How to Choose Next Ball

[mx1alex]

So I started bowling last year and after a couple weeks bought my first ball, a Storm Match-up Solid.... I also bought a plastic spare ball. Now coming into my second year of league I'd like to add another ball to my arsenal but no idea how to decide what ball or even type of ball to look at. Looking around different websites I just get overwhelmed at all the different options... and it doesn't help that I don't really understand all the specs.

Watching reviews on youtube of the match-up solid guys describe it as a good option for light to medium oil patterns and when the lane breaks down. Where I bowl in league, the guys there say that our THS is a little more challenging than most THS. So given that, I feel like I need a more aggressive ball.

[djp1080]

If I were you, somehow you were guided to picking the Match Up Solid and the spare ball. Hopefully these decisions were done in concert with the pro shop operator/owner. If so, he may know how you've been doing or at least has an idea how you're bowling now. If not, go see that PSO and ask him to watch you throw a game or so. Then march into his shop and have him help you decide what ball(s) you should consider.
When I got back into bowling after 20 years being absent, I found that my old rubber ball wasn't going to do anything like it did previously. My first reactive resin bowling ball was a Track 300T and it was similar in specifications to your Match Up Solid I think. It served me well for two or three years. I, too, thought I needed a more aggressive ball after a time. I went too far though I think, but it surely worked for me okay. Not great though.
I'd suggest that you take baby steps. Consider going up to the Thunderline of Storm bowling balls or similarly spec'd balls from other companies.
Good luck! Have fun!

[Amyers]

DJP is correct your bowling pro shop is usually the best destination for ball decisions. it would be hard to say no to a classic like the hy-road though

[mx1alex]

Therein lies one of my bigger problems. I bowl at a small 10 lane alley with no real pro-shop to speak of. I got my first two balls drilled at an alley 30-min away but don't really want to go back there as he didn't drill them the same way so they feel different. I need to find a place where I can trust that the guy, or gal, knows what they're is doing.

[Amyers]

That would be an issue. What part of Missouri are you in? Might be someone close on here. I used to live in the St louis area. Most of Storms balls are more aggressive than the Match-Up so it basically depends on how much more you want and your style to answer the question. You might add which Match Up you have as well. They have multiple Match, Match up and others on the site.

[djp1080]

Here's a way to check on Pro Shops in your area: http://ibpsia.com/find-a-pro/find-a-pro-shop-in-your-area/#
Apparently there are only five pro shops certified in Missouri. Give it a shot.
My pro shop guy isn't certified, but he's been the best for me.
Good luck...

[JasonNJ]

I tend to buy balls that are different covers. So if I'm throwing a solid as my benchmark, I usually look for a shiny pearl to complement it. That way with the two different balls, you have 2 different ball reactions that can help cover the different lane conditions.

As for drilling, if you like how your current Match UP ball feels, you can buy a ball from here, bowlingball.com and ship them your ball. They'll copy the measurements and will drill any ball for you in the future with the same measurement. They'll even pay for the shipping to ship your ball to them. I've done that and I have to say every ball they've drilled for me has been spot on.

[mx1alex]

Here's a way to check on Pro Shops in your area: http://ibpsia.com/find-a-pro/find-a-pro-shop-in-your-area/#
Apparently there are only five pro shops certified in Missouri. Give it a shot.
My pro shop guy isn't certified, but he's been the best for me.
Good luck...

The one guy that's close to me I have been trying to get in contact with for months trying to get lessons. He initially responded to me back in April saying he would open up after the school year ended but he hasn't responded to multiple emails since. Pretty frustrating.

[bubba809]

What do you mean??

I don't just go in the Pro Shop and say, "Gimmie the biggest hooking ball you got! Then, drill it to go long and snap hard at the end!"

[RobLV1]

"Looking around different websites I just get overwhelmed at all the different options... and it doesn't help that I don't really understand all the specs."

Since you don't have a PSO that you can trust, the only option you have is to learn to evaluate ball specs yourself. It's really not difficult. Subscribe to the Bowling This Month website. It's about $40 a year, and it will be the best $40 you ever spent. Look up articles on understanding bowling balls. My name is Rob Mautner, and I've written quite a few of them for BTM, and I think that they are pretty easy to understand. Good luck!

[djp1080]

I totally agree, Rob!
Bowling This Month is a great resource and it will help you to help yourself. There are lots of great books on bowling, too.
The USBC has their bowling academy as well and here's a short video on the basics of selecting a bowling ball to suit your needs:
https://www.usbcbowlingacademy.com/video/how-to-choose-a-bowling-ball-to-fit-your-needs-005549/

It's not rocket science, but there's plenty to learn about bowling balls, lanes, etc. It's been a fun journey so far for me. I've made some friends along the way and have met some excellent experts in the field of bowling. One of them is my pro shop operator and another is a full time coach.

Hope this helps...

[mx1alex]

Appreciate all the input folks. Made some phone calls and got in touch with a PSO wants to see me bowl. So hopefully I can met up with him in the next couple weeks.

So a duller ball is for players who throw the ball harder correct? I'm usually around 16-17 mph, so what surface should I be looking at?

Do the pros ever have two of the same ball just with a different surface in their arsenal? If not, then why not?

[Amyers]

You do generally need more speed for duller surfaces at your speed you should be fine throwing most surfaces. Generally the more surface the sooner the ball hooks on the front end and the less it hooks on the back.
There are no generalities if speed is x throw surface y. It's more about when the ball starts to hook does it need to be sooner or later. RG of the ball plays a role to. The lower the RG the sooner the ball will start to hook. Pros do have different surfaces on the ball many are well known for throwing different surfaces.

[mx1alex]

So what are scenarios where I want the ball to hook more on the front and less on the back? Is it just dependent on the length of the pattern? I will probably bowling on a THS 95% of the time if not more.

[chip82901]

So what are scenarios where I want the ball to hook more on the front and less on the back? Is it just dependent on the length of the pattern? I will probably bowling on a THS 95% of the time if not more.

Most THS use a higher oil volume to prevent breakdown of the conditions. If you're using a Match Up Solid right now, and looking for something to go with it, there are a few things you have to consider.

1. What kind of motion are you wanting from the ball?
2. What are you comfortable with when it comes to ball motion?

Obviously, a match up solid is a ball that isn't designed to be very aggressive, however, you can make it do some pretty incredible things. Personally, I like to play with surfaces and cores. If you're mainly just looking for a compliment to the Match Up Solid, I'd consider a few different balls if you're looking to stay in the Storm family.

1. Hy-Road. There is a reason this is the #1 selling ball of ALL TIME. It's VERY predictable, hybrid cover that reads the lanes well and because it has a thicker cover (less dense core), it hits like a truck.
2. Rotogrip Winner (releases this week). They modified the Hot Shot core to lower the differential and increase overall hook. Something tells me this ball is going to be very close to what the Show Off does, which actually breaks late and hard for my taste.
3. Rotogrip Hustle HYB. Don't underestimate this ball. This ball reads the lanes VERY well for being in the HP1 line and hooks a LOT.

Those are all going to have more "hook" than your matchup solid, not necessarily more "motion". The best option is to have a PSO check everything out and make a decision.

[mx1alex]

Thank you Chip! I was in your great state a couple of weeks ago. I drove all the way from Colorado through Wyoming up into Montana. Absolutely beautiful country!

[chip82901]

Thank you Chip! I was in your great state a couple of weeks ago. I drove all the way from Colorado through Wyoming up into Montana. Absolutely beautiful country!

It's pretty nice. Unfortunately I'm in the same boat as you. The PSO I use is actually 2.5 hours from me at Hill AFB just outside of Ogden, UT. Max Shellabarger has been treating me pretty well for a few years now.