new equipment

[Beagle]

finally decided to update my arsenal. Totally illiterate when it comes to the new terms of RG, torque, pin in and out, etc etc. Still from the top, bottom, side, axis weights school. Never knew u could tell age of ur balls by serial #.I had 2 from 03 and 1 from 07. Anyhow I explained to the pro shop tech that I wanted 3 balls that would simply be a benchmark ball, one stronger and one weaker. He watched me bowl. this is what we came up. I stayed with Storm. IQ tour fusion as benchmark, IQ tour pearl and IQ tour. The solid is on order. I know ball reactions depend on the bowler and a multitude of variables. Do u think I covered the gamut on 3 different reactions? Any feedback appreciated...

[Amyers]

Beagle I don't know if I've seen anyone throwing all three of the IQ series before. They are all great balls the Fusion being one of the all time great balls in my opinion and from listening to others. My guess is they will play together pretty well you may have a little over lap between the pieces but if your looking for small steps between the pieces you most likely hit the mark.

[Beagle]

Well that's good to hear..........still long for the one ball leagues yrs ago but that will never happen again

[Amyers]

Well that's good to hear..........still long for the one ball leagues yrs ago but that will never happen again

nope your lucky to find room on a ball return anymore

[Beagle]

We would put the names of a dozen balls or so in a hat, Then pick one out. That was the only ball allowed in league. Could have several drilled legally of course if u wanted. First year Blue Hammer. Next year Black Knight.

[Amyers]

We would put the names of a dozen balls or so in a hat, Then pick one out. That was the only ball allowed in league. Could have several drilled legally of course if u wanted. First year Blue Hammer. Next year Black Knight.

Oh okay I get what your saying I was never in one of those leagues. I was referring more to the old days when most of us only owned one ball.

[Beagle]

Kinda forced u how to adjust..........but like anything else people started bitching and it folded after a few yrs

[Amyers]

Kinda forced u how to adjust..........but like anything else people started bitching and it folded after a few yrs

I just came back to bowling about a year ago after deciding to get my kids involved with summer leagues. when I took them in fall and started to talk with some of the kids (and some of these kids are darn good) it amazed me how little they understood about adjusting your lines and ball movement. The modern form of switching balls in some ways is damaging the ability of bowlers to understand how to read a lane and understand your ball paths.

[Beagle]

I just came back to bowling about a year ago after deciding to get my kids involved with summer leagues. when I took them in fall and started to talk with some of the kids (and some of these kids are darn good) it amazed me how little they understood about adjusting your lines and ball movement. The modern form of switching balls in some ways is damaging the ability of bowlers to understand how to read a lane and understand your ball paths.
U hit the nail on the head. The physical/lane play adjustments are overshadowed by equipment adjustments. u have to match up the right ball. I personally don't like it, but that's the way it is now

[got_a_300]

The modern form of switching balls in some ways is damaging the ability of bowlers to understand how to read a lane and understand your ball paths.

I couldn't agree with you more on that it seems that almost everyone now days
just wants to either switch to a more aggressive or a less aggressive coverstock
in their ball choices instead of learning how to make the correct adjustments.

It's not all that uncommon now days to see a bowler walk in pulling 2 or more ball
rollers with 4-5 balls in them. We've got one guy that walks in with a 5 ball roller in
each hand so he brings in 10 balls all in total just to bowl league with.

What really takes the cake with that guy is his average is like 150 or maybe a 160
somewhere around that, man you would think he was a touring Pro to just see him
walk into the center with all of those bowling balls.

He is constantly changing between balls frame to frame instead of trying to make
any kind of minor / major adjustments he really gets on my nerves when we have
to bowl against his team. The one reason that he gets on my nerves is because if
one ball doesn't work he will slam it down loudly and curse at it and go grab another
one and repeat/repeat/repeat/etc./etc.

[Amyers]

I couldn't agree with you more on that it seems that almost everyone now days
just wants to either switch to a more aggressive or a less aggressive coverstock
in their ball choices instead of learning how to make the correct adjustments.

It's not all that uncommon now days to see a bowler walk in pulling 2 or more ball
rollers with 4-5 balls in them. We've got one guy that walks in with a 5 ball roller in
each hand so he brings in 10 balls all in total just to bowl league with.

What really takes the cake with that guy is his average is like 150 or maybe a 160
somewhere around that, man you would think he was a touring Pro to just see him
walk into the center with all of those bowling balls.

He is constantly changing between balls frame to frame instead of trying to make
any kind of minor / major adjustments he really gets on my nerves when we have
to bowl against his team. The one reason that he gets on my nerves is because if
one ball doesn't work he will slam it down loudly and curse at it and go grab another
one and repeat/repeat/repeat/etc./etc.

See I love to see guys like that anytime my opponent heads get a third ball the match is over I already know I've won. What I really get a kick out of is when they switch back to the ball they were throwing originally. Those times I'm like a shark with blood in the water I make a couple of good shots and what little confidence you had is gone

[Beagle]

I couldn't agree with you more on that it seems that almost everyone now days
just wants to either switch to a more aggressive or a less aggressive coverstock
in their ball choices instead of learning how to make the correct adjustments.

It's not all that uncommon now days to see a bowler walk in pulling 2 or more ball
rollers with 4-5 balls in them. We've got one guy that walks in with a 5 ball roller in
each hand so he brings in 10 balls all in total just to bowl league with.

What really takes the cake with that guy is his average is like 150 or maybe a 160
somewhere around that, man you would think he was a touring Pro to just see him
walk into the center with all of those bowling balls.

He is constantly changing between balls frame to frame instead of trying to make
any kind of minor / major adjustments he really gets on my nerves when we have
to bowl against his team. The one reason that he gets on my nerves is because if
one ball doesn't work he will slam it down loudly and curse at it and go grab another
one and repeat/repeat/repeat/etc./etc.

I luv seeing those guys struggle. "All dressed up and no place to go". Im laughing/snickering inside. Don't let it bother u.

[rv driver]

My question is this: I love the IQ. It's a great ball. But what are you going to do when the lanes dry out? You need a less aggressive ball to deal with totally worn out lanes.

[manke]

I agree with you why not diverisify a little. So you have a dry lane , meddium shot and heavy which almost any league shot won't be.

[Beagle]

Hmmm, so what Manke and RV are saying is that those 3 balls are too close to each other reaction-wise? May have to talk this pro shop tech again. Unfortunately, I already had two drilled and paid for. Then again he did watch me bowl.,traced my PAP. The Pearl went much longer when I threw it.........

[Amyers]

Hmmm, so what Manke and RV are saying is that those 3 balls are too close to each other reaction-wise? May have to talk this pro shop tech again. Unfortunately, I already had two drilled and paid for. Then again he did watch me bowl.,traced my PAP. The Pearl went much longer when I threw it.........

You may be okay with this lineup during leagues my only concern with it is what if you come in to practice and their burnt up big time. The fusion is pretty controllable and the pearl will go long so you should be fine for leagues or even probably tournament patterns but on those really dry times we have sometimes especially during the summer it may cause you some issues. I wouldn't worry about it too much cross that bridge if it becomes a problem. You can alway switch the solid out for a weaker ball before practice if you think they might be dry

[RobLV1]

You bought one car with three sets of tires. All three IQ Tours have the same core. They are designed to roll fairly early with limited flare potential. The IQ Tour was originally designed at the request of high rev PBA Tour bowlers who wanted a ball with a lower differential that would limit the amount of flare that they could expect. Initially the ball was introduced at around the same time as the IQ - a very early rolling and aggressive bowling ball. The IQ Tour caught on and was soon followed up by the IQ Tour Pearl, and the IQ Tour Fusion. The original IQ went away. The IQ Tour core is like the engine of a small pickup truck. It can do some work for you, help friends move their furniture and carry some trash to the dump. Whether you choose to put racing tires on it, or snow tires on it, it is still like the engine of the small pickup truck. The three cover materials are the tires on your vehicle. If you want a race car to speed down the dry lane, then buy a race car that has a race car engine as well as race car tires. In plain English, yes, these three balls are much too close together to give you the diversity that you are looking for.

[Beagle]

that's what I was afraid of.....well pearl and fusion already bought.....suppose I should cancel the solid....what Storm ball would u suggest then to compliment the Fusion.

[Amyers]

Beagle I think you are in a pretty good place with the pearl and the fusion. I would suggest bowling with those two for a bit and then see what else you need. The lane conditions will dictate what your other ball should be. Do you need something that will handle really heavy oil or do you need something for drier more burnt conditions. Bowl with those two and find out.

You could play those two together start with the hybrid and once it starts to hook a little early switch to the pearl who's added length should allow you to maintain your line a little longer. You can always adjust the surface to add a little more difference between.

I'm a big believer in trying balls before just assuming what you need. See how they play for you and how your confortable playing them. Then c talk to your pro and let us know what you need something to do and we can give you a lot more info on what would help

[MiggityMatt]

I couldn't agree with you more on that it seems that almost everyone now days
just wants to either switch to a more aggressive or a less aggressive coverstock
in their ball choices instead of learning how to make the correct adjustments.

It's not all that uncommon now days to see a bowler walk in pulling 2 or more ball
rollers with 4-5 balls in them. We've got one guy that walks in with a 5 ball roller in
each hand so he brings in 10 balls all in total just to bowl league with.

What really takes the cake with that guy is his average is like 150 or maybe a 160
somewhere around that, man you would think he was a touring Pro to just see him
walk into the center with all of those bowling balls.

He is constantly changing between balls frame to frame instead of trying to make
any kind of minor / major adjustments he really gets on my nerves when we have
to bowl against his team. The one reason that he gets on my nerves is because if
one ball doesn't work he will slam it down loudly and curse at it and go grab another
one and repeat/repeat/repeat/etc./etc.


That's hilarious! You guys should start taking bets on how many frames until he changes balls. You can also do how many different balls he will throw for the night. Man, I think it could be very entertaining.

[RobLV1]

that's what I was afraid of.....well pearl and fusion already bought.....suppose I should cancel the solid....what Storm ball would u suggest then to compliment the Fusion.

Here's the issue: there are only two factors that contribute to ball reaction - friction and resistence. There are four elements that contribute to these two factors: cover material, surface, core, and layout. All four contribute in some way to friction. The only one that contributes to resistance (how resistant the ball is to revving up) is the core, primarily the low rg number. The higher the low rg number is, the more resistance there is, and the farther you can expect to get the ball down the lane. The two balls that you already have, the Pearl and the Fusion, both have the same core with a pretty early rolling core - low rg of 2.49. You need to compliment these two balls with something with a higher rg, something in the 2.54-2.57 range. You might look at a ball from Storm's Hot Line, probably the Wipe Out since it is a solid, to round out your arsenal. Don't forget that the one element that is easily changed on a bowling ball is the surface. There is nothing sacred about the Out-Of-Box finish that comes on the ball; it is just the manufacturers best guess as to what surface will appeal to the greatest percentage of their target consumer. In other words, it's purely a marketing decision, and should be regarded as such.

[ALazySavage]

Rob, without knowing the type of bowler or skill level of Beagle I could be off base with this comment but I do want to hear your thoughts on this. What we do know is that the two IQs are locked in and I completely agree that the focus of the final ball in the arsenal should be a higher RG, but should the lowest end ball (in regards to RG and overall hook potential) be the solid in the bag? I guess what I'm asking is do you think it would be a better approach to take the polish off of the IQ Fusion? This would create the maximum amount of roll difference between the two IQs. I guess my concern would be that this could create the two higher performance balls would end up being what needs to be used on ligher volumes of oil and the lowest performance ball being used on heavy volumes. Depending on Beagle's comfort/skill level this could create a huge variance on how they have to play the lanes set to set. While this could be good for learning how to play multiple angles, I don't know if it is the best approach if looking to maximize score.

Assuming that Beagle has a few weeks to play with this and doesn't have big events coming up soon, I think I would approach this as follows (I'm also assuming that there is no access to a ball spinner during practice, and I understand the potential for drastically changed lanes between sets):

Set 1: Throw both IQs with the Box Finish, Pearl and 1500-grit polish. Both balls need to be thrown at different times through the night to get comfortable with how they roll.

Set 2: Throw both IQs but for the Fusion change the surface to 2000-4000 abralon. Again both balls need to be thrown at different times through the night. This way Beagle can see how the ball rolls with the new finish to help ensure it still matches their game and isn't a complete bust.

***At this point if the surface change works they could open up their options for that last ball in their arsenal. As other posters mentioned, the big issue with the original bag was when the lanes get very dry...my concern would be if they are bone dry on the fronts and the only polished balls are IQs it could be very difficult to manage the backend reaction.

[RobLV1]

As I said earlier, the surface is the easiest thing to change on a bowling ball. First, I would add a little bit of surface to the Fusion. Just hit it very lightly with a 4000 abralon pad by hand. If the balls are still very close, try a 3000, etc. As far as the high rg being a solid, a solid not only gives a little more read in the oil, it also gives a little less read in the dry (again depending on the surface). The least aggressive ball that I use is the Brunswick LT 48. It has a low rg of 2.56, and is a solid. It actually comes polished, but I added some surface to knock down the reaction in the dry, and increase the read in the oil as I move in. The high rg balls that I've used in the past have mostly been solids, with a few hybrids mixed in.

[ALazySavage]

Rob, Thanks for the input about solids and hybrids on higher RG bowling equipment. As for the resurfacing I am aware that you mentioned it and agree that it is the easiest thing to change; my comment was more in regards that in my opinion Beagle should probably resurface the IQ Tour Fusion and see how it pairs with the other ball before buying the third ball so that they can find what they need to add to their bag.

[RobLV1]

My recommendation for the solid was based on two things. First, solids are the most adaptable to surface changes, easily taking a lot of surface all the way to a lot of polish and everything in between. If a bowler could have only one ball, I'd definitely recommend a solid, just because of this surface adaptability. Second, unless a bowler has an aversion to one particular type of cover material (personally, I rarely use pearls and have only two in my arsenal), I think having at least one ball of each cover type is important, particularly until he finds that he has an aversion or affinity to one or two types.