How Long is TOO Long to Use A Ball

[Paralipsis]

This is mainly out of curiosity, but how long is just way to long to keep using the same bowling ball? Mainly...what is the useful lifespan of a single ball.

[DanielMareina]

Depends on the ball. Most of the time, the more money you spent on it, the less lifespan it has. Most bowling balls are good for 200 to 300 games maximum. The entry level bowling balls seem to last longer. All of this is assuming you keep up regular ball maintenence.

[The Mayor]

I couldn't say it any better than Daniel. He's exactly right.

[HunterRunsIt]

I work at a bowling center, I currently bowl for my highschool and throw anywhere from 50-150 games a week, My balls are clean and maintained at least once a month and Ive had it for a 4 months. I know be people whose balls are about 6 years old and still going strong. So it all depends brotherman.

[DanielMareina]

You can throw a ball until it cracks in half, but you will notice a major loss of reaction after the amount of games I said before. I have seniors that bowl with urethane equipment from the 70's. A plastic ball will last forever too. The reason is that they aren't reactive. Reactive equipment has a shelf life. I rarely use a ball for more than 150 games.

[Trex]

You can throw a ball until it cracks in half, but you will notice a major loss of reaction after the amount of games I said before. I have seniors that bowl with urethane equipment from the 70's. A plastic ball will last forever too. The reason is that they aren't reactive. Reactive equipment has a shelf life. I rarely use a ball for more than 150 games.

There are times I bowl 150 games in one day, If I got rid of every reactive ball I used for those 150 games, I would go broke buying new balls every week!!

When you get done with them after 150 games, send them my way! :)

[JerseyJim]

It depends on the type of resin the manufacturer uses in the ball. Some of the resins that Ebonite used to use soaked up oil like a sponge, if you didn't remove it on a regular basis they would die. The resins that Lane Masters used in their older balls didn't soak up as much oil. The Sure Strike was one of their later releases, and I haven't tried to remove oil from that cover yet. The reaction is still pretty decent. I bowled with an Absolute Power for 300+ games, and gave it a bath to remove the oil. Barely any came out of the cover, whereas my Red Wolf and Grey Wolf from Ebonite sweated like crazy.

[BallBuster]

I disagree with all of these numbers. My Columbia Messenger Titanium I have used for EEEEEEEASILY 500 games. I clean it with diluted alcohol before each bowling session, and wipe it off nearly every frame. It has lost NONE of its flair. My Storm X-Factor Vertigo has between 200-300 games and it still takes a wicked left turn every shot.

-KEEP ON ROLLIN'

[DanielMareina]

Jersey Jim is correct about the type of coverstock making a big difference. My Virtual Gravity lasted 150 games, and my Hy-Road was going strong at 500. Most bowlers will not notice the difference in reaction due to it being gradual, and because lane conditions will affect the balls reaction too. It most definetly does lose hook potential over time. Each ball has a different life span, but assuming they are reactive equipment, they will deteriorate. With proper maintence, you can probably triple the life expectancy.
As for you Trex, you do not bowl 150 games in a day! That is ridiculous! Secondly, I never said get rid of your ball after 150 games. I said that after 150 games, the ball will not be what it was when you got it. Trust me, I have a long line of people asking for my equipment. I give away around 10 balls a year to friends, employees, and teammates. I own 17 balls right now. I drill hundreds of balls a year for my customers and around 15 a year for myself. I know some bowlers use balls for thousands of games. My buddy throws a Storm Tour Power that he has put easily 750 games on and shot an 800 series with it last year. It isn't that the ball won't react, or even won't react strongly, It just doesn't react the same as it does new or slightly used.

[bjeffe1234]

Ok, so what is the effect of resurfacing on the life of the ball? Does it restore the coverstock to near where it was when it was first purchased?

[DanielMareina]

Resurfacing is very important. It will restore the ball to very close to new when you do it properly. The big problem is oil absorbtion. The coverstocks will soak up oil, and there isn't a great (non risky, yet effective) way to get the oil back out. The more aggresive the coverstock, the more pourous the coverstock, the more oil absorbtion. Some use heat, some use hot water, some use chemicals. None of which don't have risks to the ball's coverstock, and some don't work very well. If you wipe the oil off your ball constantly, resurface your ball regularly (every 50-75 games), and store them properly, you can keep a ball top notch for a decent amount of time. You can probably triple the time you get the ball at top notch.

[bjeffe1234]

Thanks. I have used heat, warm water and cleaner. I have microfiber towels also but just haven't formed the habit of wiping my bowling balls clean between throws or cleaning them between sessions. Now that I understand the importance, I will keep them clean. I have all pro-performance balls and being a little more expensive I would like them to last as long as possible.

[Paralipsis]

Ok, so what is the effect of resurfacing on the life of the ball? Does it restore the coverstock to near where it was when it was first purchased?

I can answer this one. Resurfacing your ball, depending on the method, can restore some life to your ball. I've had mine resurfaced twice to bring back it's reactivity.

Going back to my original issue...I'm rolling a hammer No Mercy right now and I've put atleast 100+ games on it since it's last resurface. I'm noticing there isn't much of a back end left even if I clean the living hell out of it and pull any oil out of it. I don't know how many games were rolled on it prior to me getting it, but I'm getting sort of depressed since I love this ball and don't want to get rid of it.

[stevehaberland]

the only thing resurfacing does it return the ball to its round condition if it has nicks or scrapes. most pro shops have a tank they can dip your ball in that has an oil dry in it if you feel like your reaction isnt what is use to be this will restore you ball to about 85% of where it was brand new.

[tumblebug1949]

I bought my Brunswick Crown Jewel in 1972 or 73 I think and I can roll it just as crooked now as I ever could.

[littlelegs]

I can answer this one. Resurfacing your ball, depending on the method, can restore some life to your ball. I've had mine resurfaced twice to bring back it's reactivity.

Going back to my original issue...I'm rolling a hammer No Mercy right now and I've put atleast 100+ games on it since it's last resurface. I'm noticing there isn't much of a back end left even if I clean the living hell out of it and pull any oil out of it. I don't know how many games were rolled on it prior to me getting it, but I'm getting sort of depressed since I love this ball and don't want to get rid of it.

I know the feeling with an older style Taboo at the moment (posted about it in the reviews section). I love the feel and reaction (when it does react properly) of the ball but it's not even close to being as strong as it was, but then again it's had heavy use. I'm going to give the revivor oven at the local pro shop a go with it and see what happens. I have a much older Morich Mania that came back strong after a few hours in the oven. Let's hope it works on the Taboo too.

[Special_K]

well maintenance says it all really

[Stormed1]

Resurfacing restores the peaks and valleys of the coverstockThe coverstock is just like the tires on your car. They wear as you drive as does the coverstock on your bal. The peaks and valleys wear and get smaller ana result your ball looses reaction. Resurfacing restores the peaks and valleys and reaction