New ball and new target

[Mike546]

My wife I started bowling this spring, I’m 58. I started with a plastic ball and straight shots and enjoyed it. A few months ago one of the pro shop guys walked buy and I asked him to watch me throw the ball. He said I was doing fine. He asked if I wanted to try a demo ball with fingertip grips and try hooking the ball. He set up a Track Precision and I threw some baby hook shots and I was sold. I bought one that day and have beeen practicing a lot. That ball seems to start hooking slowly as soon as it leaves my hand and slowly into the pocket. I thought I was doing something wrong because of the way other bowlers would hook the ball way down the lane. I now know that is one of the characteristics of the ball. I aim at the second arrow and stand to the left of the center dot. My best game so far is a 204 and a 149 average overall.

Yesterday I picked up a Hammer Rip’d gold. When I threw some practice shots from the same spot I was maybe hitting the 7 pin and missing everything else because it was hooking way later and sharper. I adjusted my starting spot 5 boards to the left and the third arrow and was having some luck. I decided to shoot a game and on the sixth frame the owner stopped and asked how the new ball was. I explained. He told me to angle myself a little right and shoot between the second and third arrows but pick a spot about ten feet farther down the lane to use as my target. I got strikes the next five frames in a row and finished with a 201. Not bad for the first game. And now this ball hooks at the end, which I’m not sure is better for my game but it just feels better. I’m still new to this and I am enjoying the sport more every day. I start my first league in a few weeks.
Mike

[GrumpyCatFace]

Welcome to your new obsession Mike!

I started about a year ago in November, when a friend invited me to join his league team. I started out bowling plastic and averaged 105 or so. Now I’m at 160 and climbing fast.

I love the feeling when you drop a ball off your hand just right, and the pins explode. It’s addictive!

[Mike546]

Thanks
I went back today with the expectations of bowling a 200 again. Boy was I wrong. Three 130’s and a 180. I just couldn’t find my spot. But I guess that’s what makes it challenging. The spares killed me. I couldn’t pick up the ten pin for anything with that ball. I’ll bring my old plastic ball next time and try that.

[djp1080]

Mike, Bowling is a game of feel and consistency. If you can keep your swing in a pretty straight line and maintain speed by using gravity to assist you (that is don't throw it with the power from your arm), you can make adjustments to where you start from with your feet and where your target is to get lined up to the pocket.
Knocking down all ten pins in one or two shots is a key to successful bowling. Use the markings on the approach and on the lanes to your advantage for lining up for strikes and also picking up spares.
Learn about the dimensions of the lane, the pins and the ball and where those markings on the lane by board number. Realize the centerline of the head pin sits on board 20 away from the gutter on either side which means there are nineteen boards to the left and nineteen boards to the right. Look down the lane at a full rack of pins and take note of where the center of each pin you see is sitting. This will help you to learn where to stand and what to target to get a lot more of your single pin spares.
Good luck with your learning process... Happy New Year!

[RobLV1]

Thanks
I went back today with the expectations of bowling a 200 again. Boy was I wrong. Three 130’s and a 180. I just couldn’t find my spot. But I guess that’s what makes it challenging. The spares killed me. I couldn’t pick up the ten pin for anything with that ball. I’ll bring my old plastic ball next time and try that.

There's a reason that 99% of the top bowlers in the world use plastic balls for spares. particularly the ten pin, and it's not because it makes it harder

[JasonNJ]

There's a reason that 99% of the top bowlers in the world use plastic balls for spares. particularly the ten pin, and it's not because it makes it harder

Yep, I'm a big believer in having a plastic spare ball. I remember seeing a video of pros being asked what was their most important ball, the majority of them said their spare ball.

[Mike546]

Yep, I'm a big believer in having a plastic spare ball. I remember seeing a video of pros being asked what was their most important ball, the majority of them said their spare ball.

Yep it’s coming with me from now on.
Thanks all

[mattmc82]

There's a reason that 99% of the top bowlers in the world use plastic balls for spares. particularly the ten pin, and it's not because it makes it harder

I use a DV8 Polyester right now (pancake block), but it is the wrong weight so I was going to purchase a new one. How much do I lose in 10 pin effectiveness if I were to switch to Storm Mix (with their faux urethane coverstock) or an asymm spare ball like the track spare plus or hammer black widow spare?

[JasonNJ]

I use a DV8 Polyester right now (pancake block), but it is the wrong weight so I was going to purchase a new one. How much do I lose in 10 pin effectiveness if I were to switch to Storm Mix (with their faux urethane coverstock) or an asymm spare ball like the track spare plus or hammer black widow spare?


That's a subjective question, the mix and probably the asym plastic ball will hook a little more but you can still throw them pretty straight. It really depends on the individual bowler and their release. I use a Storm Mix for my spare ball and I love it.

[Amyers]

I use a DV8 Polyester right now (pancake block), but it is the wrong weight so I was going to purchase a new one. How much do I lose in 10 pin effectiveness if I were to switch to Storm Mix (with their faux urethane coverstock) or an asymm spare ball like the track spare plus or hammer black widow spare?

If you are a higher speed lower hand bowler you will be just fine. If you are a slower speed bigger hand guy I wouldn't suggest it. It all depends on your game

[J Anderson]

I use a DV8 Polyester right now (pancake block), but it is the wrong weight so I was going to purchase a new one. How much do I lose in 10 pin effectiveness if I were to switch to Storm Mix (with their faux urethane coverstock) or an asymm spare ball like the track spare plus or hammer black widow spare?

To quote my mentor, USBC Gold coach Ron Hatfield, a spare ball should be one that is the same weight as your strike balls, drilled with the same span, pitches, and hole sizes, with a polyester cover stock and a pancake weight block. That said, I too have a pretty good sucess rate using a Storm Mix. I did use a White Dot for a year and a half but got ticked off when it started chipping around the finger holes. And since I had thirty years experience throwing almost dead straight at everything, I’m probably better than most at killing my hook and throwing any ball in my bag straight.

[djp1080]

I started shooting spares with a 16 lb Brunswick Black Beauty several years ago and it was straight as an arrow most days. Switched weights later and got a White Dot 15 lb plastic ball, never liked it and not sure why. Saw the Polar Ice from Storm and got a 16 lb ball drilled conventional to attempt to make it go straighter. Did okay with it and eventually got it plugged to go with finger tip drilling. Then tried a 15 lb Mix, drilled finger tip and liked it better than the other three. Finally, got a 14 lb Mix, drilled finger tip and a little negative side weight. It is what I'll likely keep using and my 10-pin spare averages are much better. I get a slight amount of hook on the backend of a board or two. I just polish it up every so often to keep it shiny.

[boatman37]

I used to just use my urethane Cobalt Rhino for everything years ago. Now that we have synthetic lanes and balls that react much more I had to get another ball. My first ball back was my Black Widow Gold and I couldn't pick up my 7's. Bought a Brunswick Black Rhino Pearl. I had trouble with 7's with this too After that bought the Kingpin and used that for my strike and spare ball. Worked better than the bowler did with the 7's. The problem with the Rhino and 7's was the ball would slip right into the gutter if I was too far left where the Kingpin would hold the edge. Took a 1000 CTD pad and scuffed the Rhino and it holds the gutter good so have been using it for 7's now.

[J Anderson]

I used to just use my urethane Cobalt Rhino for everything years ago. Now that we have synthetic lanes and balls that react much more I had to get another ball. My first ball back was my Black Widow Gold and I couldn't pick up my 7's. Bought a Brunswick Black Rhino Pearl. I had trouble with 7's with this too After that bought the Kingpin and used that for my strike and spare ball. Worked better than the bowler did with the 7's. The problem with the Rhino and 7's was the ball would slip right into the gutter if I was too far left where the Kingpin would hold the edge. Took a 1000 CTD pad and scuffed the Rhino and it holds the gutter good so have been using it for 7's now.

No offense intended but if your ball was or is sliding into the gutter shooting at the seven pin you are not lining up the right way.

[boatman37]

No offense intended but if your ball was or is sliding into the gutter shooting at the seven pin you are not lining up the right way.

Oh I know....lol. But I had always threw my primary ball for the 7 pin and aimed just to the left of the pin. Ideally the ball would hit the 7 square but I had a little room for error to the outside as the ball would hang on. With the Rhino OOB it wouldn't hold so I had to be more accurate. I don't throw a big hook so could get away with my primary ball on 7's. I try to error to the outside on my 7 pins and if I do miss my ball will hang on. I'm not accurate enough to just hit it straight...lol. Oh, I stand cross alley too so my right foot is about at the 7 board and I hit just to the left of the middle arrow. I have been a little more accurate the last few weeks though and hitting more head on.

[mattmc82]

To quote my mentor, USBC Gold coach Ron Hatfield, a spare ball should be one that is the same weight as your strike balls, drilled with the same span, pitches, and hole sizes, with a polyester cover stock and a pancake weight block. That said, I too have a pretty good sucess rate using a Storm Mix. I did use a White Dot for a year and a half but got ticked off when it started chipping around the finger holes. And since I had thirty years experience throwing almost dead straight at everything, I’m probably better than most at killing my hook and throwing any ball in my bag straight.

That is why I am getting a new ball. It’s a 15 and my strike balls are all 16s. But sometimes I feel like lanes are so dry I’d be better off with just one asymmetrical spare ball or the mix. If it just flattens out it could be useful on wetter conditions for the 9,10 and 6-10

[J Anderson]

That is why I am getting a new ball. It’s a 15 and my strike balls are all 16s. But sometimes I feel like lanes are so dry I’d be better off with just one asymmetrical spare ball or the mix. If it just flattens out it could be useful on wetter conditions for the 9,10 and 6-10

Most of the time, translated as dang near always, we coaches recommend that you do not switch weights between balls.

[Stormed1]

I use a Taboo spare (gas mask core) . It doubles as my dry lanes ball and although plastic still has plenty of "hit" due to the core

[mattmc82]

I use a Taboo spare (gas mask core) . It doubles as my dry lanes ball and although plastic still has plenty of "hit" due to the core

thank you! insignificant difference on 6, 9, 10 spares using it then? i am only 76% on my 10s so I want definitely do not want to regress any. Also may keep an eye out for a Taboo x-out - forgot they had the same core

[RobLV1]

You need to be really careful when considering plastic balls with dynamic cores, particularly if you don't have a lot of ball speed. I tried a Track Spare Plus, and found that it hooks too much for me as a strike ball, much less as a spare ball for corner pins.

[mattmc82]

You need to be really careful when considering plastic balls with dynamic cores, particularly if you don't have a lot of ball speed. I tried a Track Spare Plus, and found that it hooks too much for me as a strike ball, much less as a spare ball for corner pins.

i stay around 15 mph (at impact) with 16# equipment. If I drop second arrow on the shot they have for our league i hit the pocket nearly 100% but still average less than 9 on my first ball. Thats good to know about the spare plus - maybe if I just keep that in mind when having it drilled. Was it starting too early or cutting too hard at the end?

[RobLV1]

Thats good to know about the spare plus - maybe if I just keep that in mind when having it drilled. Was it starting too early or cutting too hard at the end?

Just over-hooking and inconsistent. Due to bone degeneration I only average about 10 mph. I really don't get the concept of putting at strong, asymmetric core in a plastic ball. It's a lot like putting a GT engine in a go-cart!

[boatman37]

Just over-hooking and inconsistent. Due to bone degeneration I only average about 10 mph. I really don't get the concept of putting at strong, asymmetric core in a plastic ball. It's a lot like putting a GT engine in a go-cart!

Hey those go karts are fast...lol. My son raced karts until 2012 and raced against a few NASCAR and Indy car drivers. Those guys race these karts on their off weekends because it is the closest thing to the real deal...lol. Anyway....back to bowling

[mattmc82]

Just over-hooking and inconsistent. Due to bone degeneration I only average about 10 mph. I really don't get the concept of putting at strong, asymmetric core in a plastic ball. It's a lot like putting a GT engine in a go-cart!

I see. my thoughts are I just need something to fire down the lane on these dry to the bone houses. my pancake plastic works but id like to get a better angle of entry if i can help it.