Getting Second Ball?

[NYMIKE]

Right Now I'm throwing DV8 Ruckus Schizo 15 lbs. My guess by the end of the summer league I be averaging about 135, I know there is plenty of room for improvement with the current non-aggressive ball. How much did you average when you got your second ball?

[vdubtx]

Personally, if you are thinking of getting a 2nd ball, it should be a spare ball. Get where you can repeat shots with your current ball.

[John Anderson]

I averaged about 170 at the time. I will say though, I jumped from 130s to 150s/160s pretty soon after I went from a plastic/polyester to a reactive. Wait until you have a couple clean games under your belt. Know how to pick up spares with your strike ball so that you get a better feel for how it reacts on different parts of the lane. You might find that a second ball won't really help you as much as you might hope. Of course, having more options is always a plus though.

[NYMIKE]

Ill stick with my one ball for now.

[dougb]

I agree on the recommendation to get a spare ball. Your average will likely go up more with that than a second strike ball. Easier to shoot those corner pins.

[foreverincamo]

How do you have that Schizo drilled where it's non-aggressive? It's one of DV8's hardest hooking polished balls. It's the polished companion to the Ruckus Feud, which comes back from anywhere. Just curious.

[HowDoIHookAgain]

I would not go with a spare ball until around a 160-170 average. I average about 180 and just got my spare ball (actually, I got a more aggressive ball, and the one I was using before was converted to my spare ball). Personally, I would hold back on getting a spare ball until you can consistently do well with your current ball (hitting your mark, getting ball in the pocket, making most of your spares, especially single pins).

[Mgower]

I would not go with a spare ball until around a 160-170 average. I average about 180 and just got my spare ball (actually, I got a more aggressive ball, and the one I was using before was converted to my spare ball). Personally, I would hold back on getting a spare ball until you can consistently do well with your current ball (hitting your mark, getting ball in the pocket, making most of your spares, especially single pins).

Oh, I disagree here. I think the best way to build up your average is learning to shoot spares. Buying a spare ball and learning to throw the ball straight will make a huge improvement with your scores.

And a spare ball is a great investment. It's not a ball that should never need replacing unless it becomes damaged.

[John Anderson]

Oh, I disagree here. I think the best way to build up your average is learning to shoot spares. Buying a spare ball and learning to throw the ball straight will make a huge improvement with your scores.

And a spare ball is a great investment. It's not a ball that should never need replacing unless it becomes damaged.

I'd say that's the easiest way, but I don't think it's the best way. It doesn't force you to improve your technique. It just allows you to get a higher score by picking up more easy spares. It doesn't help you learn to control your strike ball.

[Mike White]

I'd say that's the easiest way, but I don't think it's the best way. It doesn't force you to improve your technique. It just allows you to get a higher score by picking up more easy spares. It doesn't help you learn to control your strike ball.

Learning the throw both straight and a reasonable amount of hook is much more likely to occur with a low friction (spare) ball because you get better feedback when your release or accuracy is bad.

With a high friction ball, and a THS oil pattern, the feedback gives a lot of false positives.

Bad release, the friction makes the ball roll.

Miss right, the dry kicks the ball back.

Miss left, and the oil makes the ball skid extra.

[NYMIKE]

How do you have that Schizo drilled where it's non-aggressive? It's one of DV8's hardest hooking polished balls. It's the polished companion to the Ruckus Feud, which comes back from anywhere. Just curious.

I be honest I have no idea about drilling. I went to a reputable local shop, the owner is one of the best amateur bowlers around. I asked him a good ball for me to learn to throw a hook, and he picked Schizo. Now I looked at DV8 specs, and Schizo is aggressive ball I guess, though another bowler who averaged 190 told me it's not. I don't know much about equipment, I try to learn with what I have. I can throw my ball straight, but accuracy is a problem at the moment.

[Amyers]

I be honest I have no idea about drilling. I went to a reputable local shop, the owner is one of the best amateur bowlers around. I asked him a good ball for me to learn to throw a hook, and he picked Schizo. Now I looked at DV8 specs, and Schizo is aggressive ball I guess, though another bowler who averaged 190 told me it's not. I don't know much about equipment, I try to learn with what I have. I can throw my ball straight, but accuracy is a problem at the moment.

Mike this is just my opinion but if your pro shop recommended a high level asymmetrical ball for you to learn to hook the ball it's time to find a new proshop. If your throwing on wooden lanes which I think you do that ball is a terrible choice.

[NYMIKE]

My lanes are synthetic, I just made inquiry about finding wooden lanes. As far as pro shops go I believe there are only 2 in Queens and most guys recommend going to the guy I went.

[Amyers]

My lanes are synthetic, I just made inquiry about finding wooden lanes. As far as pro shops go I believe there are only 2 in Queens and most guys recommend going to the guy I went.

Well not as bad wood lanes tend to have more surface and make a bad mix with heavy oil high end balls but unless your bowling on fresh conditions that ball is more likely than not burning up and that is why you think it is weak. I would look at getting a mid line symmetrical ball for bowling on open conditions and really most leagues.

The big skid flip balls have thier uses but for learning how to properly throw a hook ball it wouldn't be a choice I would ever recommend for someone unless they already have a good release and are more on the speed dominate side.

Unfortunately a lot of pro shops will sell you what they think you want (or what they need to get rid of) instead of what you actually need.

[Jessiewoodard57]

I agree with Amyers my old pro shop always tried to push whatever he had in stock. He would not order what I asked for so I went elsewhere and found someone that was interested in how I bowl so he could recommend a good fit. As to a spare ball our fun summer league gives away a T-Zone at the end of the league. I was going to have it drilled and use it as my spare ball then I learned how to pick up those 10 pin spares (right-hand bowler) using my same strike ball which is a Crux Pearl. I went bowling one Saturday just to practice 6,10s and 10 pin pick ups. something I thought could not be down has proven to be fairly easy. I'm now going use that ball as a credit at the pro shop.

[fokai73]

I'm shocked nobody adviced you in seeing a coach. At 135 average, the last thing you should do right now is getting a new ball. But, I do agree that the next ball should be a spare ball. This will allow you to throw your normal release.

[NYMIKE]

I'm shocked nobody adviced you in seeing a coach. At 135 average, the last thing you should do right now is getting a new ball. But, I do agree that the next ball should be a spare ball. This will allow you to throw your normal release.

I have had about 10 lessons with coach and will get more, there is improvement, my average will be up more than 10 points over winter league, and i bowled 2 recent 200 games.