Ball recommendation for an old/new bowler?

[LTNINGFan]

Hi all,

I am thinking of joining a league in the fall, and the last league I did was back in the mid 90's. I'm not a very good (avg 150 or so), I still have a Kmart-bought Brunswick Eclipse that I got around that time frame.

I'd like to upgrade my ball possibly. I am a straight roller, and have tried a hook a few times, but never mastered it.

So what you all recommend? Just stay with what I have? I talked to a pro yesterday about it, and he tried to sell me a Track 3000c, but I wasn't ready to do so until I read some reviews on it (which I did last night, and I am not sure about it).

Thanks, and it's good to be a part of the community :)

[billf]

I would suggest the DV8 Misfit with a full roller drilling. The ball gives a lot of bang for the buck. There is no reason to go for the high end, expensive balls until after you have mastered a hook.

[bowl1820]

I would suggest the DV8 Misfit with a full roller drilling. The ball gives a lot of bang for the buck. There is no reason to go for the high end, expensive balls until after you have mastered a hook.

The Eclipse is a reactive with a pancake weight block and was for light oil. the Track 300C would be fair step up from it.

The track as a better core Than the Eclipse and basically for Medium to Light Oil. The 300C looks to be designed for the entry level player. It isn't expensive, just looked it up about $100.

The Misfit would be fine also, its low cost And just about same as the 300C.

[LTNINGFan]

Thanks for the input so far guys, I do appreciate it.

I did find the Track 3000C as cheap as $90 online. The local pro-shop has it for $139 including drilling. I knew it would be higher at the shop, not a shock to me :). I may take a deeper look the 3000C. Oh, and the pro also told me about Track's new 3000A that is supposed to come out, and was raving how much better it was than the C, and will be at the same price as the C model. I'm in no big hurry yet. Still plenty of time to get a new one and get used to it with some much needed practice.

[JaMau24]

Thanks for the input so far guys, I do appreciate it.

I did find the Track 3000C as cheap as $90 online. The local pro-shop has it for $139 including drilling. I knew it would be higher at the shop, not a shock to me :). I may take a deeper look the 3000C. Oh, and the pro also told me about Track's new 3000A that is supposed to come out, and was raving how much better it was than the C, and will be at the same price as the C model. I'm in no big hurry yet. Still plenty of time to get a new one and get used to it with some much needed practice.

Make sure you find out how much it costs to drill a ball you didn't buy from his shop. I know the shop I go to charges $50 or $60, and I find myself wishing I'd have just bought it from the shop and got free drilling because when I buy the ball online (which you think is the cheaper option) you end up paying more for it.

[eugene02]

Make sure you find out how much it costs to drill a ball you didn't buy from his shop. I know the shop I go to charges $50 or $60, and I find myself wishing I'd have just bought it from the shop and got free drilling because when I buy the ball online (which you think is the cheaper option) you end up paying more for it.

for me, I've asked how much is the drilling at different places.. for the one i go is at $65 SGD with finger and thumb plug.. the other side is only at $40 - $45 SGD included the items too.. but never tried the $40 one before..

when i win a ball from here.. i'll go there and drill it.. so i can see how good is he in drilling balls..

[billf]

From what I've been told the Track balls use the letter suffix to indicate hook type; C= control A=angular

[LTNINGFan]

From what I've been told the Track balls use the letter suffix to indicate hook type; C= control A=angular

Oh, interesting. So as a straight bowler, will either mean a difference for me?

[billf]

Oh, interesting. So as a straight bowler, will either mean a difference for me?

Not a whole lot but the angular ball may still be a little jumpy/unpredictable as it tries to read the lane.

[LTNINGFan]

Not a whole lot but the angular ball may still be a little jumpy/unpredictable as it tries to read the lane.

Thanks billf :)

I am still wrestling with what to get. Soooo many options..:D

[billf]

If you're just going to keep rolling straight why not either a cool looking plastic ball you like or something like the Storm Natural? It's urethane but hits like a brick and isn't outrageously priced.

[GeorgiaStroker]

As bowl1820 said the eclipse was designed for light oil. You may find that you have more hook than you think when you throw the new balls, especially if the lane conditions are near to what they were when you were bowling with the eclipse.

[LTNINGFan]

Yeah, maybe with the right ball, I can work on learning a hook and it be more beneficial to me compared to what I have. I guess I would benefit more if I did hook as opposed to straight.

[billf]

You won't or don't need a big hook to strike often either. As long as the entry angle is between 4 & 6 degrees it doesn't matter how it gets there.

[eugene02]

doesn't matter how you throw.. as long as it gets a strike.. it's a good game!

[LTNINGFan]

Thanks guys :)

I decided to go with a 300T. I chatted with another pro today, told him of my style I currently have and that I wanted to start working on a hook. So that's what I decided to go with. I hope I like it, and it does well for me.

[GeorgiaStroker]

LTNINGFan Where do you bowl? Is there a center in Ringgold or do you go to one in Chattanooga?

[ursus]

Good luck with your new ball. I hope it works great for you.

[billf]

Good luck working on the hook. I'm sure you will be pleased with your purchase. When you have it drilled ask if they did a dual angle layout. A good driller can really help with ball reaction if he chooses the correct angles. A whole lot easier to learn a hook when the ball is drilled to react to the lane conditions properly.

[LTNINGFan]

LTNINGFan Where do you bowl? Is there a center in Ringgold or do you go to one in Chattanooga?

Yeah, no center in Ringgold. It's a little bigger than say 10 years ago, but not enough to support an alley. I do go to Holiday Bowl in Chattanooga (Brainerd location) as it is fairly close to me.

You're just down the road a bit from me. Not far at all :)

[LTNINGFan]

Good luck working on the hook. I'm sure you will be pleased with your purchase. When you have it drilled ask if they did a dual angle layout. A good driller can really help with ball reaction if he chooses the correct angles. A whole lot easier to learn a hook when the ball is drilled to react to the lane conditions properly.

Thanks Bill, I will make note of that when I go next Wednesday..I chuckled a bit when you said "I'm sure you will be pleased with your purchase", but I was thinking you might have wanted to say "But you'd do better with a DV8", lol. Just my sense of humor at work :)

Seriously though, if it can help me out, I am all for it. I was wondering how it might be drilled because of it's core. Thanks for the heads up :)

[billf]

Your ball is also suppose to come with a micro fiber cleaning pouch with instructions on use. Sometimes these things end up in the bottom of the box under some papers and/or cardboard. If the pro shop isn't expecting it, it may be missed so ask about it.
The 300T is a symmetrical core as are most balls of that performance level. This core and coverstock combination is a good, controllable ball that I feel is a good one to learn how to throw a hook with. It's very predictable and not jumpy or erratic. The high end balls can be jumpy and tend to hurt learning how to properly hook.
Yes, I am a HUGE DV8 fan but this is also a good ball for how you intend to use it and that is way more important than who makes it.

[LTNINGFan]

Your ball is also suppose to come with a micro fiber cleaning pouch with instructions on use. Sometimes these things end up in the bottom of the box under some papers and/or cardboard. If the pro shop isn't expecting it, it may be missed so ask about it.
The 300T is a symmetrical core as are most balls of that performance level. This core and coverstock combination is a good, controllable ball that I feel is a good one to learn how to throw a hook with. It's very predictable and not jumpy or erratic. The high end balls can be jumpy and tend to hurt learning how to properly hook.
Yes, I am a HUGE DV8 fan but this is also a good ball for how you intend to use it and that is way more important than who makes it.

Excellent info, thanks :)