Is buying a Used ball a option?

[Hawkeye_2019]

I am fairly new to bowling and I am looking at buying a ball. I think I am going to get the storm breeze, but is buying a used ball an option I found I nice 15lb ball for 50 dollars. Is buying a used ball a bad idea? I would need to get it plugged and restored.

[bowl1820]

I am fairly new to bowling and I am looking at buying a ball. I think I am going to get the storm breeze, but is buying a used ball an option I found I nice 15lb ball for 50 dollars. Is buying a used ball a bad idea? I would need to get it plugged and restored.

Getting a used ball is a option, you just have to weigh the cost of the ball+plugging and drilling etc. against getting something new.

The Storm Breeze is a fairly low cost ball, you should check the price of a new one(with drilling,grips etc).

So $50 plus say maybe $40-$50 for plugging and drilling, grips (depending on the proshop). So about approx. $100 for used

A new Breeze is running around $79 online, so depending on your PSO new might not be that much different.

[Hawkeye_2019]

My psi quoted 125new ball drilled etc ect

[Hawkeye_2019]

Pro shop*

[1VegasBowler]

I am fairly new to bowling and I am looking at buying a ball. I think I am going to get the storm breeze, but is buying a used ball an option I found I nice 15lb ball for 50 dollars. Is buying a used ball a bad idea? I would need to get it plugged and restored.

Personally, I would go with the new ball. If something happens to it you have a warranty.

If you get a used one and something happens, now you have to buy a new ball.

[got_a_300]

My psi quoted 125new ball drilled etc ect

That is a decent price as on line it will cost you as much or more I
priced one of them drilled with no grips and it was still $107+ so
I'd have to say go ahead and buy it from your PSO.

[Hawkeye_2019]

Are there other balls I should consider? I am an entry level bowler.

[1VegasBowler]

Are there other balls I should consider? I am an entry level bowler.

As a Brunswick Staffer, I can only recommend the Brunswick family of equipment.

The Rhino is a very good entry level ball. While it replaced the Strike King, you still might be able to find one out there.

Beyond that, the step up might be too much until you get more into bowling and get an understanding about cores, cover stocks, etc., because starting with something too strong for your skill level can make things worse.

I would also suggest getting a coach to improve your game as well.

[LOUVIT]

I went through the same thought when I came back to bowling 6 months ago. Go with a new one just make sure you are getting the right ball and drilling for you. See if the PSO or someone with knowledge can watch you throw a few. New or old ball if it's not drilled for how you wqant it to react it's not going to work. IMO

My pro shop sells used ones for 50. drilled. that's where I am getting my spare ball.

[Tony]

Some of the pro shops around here suggest the Ebonite Cyclone balls to consider for the newer bowler.

[LOUVIT]

My first new ball was suggested by my coach and PSO and it was a Track Heat, I've since won a Storm Phaze from here and still like the Heat better, But my coach seen me bowl he didn't just pick a ball out of the air.

[Hawkeye_2019]

ill check the heat out thanks for the recommendation.

[freshlybakedfingerolls]

Any one of those balls will be just fine. Most important is the fit of the ball after it's drilled in order for you to develop a proper grip pressure. Hopefully you can keep the ball on your hand without squeezing it.

[michiganbowlingcoach]

If your a new to bowling bowler or as I tell people if you can't average 140-150 then you shouldn't buy a new ball. More than likely your rolling the ball all over the place in the gutter 1-3 time a game plane and simple not consisted . So why do that with a new ball? Imagine your going to pick up golf this year you go online and buy a $1000 golf set , does that make since, no. A used good fitting ball is all the new bowler needs.
As you progress around 150 average then buy a (new) entry level ball . Your now being able to get the ball to the pocket more and a entry level ball will help increase the average. After your average gets 170-180 now your in the pocket a lot you need better carry now it's time to up to a high performance ball.

Just my opinion

[NewToBowling]

Things I don't buy used: Condoms, underwear, and bowling balls :)

[Aslan]

Getting a used ball is a option, you just have to weigh the cost of the ball+plugging and drilling etc. against getting something new.

The Storm Breeze is a fairly low cost ball, you should check the price of a new one(with drilling,grips etc).

So $50 plus say maybe $40-$50 for plugging and drilling, grips (depending on the proshop). So about approx. $100 for used

A new Breeze is running around $79 online, so depending on your PSO new might not be that much different.
Quoted because it is excellent.


My psi quoted 125new ball drilled etc ect
New Tropical Breeze (assuming for a woman): $125 new, drilled.
Old Tropical Breeze (same assumptions): $50 + $60 (drilling, inserts, tax).

The question is, how valuable is $15 to you. If you are living month to month and starving and apparently wasting your family's only money on bowling and internet access...go used....it's a Tropical Breeze...who cares? BUT...if you're in the top 97 percentile of Americans where $15 wouldn't break the bank...go new.

Most importantly...is the Storm Smell...still good enough to warrant the purchase? Most Storm bowlers (and dhoff) WILL list scent in the top 3 of their bowling ball selection criteria...usually after "brand" and before "color".


Things I don't buy used: Condoms, underwear, and bowling balls :)
Agree 100% on 1 and 2.
Only exception on #3 is:

IF...and only IF...you are buying a spare ball...or an older urethane that isn't really made anymore...

...ESPECIALLY...if the choice is between a used plastic Maxim or White Dot...and a Motiv spare ball like an Arctic Sniper...where a company with a track record of questionable business ethics is selling a round piece of plastic/urethane for 2x as much as other, similar round, pieces of plastic/urethane.

...THEN...I'd consider used.

I have bought ONE used ball. It was an Ebonite Maxim...the guy $75...which included drilling, etc... A new Maxim or White Dot...I'd be looking at closer to $95-$145 drilled, etc... Had the PSO charged me $50 PLUS $55 in drilling (Total: $105)...I'd have spent a little extra and got a new White Dot.

[Blacksox1]

Things I don't buy used: Condoms, underwear, and bowling balls :)

Lol NTB,point well taken.

[Aslan]

The other (seriously speaking) reason I don't buy strike balls used (unless it's a Hammer Big Block Diesel in decent condition)...is the cost of a new (non-Lane#1) bowling ball...is roughly $100. The 'trick' is, you have to by the release from 3-18 months ago. You can get all kinds of great, brand new, pro performance bowling balls from not only bowlingball.com, but also BowlerX.com. Not spamming...I work for neither company...I'm just pointing out that there are brand new, highest performance bowling balls on both sites for $100 shipped. These are balls that 3-18 months ago sold for $125-$245.

Bowling ball manufacturers don't necessarily advertise this...because it would cut into their new ball sales a bit...AND because to discourage buying these balls they'd have to make the case that their bowling ball technology only lasts 3-18 months before it's obsolete.

[LOUVIT]

What are you using now? Is it a fingertip ball or a house ball.

[taxexpert2]

The only used ball I ever had was one that someone gave me. I was switching hands due to injuring my dominant hand and wanted to get something drilled for the off hand. A bowler in my league gave me a lower weight ball and it worked great until I gained enough control to get a regular ball drilled for the off hand. Other than that I don't think I would buy a used ball. Not worth the money when everything is considered.

[YODA]

Personally I would recommend getting something new but in the lower price range, and ensuring it is setup properly for you. I know people who get into bowling and have bought used and end up having problems with the ball and then start to dislike bowling. I am not saying you cant buy used as I have in the past, but nothing beats a new ball that is setup just for you and seeing it roll down the lane :)