Is this a good deal for a kids first ball, bag & shoes?

[Phonetek]

My son and I were looking online for our new equipment. He picked out this combo for himself because he likes the color.
https://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-bags/pyramid/10783/path-orange-ballbagshoe-package.html

Like I said, I don't care what kind of ball he gets for his first one. Round, drilled for him and proper weight thats all. The shoes look a little dorky but they are bowling shoes, they are all dorky. He will likely grow out of the shoes in a season anyway and need a heavier ball once he learns to throw it right. I never heard of Pyramid before nor the quality of their products. What do you think, good deal or Pyramid scheme? Badum bum. Okay so I won't give up my day job.

[TCJ]

Pyramid is made in China, I believe.

[Phonetek]

China huh. Hmmm....That explains the price. The reviews were all good on it but since one guy said he liked it because it looks good in his new Camaro that didn't really sell it for me. With that logic I'd have to forget getting a Gauntlet because it doesn't match my Tahoe. I dunno then, I have to think about it more. I mean, you think he'd get a year with it before the ball crumbling to pieces?

[bowl1820]

Pyramid bowling is bowlingball.com house brand of equipment. Several of us on here have their stuff, it's decent budget priced equipment.

[Phonetek]

LOL nobody wants to give a definitive yes or no for an opinion. That's okay. We have a month to decide. As long as he knows that when he's old enough to drive he's not getting an orange Camaro too. My first ball was a 9lb. red glittery Columbia Lite Dot. I beat the crap out of that thing and got a few seasons out of it. When I was 9 I went to 13lb Original Yellow dot fingertip no inserts then at 12 I went to my 16lb LT-51 fingertip no inserts. As for this, it's likely what he'll get unless a better deal pops up. I don't think the local pro shop can compete with that price.

[TCJ]

Okay, since you want a definite answer, I would say no. If I can obtain something made here in the U.S.A. (and it's easy with bowling balls) then I will. Sending manufacturing over to China is ridiculous. Support U.S. manufacturing instead.

P.S. I almost bought a Pyramid Force, but when I found out where they were made I scratched it off my list.

[J Anderson]

LOL nobody wants to give a definitive yes or no for an opinion. That's okay. We have a month to decide. As long as he knows that when he's old enough to drive he's not getting an orange Camaro too. My first ball was a 9lb. red glittery Columbia Lite Dot. I beat the crap out of that thing and got a few seasons out of it. When I was 9 I went to 13lb Original Yellow dot fingertip no inserts then at 12 I went to my 16lb LT-51 fingertip no inserts. As for this, it's likely what he'll get unless a better deal pops up. I don't think the local pro shop can compete with that price.

One, almost all polyester balls, T-Zones, White Dots, etc. are made in China

Two, for a first ball you need to find a good local ball driller. Once you get a good fit, Bowlingball.com or Buddiesproshop.com can copy it.

Three, my local proshop, which just happens to be Buddies Pro Shop, will usually run a special at the start of the fall season: single bag, ball, and shoes for $100. I’m not sure whether that includes drilling or whether the selection includes anything other than spare balls.

[Phonetek]

One, almost all polyester balls, T-Zones, White Dots, etc. are made in China

Two, for a first ball you need to find a good local ball driller. Once you get a good fit, Bowlingball.com or Buddiesproshop.com can copy it.

Three, my local proshop, which just happens to be Buddies Pro Shop, will usually run a special at the start of the fall season: single bag, ball, and shoes for $100. I’m not sure whether that includes drilling or whether the selection includes anything other than spare balls.

I do have a great driller to go to, I've been going to him most of my life. He's an hour away from where I currently live but it's worth the trip. His prices are high for equipment though, they always have been. Even with the break he'd cut me it's still much higher than I was seeing online. Since I'm getting him started in a month I'd rather not wait until fall to get his stuff. I'll just have to suck it up.

[Amyers]

I do have a great driller to go to, I've been going to him most of my life. He's an hour away from where I currently live but it's worth the trip. His prices are high for equipment though, they always have been. Even with the break he'd cut me it's still much higher than I was seeing online. Since I'm getting him started in a month I'd rather not wait until fall to get his stuff. I'll just have to suck it up.

For the initial fit you'll have to go to a proshop to get it drilled up. So add about 30-60 dollars depending on area to the price. While I love my country if you make a quality product that I like I'll buy it and a J Anderson pointed out most plastic balls are imports anyway. I've only used one pyramid ball it was ok mainly seen good reviews on here for a kids first ball it doesn't matter. My nephew got the same shoes they held up well.

[JasonNJ]

That package is $121, so average of $40 per item and you still have to get the ball drilled. Since that is a plastic ball, I would buy the ball from a local pro shop since the drilling will probably be included in the price, then you can definitely buy shoes and a one ball tote for less than $80 online.

[bowl1820]

I mean, you think he'd get a year with it before the ball crumbling to pieces?

Just something you need to know, every company has had balls that crack. They've been known to crack on the shelf in the proshop before being sold, It's a fact of life, balls can crack. I had a Radical ball start cracking after about 10 games.

Posted Pyramid product reviews are no different than any other company's, Most say their product is good and few think it's a POS. It's up to the buyer to weigh the options and decide if its a good deal.

I have two Pyramid balls a Curse and a Blunt Force both are great balls and I think they are pretty durable. Well worth their cost.

As for the items you asked about, I don't have them so I can't say directly how good or bad they are and since there's not too many active users on this site, It's unlikely someone with first hand knowledge of those particular items will be on here and comment.

So getting yes or no opinions is going to be hard. Plus everyone is not on here at the same time, so it might take awhile for you to get replies so be patient.

[Amyers]

Most bowling balls I've seen come with a one year warranty I suspect Pyramid does also but I haven't checked. As bowl stated any ball can crack I've seen it from cheap ones and expensive ones and from every company.

[BowlingBoards.com]

LOL nobody wants to give a definitive yes or no for an opinion. That's okay. We have a month to decide. As long as he knows that when he's old enough to drive he's not getting an orange Camaro too. My first ball was a 9lb. red glittery Columbia Lite Dot. I beat the crap out of that thing and got a few seasons out of it. When I was 9 I went to 13lb Original Yellow dot fingertip no inserts then at 12 I went to my 16lb LT-51 fingertip no inserts. As for this, it's likely what he'll get unless a better deal pops up. I don't think the local pro shop can compete with that price.

Pyramid bowling balls have a 2 year warranty on them with the option to double it for a small fee. (So, potentially a 4 year warranty) As the others state, unfortunately cracking does happen, but as long as it is not lane damage and it is still covered under warranty, Pyramid will cover it.

Pyramid bowling products are fantastic quality for the price you pay. The shoes that come in the combo packages (typically the Tribal or Green Skull shoes) are very durable.

We agree with having your son's first ball custom drilled to fit his hand. That is a must for him.

If you ever have any questions about Pyramid products, you can always contact them via Facebook, if you have one. Or you may also private message us and we can assist.

Best of luck to your son bowling!

[Phonetek]

Most bowling balls I've seen come with a one year warranty I suspect Pyramid does also but I haven't checked. As bowl stated any ball can crack I've seen it from cheap ones and expensive ones and from every company.

Yes that's very true and I was being sarcastic so I agree. I've had tons of different balls but I've been pretty lucky having only two out of about 50 I've had that cracked. One kept chipping away around the thumb hole and the other cracked on the bridge between two fingers (improper drilling). Living in Chicagoland could play a part in that anyway. I've left them in the car in extreme temperatures. There were times they were so cold I was in the bathroom running them under the hand dryer. Hindsight probably not the smartest move. I'd have to imagine that environmental, improper drilling and lane equipment malfunctions are more of the primary causes of balls cracking vs. manufacturer defects. From what I have seen in the comments giving kudos and now knowing it has a 2 year warranty is sauce on the goose. Lets be honest here, he's not going to use it long. He's 13, strong and growing so I have no doubt it will be shelfed for the next weight upgrade before the warranty expires. My main concern was that this was going to turn out to be a Kmart ball like the old days. You guys have convinced me. Thank you for all the input =)

[Amyers]

No problem I like the bathroom hand dryer I've never tried that :rolleyes:

[mattmc82]

You can get. DV8 polyester with a bag for $50. The set looks sharp though and for a beginner bowler sometimes the look matters more

[Phonetek]

You can get. DV8 polyester with a bag for $50. The set looks sharp though and for a beginner bowler sometimes the look matters more

Could you please elaborate and let me know where or provide a link? I appreciate it, thanks =)

[vdubtx]

Could you please elaborate and let me know where or provide a link? I appreciate it, thanks =)

MAybe it's this one. Available in several colors:

https://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-balls/dv8/11565/polyester-just-black-with-free-sack.html

[Phonetek]

That's crazy cheap. All he'd need is shoes and I could get him better shoes and still come in less than what I posted. The things that make you go Hmmmm?

[Amyers]

That's crazy cheap. All he'd need is shoes and I could get him better shoes and still come in less than what I posted. The things that make you go Hmmmm?

Should be available in green and gold color both of which look good too.

[Phonetek]

That's definitely a good deal. I'm going to show it to him when he gets home from school. He's getting anxious so color choices are getting less and less important to him, he just wants a ball. I hear about it every day. I was no different when I was a youth bowler so I don't blame him.

Yes, the hand dryer trick saved my butt many times when it was cold outside. I used it on my shoes too when they were also freezing cold or if I stepped in liquid someone spilled. If bowling alleys get ever get rid of hand dryers it would be a tragedy, I'd be buying a hair blow dryer to keep in my bag. I'd look like an idiot whipping it out but an idiot with a warm ball and toasty dry shoes =)
Then again, since I'm teaching my son I have to set a better example for him and teach him NOT to leave his equipment in the car like I did.

[mattmc82]

That is the one I’m talking about

[mattmc82]

I’ve used it as my spare ball for 3 years now it’s gone through hell and still rolls great. By hell I mean dirty lanes, caught in ball returns. Still has a new shine, just use diluted simple green and a towel to clean it every now and then. Our local Dunham’s and Dicks has ebonite and dexter shoes in the 30-40 range as well

[JaxBowlingGuy]

Okay, since you want a definite answer, I would say no. If I can obtain something made here in the U.S.A. (and it's easy with bowling balls) then I will. Sending manufacturing over to China is ridiculous. Support U.S. manufacturing instead.

P.S. I almost bought a Pyramid Force, but when I found out where they were made I scratched it off my list.

Pretty sure that Brunswick Inferno you have was made in Mexico

[drlawsoniii]

I bought that specific ball that was in your original post, it was super cheap i think 38.99 plus drilling. I had sent my favorite ball in for them to copy (for free) and they even resurfaced it for free as well. Paid 75 dollars for a new spare ball, drilled with a Switch Grip outer sleeve and 2 finger inserts. I was very happy with my purchase.

[Phonetek]

I bought that specific ball that was in your original post, it was super cheap i think 38.99 plus drilling. I had sent my favorite ball in for them to copy (for free) and they even resurfaced it for free as well. Paid 75 dollars for a new spare ball, drilled with a Switch Grip outer sleeve and 2 finger inserts. I was very happy with my purchase.

They certainly sound like a reputable place and they want repeat business. I have no doubt I will get my son's stuff off of that site whatever I end up getting him. When I get the funds in order I will likely buy at least 3 balls for myself and one for my wife and daughter as well. Drilling....I'm gonna stick with my PSO for that. I like him, he's a stand up guy who bends over backwards for his customers. He deserves my loyalty as far as servicing my bowling balls.

[TCJ]

Pretty sure that Brunswick Inferno you have was made in Mexico.

Quite correct. But it doesn't say anything about me because...

1. It was secondhand.

2. I wasn't the one who purchased it.

3. The ball was purchased long before I was aware of (or cared, for that matter) where anything was made.

[Phonetek]

I finally was able to order the ball/bag/shoes combo for my son in my original post from bowlingball.com. He's so excited it's not even funny. Just worked the bar a couple days at the lanes in tips and he's getting his stuff. I'm very happy I was able to get it for him. Him bowling with a house ball was doing little good other than going through the motions. It's hard to get a consistent swing when the finger holes are 3 sizes too big or a using one that fits but is 4 pounds too light. This will be cool to see how he can "actually" throw a ball. Next week it's MY turn to get something new. I'm getting a bag so I can put my old one out of it's misery like it should have been 10 years ago then I can get a ball.

[JasonNJ]

I finally was able to order the ball/bag/shoes combo for my son in my original post from bowlingball.com. He's so excited it's not even funny. Just worked the bar a couple days at the lanes in tips and he's getting his stuff. I'm very happy I was able to get it for him. Him bowling with a house ball was doing little good other than going through the motions. It's hard to get a consistent swing when the finger holes are 3 sizes too big or a using one that fits but is 4 pounds too light. This will be cool to see how he can "actually" throw a ball. Next week it's MY turn to get something new. I'm getting a bag so I can put my old one out of it's misery like it should have been 10 years ago then I can get a ball.

That's great. Congrats. Bowling with a house ball is only going to teach the bad habit of squeezing since the holes are so big.