Need a new ball....opinions?

[D555F]

Ok i just got back into bowling, and i have some pretty out dated equiptment. Yesterday was my first day back in about a year and a half and i shot 176,188, and 233. So overall i wasnt to dissapointed.

Im in the market for 1 or 2 new balls. My current setup consists of a Storm XXX, Storm Vertigo, and a Storm Barbed wire. Yes i know there old lol. I must say the XXX is the BEST ball ive ever used, no matter what lane condition i was on this ball has helped me out a ton! I shot games of 288, 278, 281, 245, 255, 275 246, etc with this ball all in 1 week when it was new.

Now, i tend to crank the ball a little bit so im afraid that a HIGH hooking ball will move to much for me. I normally stand about center board or 5-10 boards left of center depending on the lane conditions. I know its hard to tell me what ball is best without seeing my form and release but opinions are welcome.

Keep in mind my Storm XXX moves great for me and i love it, so something compariable to the XXX would be nice. I was looking at the Storm Reign and the Storm Virtual Energy. How are they? the reviews seem good.

thanks guys

Dom

[Graaille]

Welcome to BB. On the opinion of what to get for a new ball - you'll find everyone has an opinion, and you'll get 30 different ball suggestions that may or may not work for you.

You say you crank it - what would help the group make an informed suggestion would be more info about where and how you play.

1. Approximate rev rate - guesstimations are acceptable.
2. Approximate ball speed
3. Type of lanes you typically bowl on (Wood, Guardian, Anvilane, HPL, etc....)
4. Typical amount of oil on the lanes.
5. League bowler or just open bowling for fun?

#'s 3 and 4 can be answered by asking at the front desk at your bowling center, and if you don't know #1 or 2, ask someone who works at the lanes to watch you and guesstimate. If your lanes have a Qubica speed system - even better.

Since the current balls you have are from Storm, I'm going to suppose a degree of preference for Storm over others. Having said that, you may want to look at RotoGrip as well since they're essentially twin sister companies. Personally I'm going to refrain putting suggestions out there until #1-4 are filled in.

[D555F]

1. i have no idea lol ill find out
2. ball speed of 15.50 (average)
3. wood lanes, some synthetic
4. wood lanes tend to have a decent amount of oil, synthetic lanes i always seem to struggle to get the ball to move.
5. as of right now im just an open bowler, but may bowl leagues

[D555F]

Now, you are right i mainly like storms equiptment, every ball i have from them has always amazed me. So id love to stay with storm, so ill look into Roto Grip.

The lanes i bowl at i no i see the name Qubica everywhere lol.

[southpaw Bob]

If you have a ball/balls that work fine for you, why bother buying another one? Looks to me like your doing just fine with what you have. However, if you insist on new equipment, why not go to the Storm sight and or other ball sites and contact them e-mail and ask some questions of their pros? I’m sure you can get the information you need to find equipment that reacts similar to what you have or what you believe you’d like to have.

[D555F]

i know i can talk to storm, but i was curious on what opinions some of you bowlers now use, and if anyone knew what was comparibale to a XXX.
2
im getting new equiptment becuast my XXX has about 2 ears of games on it, the ball just isnt moving like it used to anymore.

[Graaille]

Based on the specs I found for the Triple XXX, the closest thing in the current Storm lineup is a Second Dimension. Alternately you could go with a Reign.

Rotogrip's offerings would be a Cell as the closest match, Nomad Pearl as a second option.

Just remember that the newer coverstocks are much stronger than those of the balls you have.

[southpaw Bob]

How about a Hammer Black Widow Sting? Go to the Hammer site and watch the video on how it rolls.

[Stormed1]

You have the XXX (pearl) not the XXXtreme (solid) correct? Second Dimension Or Virtual Energy would be closest but stronger Reign would also be stronger and a little more skid flip compared to the XXX (pearl) If it's the XXXtreme i would look at the Dimension. In the Roto line the cell pearl would be closest to the xxx

[Beech]

How about a Hammer Black Widow Sting? Go to the Hammer site and watch the video on how it rolls.

I own a Black Widow Sting and if there isnt enough oil on the lane there need to be a fair amount, i jump to my Virtual Energy right away. But if your going to be bowling on decently oiled lanes than go for the Sting its a great ball.

You could look at the storm virtual energy / the Virtual gravity both great balls i have had exp with both. If your looking to get outside the storm line, look into the Jigsaw/Corner they both come back for me if i pull it across. just IMO but you throw it a lot slower than me i throw about 20mph avg.

Another thing would do is talk to your local proshop owner he could help you out a lot.

[southpaw Bob]

I own a Black Widow Sting and if there isnt enough oil on the lane there need to be a fair amount, i jump to my Virtual Energy right away. But if your going to be bowling on decently oiled lanes than go for the Sting its a great ball.

You could look at the storm virtual energy / the Virtual gravity both great balls i have had exp with both. If your looking to get outside the storm line, look into the Jigsaw/Corner they both come back for me if i pull it across. just IMO but you throw it a lot slower than me i throw about 20mph avg.

Another thing would do is talk to your local proshop owner he could help you out a lot.

I know guys that love the jigsaw, but it's a pretty aggressive ball. unless you have really good ball speed, that baby will overhook on you. Personally, I like the Black Widow Pearl, it's a little less aggressive in the backend than the jigsaw in the Hammer line.

[JAnderson]

The Barbed Wire is a good piece. I'd suggest holding on to that for drier lanes or when you want to keep things simple and play it straighter. Should be good for wood lanes.

The XXX was much weaker than was anticipated when Storm released that ball. It's probably close enough to the Barbed Wire that you can't tell much difference between the two? If that's the case, see if your pro shop will take one of the two in trade towards a new ball.

I never personally through the Vertigo or had a close friend/bowler buddy who's opinion I trust throw it so I can't offer much advice there.

Just about any top-line piece from existing companies will make a good counterpoint for heavier conditions for you. I'd advise against trying to duplicate what you already have with the XXX. Staying with the Storm/Roto line - the Cell is probably a good suggestion, or even a Mutant Cell if you want something that hooks more.

[jakester]

you could look at a morich craze, pearl reactive ball goes long but finishes well check it out on you tube