Golfers have it so much better than bowlers !

[ralphs007]

Well, at least when it comes to equipment. We can try any ball we want and not spend a small fortune. Most of the time you can try a new ball by finding one lost by another golfer. Do bowlers ever lose a ball, lol,?:o
We can try new clubs just as easy,either by trying a playing partners club,or going to a golf club demo or fitting. I treated myself to a brand new set of Ping I'25 irons this spring as a retirement present. I tried all kinds of Ping irons at the demo, and these are the clubs I hit best. I wish you could do the same thing when buying a bowling ball . It would be fun to try a ball you had no business throwing in the first place, just for the hell of it.

[RobLV1]

Bowling Ball companies often host demo days where you can try out several new releases for a small registration fee.

[epiepenburg]

Some pro shops offer this. These days with the interchangeable thumb inserts, it makes it possible. I've seen pro shops host ball demo days where it may be a few brands and balls to try.

[J Anderson]

Well, at least when it comes to equipment. We can try any ball we want and not spend a small fortune. Most of the time you can try a new ball by finding one lost by another golfer. Do bowlers ever lose a ball, lol,?:o
We can try new clubs just as easy,either by trying a playing partners club,or going to a golf club demo or fitting. I treated myself to a brand new set of Ping I'25 irons this spring as a retirement present. I tried all kinds of Ping irons at the demo, and these are the clubs I hit best. I wish you could do the same thing when buying a bowling ball . It would be fun to try a ball you had no business throwing in the first place, just for the hell of it.

Buddies Pro shop has or had a program where you could "test drive" certain balls. I was going to paste in a link but I couldn't find one on their website for the program, so they may have dropped it. Then again with the exception of Iceman who would think nothing of hopping on his bike and riding to CT to test out a new ball, no one outside of the area is going to use the service so why mention on the site?
The selection is/was limited since they had to have several grip sizes represented for each ball. The ball all used interchangeable thumb and finger inserts. the holes would be a good fit but the layouts would be generic and the spans wouldn't be exact.

Occasionally, manufacturers will have ball demos where you can do the same thing. You have to keep on the lookout for when one is being held in your area.

[epiepenburg]

Buddies Pro shop has or had a program where you could "test drive" certain balls. I was going to paste in a link but I couldn't find one on their website for the program, so they may have dropped it. Then again with the exception of Iceman who would think nothing of hopping on his bike and riding to CT to test out a new ball, no one outside of the area is going to use the service so why mention on the site?
The selection is/was limited since they had to have several grip sizes represented for each ball. The ball all used interchangeable thumb and finger inserts. the holes would be a good fit but the layouts would be generic and the spans wouldn't be exact.

Occasionally, manufacturers will have ball demos where you can do the same thing. You have to keep on the lookout for when one is being held in your area.

Here is what you were looking for: http://www.buddiesproshop.com/t-Try_Me_Program.aspx

I've purchased through them, obviously they aren't local to me so I can't try and buy. Just purchased a new pair of shoes through them before they raised their prices on the Dexter SST8's.

[J Anderson]

Here is what you were looking for: http://www.buddiesproshop.com/t-Try_Me_Program.aspx

I've purchased through them, obviously they aren't local to me so I can't try and buy. Just purchased a new pair of shoes through them before they raised their prices on the Dexter SST8's.

That's it. I saw it recently and then couldn't find it today.

Good luck with the new shoes. I had to pick up a new pair Monday because my old pair, only about 5 years old had the sole split in half just behind the velcro on the right shoe.

[epiepenburg]

That's it. I saw it recently and then couldn't find it today.

Good luck with the new shoes. I had to pick up a new pair Monday because my old pair, only about 5 years old had the sole split in half just behind the velcro on the right shoe.

My SST5's were starting to show their age after 20 years. I figured it was time for new shoes. Now I just need time to break them in before league. I am nervous about switching shoes since I've been wearing the same pair for so long. I slide quite a bit, so if I can't slide and it gets in my head, my game suffers.

[J Anderson]

My SST5's were starting to show their age after 20 years. I figured it was time for new shoes. Now I just need time to break them in before league. I am nervous about switching shoes since I've been wearing the same pair for so long. I slide quite a bit, so if I can't slide and it gets in my head, my game suffers.

I find the S8 soles work well for my slide. The S10s feel like I could start my slide 4' back from the line and foul.

[Hobbit]

I'm looking at this from an ex golfer's perspective here. But there is NOTHING WORSE than having to walk after your ball after u have shanked it 50-100m from where u targeted, to then discover u have to drop the ball out, or even worse, u lose the ball ( both incurring penalty stroke), mate, that is hard on the ego, whereas bowling we just stand around the ball return and silently curse at our self, waiting for the ball to find us..

In regards to selecting equipment, no doubt about it, u can easily try before u buy, but the actual game itself mentally rips u apart, u know I played for a few years, I got down to 25 hcp on a easyish course, anyway, there were only about a dozen times I left the course pretty happy with my performance, most of the time utter frustration :(.. Golf is very hard on your ego and happiness level.. Which is why I cycle now, I NEVER have a bad ride!

[ralphs007]

I'm looking at this from an ex golfer's perspective here. But there is NOTHING WORSE than having to walk after your ball after u have shanked it 50-100m from where u targeted, to then discover u have to drop the ball out, or even worse, u lose the ball ( both incurring penalty stroke), mate, that is hard on the ego, whereas bowling we just stand around the ball return and silently curse at our self, waiting for the ball to find us..

In regards to selecting equipment, no doubt about it, u can easily try before u buy, but the actual game itself mentally rips u apart, u know I played for a few years, I got down to 25 hcp on a easyish course, anyway, there were only about a dozen times I left the course pretty happy with my performance, most of the time utter frustration :(.. Golf is very hard on your ego and happiness level.. Which is why I cycle now, I NEVER have a bad ride!

I agree with you 100% ! I'm down to a 7 hcp and its the putting that makes me insane ! You hit the green in regulation on a 400 yard hole and then you take three putts to finish the hole. I think a little of me dies each time I do that.
Missing the ten pin or any spare in bowling, is equal to three putting in golf ! At least in bowling I'm not good enough to get mad. :D

[Aslan]

I'm looking at this from an ex golfer's perspective here. But there is NOTHING WORSE than having to walk after your ball after u have shanked it 50-100m from where u targeted, to then discover u have to drop the ball out, or even worse, u lose the ball ( both incurring penalty stroke), mate, that is hard on the ego, whereas bowling we just stand around the ball return and silently curse at our self, waiting for the ball to find us..

In regards to selecting equipment, no doubt about it, u can easily try before u buy, but the actual game itself mentally rips u apart, u know I played for a few years, I got down to 25 hcp on a easyish course, anyway, there were only about a dozen times I left the course pretty happy with my performance, most of the time utter frustration :(.. Golf is very hard on your ego and happiness level.. Which is why I cycle now, I NEVER have a bad ride!

Also agree 100%!

It is SO nice to have gutters in bowling. Imagine making a bad shot and having to walk to the other end of the bowling center to get your ball.

It used to really suck as a hockey player when we'd play on a pond or if we played roller hockey in a aparking lot because every missed shot would go flying 100 yards away. And if you're on a pond, you'd have to walk on skates or crawl over to wherever you think it ended up.

And, I agree...I've gotten better at golf now that I live in a warm all season state...more time to practice...but I definitely leave the golf course most of the time feeling like there's just no way I'll ever get good enough at the game where it's "enjoyable". I've shot some scores that I'd consider as "decent"...from time to time...but in between those moments of glory...many days where I just ask myself why I even bother.

And thats why I'll only continue to bowl if I feel I have a legitimate chance at becoming a high level bowler. Because I am just wired in a way that I won't be happy as a 175 average bowler that keeps showing up for league night...hoping that this is the night where the stars allign and I throw a 650 series or 299 game. Thats too much like golf. I don't want to spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours for that "off chance" that I might luck into a 300-game. Just like I don't want to walk around a golf course, spending even MORE money...taking even MORE time...so that once a year I can go an entire 18 holes and never have a score higher than a double bogey on any one hole.

[ralphs007]

Also agree 100%!

It is SO nice to have gutters in bowling. Imagine making a bad shot and having to walk to the other end of the bowling center to get your ball.


Thankfully that only happens once in awhile to me ! :o