learning from the balls I have about them and my guess will be as I buy a few more I will have a general idea of what does what for me.

Truth is you can get a general idea of strength\length from numbers and how they roll from watching others use it if they have a similar style. Does that mean you can really tell if it works for you. No not really there are two many variables to give an exact answer speed, revs, axis tilt, and conditions used on for exact answers

If you really want to know go buy it and drill it up but it can be interesting to talk about and see what others like and don't like. If your buying a particular ball because I like it or don't or anybody else on here's opinion then you're an idiot but maybe someone says something that makes you think about an aspect of the ball you have not considered.

There are only 4 elements that determine how a particular bowling ball will react: the core (rg and diff), the layout (changes the rg and diff), the cover material, and the surface. That's it. There is nothing else. Once you understand these four elements completely, you will always know what a particular ball will do before you buy it. The one element that is the hardest to understand is the cover material. We know about the core by the numbers, but the coefficient of friction in the dry and in the oil, as well as the oil absorption rate is not shared with us. The best thing that we can go by is the price point, more expensive means more reactive, and the reputation of the manufacturer (ie., Storm balls are snappier, and Brunswick balls are rollier). The good news is that the surface will greatly influence how the cover material reacts, and the surface is totally up to us (once we figure out that there is nothing sacred about the OOB finish).

[Amyers]

There are only 4 elements that determine how a particular bowling ball will react: the core (rg and diff), the layout (changes the rg and diff), the cover material, and the surface. That's it. There is nothing else. Once you understand these four elements completely, you will always know what a particular ball will do before you buy it. The one element that is the hardest to understand is the cover material. We know about the core by the numbers, but the coefficient of friction in the dry and in the oil, as well as the oil absorption rate is not shared with us. The best thing that we can go by is the price point, more expensive means more reactive, and the reputation of the manufacturer (ie., Storm balls are snappier, and Brunswick balls are rollier). The good news is that the surface will greatly influence how the cover material reacts, and the surface is totally up to us (once we figure out that there is nothing sacred about the OOB finish).

You nailed it there we can look at core numbers but if we haven't thrown that combination of core numbers and cover material your just generalizing about what the ball will do. I'm not saying you need to go out and get 14 balls (Aslan) or 18 balls (Iceman) after a while a ball is a ball no matter what colors or crazy name they put on it. I'm not even going to get started on drilling I haven't tried enough different drillings yet to comment on that but I do see some guys who got layouts they thought were going to do one thing and with their release, style, or axis tilt it did something else.

Under your 4 elements though you missed a big part there the Bowler. Your particular style of bowling will effect how the ball performs otherwise it would be easy to watch a couple of videos and say that's what I want and go get it. Truth is most of those videos are worthless to the average bowler because they are being made by bowlers who throw 18 or 19 mph with 400-450 revs and shot on a particular condition that may not be similar at all to what we play on.

I really don't like pigeon holing the manufactures either. There is nothing rolly about the exile of yours is there? I don't see anything skid/snap about the hyroad solid.

I do agree if your only taking advice from people over the internet who have never seen you bowl about your balls then your screwing up but if one person takes an element of the conversation and thinks just a little more before purchasing there next ball then its not a waste of time.

[historian]

Who do I think I'm kidding, I want 'em all. I'll just keep buying new ones until I find one I am momentarily satisfied with.

[rv driver]

Who do I think I'm kidding, I want 'em all. I'll just keep buying new ones until I find one I am momentarily satisfied with.
Which is what the manufacturers want you to do...