Got my new ball!

[J Daisy]

It came, and I think it looks great. They don't make it in 11 pounds (my size), so I got it in 12 pounds 2 ounces, the lightest 12 pound ball they had. I want to take it to get drilled Sunday (tomorrow). I want to get fingertips, but I never had a ball with fingertip drilling before. I don't know how it is supposed to fit or feel. Any tips?

Also, stupid question that I'm almost ashamed to ask: since the ball is heavier than I'm used to, are fingertips a bad idea because it raises the risk of me dropping it early or on the backswing? Please don't laugh, I have only ever done that once, haha.

[RobLV1]

At the risk of repeating myself, FIND A COACH! At your level, how you begin makes all the difference. You have your entire life ahead of you to enjoy this great sport. Give yourself a chance to get the most out of it.

[classygranny]

It came, and I think it looks great. They don't make it in 11 pounds (my size), so I got it in 12 pounds 2 ounces, the lightest 12 pound ball they had. I want to take it to get drilled Sunday (tomorrow). I want to get fingertips, but I never had a ball with fingertip drilling before. I don't know how it is supposed to fit or feel. Any tips?

Also, stupid question that I'm almost ashamed to ask: since the ball is heavier than I'm used to, are fingertips a bad idea because it raises the risk of me dropping it early or on the backswing? Please don't laugh, I have only ever done that once, haha.

Daisy, you will be fine with the 12 lb fingertip. A fingertip drilling actually lets the ball rest in your hand better and will actually feel lighter, provided it fits well. A good proshop operator will be able to answer any questions you have about the different drillings. And so what if you drop it a few times...you will learn from that as well.

Besides, we have all dropped the ball behind us at one time or another.

[boatman37]

Rob can answer this better than me but I think 11lb and under don't have the same core as the 'heavier' balls so they won't actually be the same with the same type of movement.

But yeah, a good pro shop can set you up and I don't think you will have any issues with it. Good luck with it and keep us updated.

[Phonetek]

Fingertip doesn't make the ball any more difficult to hold. You would think it does but it doesn't. Physics and gravity are your friend. Your just as likely to drop a conventional drilled ball. Throw a few games with it and get used to the grip and it will be old hat in by the time you finish the session. Throwing it properly is the more difficult part.

For what it's worth, my wife the a 15# fingertip with no problems. If anything the first time you throw it you're going to launch it past the arrows because you'll be so afraid to drop it that you'll end up holding on to it too long.

I went from 12# conventional to 16# fingertip when I was 13. The first 4 times I threw it the ball went straight up in the air over my head and slammed down on the approach. I had to dive out of the way so not too get konked. So it took me 5 attempts before my new ball touched the actual lane. I felt and looked like a complete idiot but once I actually put it in front of me and actually let go of it I was fine.

[J Daisy]

At the risk of repeating myself, FIND A COACH! At your level, how you begin makes all the difference. You have your entire life ahead of you to enjoy this great sport. Give yourself a chance to get the most out of it.
Thanks again for the advice, but at this time I cannot do that. When things change, I will consider it. :-)

[J Daisy]

Daisy, you will be fine with the 12 lb fingertip. A fingertip drilling actually lets the ball rest in your hand better and will actually feel lighter, provided it fits well. A good proshop operator will be able to answer any questions you have about the different drillings. And so what if you drop it a few times...you will learn from that as well.

Besides, we have all dropped the ball behind us at one time or another.

Thanks. I'm likely worried about nothing, but you guys have done this a lot longer and know a lot more than me, so I thought I should ask. I don't want to have to get the ball redrilled because of my stupidity on the subject, haha.

[J Daisy]

Rob can answer this better than me but I think 11lb and under don't have the same core as the 'heavier' balls so they won't actually be the same with the same type of movement.

But yeah, a good pro shop can set you up and I don't think you will have any issues with it. Good luck with it and keep us updated.

I did not know that, thank you for sharing that info. I would ask Rob, but I'm pretty sure he'll tell me to get a coach and ask him, haha. ;-)

Thank you, I will keep you updated. My current update is that I did not get it drilled today because the pro shop guy wasn't in, but I still plan on following through with getting fingertips when I get the chance.

[J Daisy]

Fingertip doesn't make the ball any more difficult to hold. You would think it does but it doesn't. Physics and gravity are your friend. Your just as likely to drop a conventional drilled ball. Throw a few games with it and get used to the grip and it will be old hat in by the time you finish the session. Throwing it properly is the more difficult part.

For what it's worth, my wife the a 15# fingertip with no problems. If anything the first time you throw it you're going to launch it past the arrows because you'll be so afraid to drop it that you'll end up holding on to it too long.

I went from 12# conventional to 16# fingertip when I was 13. The first 4 times I threw it the ball went straight up in the air over my head and slammed down on the approach. I had to dive out of the way so not too get konked. So it took me 5 attempts before my new ball touched the actual lane. I felt and looked like a complete idiot but once I actually put it in front of me and actually let go of it I was fine.

Thank you for the advice, encouraging words, and as always, the stories that come with. You really should write a book full of your bowling stories, no joke. :)

[boatman37]

And I can't say for sure but 12lb might be a little too light for you. I could be completely wrong but I would think you would be ok a little heavier

[bowl1820]

Rob can answer this better than me but I think 11lb and under don't have the same core as the 'heavier' balls so they won't actually be the same with the same type of movement.


I did not know that, thank you for sharing that info. I would ask Rob, but I'm pretty sure he'll tell me to get a coach and ask him, haha. ;-)

Just so you know, Yes typically most "Hi Tech" balls when they hit #12 the companies switch to what they refer to as a generic core (a light bulb, pancake etc.). Most of the time it has to do with the densities of the materials used in the hi tech core vs the ones they have to use to get the lighter weight. .

For the most part it's not going to make a big difference in the balls performance at those lighter weights. Especially if your just starting out.

There are a few companies that balls that have a high tech core in the lighter weights in some lines, but you have to really research to find just which ones.

The more important thing is that the balls use the same coverstock as the higher weight (Which they all do, at least I've never heard of one that used a different one). Because Coverstock is where the rubber meets the road.

As for conventional vs fingertip, Go with fingertip.

In the old days you started off learning to bowl with a conventional grip, it gave you maximum control blah blah blah. Then once you mastered that you went to fingertip for "POWER" and you had to start learning to bowl all over again (Of course it went a little faster, but still....).

A properly fitted fingertip ball will feel light in your hand and you won't have any trouble holding onto to it.

[J Daisy]

Just so you know, Yes typically most "Hi Tech" balls when they hit #12 the companies switch to what they refer to as a generic core (a light bulb, pancake etc.). Most of the time it has to do with the densities of the materials used in the hi tech core vs the ones they have to use to get the lighter weight. .

For the most part it's not going to make a big difference in the balls performance at those lighter weights. Especially if your just starting out.

There are a few companies that balls that have a high tech core in the lighter weights in some lines, but you have to really research to find just which ones.

The more important thing is that the balls use the same coverstock as the higher weight (Which they all do, at least I've never heard of one that used a different one). Because Coverstock is where the rubber meets the road.

As for conventional vs fingertip, Go with fingertip.

In the old days you started off learning to bowl with a conventional grip, it gave you maximum control blah blah blah. Then once you mastered that you went to fingertip for "POWER" and you had to start learning to bowl all over again (Of course it went a little faster, but still....).

A properly fitted fingertip ball will feel light in your hand and you won't have any trouble holding onto to it.

Thank you very much. That answers a lot of my questions, and is a lot of help to me. :)

[J Daisy]

And I can't say for sure but 12lb might be a little too light for you. I could be completely wrong but I would think you would be ok a little heavier

Why do you think so? And how can I tell? 11 pounds just feels right to me, and 12 seems to be pushing it, but I can be wrong. I heard from two bowlers that I want a ball that is 10% of my body weight, but this does seem logical to me, considering how many people I've seen who should be using 25-30 pound balls following that rule. Is it actually accurate? If so, I am bowling about what I should be.

[boatman37]

Not real sure. See what others similar to you are using. Just seems pretty light to me but I'm just guessing here. I'm sure someone here can correct me if I'm wrong. My wife uses a 6lb ball when she goes and would probably use a 2lb if they had one...lol

Maybe not starting out with your first new ball but thinking after you get a little experience.

[J Daisy]

Not real sure. See what others similar to you are using. Just seems pretty light to me but I'm just guessing here. I'm sure someone here can correct me if I'm wrong. My wife uses a 6lb ball when she goes and would probably use a 2lb if they had one...lol

Maybe not starting out with your first new ball but thinking after you get a little experience.

Okay, I will try looking into it. Thanks. :)

[Phonetek]

Thank you for the advice, encouraging words, and as always, the stories that come with. You really should write a book full of your bowling stories, no joke. :)
My "stories" can already be found online just in different posts all over the place, so the writing part is already done. If you'd like to cut and paste them all together and put them in book form you are more than welcome to do so. Lol when you're done send me a copy and I'll be happy to sign it for you. =)

[J Daisy]

My "stories" can already be found online just in different posts all over the place, so the writing part is already done. If you'd like to cut and paste them all together and put them in book form you are more than welcome to do so. Lol when you're done send me a copy and I'll be happy to sign it for you. =)

So long as I am listed as a co-author, I get compensated for my time, and you go through the work of actually publishing it (I hear it's free on Amazon), then I would be more than happy to do that for you, haha.

[Phonetek]

Wait a minute here.... It's your idea not mine! I told you what I'd do, non-negotiable lol I'm content doing what I've been doing and you can just be a fan =)

[J Daisy]

Wait a minute here.... It's your idea not mine! I told you what I'd do, non-negotiable lol I'm content doing what I've been doing and you can just be a fan =)

I just know a good book idea when I see it. I wouldn't be a good book reviewer if I didn't.

Haha, you flatter yourself often?

[Phonetek]

All I'm doing is posting on a forum lol I'm glad you enjoy my posts. =)